A driver who didn’t like being called out for using the phone while in active moving traffic, retaliated at CyclingMikey with an animated and expletive-laden tirade, which included labelling the cyclist as a ‘virgin’, and then accusing him of supporting Chelsea.
*Warning: contains extremely strong language*
The cycling and road safety campaigner from Netherlands, real name Mike van Erp, often films drivers in London using their mobile phones, and committing other traffic offences, and reports the footage to the police, and also uploads to his YouTube channel.
In his latest video, which has received a fine dose of captioning and editing by none other than Jeremy Vine, Van Erp approaches the driver in his Fiat 500 who appears to be trying to make a call.
The driver on noticing Van Erp, rolls down his window and tries justifying his action saying that there’s a car stopped in front of him, pointing at the red bus. As soon as he says this, the car, ie. the bus starts moving, after which he changes stance, suddenly asking: “What are you f****** worried about it anyway?”
When Van Erp answers that he’ll be reporting it to the police, the driver says: “Well go and do what you f****** want. I’ve got cancer you c*** and I’m going to the hospital. F*** off before I get out, go on, f*** off. You f****** little stupid skinny little c***”.
Van Erp says: “That’ll sound good in front of the magistrate.” But the driver said that he “didn’t give a f***”.
The driver moves a little ahead before coming to another halt behind the car, ie. the bus. Noticing Van Erp in his mirrors, he couldn’t help but resume his tirade. “Well report me you soppy c***.”
Van Erp says that he has reported about a thousand such drivers in the last five years. According to his Twitter, the exact number is 1,369 since 2019.
The driver, then pops his head out of the window and says: “Do you know what a f****** nob you are. Go and get fingered by your bum-boy you soppy c***. No way — never had a bird, have ya? I bet you are a virgin, 100 per cent you’re a virgin.”
These do get a chuckle out of Cycling Mikey, until he gets accused of being a fan of Chelsea football club, and then getting invited inside the car.
“I bet you support Chelsea don’t you? Get that to your magistrate you c***,” says the driver. “If you’re going to be useful, come in the car and f****** w*** me off or something.”
That last 45 seconds or so got fairly unexpected.
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) July 6, 2023
> Taxi driver warns CyclingMikey he will “end up needing the dentist” after challenging phone use
This isn’t the first time that Van Erp has had to face swear-ridden rants by drivers who he’s caught on film using the phone or committing other traffic offences. Recently, a taxi driver warned him that he will “end up needing the dentist” after he challenged the professional driver’s mobile phone use behind the wheel.
The cab driver was reported to the Metropolitan Police by the road safety campaigner and YouTuber and is now being investigated by TfL Taxi & Private Hire, but avoided prosecution as the Metropolitan Police “ran out of time”.
I’m not a vigilante, I’m the exact opposite. If you don’t touch your phone when you’re driving, you won’t risk prosecution.
— CyclingMikey (@MikeyCycling) July 6, 2023
Regarding this incident, Van Erp said: “In my experience it’s common for phone drivers to start claiming things such as cancer, relative with cancer, death in the family, etc. I’ve no idea if this instance is true, but I’m sceptical.
“I got offered a whole lot more than I was expecting from this driver. Going by his obsession with reproduction, I reckon it’s him who is short on partners LOL,” he wrote under the YouTube video titled “The Most Eye-Opening Conversation Yet”.
BBC presenter and Channel 5 presenter Jeremy Vine, who edited the footage for Van Erp, also shared it on Twitter, writing: “I have never seen a cyclist-driver confrontation like this before. And towards the end it seems to jump the shark completely.”
But to answer the all-important question, Van Erp has confirmed that he in fact, does not support Chelsea. As for the driver, people on Twitter speculated of him being a West Ham fan, but Vine quickly shut them down saying that there’s no evidence of that yet. One person did guess he might be an Arsenal fan though…
-1024x680.jpg "“Clear anti-cyclist bias”: Lawsuit filed against Toronto police after cop doored cyclist… before ticketing rider over incident")
56 thoughts on “Driver caught using mobile phone launches foul-mouthed tirade at CyclingMikey — and accuses him of supporting Chelsea”
So is that a Public Order
So is that a Public Order Offence, or just the way the people talk in London?
Tom_77 wrote:
In my experience that’s just the way drivers talk to cyclists who have the temerity to say “get off the phone”, “that was too close”, “are you blind” or “you could have killed me” etc. It seems to trigger a sudden drastic change from mild mannered human into hate filled rage monster.
I asked a driver if she could
I asked a driver if she could have passed me a bit closer. Her reply : I didn’t hit you.
She then felt entitled to drive be through the red to make up for her lost time in speaking to me.
Given the Chelsea reference
Given the Chelsea reference and homophobia it’s likely a hate crime. He’s alluding to the Chelsea Rent Boys slur which has resulted in a number of Football Banning Orders this year
My innocent mind refuses to
My innocent mind refuses to put letters in place of the **
Utterly disgraceful reaction.
I thought everyone hated CM
I thought everyone hated CM so that would make him a Millwall fan then ?
