Helmet camera footage can be found everywhere from YouTube to the national media these days, and can also help convict motorists involved in collisions or altercations with cyclists, or who are simply enjoying their breakfast while attempting to drive a car.
Video: Woman caught eating bowl of cereal while driving
But are some cyclists overdoing it? Have a look at this video, posted to YouTube last month showing a cyclist remonstrating with a motorist he believed had endangered him after she overtook him then turned left into a branch of Lidl to do her shopping.
Is it really that bad of an overtake? Was the cyclist justified in following the driver into the car park and then take her to task for what he saw as her poor driving? Who was being more reasonable, the cyclist or the driver? And would the situation have been different if the person in the car had been a 6′ 4″ builder?
The commenters on YouTube are pretty unanimous in their thoughts. Let us know your views in the comments below.
71 thoughts on “Video: Was this cyclist right to take this motorist to task?”
Guys* an idiot, car was
Guys* an idiot, car was waaaaaaaay ahead of him, he didn’t even have any reason to slow down the speed he was going.
*I’m assuming guy, I don’t have the sound on.
Something smells fishy here.
Something smells fishy here.
Cyclist was a complete d!ck.
Cyclist was a complete d!ck.
The overtake was clean, and far enouph in advance of the junction for it to be safe.
frankly (he) was boardering on assult – he got so worked up about having to lightly brush his breaks, he had to stop and winge about it for 5 minutes!
The cyclist seems totally
The cyclist seems totally wrong.
His only saving grace is that he was relatively moderate (if rather self-righteous) in his approach to the woman (who was even more moderate, despite being falsely accused).
Car appeared to be way ahead
Car appeared to be way ahead of cyclist before turning.
The driver was perfectly reasonable and calm, particularly when accepting the cyclist’s offer to view the video. I think that caught him by surprise as he backed out of doing that very quickly.
In general, he came across as a sanctimonious nobber and, worse still, a liar after telling the woman he’d wipe the footage and forget all about it yet it’s published here and elsewhere.
Cyclist was a nobber.
Cyclist was a nobber.
Name and shame that cyclist!
Name and shame that cyclist!
5 seocnds in and all I can
5 seocnds in and all I can think is “This is another one of those pisstake videos”.
That or its a set up to make all cyclecammers out to be fuckwits (which some need no assistance with)
Looking at his other video’s,
Looking at his other video’s, he’s just looking for any reason to moan, but yet to find one.
Towards the end of his video, he says because she apologiesed, he’s get rid of the footage….where does he get rid of it to? Youtube…..what a TUBE
It is pricks like this and a few others that give all helmet cam wearers a bad rep.
Gkam84 wrote:
Damn, he’s removed it? I was hoping to have a laugh at his other stuff.
What’s his Youtube name?
It looks to me that the first
It looks to me that the first overtake was clean but the second one was too close. He took his anger out on the wrong driver.
Like everyone else I agree
Like everyone else I agree this guy is a total dick and had no reason what’s so ever to have a girl at the girl.
Unbelievable. He needs to
Unbelievable. He needs to apologise to her. And to us cyclists. It’s guys like him that give the rest of us problems. He was driving with a friend and told him off too? I’m surprised he has any friends.
He’s just wasting everyone’s
He’s just wasting everyone’s time and needs to find a life!
Nope. That’s not a left
Nope. That’s not a left-hooker of any note whatsoever. Completely wrong to rage at the woman in the clip.
What a complete Twat. He
What a complete Twat. He wants to try riding in the West End, did he even have to brake? No. Knob.
The woman reacted brilliantly
The woman reacted brilliantly and was very composed when confronted by this imbecile.
All credit to her.
He is a bully looking for
He is a bully looking for trouble.
The one thing she MAY have
The one thing she MAY have done wrong was to overtake by a traffic island. Apart from that there was nothing wrong there.
The bloke was being a nob head and it’s this kind of action over nothing that’ll stoke up anti-cyclist felings. He hardly looked like a cyclist either so I’d suggest he’s someone who rides a bike rather than a cyclist.
What a fanny.
What a fanny.
