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news
VIDEO: Cyclist's 'terrorist attack' from intimidating FedEx driver
A cyclist who was dangerously tailgated by a Fed Ex delivery driver has expressed his anger that the ‘thug’ is being sent on a safety course by the Metropolitan Police.
The rider, James Avery, was followed by the Transit-type vehicle as he cycled near St Pancras station in London.
He said the action amounted to ‘terrorism’ and had made him afraid to ride on the roads.
He told road.cc: "This guy was full of nothing but hate - he could easily have changed lane if he was in that much of a hurry. At this stage, I'm still getting over the shock.
“However, this is how I view this behaviour - it's terrorism, pure and simple. You attack a train at King's Cross St Pancras station - you are a terrorist. Attack the building itself - terrorist. Attack a Santander bike outside the station - what's the difference?
“It is very clear that this thug wanted nothing other than to intimidate because he believed he was a superior person as a van driver. His actions were highly intimidatory, and they have achieved the desired effect of making me too scared to go out.”
FedEx responded publicly, saying: “Safety is a core value and something that we take extremely seriously at FedEx.
"We hold our drivers to stringent standards and they are required to abide by all road traffic laws and conduct themselves in an appropriate and courteous manner at all times. We are investigating this incident and are taking the appropriate action."
To James personally, they wrote: “I was sorry to learn of the recent incident concerning the driving of one of our couriers.
“From reviewing the footage that you have provided it is clear that the behaviour falls far short of the standards that we expect from our employees.
This has been reviewed and dealt with by the manager of the employee directly, and I thank you for bringing it to our attention.”
James was disappointed by the response, saying: “It's hardly an expression of shock or dismay. I want to know a lot more.
“Why is safety so irrelevant when it is on the road?
“Where was the onboard dash cam, where is the telematics, where is the cab cam? Why aren't insurers insisting on this?”
James has further updated us that the driver has been sent on a driver training course as a result of a police inquiry.
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25 comments
The driving is almost as bad as the camerawork!
I'm not sure which was more upsetting!
Your article says it was a helmetcam. Were you holding it in your hand?
Having said that, the people saying that you should've pulled over are wrong.
You were both heading towards a red light when he started beeping. He can wait!
See and this is the same thing that happened with my incident with UPS. The issue is that the Unions that protect these dangerous drivers are not at all concerned with life and more concerned with money.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXu2T7R5sMs
By that measure, i'm dangerous everywhere and will likely kill someone with my Lasagne Verde. Where's my freebie off all you rich folk?
If you consider that a terrorist is somebody who aims to frighten others into changing their behaviour, to benefit the terrorist, then I kind of get the point made by the cyclist who posted the video - drive so aggressively and dangerously, that cyclists feel that the roads aren't safe, so give up, leaving the roads 'free' for the driver to use unimpeded.
Come on.. buzz word emotive word bait using it in this context. Plenty of "terrorists" on this thread by the same measure and what is James Avery doing to Fedex? I want this or else. Bully perhaps, ars***le driver for sure. He didn't have 20kg of semtex under his FedEx jacket unless the OP knows something we don't.
Look, he got the guy fired most likely. Unless Mr Avery just wants the satisafaction that his kids will starve and his rent won't be paid next month, then why bleat on.
His kids won't starve because our taxes will go to his welfare. Which is a price worth paying to keep a clearly dangerous man off the roads.
Good old Londinium, the land of the freindly. Makes me want to cycle there!!!!
Oh I don't know,
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism
white van driver ideological opposed to traveling at less than the speed limit uses a weapon to threaten and intimidate others, seams to fit the description.
But yeah it's just a motorist, doing what motorists think is acceptable.
Should that be doing what society thinks is acceptable? Since police CPS and juries noreally take so little action.
Bellends at work. One in the van and the other for describing it as terrorism.
Stupidity begets stupidity.
Yeah, it isn't like a van, a white van is a terrorist weapon or anything is it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36800730
The next white van driver which does this to me, I'll be calling the police on 999 like there is a full on terrorist attack is underway, you can't be too careful..
Touche. Good to see some less outraged, and rather pragmatic sarcasm. White van man being a tool not really terrorism is it? Come to Kabul my OP friend, shall show you a comparison in terms.
Speaking from the French Pyrenees where - generally - drivers are used to and reasonably accomodating concerning cyclists - this looks like the classic urban stress situation , particularly concerning the driver. However, as a cyclist you've got to be realistic - there are some dickheads who are going to drive like idiots whether you're in the right or not. I've given way a few times rather than get killed.
The real issue is to a) persuade drivers to take cyclists seriously b) generally try and educate ALL road-users to drive/ride defensively and accept that frustration is an inevitable part of modern urban road-use.
Terrorism? Come on... Nevertheless a nasty incident of intimidation and bullying.
Good point about dash cams on courier vans though, I would expect that would clean up this sort of behaviour pretty quickly - if a complaint is made the driver should have that footage reviewed.
Having had the 'were reviewing the incident' line from a bus company myself, and knowing it was utter bollocks (I thought they would just be congratulating said driver!) I do sympathise with the rider, it leaves you feeling powerless and angry.
Hope he gets back on the road soon!
I like the terrorism angle - this sort of behaviour is an attack on a peaceful way of life. Needs developed further, but I'm digging it.
"It is very clear that this thug wanted nothing other than to intimidate because he believed he was a superior person as a van driver".
1st and only time he's felt superior I expect.
The driving certainly falls well below the standard we have every right to expect. It's certainly threatening and intimidating but Terrorism? Get real! I'm not sure what more he expects FedEx to do. They are dealing with the matter and so are the Police.
The driver has been sent on a course by the police. Where they'll be told that driving a foot behind a bike is a bad idea and they're allowed to be there m'kay? That is apparently the sum total of the response from the police.
If the driver (a *professional* driver, mind) didn't already know that then they should not have been doing that job or holding a licence to drive at all, IMO.
And FedEx need to pass him on to some no-name courier firm, before he kills someone. It wouldn't take much, and wouldn't even be on purpose, but if he drives like that then it's almost inevitable with passing time.
No, he needs to be taken off the fucking road until such time that he understands how to drive responsibly.
That too. I agree, I really do, but it isn't going to happen. Therefore you'd think FedEx would be at least a little bit concerned about their corporate image.
Yes that is a terrible bit of driving, however if there is clearly some idiot who needs to get past me on my commute because they want to get on with their job, you can just pull over for a quick second.
It's worth pointing out that when a cyclist "drafts" a car, you don't see GoPro videos of the driver complaining about it even though the cyclist is putting themselves in an incredibly dagerous position.
Yes because a cyclist drafting a car is the same as a van ramming up behind a vulnerable road user.
The reason why drivers don't have cams as much as cyclists, is because THEY'RE IN A FUCKING MASSIVE METAL TWO TONNE CELL which morphs into a marshmallow internally if you touch it, which pretty much means drivers couldn't give a toss if a cyclist kills himself behind it.
Just while we're pointing stuff out, and all.
It really isn't.
Perhaps because the cyclist doesn't kill the driver if they hit a pot hole.
Ridiculous comparison.
That really is a gratuitously nasty piece of driving. If I was responsible for fleet management I certainly wouldn't want such a liability driving a company vehicle. Surely it cannot be difficult to recruit a replacement operative?