Who Saint Mikey of Cycling?
Who Saint Mikey of Cycling? Never.
We are advised that part of
We are advised that part of driving carefully and competently is being in control of our emotions and you should not drive when upset. Leaving the indicator running (while not turning past an entrance no less) is an indication(!) of the distraction of the driver. – who also did not seem to realise the traffic had moved off.
Given the length and aggression of the tirade, along with threats of violence, I would hope that the police would look at ALL the offences on that recording (including homophobic comments) and the driver should get far more than an FPN – I think even if they decide only to charge with the phone offence, the aggrevating factors are sufficient that it should be dealt with in court and a higher level of points and fine should be considered.
oh dear.. you want ‘hate
oh dear.. you want ‘hate speech’ policed.
I’m guessing you’re not here
I’m guessing you’re not here for a debate on where the UK’s laws fit in with the UN’s Rabat Plan on defining where to set the bar on this topic!
For those who’d like to inform their opinion that might be of interest.
Anyway, back to “why looking at your phone while in charge of a motor vehicle is both an offence in the UK and a really bad idea – especially for ‘professional drivers’ “!
“If you are going to be
“If you are going to be useful, get in the car and wank me off or something”
In any world worth living in, surely that has to be reason enough to not report the driver.
And another thing. Where I
And another thing. Where I live us cyclists know our place ( apart from the lefties) and would never dream of interrupting a drivers telephone call which could be vitally important. I personally move into the gutter when a driver is approaching and salute them or give them the ”’ thumbs up”. Even when a driver accidentally ran me off the road I managed to give him the thumbs up from the ambulance so he wouldn’t feel worried that he was at fault in any way. The leafy lanes of Essex can be a dangerous place. Now where did I leave my bike again?
And another thing. If a
And another thing. If a driver tells you to f******g w**k him off, well, you have to defer to your betters desires, however distasteful you may find it. And don’t forget to salute.
Ah, good to see the Marines
Ah, good to see the Marines are on here! Or is it the Piers Gaveston? Confusing times.
A good soldier always obeys
A good soldier always obeys his last command
Hmmm. The driver’s reaction
Hmmm. The driver’s reaction would have been something if CM leaned into the car and offered to oblige.
giff77 wrote:
I hope the police also add a charge for attempting to solicit sexual services in a public place, from a car.
Well I’ve heard of giving a
Well I’ve heard of giving a driver a hand but that’s ridiculous.
You fiend. I just choked my n
You fiend. I just choked my n my chocolate digestive ?
ah, the sound of “I dun bad,
ah, the sound of “I dun bad, didnut I” – manefesting itself in multiple ways, followed by a desperate, rather ho-hum attempt to belittle or offend CM.
Accused of being a Chelsea
Accused of being a Chelsea fan? I’d sue.
Not a popular opinion here
Not a popular opinion here but making a man already stressed preparing for chemo treatment even more mad while standing still in the middle of the road (and partly on the opposite lane), seems to me creating more dangers than a guy using phone in a car blocked from traffic.
This angry driver if he stereotypes so easily as seen on the video, will probably hate all cyclists (or hate them even more if he already did) and will create dangerous situations to cyclists he may encounter in future.
Better have peace on roads, it benefits everyone.
cyclisto wrote:
He says “I’ve got cancer you cunt, I’m going to the hospital”; apart from the fact that we only have his word for that (it’s amazing how many people breaking the law are rushing to hospital for one reason or another, according to them) you’ve made up “preparing for chemo treatment” from your imagination. In any case, when I was diagnosed with a form of blood cancer I didn’t think it gave me the right to break the law, even on the many times I was on my way to hospital for treatment.
cyclisto wrote:
I get some of that, and “creating danger” – never a clever thing to do (outside of a circus). But who is creating what danger for whom? There’s a continuum, from self-harming to terrorism. I’d say who is affected and what the danger is can be quite important.
Too late. Although perhaps he’s “all mouth, no trousers?” (Seemed a bit more “creative” than many.) No amount of people playing nice is going to stop him being angry (and not paying due attention!) while driving. Now that’s a danger…
We are still moving towards “peace” through anyone not in a car being effectively barred from vast amounts of public space. And they’re still dying (in cars, on footways, in schools just yesterday). That is not the peace many are looking for.
cyclisto wrote:
One of the first steps to having peace on the roads is for drivers to stop killing and injuring people. Phone use behind the wheel is extremely dangerous and is both illegal and immoral as it endangers others for no good reason.
So, to achieve peace on the roads, STOP USING YOUR PHONE.
(I just don’t get why people are trying to shift the blame on Mikey – he’s part of the solution)
cyclisto wrote:
You really think it likely that he was on his way to hospital and wasn’t just making up a story to justify his lawbreaking? Alrighty then…
Why is it that when people (like you?) call for everyone to just get along and stop harrassing each other so we can have peace in our time, you always expect the cyclists to be the ones to just let it go and not get involved. You never seem to suggest that maybe – just maybe – the motorists in their two tonnes of car ought to start behaving and following the law. Funny, that.
