Cyclist punches driver (From Daily Echo)

Unprovoked apart from the fact that they shouted at the cyclist.

It doesn't excuse the actions of the cyclist in any way but we all know they are hardly likely to have shouted "excuse me sir, please move over".

Cyclists and motorists are as bad as each other when it comes to their perceived rights over the use of the road.

"The bike rider was wearing a red lycra cycling top,"

Tonight; "WHEN CUCLISTS ATTACK!!!"

Don't start yet, guys, I'm off to grab some popcorn....

"Unprovoked"? I think not, two 18 year olds shouted at the cyclist on a roundabout, was that before after or during driving stupidly close to him? I think there is more here than what the "angels" have let on!

'Unprovoked attack' Another mis=use of this term when there is an altercation between two parties and one comes off worse.

Real headline: Gobby teens abuse cyclist, get walloped then call foul.

Funny how Cyclist are never to blame and are holier than thou.

Unprovoked? I find that very difficult to believe. Perhaps the cyclist was in the middle of the road as he wanted to turn right at the roundabout god forbid?

£5 for the first 'I pay my road tax' arguement.

"WHEN CYCLISTS ATTACK!!"** oops :)

Lets face it, if the guys in the car said "excusme sir do you mind moving out of the way" then im pretty sure he wouldn't have smashed the window and punched one of them in the face.

Guessing they did/said something a bit more aggressive. Young driver as well so im sure he probably got too close to the cyclist or something!

Yeah two teenagers in a car shouting at the cyclists. I bet they were being extremely polite throughout the entire event..

I just wish id be there when he tells his mates down a pub, that he tried to act hard and started on a man wearing red lycra only to get owned.

hahaha this story made my day... :D so funny.

Shirley and by Southampton Central is a nightmare during both peak times, cyclists all over the road, over taking each other, riding side by side, no care in the world for others around them.

i bet the actual story went like this..

2 kids in a car driving too close and shouting abuse at a cyclist..

the cyclist then catches up with them at a junction and punches the stupid brat in the face so maybe he thinks about consequenses of his actions next time!

..i have anger issues....id gladly punch them in the face :)

I cycle to work almost every day tackling Park Gate & Locks Heath & get pi**ed off with the behaviour of a small minority of motorists (mainly car drivers). They give us cyclists no respect cutting you up unnecessarily & shouting abuse. I have run ins with car drivers 2 or 3 times a week who give you no space whatsoever. My worst case was a the driver of a white van who aimed at me hitting me on the shoulder with his mirror so hard it ripped the mirror off. In the last week I've had a Mondeo honking me then cutting me up as he couldn't get passed me on a roundabout in Brook Lane. A Mazda 3 on the same roundabout that cut me up leaving no more than 2 inches between my handlebars & the car. Last night it was the driver of a white Seat Ibiza who had to race past me as I approached the roundabout in Warsash Road then cut straight across me to turn left as I was about to go straight on.

I also drive a car & pay tax & insurance. I do my best to be seen with high vis jacket & good lights but the biggest problem is a lack of respect from some other motorists.

There's probably a bit more to this story than the Echo is letting on.

This will never change until car drivers & cyclists learn to respect each other more.

The cycle lane network is pathetic so I have to use roads for most of my 7 mile ride to work. I used to negotiate Segensworth roundabout daily but now take a long detour to avoid it just to avoid the idiot minority.

Rant over now & I expect others will criticize what I've said but until you've tried to ride in rush hour traffic you do not know how bad some car drivers are.

Never F&*ck with a man wearing red lycra. He will F&*ck you up....

Zeo - there is nothing wrong with cyclists riding side by side. The safest place for a cyclist is the centre of the left most lane but you need to use the whole road to turn right. And yes they are allowed to overtake each other as well.
This attack does not sound unprovoked to me.

Georgem wrote:
Don't start yet, guys, I'm off to grab some popcorn....

Can't believe it! A whole hour and no snide comments about car drivers from the ginger-cyclist. may be he is in the bath shaving his legs or getting excited over using his new puncture repair kit.(;o).

And how many times have you seen cylcists riding in the road even when there is a cycle path for them to use! Now that makes me angry!!!

@huckit p

If a cyclist is travelling at more than 15mph then they should not be on the cycle path and should be in the road.

Granted if they are doing less than 15mph then they should be on the cycle path which i know a lot of people dont.