She probably shouldn’t have overtaken near that traffic island, but I’d be completely happy if that was the worst I had to deal with. It wasn’t a textbook pass but it didn’t appear dangerous.
The guy should spend a day cycling along the Bristol/Bath A4 in morning rush hour. If he spends 3 minutes lecturing every person that doesn’t give him a wide berth he might arrive at the end of his ride in time for dinner.
Oh s*** , just had some weird
Oh s*** , just had some weird idea this is some disastrous advert for Lidl’s Silvercrest Action Camera.
Marketing budget not on par with GoPro ,but must do better . . .
the only problem was that the
the only problem was that the car overtook through a refuge so it is a pinch point so the car could have been too close or forced the cyclist to the gutter but he should have tried to ‘own the road’ at that point all in all moutain and molehill. as somebody commented perhaps if the driver was not a woman then perhaps the video might have had a diffferent ending.
er…..
er…..
unless the camera area of view has MASSIVELY distorted what i am looking at, i am really struggling to see anything wrong.
You could question the overtake and the traffic island by the second car?????
This cyclist is the type who
This cyclist is the type who gives all cyclists a bad name. He acted aggressively in a situation where it was unwarranted. You can tell from the number of car park spaces that the driver did not ‘cut him up’.
Too full of his own importance, the woman should be praised for her calm. Perhaps she ought to make a complaint to the police for harassment.
I was more concerned about
I was more concerned about the overtake at the traffic island and not the turn in.
Bloke’s a bit of a tosser. Southerners!
And those stupid side banners appear to have gone.
Another day, another incident
Another day, another incident, another set of comments reinforcing the now acceptable view that anything that an individual does should be reflected on the outgroup as a whole. Sigh.
bendertherobot wrote:
I don’t see anyone saying it *should* be reflected on us all. Even erroneously, however, these things often are.
It happens to lots of minorities – look at the Syrian refugees. One of millions suspected as a terrorist and now the whole lot are tarred (by many, not all) with that brush.
It just seems to be how human minds work.
Duncann wrote:
Yet we, as a cycling group, fully armed with the englightment that it should not perpetuate our own myth. That the mouth breathing Daily Mail might believe it is, at least, understandable. But we should be fighting not to subscribe to the notion that anything done by “one of us” is done in our name.
bendertherobot wrote:
I don’t see anyone saying it *should* be reflected on us all. Even erroneously, however, these things often are.
It happens to lots of minorities – look at the Syrian refugees. One of millions suspected as a terrorist and now the whole lot are tarred (by many, not all) with that brush.
It just seems to be how human minds work.
She was well in the wrong,
She was well in the wrong, when her car first comes into shot she already has the left indicator on so considers herself to be close to the junction, completly selfish piece of driving, I know I have spoken to drivers after similar incidents but normally because they are the second or third in quick succession.
He actually gets to the junction about 2 seconds after she turned in, bearing in mind that he also braked I would suggest she was more like a second in front of him when she turned. Alternatively she could have remained behind him and turned in approximatly 1 second later.
We are in danger of normalising and accepting a very poor standard of driving, had she done this on a driving test I like to think that she would have failed.
Manoeuvers like this happen all to often because so many drivers simply pull out and pass a ccylists without considering that they are carrying out an overtake and they should engage thier brain first.
EK Spinner wrote:
Or maybe she was indicating that she had finished the overtaking manouver and was moving back in? You know, like you are taught! indicate out, overtake, indicate in!
EK Spinner wrote:
Seriously?
Low Speed Wobble wrote:
Yes Seriously, ask yourself this, if you were the driver and a tractor or JCB was in front of you at (just under) 20mph would you overtake it 20yards before your left turn and not expect a very loud horn blast and flashing of lights
EK Spinner wrote:
I don’t disagree that such things don’t happen, but I think you’ll find this simply isn’t one of those occasions.
EK Spinner wrote:
It wasn’t perfect – possibly I might have ‘tutted’ to myself, maybe, at that turn. But its just that compared to the utterly crappy driving one encounters umpteen times a day (including as a bloomin’ pedestrian!) that event might not even have registered.
