Yesterday, two separate readers left a comment mentioning this BBC link about using a bike helmet camera
My observations:
It is pretty tough to watch. It’s painful to see how angry the white van driver is, despite knocking off the cyclist. Though it ties in with my observations that the worse the driving is – the more they will shout and swear at you.
It really is good news this was able to lead to a conviction (5 points + £300). Like other cyclists, I have often felt the law ignores bad driving which is potentially lethal. The law only starts being used after there has been a a fatality or serious accident. But, then it’s too late. Much better to punish bad road use before it becomes a fatality. And hopefully encourage better driving. And if people can’t use their potentially lethal machines in a safe way – just take away their licence and they can use the bus (and bike of course)
It seems Bike helmet cameras (though often you would need one in back of head as well) are a way to actually help bring this about.
Will I Use a Bike Helmet Camera?
It’s tempting because:
- It has the potential to help you if you are involved in an accident.
- Also a greater use of bike helmet cameras may make drivers more considerate and less prone to running you into ditch.
- I’m sure some things I’ve seen on the road could have become a youtube sensation, driving loads of traffic.
However, I doubt all police forces will be so willing to pursue bad driving. (My experience of the police and cycling is slightly coloured by the time I reported a stolen bike, and got a response along the lines of – well what do you expect if you buy a bike? it must have been your fault for not locking multiple times and not storing in nuclear bunker e.t.c. I left, feeling like I was the criminal…)
Also, I could make this blog kind of like an ITV4 style Can You Believe How Bad Their Driving is? – video clips
but I don’t really want to fill the blog with a daily – Worst driving moment of the day. Ideally I would like this blog to be a celebration of cycling and hopefully to encourage people to take to the roads.
Bike Helmet Cameras
- Actioncam Action video – £29.99 at Amazon.co.uk
- Go Pro Helmet Cameras at Wiggle
Related
I recently purchased a mini HD video camera from ebay for £26. I mounted it on my cycle helmet and use it for my commute to work every day. Yesterday I saw a driver using a mobile phone and caught her on video – including me remonstrating with her at two junctions. I took the footage to Bethnal Green police station where they were very helpful and blown away by the quality of the video. I filled in a form, handed over the CD, and the driver is now being prosecuted. I urge you to get cammed-up and make the roads safer.
The camera is reviewed here:
http://www.techmoan.com/blog/2011/2/18/finally-a-real-hd-mini-keyring-spy-camera-11-808.html
and may be purchased (safely via Paypal) from the following seller:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Mini-HD-Camere-Key-Chain-Recorder-DVR-Video-Webcam-11-/150577876235?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230f240d0b#ht_4805wt_1239
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Watching that video made me feel sick to my stomach! I don’t understand how someone could have such a poor attitude to other road users. I’m glad that I’ve never had an experience like that and I hope I never do.
not all stolen bike stories end in tears, only 99%
http://road.cc/content/news/8021-bike-theft-victim-compares-approach-london-and-bristol-police-forces
Creating conscience on the subject is clearly a major issue. Even in that video, the original purpose of the helmet was to show more people what cycling on the streets was like. Check this video on how the first step for bike-car coexistence is a people friendly community
http://ecomobility.tv/2010/12/15/bike-friendly-means-people-friendly/
I’m afraid I bought one for commuting after seeing that article, I always try to abide by the rules/law. The amount of times I have been overtaken with inches to spare its only a matter of time before I’m taken out. Highway code, what’s that. In my opinion the only drivers of motor vehicles who overtake as the highway code suggests are other cyclists. My biggest wind up is vehicles in the Cycle box at traffic lights. Then again I guess I see as many cyclists going through red lights as I see motorists on mobile phones, we’re probably as bad as each other it just hurts cyclist more.