Ted Rogers wrote:
'Unprovoked attack' Another mis=use of this term when there is an altercation between two parties and one comes off worse. Real headline: Gobby teens abuse cyclist, get walloped then call foul.

This is the most likely an accurate estimation of events according to Ockham's Razor.

However, the Rashomon effect has to be considered.

Maybe the cyclist could have just called them 'Plebs' and moved on without any come-back... ;)

And then there's the cyclist in Stubbington who wears a helmet cam but sprints through red lights at the pedestrian crossing at The Red Lion, whilst the cars are stationary. If he hit a pedestrian under those circumstances I'm pretty sure he'd soon hide his bleedin camera.

Cerdicjute wrote:
Unprovoked? I find that very difficult to believe. Perhaps the cyclist was in the middle of the road as he wanted to turn right at the roundabout god forbid? £5 for the first 'I pay my road tax' arguement.

I pay my "road tax" so I think it's only right that all little boy racers who have no patience with other road users, who think it’s acceptable to abuse who they like from the perceived safety of their mothers car, should be punched.
Let’s hope for his sake it’s a lesson learned, not everyone over forty is meek and mild.
I can’t stop laughing thinking about it, the expression on his face must have been a picture.

I used to use St Margaret's Roundabout regularly and had a similar experience.

I always wait till I can give them a car's width before I overtake them, so you can be stuck behind them for miles holding everyone up.

I had one cheeky bstd who was so furious that I overtook him that when he caught me up as he sped up to the junction rammed his fist on my side window and continued. Fortunately it didn't break.

Cyclists speed up and weave at great speed through the cars not caring if they scratch your car, they cut in front of you with no hand signals and are extremely arrogant.

They have no form of identification unlike cars registration numbers. They don't get stopped when they free-wheel down Bridge Road and overtake me doing the 30mph speed limit.

Now unless you know different I believe it is not a crime, neither is discourteous to overtake a cyclist!


Many use their bikes as an offensive weapon and would hit you as a pedestrian and just carry on. They are totally lawless and unaccountable. NO one enforces cycling laws. They tend to be young men commuting. Most dangerous people on the road.

The best cyclist I have seen on the road was a little boy on his way to St Anthony's School. His road safety and signals were perfect. I held right back to ensure no cars could hassle him, I felt he looked so vulnerable, he was so small.

One does wonder what would be said if the boot was on the other foot, 45 year car driver punches 18 year old cyclist.

I bet the driver would be slaughtered by the I own the road cyclist brigade, calls for him to be hung drawn and quartered.

Bloody cyclists are a pain in the arris.

Mavis Barlow wrote:

Ted Rogers wrote:
'Unprovoked attack' Another mis=use of this term when there is an altercation between two parties and one comes off worse. Real headline: Gobby teens abuse cyclist, get walloped then call foul.

This is the most likely an accurate estimation of events according to Ockham's Razor.

However, the Rashomon effect has to be considered.

Maybe the cyclist could have just called them 'Plebs' and moved on without any come-back... ;)

So a cyclist punches a young car driver after they pulled a gun on him and tried to slash his tyres whilst robbing his mobile phone.

Cant blame him really.

P.S. It must be true its on the Echo forum.

Sorry I was late to work this morning, my journey was held up by cyclists. Said nobody. Ever.

cyclejim wrote:
Sorry I was late to work this morning, my journey was held up by cyclists. Said nobody. Ever.

Quite simply not true.....

all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

the cyclist should be arrested for wearing red lycra in public

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

A horse could be wrongly and unfairly classed as a dumb animal lacking intelligence,On the other hand i would say that describes most cyclists to a tee.(;o).

the cyclists are coming.... when the day of reckoning comes I can say "I told you so" THE CYCLISTS ARE COMING!!!

Men in red lycra === not to be FU"£D with....

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

You're comparing apples with oranges. The horse in your example is the equivalent of the bike, not the cyclist. When was the last time a bike got frightened by a speeding car and threw it's rider off onto the road, before cycling away all on it's own?

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

They don't though. As is shown by the number of animal deaths every year in the New Forest.

Everyone now will watch for this cyclist in red lycra near this location.
Please people it may not been the same person!
Both have the right to be on the road but one is more likly to run red lights, drive on pavements, weeve in and out to get in front, undertaking when cars are indicating left or turning left, not having lights or high vis equipment and blaming the car driver for not seeing them when they do not give the car driver enough time to react.

cyclejim wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

They don't though. As is shown by the number of animal deaths every year in the New Forest.

