The more self-righteous and sanctimonious aggressive lycra-clad warriors have been using helmet mounted cameras to name and shame other road users for a while, now. The most recent was the one that showed us a twat who chased after the driver who encroached the cycle space at a set of lights. Then having caught up with the offender, started shouting at him before being dealt a smack in the chops. I have no sympathy with this clown. Sure, the driver was wrong – however, there was no need to go chasing after him. Better by far to just let it go as you never know what the other person is likely to do in response to you calling him a prick at the top of your voice. This cyclist found out the hard way. It could have been a lot worse.
It seems the biter is now to be bit.
However, the growth of dash-cams is predicted to herald a new trend of car drivers uploading footage of bad cycling.
Given the amount of bad cycling I see on a daily basis, I expect the You Tube servers to be heaving under the weight – although I don’t expect the police to prosecute as they don’t appear to be interested in chasing cyclists; they are the new untouchables.
Still, it will be interesting to see. I don’t have a horse in this particular race, so I’ll be getting the popcorn in and sitting down to enjoy the entertainment.
The problem is that, as cyclists don’t have to carry registration plates, even if you film them riding like complete arses (which isn’t exactly difficult) you can’t easily identify them.
True, but in the event of a collision, fault would be easier to establish.
The guy who was abusive and got smacked should have realised that we all make mistakes on the road and encroach on the space of someone who has priority. I drive a car, and ride both a motorcycle and a bicycle. I try at all times to keep errors to a minimum but nobody is perfect, so if someone else makes a mistake, like you say, just let it go. With regard to dashboard mounted cameras, if they are likely to make both sides think twice before acting like dicks then that is a good thing for all of us.
I always take – and teach – the Zen approach. Relax, step back and see what you can learn from the incident – even if it is only “I’ll see that coming next time”.
First of all let me declare an interest: I’m a cyclist, I was a driver and a motorcyclist for 40 years until a medical condition stopped me driving just over 4 years ago.
I saw the clip some time ago and initially thought “Two twats. They deserve each other”. Then I saw some other comments on the clip and watched it some more with a little more care.
1. The cyclist wasn’t particularly aggressive when he pointed out that the car had just encroached on the cycle box.
2. The cyclist chases after the car and says something like “You silly person*. You just drove over my foot.”
3. The passenger gets out of the rear seat and hits him
If the Audi really drove over his foot then I think the rush of adrenaline (or blood to the head or aggression) is entirely justified.
As Stoneyground says, we all make mistakes but the Audi encroaching in the cycle box wasn’t a mistake, he’d already stopped behind the line then drove into the box.
* Actually, I think he used rather more industrial language, but you get the idea. 🙂
My position remains unchanged. Don’t get involved in a road rage incident. If the adrenaline starts to flow, take time out. Get off the road as you will only make things more dangerous. It is never worth it. If the driver had caused an injury – and I cannot be sure from the video – then report it to the police and let them deal with it. And, yes, I practice what I preach.
I spent a day in Cambridge last September and was shocked at the behavior of cyclists and as a pedestrian was nearly taken out twice by “earbudded up” mountain bikers simply flying along pavements by the river in a residential area (which had been made “car unfriendly”). I saw several incidents near the centre where cyclists simply cut across traffic with no warning (and without looking) – causing drivers to take evasive action.
I’ve got a bicycle too – but the sheer… I don’t know what to call it … of Cambridge cyclists left me absolutely steaming (and wondering about accident stats) . Back on home turf – I’d say that about 50% of bicycles aren’t lit at night – with some going full stealth mode in black hoodies, black trackie bottoms and black bicycles. Dashcams might have a salutary effect – but thermal imaging systems might be more appropriate in Wiltshire.
It’s way past time cyclists started getting nicked for no lights (like when I were a lad) and dangerous riding – they want to be on the road – they can’t expect special treatment like the “oppressed minority” some claim (noisily and repeatedly) that they are. 😐
XX I spent a day in Cambridge last SeptemberXX
My comiserations.
” even if it is only “I’ll see that coming next time”. ”
A couple of days ago, I was in the car, approaching a T junction when a car came from the left and turned into the road, seriously cutting the corner as he did so. It was what you would call a near miss but hey, no harm done. Anyway, analysing the incident afterwards, I concluded that my observation had been poor and I should have seen the other car much sooner than I did. As you say, I’ll hopefully see it coming next time.