Where is the danger coming
Where is the danger coming from?
Yeah these drivists. Funny
Yeah these drivists. Funny isn’t it how it always falls on the one person who just that day had an urgent medical appointment (at least cancer) and thus the best reason in the world to be on their phone while driving?
Every last individual that I
Every last individual that I know who has suffered from cancer has been driven to and from hospital by family or friends for their treatment or consultations.
That’s the exact opposite to
That’s the exact opposite to my experience; I’ve known several people with cancer, including family, friends and workmates, that all drove themselves to hospital for cancer treatments; if on occasion they were driven, it was only for convenience sake, so they wouldn’t have to find parking.
It does depend on the cancer
It does depend on the cancer and treatments, but as two of the main ones can cause fatigue and /or nausea, most medical advice is to have someone drive you to them and not drive afterwards.
I’m sorry you have had lots of people affected by this dreadful disease, but it seems they have been lucky not to need serious treatments for it. As you are Australian, is it mostly melanomas?
That’s pretty fortunate that
That’s pretty fortunate that you’ve known folk who have been able to continue to drive during treatment and their treatments haven’t had an adverse affect. Meanwhile oncologists will often recommend that a patient is accompanied during treatment for either practical or emotional support. And also for somebody who can remain rational and take in what is being said and understand what processes are being presented.
I’d say the driver fits the
I’d say the driver fits the stereotype of a Millwall fan. No one likes them and they don’t care.
Some real saddo here
Some real saddo here
https://www.gofundme.com/f/vigilante-the-vigilante
Ex road.cc reader !
Hirsute wrote:
Hmmm – the reasons for reporting a fundraiser doesn’t seem to cover fundraisers for stalking people which is illegal AFAIK.
Covers libel and I considered
Covers libel and I considered calling someone a vigilante which is demonstrably false to be libellous.
Hirsute wrote:
Good point – I’ll try reporting it again using that reason.
Good luck with that; libel
Good luck with that; libel has to be proven to be actioned and police will not act on a civil wrong either..
Following someone to gather
Following someone to gather information is not illegal or considered stalking, otherwise private investigators would be criminalised for doing their job.
individual with misplaced
My emphasis. Won’t you think about the driver? Amazed they’ve not added a campaign to remove all this negative road safety messaging – as it could trigger a traumatised person who’s “innocently killed” someone with their vehicle.
Hirsute wrote:
Is it me, or do some people really have far too much time on their hands…?
brooksby wrote:
Is it me, or do some people really have far too much time on their hands…?— Hirsute
Yep. “I have better things to do with my time than report errant drivers. Instead, I spend my time pursuing a vendetta against someone who reports errant drivers.”
Total saddo, more pathetetic
Total saddo, more pathetetic than he beleives CM to be.
I’ve got a better idea start up a go fund me or something else to get Mikey a Knighthood.
perhaps a go fund me to
perhaps a go fund me to improve spelling proficiency..
Wow. What appalling language
Wow. What appalling language. He is one seriously angry man. He should be punished for the language as well as the phone use. Disgusting behaviour all round!
It might be an older
It might be an older generation thing, but does anyone else think it a bit odd that a big hard man, obsessed with fingering and bum boys, not having a bird…is behind the wheel of a Fiat 500?
Mikey
Mikey
You are an absolute hero.
These scumbags are in need of real help. But are stuck in a world of ignorance. You’re a ray of light that cuts through their hypocrisy and blind ignorance. This lesson should be their opportunity to improve themselves. But no. They prefer to persecute the messenger.
Thank you. Mikey. Stay strong.
I see the latest attack on
I see the latest attack on Mikey is to claim he would have reported Anne Frank to the Nazis.
If any one wants to unpack that analogy…
Hirsute wrote:
Wasn’t she too young to drive?
Also, even if mobile phones were around then, who would she have been phoning?
Is your comment taking
Is your comment taking obvious humour literally, an attempt at humour?
Presumably they should have
Presumably they should have said “I wouldn’t object to him reporting her to the Nazis privately, but why did he have to confront her and make a big drama out of it? He’s just feeding a culture war”.
Don’t forget the massive and
Don’t forget the massive ad revenue…
Hirsute wrote:
Nice, especially given that Mikey’s Dutch family lost members to the Nazis and both his parents were interred in Japanese prison camps as children.
A common reason given for why
A common reason given for why otherwise generally law abiding and reasonable people chose to disobey rules that they feel are trivial is that although aware of the possible punishment, they do not fear actually getting caught.
I am mostly supportive of CM in dedicating his time to reporting dangerous drivers and accept his stated motives for doing so. That he has gained fame / notoriety is a consequence of years of pursuing his cause.
What would be interesting is a survey of drivers on his territory of operations.
– How many drivers know of him and what he does?
– How many drivers do not use their phones for fear of being reported by him?
And I would strongly suggest
And I would strongly suggest he doesn’t.
Time to enjoy a cartoon again
Time to enjoy a cartoon again! Life imitating art.
https://wondermark.com/c/1k62/