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Near Miss of the Day 39: Speeding motorbiker swerves towards cyclist on London Cycle Superhighway

Our regular feature highlighting close passes caught on camera from around the country – today it’s the City of London

With their physical protection from motor traffic, London's latest generation of Cycle Superhighways are transforming cycling in the capital, but even somewhere you might assume would be safe can be the scene of a scary encounter with motor traffic.

YouTube user Ethno Cyclist uploaded this video yesterday taken on Upper Thames Street in the City of London as he rode along Cycle Superhighway 3.

The footage shows two motorcyclists speeding towards him, and according to witnesses they were being ridden at a speed of around 50 miles an hour.

The cyclist added that although it's not entirely apparent from the video, the rider of the second motorbike then swerved at him at speed.

Over the years road.cc has reported on literally hundreds of close passes and near misses involving badly driven vehicles from every corner of the country – so many, in fact, that we’ve decided to turn the phenomenon into a regular feature on the site. One day hopefully we will run out of close passes and near misses to report on, but until that happy day arrives, Near Miss of the Day will keep rolling on.

If you’ve caught on camera a close encounter of the uncomfortable kind with another road user that you’d like to share with the wider cycling community please send it to us at info [at] road.cc or send us a message via the road.cc Facebook page.

If the video is on YouTube, please send us a link, if not we can add any footage you supply to our YouTube channel as an unlisted video (so it won't show up on searches).

Please also let us know whether you contacted the police and if so what their reaction was, as well as the reaction of the vehicle operator if it was a bus, lorry or van with company markings etc.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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34 comments

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lostshrimp | 6 years ago
2 likes

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

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fenix replied to lostshrimp | 6 years ago
6 likes
lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

I for one welcome our derney overlords. Bring on the Cycle Super Highway Keirin !

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don simon fbpe replied to lostshrimp | 6 years ago
0 likes

lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

Blimey! 19mph (that's over 30km/h for the cyclists), eh? On a road bike....

What can I say? I'm, unusually, lost for words.

 

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lostshrimp replied to don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
2 likes

don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

Blimey! 19mph (that's over 30km/h for the cyclists), eh? On a road bike....

What can I say? I'm, unusually, lost for words.

 

 

The point being I was doing a realtivly average speed  due to the number of much slower moving bikes  but much more than the 15.5mph / 250watt limit set on e-bikes and was being comfortably dropped by un-limited e-bikes. 

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don simon fbpe replied to lostshrimp | 6 years ago
0 likes

lostshrimp wrote:

don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

Blimey! 19mph (that's over 30km/h for the cyclists), eh? On a road bike....

What can I say? I'm, unusually, lost for words.

 

 

The point being I was doing a realtivly average speed  due to the number of much slower moving bikes  but much more than the 15.5mph / 250watt limit set on e-bikes and was being comfortably dropped by un-limited e-bikes. 

The point being whether you would comment at another cyclist passing at over 30km/h. I'd be a little hacked if someone passes without a little shout, but it seldom happens though.

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FluffyKittenofT... replied to don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
2 likes
don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

Blimey! 19mph (that's over 30km/h for the cyclists), eh? On a road bike....

What can I say? I'm, unusually, lost for words.

 

 

The point being I was doing a realtivly average speed  due to the number of much slower moving bikes  but much more than the 15.5mph / 250watt limit set on e-bikes and was being comfortably dropped by un-limited e-bikes. 

The point being whether you would comment at another cyclist passing at over 30km/h. I'd be a little hacked if someone passes without a little shout, but it seldom happens though.

I thought the point they were making was if the e-bicyclist could pass them at that speed ('while only lightly spinning'), then said e-bike must be putting out illegal amounts of power? If it were another cyclist it wouldn't imply a law being broken.

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Goldfever4 replied to don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
0 likes

don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

don simon wrote:

lostshrimp wrote:

As someone who uses that CSH every day thing that's really start to wind me up is the number of un-restircted e-bikes. Yesterday I counted 5 including one which wasn't far of a track derney with the rider wearing a full helmet. Doing 19ish MPH (270ish watts) on a road bike they were still comfortably droping me whilst only lightly spinning 

Blimey! 19mph (that's over 30km/h for the cyclists), eh? On a road bike....

What can I say? I'm, unusually, lost for words.

 

 

The point being I was doing a realtivly average speed  due to the number of much slower moving bikes  but much more than the 15.5mph / 250watt limit set on e-bikes and was being comfortably dropped by un-limited e-bikes. 