I understand some drivers have taken to ramming cyclists because horses aren't a challenge any more.

Torchie1 wrote:

cyclejim wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

They don't though. As is shown by the number of animal deaths every year in the New Forest.

I understand some drivers have taken to ramming cyclists because horses aren't a challenge any more.

So I've experienced. There'll always be those who give everyone else a bad name.

VConcerned wrote:
Everyone now will watch for this cyclist in red lycra near this location.
Please people it may not been the same person!
Both have the right to be on the road but one is more likly to run red lights, drive on pavements, weeve in and out to get in front, undertaking when cars are indicating left or turning left, not having lights or high vis equipment and blaming the car driver for not seeing them when they do not give the car driver enough time to react.

I'd say that red is pretty high visibility a colour! Its a natural warning colour for a start, many species have evolved to use it.

Are cyclists more likely to commit road offences? I'll say it again: Evidence please (not anecdote)!

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

You cant compare cyclists to horses they are far more intelligent and have four legs.

And I'll point out this report differs a little from the account given on http://www.hampshire
.police.uk/internet/
news-and-appeals/201
2/october/4412040763
9-assault-fareham

What we all have to remember is:
- a cyclist has a right to the road - yes even to ride in the centre of the lane (for example, how else can they turn right, avoid potholes, drains)

- this probably *was* provoked. It is not a driver's right to determine where others ride or drive - if there is a definite and serious concern - stop and phone the Police!

- the top may not have been lycra. In fact I'm certain it wasnt - most cycling tops are made of a polymer fabric like coolmax. They may be close-fitting but they're not lycra. There are also plenty of close fitting rain jackets that my own work colleagues have referred to as "lycra" when in fact its nothing of the sort.
...the relevant info here is "red top"

- a window doesnt just smash - anyone ever tried to punch one through?
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=L91_K-s4p
MM

- Parkgate and the surrounding area is very intimidating to ride around. Believe me I have ridden it myself and a large proportion of drivers have forced their way past when they really should have held off until safe.

That roundabout alone is one where drivers will cut you up only to slam on at the line.. just be patient! Wait until its safe - 10 seconds of your time is not worth injuring or killing someone for:

http://www.hampshire
.police.uk/internet/
news-and-appeals/201
2/october/silver-veh
icle-driver-sought

jimbos wrote:
Zeo - there is nothing wrong with cyclists riding side by side. The safest place for a cyclist is the centre of the left most lane but you need to use the whole road to turn right. And yes they are allowed to overtake each other as well.
This attack does not sound unprovoked to me.

nope nothing wrong with riding side by side except the highway code states

"never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends"

and the highway code implies strongly should be cycling at the kerb

"You should - look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do, look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them."

Nod wrote:

jimbos wrote:
Zeo - there is nothing wrong with cyclists riding side by side. The safest place for a cyclist is the centre of the left most lane but you need to use the whole road to turn right. And yes they are allowed to overtake each other as well.
This attack does not sound unprovoked to me.

nope nothing wrong with riding side by side except the highway code states

"never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends"

and the highway code implies strongly should be cycling at the kerb

"You should - look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do, look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them."

Er no you're misrepresenting the Highway Code:

https://www.gov.uk/r
ules-for-cyclists-59
-to-82

Rule 67 is about setting off on your journey or changing direction/lane. It does not say that cyclists should remain by the kerb as this would counter the Governments own Bikeability training:

http://www.britishcy
cling.org.uk/cycletr
aining/article/ct201
10110-cycletraining-
Bitesize-Bikeability
--Part-4--On-Road-Po
sitioning-0

And 2 abreast: rule 66 does not impose law, only guidance. It is purely subjective of the road's specific circumstances and that does not mean drivers should get antsy about it. Just slow down, give them time to see you and move around when safe and with distance (rule 163).

If its a 2-lane road just use the overtaking lane.

Georgem wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

You're comparing apples with oranges. The horse in your example is the equivalent of the bike, not the cyclist. When was the last time a bike got frightened by a speeding car and threw it's rider off onto the road, before cycling away all on it's own?

Now i would love to see that !!!.
.
Anyway what have oranges got to do with it !!

