A CYCLIST from Nailsea has called for drivers to pay more attention after he was hit by the wing mirror of a passing van.

On Monday morning, Stuart Burgess was cycling along Queens Road on the way to Nailsea and Backwell Train Station when a white van passed so close to him the nearside door mirror hit his elbow, causing the mirror to shatter on the road.

Despite the loud bang made by the collision, the driver of the van did not stop.

Stuart, who works as a press officer in Bristol, said: “I was nearly knocked off my bike but managed to wobble to the side of the road.

“I was lucky the van wasn’t a few inches closer to the side of the road otherwise it could have been far more serious.

“The driver wouldn’t have known if I was ok.

“My elbow was very painful afterward.”

The incident happened at about 6.50am and Stuart was wearing a hi-visibility jacket and had lights on his bike to make sure approaching cars could see him.

The 38-year-old of Chapel Barton said: “Queens Road is a wide road so there is no reason to squeeze up to the side.

“Maybe the driver wasn’t paying enough attention.

“It was certainly a loud bang and with his mirror falling off as well I would have been surprised if I the driver hadn’t heard anything.

“Particularly if it is dark and raining, like it was on Monday, I would ask drivers to take a bit of extra care.”

Stuart has reported the incident to the police and anyone who saw anything can contact officers on 0845 456 7000.