Aren't Bicycles Great.

Johnmcl7

Esuhl, I'm extremely sorry to hear that and I'd still report it to the police - behaviour like that is unlikely to be a one off and even at worst it may make you feel better that you've done something. My younger brother had similar experience and he reported it to the police, they came round and took a detailed statement from him and then went to get the driver's side which they weren't convinced by and gave him an informal warning. Perhaps not much in terms of a punishment but I'd hope that it might give that sort of person a fright and perhaps be more careful in future, I'm not sure. I don't understand why people seem to get so wound up when in a car and clearly it's not just with cyclists either.

I don't think it's at all melodramatic as unfortunately I think we all know what it's like to be reminded just how vulnerable we are on the roads. I was building up my miles last year on the road bike but after two really near misses (mistakes by other drivers rather than deliberate) I stopped the long road rides and focused on mountain biking.

I know what you mean about the mental side of cycling as it's something I appreciated how much cycling helped when I mostly stopped after a brutal 24 hour endurance event that left me and the bike pretty ruined. I was concerned as I wasn't enjoying getting out on the mountain bike at all after that and I was really missing the mental release, when I've had a crap day at work even if it's dark, cold and muddy I felt so much better getting out for a ride.

John

rdr

Report it as asault, not dangerous driving. In your report make sure that the police get all the factors that show it was a delibrate attempt to hurt you or put you in fear of your life.

• Came after you
• came along side and matched your speed
• knew you were there
• tried to run you off the road

The driver who came level with me, matched my speed and sprayed me with screen wash got a warning despite the lack of video.

astralbee

Looking for some advice on buying a bike for my wife.

She really has her heart set on a classic bike. She loves the retro look (basically she's watched too much Call The Midwife). I really want her to have what she wants but also we want to go on bike rides together... nothing overly strenuous, but I've got a mountain bike with hybrid tires and I'm worried she'll struggle to keep up on an old bone-shaker.

Can anyone suggest a good trade-off? Some modern, hybrid bikes that still have the 'classic' ladies bike look? I've seen a couple but I'm sure there must be more and a recommendation would be be helpful.

esuhl

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Esuhl, I'm extremely sorry to hear that and I'd still report it to the police - behaviour like that is unlikely to be a one off and even at worst it may make you feel better that you've done something.

rdr wrote: »

Report it as asault, not dangerous driving. In your report make sure that the police get all the factors that show it was a delibrate attempt to hurt you or put you in fear of your life.

• Came after you
• came along side and matched your speed
• knew you were there
• tried to run you off the road

The driver who came level with me, matched my speed and sprayed me with screen wash got a warning despite the lack of video.

Unfortunately it took me by surprise. I was in such shock (and the driver sped off straight after) that I didn't get his number plate.

The only time I've ever had an accident on my bike was a hit-and-run that left me with £600+ damage and barely able to walk for three days. The police said there was no point even reporting it without a number plate.

I guess I really need to get some decent cameras. I'd been putting it off, waiting for the technology to improve and prices to fall.

I just don't want to spend loads of money, bother the police... and then find out that they got away with a verbal warning or trivial penalty (points/fine). Or worse, find out that the camera ran out of power or doesn't provide a clear image of vehicles' number plates.

I guess I'd need a camera that can run for 3hrs+, automatically record over old footage so I can just leave it running, and... something that attaches to the bike as I don't wear a helmet (to feel the wind in my hair!). I wonder if I should get a rear-facing camera too...? Hmmm...

brat

Unless you can evidence a deliberate act, it's highly unlikely that negligent driving will earn the driver anything other than a Driver Improvement Course.

An action designed to scare a cyclist, ie deliberately driving too close may mean the driver gets a S59 warning.

Deliberate acts that cause collisions/injury (if believable beyond doubt) are either dealt with as dangerous driving or assault, both of which are more serious offences, and could easily result in a term of imprisonment dependant on the circumstances.

I'm genuinely surprised by how few bikers report driving misdemeanours. I'd love to get my teeth into a decent enquiry, especially on with video evidence.

If the offence reported was short on evidence, like Esuhl's experience (sorry to hear about that mate) I would advise that we are unlikely to have enough evidence to commence an investigation.

Out of our traffic/arv unit, more than a third are regular to obsessive cyclists, who all have similar experiences to share. If such an incident was reported, whatever information provided would be shared within the group via intel or word of mouth. It does raise the bar when these fools are recognised and spoken to.

brat

It's been a stunning week for cycling. Sun, warm weather, helpful shifts. Managed 270 miles this week, including a Strava KOM!

The tan lines are returning too!

Aren't bikes brilliant?

https://youtu.be/Zjt1VCBfHtM

Retrogamer

I'd love to have cycled to work today. Nice 17 miles on a flat cycle path but sadly on a 10:30am start cycling at my work has became so popular that there's no where left on later starts to chain your bike up. About 70 bikes outside the office today.

Johnmcl7

brat wrote: »

I'm genuinely surprised by how few bikers report driving misdemeanours. I'd love to get my teeth into a decent enquiry, especially on with video evidence.

That's the problem for me as discussed above, there's been a few occasions if I'd had video footage I would have submitted it to the police (partially because in some cases I got such a fright I didn't note the number plate in time). I'm still toying with what to do, I was out for a long cycle today so the Session would have been useless (batterylife too short, can't replace the battery) which means it would have to be the Virbs however they don't work well helmet mounted due to their size and it would need several battery changes.

I've been having a look at the Fly6 for a rear camera as it seems easy to mount and batterylife is decent.

John

Johnmcl7

The weather was unusually stunning here today as well, I never packed suncream today which I suspect I'll be paying for tomorrow. I decided to do my first century today which I should have done a while back, I've done long runs in MTB endurance races with long hill climbs and challenging technical descents so the road bike should be a breeze in comparison. The high temperature made it a little harder going but staying on the saddle mostly on the hoods constantly peddling unlike the MTB where you move around the bike a lot more. Very pleased to finally get it done though.





John

armyknife

John, lovely trip by the looks of it and nice photos too, thanks.