Lone Ranger. wrote:

Georgem wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

You're comparing apples with oranges. The horse in your example is the equivalent of the bike, not the cyclist. When was the last time a bike got frightened by a speeding car and threw it's rider off onto the road, before cycling away all on it's own?

Now i would love to see that !!!.
.
Anyway what have oranges got to do with it !!

Its the colour of George's tan...

Lone Ranger. wrote:

Georgem wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

You're comparing apples with oranges. The horse in your example is the equivalent of the bike, not the cyclist. When was the last time a bike got frightened by a speeding car and threw it's rider off onto the road, before cycling away all on it's own?

Now i would love to see that !!!.
.
Anyway what have oranges got to do with it !!

Well, you liked my comment, so orange-you glad I made it?

burgerboy wrote:

Georgem wrote:
Don't start yet, guys, I'm off to grab some popcorn....

Can't believe it! A whole hour and no snide comments about car drivers from the ginger-cyclist. may be he is in the bath shaving his legs or getting excited over using his new puncture repair kit.(;o).

Actually, contrary to popular belief, I have been busy today, mostly editing and uploading video and no, I don't shave my legs or use puncture repair kits (mainly because they are crap) but I will say that even though this attack was provoked, I still wouldn't condone the cyclists actions but I'm sure the kid would rather get a bloody nose from a man in his mid 40's on a bike than someone his own age ramming a knife into his chest.

I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face?

No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people!

As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people!

from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

freemantlegirl2 wrote:
I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face?

No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people!

As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people!

from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

You have to just laugh at some of the comments from the likes of burgerboy and co.

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

burgerboy wrote:

Georgem wrote:
Don't start yet, guys, I'm off to grab some popcorn....

Can't believe it! A whole hour and no snide comments about car drivers from the ginger-cyclist. may be he is in the bath shaving his legs or getting excited over using his new puncture repair kit.(;o).

Actually, contrary to popular belief, I have been busy today, mostly editing and uploading video and no, I don't shave my legs or use puncture repair kits (mainly because they are crap) but I will say that even though this attack was provoked, I still wouldn't condone the cyclists actions but I'm sure the kid would rather get a bloody nose from a man in his mid 40's on a bike than someone his own age ramming a knife into his chest.

Another stupid comment from the ginga- cyclist. Shameful really.

Why the need to shout? Was the car's horn not working?

sass wrote:
Why the need to shout? Was the car's horn not working?

They shouldnt need to even say anything, or sound the horn.. like I said earlier all the driver had to do was wait a few seconds and get past when its safe.

freemantlegirl2 wrote:
I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face?

No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people!

As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people!

from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too.

I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Sir Ad E Noid wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

burgerboy wrote:

Georgem wrote:
Don't start yet, guys, I'm off to grab some popcorn....

Can't believe it! A whole hour and no snide comments about car drivers from the ginger-cyclist. may be he is in the bath shaving his legs or getting excited over using his new puncture repair kit.(;o).

Actually, contrary to popular belief, I have been busy today, mostly editing and uploading video and no, I don't shave my legs or use puncture repair kits (mainly because they are crap) but I will say that even though this attack was provoked, I still wouldn't condone the cyclists actions but I'm sure the kid would rather get a bloody nose from a man in his mid 40's on a bike than someone his own age ramming a knife into his chest.

Another stupid comment from the ginga- cyclist. Shameful really.

Why is it stupid?

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Agreed, the lad shouldn't have blown his mouth off and the cyclist shouldn't have hit him.

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

This is exactly it and is why I've admittedly been getting really peeved with some people who make comments here and especially on youtube.

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

This is exactly it and is why I've admittedly been getting really peeved with some people who make comments here and especially on youtube.

Youtube is no problem. I used to get death threats on there just for showing vids about bikes. I block and delete, eventually most got the message.

The main offenders for abuse get shared in cycle forums, twitter.

Trouble with here, and I've said this before, ALL collision reports and anything being investigated by the Police or going through court should have the comments disabled.

Someone could read this report, recognise something and then scan the comments and not bother to follow it up.

downfader wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

This is exactly it and is why I've admittedly been getting really peeved with some people who make comments here and especially on youtube.

Youtube is no problem. I used to get death threats on there just for showing vids about bikes. I block and delete, eventually most got the message.

The main offenders for abuse get shared in cycle forums, twitter.

Trouble with here, and I've said this before, ALL collision reports and anything being investigated by the Police or going through court should have the comments disabled.