The point being whether you would comment at another cyclist passing at over 30km/h. I'd be a little hacked if someone passes without a little shout, but it seldom happens though.

Not sure that was the point but wdik

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Old Cranky | 6 years ago
1 like

I witnessed a similar incident with two fast moving motorcyclists near the same spot back in January/February

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alansmurphy | 6 years ago
1 like

Thanks, to be contrary with the shared path does that not again put us and pedestrians in a conflict situation? Whilst I appreciate they are the more vulnerable party here and I don't want car drivers telling me to wear a helmet, me travelling 10-15mph on a shared path and unlit pedestrians doesn't sound great. Think I'll stick to the roads.

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thereverent | 6 years ago
0 likes

I wouldn't bet on the motorbikes being stolen. Muggers tend to use scooters.

As motorbikes find it difficult passing large vehicles eastbound, I can see that some would cut into the cycle lane to get a faster route.

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alansmurphy | 6 years ago
5 likes

Great first post Maverick.

 

To your points, early October, half past 7. It is possible that the odd person gets caught out by the diminishing light at this time of year, you may even find a car driver that hasn't put their lights on. What exactly has this to do with 2 motor cycles travelling at high speed down a cycle lane? If they were on a pavement and hit your granny would you question whether she had her walking stick?

 

As for the RLJs - do all traffic lights have cameras, would they be of quality to show faces, what are the legalities of showing these and do you anticipate a cycling website receiving these?

 

As an aside, what are the laws/highway code stipulations about lights if you're on a cycle path, shared use path etc. Genuinely interested as I don't know.

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Bmblbzzz replied to alansmurphy | 6 years ago
1 like

alansmurphy wrote:

As an aside, what are the laws/highway code stipulations about lights if you're on a cycle path, shared use path etc. Genuinely interested as I don't know.

A cycle path such as the one in the video is certainly part of the road, so normal rules apply. A shared use path of the "white line on the pavement" type, same (road covers boundary to boundary, not just carriageway). For other paths, such as converted railways, I really don't know. I dare say there is no actual law in that case. 

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Maverick34 replied to alansmurphy | 6 years ago
0 likes

alansmurphy wrote:

Great first post Maverick.

 

To your points, early October, half past 7. It is possible that the odd person gets caught out by the diminishing light at this time of year, you may even find a car driver that hasn't put their lights on. What exactly has this to do with 2 motor cycles travelling at high speed down a cycle lane? If they were on a pavement and hit your granny would you question whether she had her walking stick?

 

As for the RLJs - do all traffic lights have cameras, would they be of quality to show faces, what are the legalities of showing these and do you anticipate a cycling website receiving these?

 

As an aside, what are the laws/highway code stipulations about lights if you're on a cycle path, shared use path etc. Genuinely interested as I don't know.

 

I take it that the other cyclists had stopped and multiple red lights were present that indicated "stop", I think is the answer to your last question

Avatar
alansmurphy replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
0 likes
Maverick34 wrote:

alansmurphy wrote:

Great first post Maverick.

 

To your points, early October, half past 7. It is possible that the odd person gets caught out by the diminishing light at this time of year, you may even find a car driver that hasn't put their lights on. What exactly has this to do with 2 motor cycles travelling at high speed down a cycle lane? If they were on a pavement and hit your granny would you question whether she had her walking stick?

 

As for the RLJs - do all traffic lights have cameras, would they be of quality to show faces, what are the legalities of showing these and do you anticipate a cycling website receiving these?

 

As an aside, what are the laws/highway code stipulations about lights if you're on a cycle path, shared use path etc. Genuinely interested as I don't know.

 

I take it that the other cyclists had stopped and multiple red lights were present that indicated "stop", I think is the answer to your last question

I do know how a traffic light works, I was more thinking of lights on a shared path. I think anyone that's cycled regularly will admit to a time where they've been beaten by the day light, had an issue with a bike light etc.

If there's an appropriate shared lane, I would generally go there, reduce speed etc. However, we know these are dangerous places for cyclists, if I'm legally required to be lit on a shared path is everyone using it also required to be lit...

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alansmurphy | 6 years ago
5 likes

"Given the fact there are two of them, and riding with such speed, these are most likely muggers on scooters/motorbikes rather than your average motorbike rider"

 

Or one absolute muppet and one thinking "oooh if he's allowed down there then so am I".

 

2 idiots doesn't necessarily equal an escalation of criminality...

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nicknumbernine replied to alansmurphy | 6 years ago
4 likes

alansmurphy wrote:

Or one absolute muppet and one thinking "oooh if he's allowed down there then so am I".

