Shocking moment van driver knocks cyclist over on pavement divides people over blame

A video showing the shocking moment a van driver knocks a cyclist onto the pavement is attracting attention online.

However, the footage has left people divided on who is to blame.

Watch here:

The TikTok clip sees a van driver in Northern Ireland going to open his door. However, when he opens the door, it ends up hitting a moving cyclist and knocks them to the pavement.

From the initial video, it appears as if the van driver had failed to check his mirrors before opening the door.

This led to some social media users have labelled the cyclist as being 'doored'.

The footage was posted by Keith Steele (@Keithsteele1) on Saturday (1 April) and has already racked up 63,000 views.

He wrote in the caption: ‘Which one is to blame?’, a question which many were quick to answer.

@keithsteele1/TikTok

According to The Highway Code, it is imperative that you take precautions not to hit anyone when opening your car or van door.

“You must ensure you do not hit anyone when you open your door,” the code reads. “Check for cyclists or other traffic by looking all around and using your mirrors.”

“Where you are able to do so, you should open the door using your hand on the opposite side of the door you are opening. This will make you turn your head to look over your shoulder.”

The code says that by doing this: “You are more likely to avoid causing injury to cyclists or motorcyclists passing you on the road or to people on the pavement.”

Some viewers felt that the driver was the one in the wrong.

"It’s the van driver’s responsibility to check n make sure it’s safe to open the door." one person said.

While another said: "Van as in law it comes under dangerously opening a car door."

However, not everyone agreed with that thought.

TikTok/@keithsteele1.

“Well the cyclist came from behind the van’s blindside off the road onto the path,” wrote one TikTok user. “Driver most likely totally unaware. Cyclist to blame.”

Another agreed and wrote: “The cyclist should’ve carried on in a straight line but decided to cut in last minute, that’s why the driver didn’t see him.”

However, some believe the blame lies at the feet of both the van driver and the cyclist.

“Both. Cycle shouldn’t have been on path but motorist should have checked his mirrors before opening his [door].”

Another echoed the earlier statement: “Looks like a solid white line [the van driver’s] parked on. If correct then both wrong.”

However, a third TikTok user tried to lighten the mood by writing: “The hedge is to blame. Should have had a short back and sides.”