Someone could read this report, recognise something and then scan the comments and not bother to follow it up.

True or they could moderate it so that only get well wishes and stuff are left on them and I've seen a few death threats on other peoples videos, probably cowards who wouldn't follow through on the threats.

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

It's human nature to do that. We're all guilty of it, to one degree or another. Thanks to internet dickwad syndrome, it gets worse online.

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

This is exactly it and is why I've admittedly been getting really peeved with some people who make comments here and especially on youtube.

Youtube is no problem. I used to get death threats on there just for showing vids about bikes. I block and delete, eventually most got the message.

The main offenders for abuse get shared in cycle forums, twitter.

Trouble with here, and I've said this before, ALL collision reports and anything being investigated by the Police or going through court should have the comments disabled.

Someone could read this report, recognise something and then scan the comments and not bother to follow it up.

True or they could moderate it so that only get well wishes and stuff are left on them and I've seen a few death threats on other peoples videos, probably cowards who wouldn't follow through on the threats.

DEFINITELY cowards who wouldn't follow through on the threats. Youtube comments are notoriously full of utter morons, they're a joke to the rest of the Internet. Even 4chan can be lucid and intelligent at times. I don't even bother reading them, I wouldn't worry too much about Youtube comments.

Agreed - I only commented on this article as I always believe in 2 sides to one story. I'm sure there are people who just trawl through the stories, find the most contraversial and then make stupid comments. I have read some sick comments on various stories in the past, I often then comment and point out I hope the idiots who make idiotic comments don't go through something so awful in there own lives. Wonder what comments they would come out with then..

Georgem wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

downfader wrote:

ilogik_23 wrote:

downfader wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote: I cannot believe the mentality of people on here. How many of you have shouted at someone in another car for doing something stupid? does that mean that the person in the other car has the right to come over smash a window and punch you in the face? No-one has the 'right' to retaliate like that - good for the lad for reporting it to the police. Shouting doesn't entitle you to go hurting other people! As for quoting Highway Codes and arguing... get a life people! from someone who drives a car and rides a bike, and runs!

I think its right to understand the highway code, but many on here could do with also understanding the proficiency guidelines - and yes that includes non-cyclists too. I dont think anyone on here has defended punching the guy or damaging the car.

Kind of agree with what this young lady says, I must have mouthed hundreds of things in my car at bad drivers etc, maybe people mouthed at what I did on the road, but it doesn't give me the right to punch someone in the face. Even if the youngsters did give him a bit of grief, it's plain factual assault. I also think they might think twice if the situation arises again, lessons learned all round here I suppose....

Half the trouble is the proliferation of people on here, in the letters and elsewhere who lump everyone into a "category" together..

..so ALL cyclists become guilty by even so much as association..

..ALL white van men become guilty by association..

...ALL taxi drivers ..ad infinitum.

Is it any wonder people's hackles go up?

This is exactly it and is why I've admittedly been getting really peeved with some people who make comments here and especially on youtube.

Youtube is no problem. I used to get death threats on there just for showing vids about bikes. I block and delete, eventually most got the message.

The main offenders for abuse get shared in cycle forums, twitter.

Trouble with here, and I've said this before, ALL collision reports and anything being investigated by the Police or going through court should have the comments disabled.

Someone could read this report, recognise something and then scan the comments and not bother to follow it up.

True or they could moderate it so that only get well wishes and stuff are left on them and I've seen a few death threats on other peoples videos, probably cowards who wouldn't follow through on the threats.

DEFINITELY cowards who wouldn't follow through on the threats. Youtube comments are notoriously full of utter morons, they're a joke to the rest of the Internet. Even 4chan can be lucid and intelligent at times. I don't even bother reading them, I wouldn't worry too much about Youtube comments.

Indeed, there's one... village idiot on youtube who comments on cycling videos coming out with crap about VED really being a disguised road tax and that cyclists shouldn't be on the roads and there's no such thing as global warming and that he drives a truck that bellows out thick black smoke, to be honest he sounds like a hillbilly who came to live here and found the internet and learned how to read and write with the stuff he comes out with.