You just get so much worse so frequently, why pick out that particular one to chase someone down over?
And why upload the video, when, if this cyclist wears a camera a lot, they must have far more serious examples available?
Not sure about uploading videos at all, if they feature people’s faces and number plates, unless its something serious the police have lazily refused to do anything about (or, realistically, its serious but you just know on past experience the police won’t do anything about it).
If this chap would like to
If this chap would like to come forward, I’d be happy to show him what a left hook looks like. As a regular user of CS7 into London, I’ve experienced my fair share and it won’t take long to experience another. If you ever do a roadsafe or proper Police report, the key phrase is whether you needed to take evasive action, hard braking or steering to avoid a collision.
The only thing you can say about the driver, is that it looks like she was already indicating left as she overtook. Strictly speaking, that’s a little off, but you’d have to be a berk to chase someone down for that and I’m sure we’ve all done worse ourselves.
I note with interest that he
I note with interest that he stands well back until he’s worked out it’s a woman who probably won’t go for him before he rides over to have it out with her. Not only was he in the wrong but has no courage in his convictions. Utter bellend.
Most of us have been left or right (if in Europe) hooked and a lot get it on a regular basis. I had two far closer incidents on a one-hour ride this lunchtime but neither needed anything more than a yell to make them aware of what they were doing.
He’s the sort of “cyclist”
He’s the sort of “cyclist” that gives the rest of us a bad name. That’s a perfectly fine manoeuvre, ride on. Save your energy for pedalling.
Yes, the driver could have waited behind him. But she didn’t, and it was fine.
tw@t
tw@t
A good example of why you
A good example of why you shouldn’t ride too close to the kerb.
Irritating bit of driving but an overreaction by the cyclist. Seems helmet cams come with built in self-righteousness module.
Have to get me one and start posting videos of all the times I have cordial exchanges with other road users to balance things out like the drivers who’ve let me out 2 times this week at a tricky t-junction.
I think he just wanted to
I think he just wanted to tell somebody he was going 20 miles per hour. Must be a new record for him.
He reacts as if but for his
He reacts as if but for his superhuman braking he would have been pranged right into the side of the nice girl’s car.
If he really believes that is what happened I think I would be asking questions of his spatial awareness and general suitability to be on the public road at all.
We’ve all had some close (or worse) incidents but this wasn’t one of them – and it does make one wonder how many cyclists, with the twin cameras fitted, are now so heightened it’s distorting their reality.
Disagree folks. I think that
Disagree folks. I think that overtake is totally unnecessary. She is indicating left as she overtakes. If i am driving and decide to indicate to make a turn, i dont overtake something moving to do it……that is just dangerous and stupid. Fair enough, it might not be a “left hook” but that shouldnt be standard that we apply to safe/unsafe overtakes.
At first look, there appeared
At first look, there appeared to be plenty of room and enough space for the car to turn left. After watching a second time, I’d maybe be concerned (if I was the cyclist) about the left turn being a bit close, but the overtake looked safe enough to me.
Makes me cringe to watch it..
Makes me cringe to watch it………..the bloke is a complete tw*t
I’d like to see him try that
I’d like to see him try that on Ronnie Pickering!!!
If he thinks that’s dangerou
If he thinks that’s dangerou he should give up cycling. To be honest he needs to look at his skills and abilities first. Should hae had ahigher road position with those traffic islands, and 5 seconds I countedfrom her turning until he got to the turn in.
Some people shouldn’t have a bike but if they must then don’t let them have a camera as well!
Bikebikebike says something
Bikebikebike says something fishy. No. This was just a pollock of a cyclist who I suspect was having a bad day. She did not turn on top of him at all. He did need to slow down. Period.
Personally the vehicle may
Personally the vehicle may have been slightly close to the bike but it was signalling it’s intention and the guy on the bike should have had proper road awareness to realise this. It was obvious that the lady driver intended to turn left and she made the manouvre with plenty of space. Biker is totally out of order and so much for him saying “I will delete this when i get home.”
It’s people like him to give the rest of us a bad rep.
When the car went past I was
When the car went past I was thinking “It’s obviously not this one that’s going to annoy him…”
But then, oh, it was.