 

2 idiots doesn't necessarily equal an escalation of criminality...

 

Valid points, but having personally witnessed scooter gangs riding around daily throughout London, the footage has all the hallmarks of their behaviour. I highly doubt a 'legal' scooter rider would fly along a cycle lane at 50mph, especially if they are traceable - the situation points to stolen machines.

I have been a victim of scooter muggings twice in the past few years - a mobile phone stolen snatched a couple of years ago, and and attempted bike snatch last month. You only have to perform a quick google search to see the escalation of criminal behaviour by scooter riders.

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Maverick34 | 6 years ago
2 likes

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

Avatar
FluffyKittenofT... replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
6 likes
Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

How many people do they kill?

As for lack of lights - nah, I don't accept it - I quietly tut and roll my eyes when I see it. But as it doesn't endanger my life I don't regard it as a priority, sorry.

Avatar
beezus fufoon replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
9 likes

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

do you attach your rear light to the stick that's up your arse?

Avatar
Grahamd replied to beezus fufoon | 6 years ago
0 likes

beezus fufoon wrote:

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

do you attach your rear light to the stick that's up your arse?

Bit harsh that. New forum member criticises cyclist and gets thrown an insult. We should be welcoming new members and be open to be challenges. 

Avatar
beezus fufoon replied to Grahamd | 6 years ago
8 likes

Grahamd wrote:

beezus fufoon wrote:

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

do you attach your rear light to the stick that's up your arse?

Bit harsh that. New forum member criticises cyclist and gets thrown an insult. We should be welcoming new members and be open to be challenges. 

that was me being welcoming  1

Avatar
Maverick34 replied to beezus fufoon | 6 years ago
0 likes

beezus fufoon wrote:

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

do you attach your rear light to the stick that's up your arse?

Take a chill pill, don't be so angry

Avatar
zanf replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
5 likes

Maverick34 wrote:
beezus fufoon wrote:
Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

do you attach your rear light to the stick that's up your arse?

Take a chill pill, don't be so angry

Dont confuse mockery for anger. You will though becuase you're an idiot

Avatar
Zjtm231 replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
5 likes

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

 

Believe you are looking for the Daily Mail comments section...

Avatar
Maverick34 replied to Zjtm231 | 6 years ago
7 likes

Zjtm231 wrote:

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

 

Believe you are looking for the Daily Mail comments section...

 

Being told to stick my rear light up my arse is fine, but suggesting I look at the DM is out of order  1

Avatar
beezus fufoon replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
3 likes

Maverick34 wrote:

Zjtm231 wrote:

Maverick34 wrote:

Nice to see a red light jumper who also couldn't be bothered to have lights.

In fact two of the cyclists at the start of the clip don't have back lights either.

It's good to highlight near misses, but it also shows poor cycling practice, that is accepted by the other cyclists.

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

 

Believe you are looking for the Daily Mail comments section...

 

Being told to stick my rear light up my arse is fine, but suggesting I look at the DM is out of order  1

you misunderstood - what I meant was that you already have a stick up your butt, and so it would then provide a convenient point of attacment for a rear light

Avatar
kraut replied to Maverick34 | 6 years ago
4 likes
Maverick34 wrote:

What about a daily mug shots of RLJ'ers

I could happily provide dozens a day. Most of them would be in motor vehicles, though

Avatar
nicknumbernine | 6 years ago
1 like

Given the fact there are two of them, and riding with such speed, these are most likely muggers on scooters/motorbikes rather than your average motorbike rider.

Even the most audacious solo rider would err on the side of caution when blasting along a segregated cycleway in the City of London, one of the most monitored sections of roads in London. Echoed in the comments above, they are probably on stolen machines, so care not about other road users.

Scooter muggings, and crime on stolen scooters has reached an epidemic in London, with many criminals seeing it as the perfect crime. Police are forbidden from pursuing, else they risk the strong arm of the IPCC should any of their pursuivants come to harm.

It's even started to become reflected in the behaviour of delivery drivers and other scooter users. Almost daily I encounter motorbike and scooter drivers running red lights, driving erratically and taking enourmous liberties.

 

Avatar
Bmblbzzz | 6 years ago
0 likes

Possibly muggers, more likely using it for convenience I'd have thought. It gives them the same benefits as (non-motor) cyclists: less congestion and more safety. 

Avatar
fenix | 6 years ago
3 likes

Possibly these are muggers on motorbikes ? Stolen bikes so they really don't care ?

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