Car drivers need to chill out. You couldn't survive 10 mins in Thailand with hundreds of scooters cutting in and out of traffic. Just face the fact you are stuck in a jam and bikes can move faster than you. Most British motorist think they are great drivers and double hard b******s when behind the wheel of a car. I am not on the side of cyclists either as they mostly ignore the highway code. This is comical to read though. So serious about the rat race to work and back each day. LOL

saintinpattaya wrote:
Car drivers need to chill out. You couldn't survive 10 mins in Thailand with hundreds of scooters cutting in and out of traffic. Just face the fact you are stuck in a jam and bikes can move faster than you. Most British motorist think they are great drivers and double hard b******s when behind the wheel of a car. I am not on the side of cyclists either as they mostly ignore the highway code. This is comical to read though. So serious about the rat race to work and back each day. LOL

"double hard *******s"

??

Since when? Again.. are you psychic?

Zeo wrote:
Shirley and by Southampton Central is a nightmare during both peak times, cyclists all over the road, over taking each other, riding side by side, no care in the world for others around them.

Think about how many times you overtake a cyclist.

Then remind yourself that they have every right to be on the road and to take any appropriat road possition. Generally they cycle on the left to ALLOW you to pass them more easiliy.

remember the majority of cyclist are also motorist too

"The road would have been very busy at the time of the assault"

" cycling in the middle of the road"

I don't think so.....

saintinpattaya wrote:
Car drivers need to chill out. You couldn't survive 10 mins in Thailand with hundreds of scooters cutting in and out of traffic. Just face the fact you are stuck in a jam and bikes can move faster than you. Most British motorist think they are great drivers and double hard b******s when behind the wheel of a car. I am not on the side of cyclists either as they mostly ignore the highway code. This is comical to read though. So serious about the rat race to work and back each day. LOL

Actually it's only a minority of cyclists who ignore the rules of the road though at times a cyclist is allowed to ignore arrows on the road, like if there's a cycle path across a T-junction that goes through a park or when a bus lane continues on the other side of a crossroad and it carries on from a left turn lane, I'm also starting to see less cyclists running reds, mostly fixed gear riders I see doing it or young people on mountain bikes who also ride on pavements and don't know the rules of the road.

I cycle, run and drive.

Rather pleasantly, I have been on the receiving end of some pretty considerate driving from motorist while running.

However I cycle to work and I would say that my life or safety is at put at risk by motorist on average once every day. Sometime two/three times sometimes not at all.

There are stupid people and then there are otherwise sensible people who do stupid things

But if a cyclist is stupid enough to undertake a car turning left they are putting themselves at risk. If a motorist is stupid enough to overtake a cyclist turning right they are putting the cyclist at risk.

It is my belief that the unnecessary use of horns, the shouting of abuse and deliberately intimidating behaviour (from all road users) contributes to an unnecessarily stressful environment and therefore indirectly to incidents such as this. There is no excuse for violence and there is no “right” to abuse other road users.

Furthermore it is my belief that it is the constant justification of discourteous behaviour shown to cyclists that is responsible to a marked difference to the way that I am treated as a runner.

The majority of cyclist are also motorists…almost everyone is a pedestrian

Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning!
I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans.
Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid.
Some drivers look but don’t see.
Some drivers don’t look at all.
Some drivers look and see but do it anyway.
On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m.
I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic.
The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane.
The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals…
The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me.

Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

burgerboy wrote:

warsashsaint wrote:
all car drivers happily slow down so as not to spook a horse on the roads, so why the issue with cyclists?

A horse could be wrongly and unfairly classed as a dumb animal lacking intelligence,On the other hand i would say that describes most cyclists to a tee.(;o).

read the report again and you may see that the cyclist had a pony tail...nompties

downfader wrote:

Nod wrote:

jimbos wrote: Zeo - there is nothing wrong with cyclists riding side by side. The safest place for a cyclist is the centre of the left most lane but you need to use the whole road to turn right. And yes they are allowed to overtake each other as well. This attack does not sound unprovoked to me.

nope nothing wrong with riding side by side except the highway code states "never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends" and the highway code implies strongly should be cycling at the kerb "You should - look all around before moving away from the kerb, turning or manoeuvring, to make sure it is safe to do so. Give a clear signal to show other road users what you intend to do, look well ahead for obstructions in the road, such as drains, pot-holes and parked vehicles so that you do not have to swerve suddenly to avoid them."