He’s well out of order and the driver handled it far more reasonably than he deserved.
She comes across really well
She comes across really well in this! Seems like a very cool person. It’s hard to judge from the camera, but it didn’t really look like he was cut up in this at all.
Ush wrote:
Perhaps there’s a general rule that the more appalling the driving the more crazed the driver’s response will be, and the more unjustified the cyclist moan is, the more polite the response is?
He’s an offensive bully who
He’s an offensive bully who forced the driver to apologise. Nasty, nasty bully.
He was clearly over the top
He was clearly over the top with his reaction. On the other hand, it wouldn’t have hurt the driver to wait 5 seconds. Most of us would have ignored it, but maybe his rant might make her think a tiny bit next time.
If it’s real (and it probably
If it’s real (and it probably is) then the cyclist is a sanctimonious tosser.
That cyclist was a massive
That cyclist was a massive bellend, she was about 100 yards ahead of him!
Surely this has to be a
Surely this has to be a parody? Of all the bits of driving to choose to call out he chooses this one? Weird.
FluffyKittenofTindalos wrote:
It’s not a parody. Helmet cams have simply given insignificant busybodies the wherewithal to become policemen, judges and jury by proxy. There’s no doubt cameras have proved their worth, but not in the hands (or the helmets) of people like this. I hope he’s looking at it again and feeling ashamed of himself. I doubt it though. He’s probably out trawling the highways for some other unsuspecting motorist. I wonder if he drives? Maybe he doesn’t / can’t and feels aggrieved in some way. Is there a psychoanalyst in the house?
The car drive didn’t cause
The car drive didn’t cause the cyclist to brake or to change direction and no offence was committed by the driver on this occasion. Had the left turn taken place a few seconds later (and this often happens) then driving without due care and attention would have been the appropriate offence or, perhaps, reckless driving. Cyclist needs to be careful with language, however, as that may constitute a public order offence.
i am a cyclist and i get much
i am a cyclist and i get much more “close calls” on people overtaking and turning , especially those who have their side mirrors folded…
the dangerous bit i thought would be the overtaking while next to a crossing island…
that guy needs to chill…and yeah i don’t like that he said he will delete it , and he hasnt (and of course there is teh possibility of this being a total fake again)
Nasty bloke. Cashing in on
Nasty bloke. Cashing in on YouTube eh?!
Why is this person videoing
Why is this person videoing himself riding down a high street? I just don’t understand it. Is it sexual frustration or something?
Why is this person videoing
Why is this person videoing himself riding down a high street? I just don’t understand it. Is it sexual frustration or something?
Johnny25 wrote:
Wrong question. Thousands of us do that and you know why.
The correct question is, why is he uploading it? Maybe he wants other people to tell him how bad his perception of risk is. Maybe it’s performance art. Maybe trolling on youtube has now skipped past the comments and gone straight to the video. Maybe it’s some sort of clever marketing campaign for Lidl!
Erm – no, he shouldn’t have
Erm – no, he shouldn’t have taken the motorist to task. Rubbish overtaking by the traffic island, but not dangerous and not *really* a left hook. Unless I’ve just got some motoring version of Stockholm syndrome…
That can’t be genuine !
That can’t be genuine !
Absolute class A
Absolute class A doooooooooshhhhh bag.
I coulda been in hospital and I coulda also been a magical fairy panzy-pie.
The video has been removed by
The video has been removed by the user. Better late than never.
I would love it for this
I would love it for this woman to be an off duty police officer.
I suspect he’s actually a
I suspect he’s actually a petrolhead who borrowed a bike then rode 100m or so with a friend driving past playing the role of ‘much put upon and needlessly harrowed motorist poor us’ just to troll cyclists who do actually have to put up with passes that are scary and reckless.
Just think, if the sort of crap we have to put up with happened between pedestrians walking down the street it would look like a mass brawl requiring police intervention. Put it on the roads however and it’s called a ‘transport system’.
Seems it may have been
Seems it may have been genuine !
http://road.cc/content/news/172308-was-cyclist-right-take-motorist-task-sussex-police-think-not