Er no you're misrepresenting the Highway Code: https://www.gov.uk/r ules-for-cyclists-59 -to-82 Rule 67 is about setting off on your journey or changing direction/lane. It does not say that cyclists should remain by the kerb as this would counter the Governments own Bikeability training: http://www.britishcy cling.org.uk/cycletr aining/article/ct201 10110-cycletraining- Bitesize-Bikeability --Part-4--On-Road-Po sitioning-0 And 2 abreast: rule 66 does not impose law, only guidance. It is purely subjective of the road's specific circumstances and that does not mean drivers should get antsy about it. Just slow down, give them time to see you and move around when safe and with distance (rule 163). If its a 2-lane road just use the overtaking lane.

I cycle, run and drive.

Rather pleasantly, I have been on the receiving end of some pretty considerate driving from motorist while running.

However I cycle to work and I would say that my life or safety is at put at risk by motorist on average once every day. Sometime two/three times sometimes not at all.

There are stupid people and then there are otherwise sensible people who do stupid things

But if a cyclist is stupid enough to undertake a car turning left they are putting themselves at risk. If a motorist is stupid enough to overtake a cyclist turning right they are putting the cyclist at risk.

It is my belief that the unnecessary use of horns, the shouting of abuse and deliberately intimidating behaviour (from all road users) contributes to an unnecessarily stressful environment and therefore indirectly to incidents such as this. There is no excuse for violence and there is no “right” to abuse other road users.

Furthermore it is my belief that it is the constant justification of discourteous behaviour shown to cyclists that is responsible to a marked difference to the way that I am treated as a runner.

The majority of cyclist are also motorists…almost everyone is a pedestrian

Urbane Forager wrote:
Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning!
I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans.
Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid.
Some drivers look but don’t see.
Some drivers don’t look at all.
Some drivers look and see but do it anyway.
On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m.
I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic.
The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane.
The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals…
The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me.

Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

I recommend investing in a helmet camera, that way if you choose to take an incident further you will have evidence to back you up.

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

Urbane Forager wrote: Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning! I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans. Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid. Some drivers look but don’t see. Some drivers don’t look at all. Some drivers look and see but do it anyway. On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m. I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic. The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane. The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals… The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me. Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

I recommend investing in a helmet camera, that way if you choose to take an incident further you will have evidence to back you up.

I'm definately going to take your advice on this.
The same thing happened tonight on my way home, outside the cricket ground.
This time I had a silver works van, right up my behind; honking his horn and swearing his head off at me.
I held my ground until I was past the the junction and then moved over as I now do every day. He swore some more and geticulated but was obviously to much of a coward to get out of his tin box and discuss matters further. ;-)

Urbane Forager wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

Urbane Forager wrote: Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning! I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans. Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid. Some drivers look but don’t see. Some drivers don’t look at all. Some drivers look and see but do it anyway. On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m. I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic. The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane. The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals… The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me. Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

I recommend investing in a helmet camera, that way if you choose to take an incident further you will have evidence to back you up.

I'm definately going to take your advice on this.
The same thing happened tonight on my way home, outside the cricket ground.
This time I had a silver works van, right up my behind; honking his horn and swearing his head off at me.
I held my ground until I was past the the junction and then moved over as I now do every day. He swore some more and geticulated but was obviously to much of a coward to get out of his tin box and discuss matters further. ;-)

Indeed, I've reported several drivers to their companies already and most have replied although blue star are very reluctant about it but I recommend either getting the act30 or the RD600, both from ebay and both a lot less expensive than a gopro or similar, a word of warning about cheap ebay cameras though, most come straight from china and the really cheap HD ones like my act20 will probably save files as large AVI's with the video compressed using an MJPEG codec, be sure the cam uses the H.264 codec if you want high quality.

Urbane Forager wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

Urbane Forager wrote: Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning! I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans. Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid. Some drivers look but don’t see. Some drivers don’t look at all. Some drivers look and see but do it anyway. On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m. I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic. The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane. The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals… The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me. Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

I recommend investing in a helmet camera, that way if you choose to take an incident further you will have evidence to back you up.

I'm definately going to take your advice on this.
The same thing happened tonight on my way home, outside the cricket ground.
This time I had a silver works van, right up my behind; honking his horn and swearing his head off at me.
I held my ground until I was past the the junction and then moved over as I now do every day. He swore some more and geticulated but was obviously to much of a coward to get out of his tin box and discuss matters further. ;-)

If anyone wants advice on cameras (not just for cycle but in cars, motorbike too) theres a load of us on twitter and the blogs... easy to search us out on there.

downfader wrote:

Urbane Forager wrote:

Ginger_cyclist wrote:

Urbane Forager wrote: Normal polarisation of cyclist/drivers views here although a few people have pointed out that many cyclists also drive. Also people registering that cyclists do have to get into the middle of the road if they want to turn right, this is correct road positioning! I cycle to and from work every week day. I go from Bitterne Park to Hedge End. I also own a drive a car when I need or want to. Generally, when driving, I have very little need to complain about cyclists. However, when cycling I am frequently threatened by dangerous or angry drivers of cars and vans. Sometime drivers simply don’t understand what a cyclist needs to do or how fast they can travel; but sometimes they are just too aggressive, belligerent and stupid. Some drivers look but don’t see. Some drivers don’t look at all. Some drivers look and see but do it anyway. On my route is West End High St, which arguably has a shared cycle and pedestrian pavement in places but this is a completely inadequate surface and for the speed I travel at (not a boast just a fact) and is too narrow anyway. It also has crowded bus shelters on it and many roads that you would need to cross, so I choose to cycle on the road, as is my right, instead of frightening the old ladies and getting off to walk across roads ever 50m. I am frequently challenged, threatened and shouted at by motorists and I normally catch them up later and ask them why they cut me up or overtook me too close or squeezed past on the brow of a hill and on a mini roundabout into opposing traffic. The worst place is by the Rose Bowl where the road divides into two lanes for a few metres to allow traffic to filter left for the cricket. I go straight on and so use the right hand lane but this lane is too thin to allow a car to safely overtake a bike. I have been forced to start riding in the middle of this lane (only for about 10 or 20m) to prevent my life being endangered by idiots trying to force me into the wrong lane. The other day I signalled that I was moving out and did so only to hear a revving car which stupidly overtook only to realise he was about to drive into the central reservation. He screeched and swerved in front of me with smoke coming off the tyres. Seconds later a lunatic in a white van roared up the inside lane on my left and then veered out into the main lane to carry on forward. I overtook both these vehicles further down the road giving appropriate hand signals… The other black spot on my journey is crossing Townhill Way, where drivers tend to assume that the normal rules for roundabouts do not apply if they want to go straight across them. I got my rear wheel smashed here; if I had been any slower it would have been a broadside. The driver did stop but didn’t apologise or admit fault until I started shouting at him to make him understand how close he came to killing me. Recently, I also asked someone to use the cycle path over Cobden bridge as oposed to the pavement, which I was walking down with my partner, and was aggressively threatened with having my head kicked in.

I recommend investing in a helmet camera, that way if you choose to take an incident further you will have evidence to back you up.

I'm definately going to take your advice on this.
The same thing happened tonight on my way home, outside the cricket ground.
This time I had a silver works van, right up my behind; honking his horn and swearing his head off at me.
I held my ground until I was past the the junction and then moved over as I now do every day. He swore some more and geticulated but was obviously to much of a coward to get out of his tin box and discuss matters further. ;-)

If anyone wants advice on cameras (not just for cycle but in cars, motorbike too) theres a load of us on twitter and the blogs... easy to search us out on there.

Not to mention the most obvious place most videos end up being youtube, drivers like this http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=ffEu6CB1g
oc&feature=plcp should be retrained.

Car passenger gets owned by RED LYCRA-MAN.
Let’s think – a group of young ‘gentlemen’, call them ‘Lads’ a little wet behind the ears in driving experience in 3 quarters of a ton of metal car. They are innocently driving along in the dark at rush hour on a very busy road, when at random a mature ‘RED LYCRA-MAN’ cycling home on a push bike in the near dark, rides up to the car with the intent of beating it and its occupants to a pulp.
Or could it be...
Impatient young Lad’s in car, through driver error, or surely not, malicious intent, nearly kill a mature cyclist on a push bike trying to get home from work, then they decide to give him the verbal ‘large one’, only to find that RED-LYCRA MAN returns to haunt them at the next junction with a vengeance.

Well done LYCRA-MAN

I dont know why it is that the police are not taking into consideration that in the origins of the offence, the occupants of the car were giving it the large one. Thats why the cyclist retaliated. Yet the occupants of the car have got the sympathy. Poor little monsters; they must be really peeved that they got what they deserved.

There's only one moral in this interesting tale. When driving, keep your eyes on the road, try and give cyclists road space and keep your mouth shut.