BBC helmet cam film to explore cyclist-motorist conflict

[Boris Bajic]

ROAD TAX

What would you know about Road Tax?

You don't even pay it!

 

[slowmotion]

Filming people as they watched things was really interesting, and despite the tone of sensationalism in some of the voiceover and the silly rhetoric about war I thought it said something worthwhile about power and responsibility.

Good point. I thought that seeing different peoples' reactions to film footage was a great touch. It was good to see people having faint doubts about their own opinions being expressed on camera. Quite rare on TV.

 

[hatless]

I am disappointed in the edit.

I'm really sorry to hear that, gaz. You take a risk if you put videos on YouTube. You take a risk if you sign up for a TV programme. I think everyone understands that. You will be scrutinised, and it will be there, fixed and undeniable, your mistakes as well as your good stuff. Painful if you get it wrong. (I think you mainly get it right, though.)

What I saw in the programme, though, is someone who is self-critical and who learns. Someone who is reflecting on himself as well as what he sees on the streets. A work in progress. Someone acquiring a bit of wisdom and sharing it with others.

Like lots of others I'm grateful to you. I've learnt a huge amount from your videos and I really appreciated seeing you on TV tonight and getting a much better feel for you as a person. I was surprised at how young you are. I was pleased to see that you seem to be a genuinely thoughtful person. And I'm glad that you take risks in the media in order to reduce the risks we all take on the roads.

Cheers, mate.

 

[CopperCyclist]

I'm really sorry to hear that, gaz. You take a risk if you put videos on YouTube. You take a risk if you sign up for a TV programme. I think everyone understands that. You will be scrutinised, and it will be there, fixed and undeniable, your mistakes as well as your good stuff. Painful if you get it wrong. (I think you mainly get it right, though.)

What I saw in the programme, though, is someone who is self-critical and who learns. Someone who is reflecting on himself as well as what he sees on the streets. A work in progress. Someone acquiring a bit of wisdom and sharing it with others.

Like lots of others I'm grateful to you. I've learnt a huge amount from your videos and I really appreciated seeing you on TV tonight and getting a much better feel for you as a person. I was surprised at how young you are. I was pleased to see that you seem to be a genuinely thoughtful person. And I'm glad that you take risks in the media in order to reduce the risks we all take on the roads.

Cheers, mate.

I think thats probably Gaz's problem with the edit though, because your second paragraph is NOT what you see in that TV program - however it is exactly how we know Gaz to be, from here and YouTube.

+1 to your third paragraph though!

 

[locker]

You might want to button it, since the currently available evidence makes it look like you're not safe to be in charge of a bicycle...

The currently available evidence is over 18 months old but still it was not really needed in this tv program more suited for "You`ve been framed"

 

[akb]

Safe to say Gaz didn't look anything like I thought he would. Nice work Gaz. I enjoyed it. Even had the missus fixed to the tv; she now knows why I get irate on some of my commutes!

 

[TVC]

Conclusion: Nobbers drive cars and nobbers ride bikes. That really moved the debate on.

 

[semislickstick]

Because women drivers are crap drivers, I have loads of video evidence of this, some male motorists are twats but woman motorists go in for the kill.

...Killing someone on the road would push up the premiums surely...so that wasn't supported in the insurance risk. Personally I find male drivers are the more aggressive, but maybe cos there is more of them on the road, I dunno.
You might be an outstanding bloke Locker/Taypet but your youtube account and videos come across as a bit of a sexist pig. Sorry if that sounds harsh but I can only go on what you put on youtube.

 

[slowmotion]

I did wonder if the "War" will be any worse on Thursday as a result of that prime time programme. I can't see it happening really. Nearly all London drivers are pretty good people.
Not sure about you lot....

 

[locker]

...Killing someone on the road would push up the premiums surely...so that wasn't supported in the insurance risk. Personally I find male drivers are the more aggressive, but maybe cos there is more of them on the road, I dunno.
You might be an outstanding bloke Locker/Taypet but your youtube account and videos come across as a bit of a sexist pig. Sorry if that sounds harsh but I can only go on what you put on youtube.

I can`t be a sexist pig I have a lot of women friends & I wouldn`t say any thing about my wifes driving (whilst standing in front of her car)

 

[bjellys]

You didn't know that would happen?

TBH you have given a very poor image of helmet cam users and cyclists in general. If you hit someone's cab what do you expect to happen? Sarcastic hand clapping? Assault?

People speak highly off you and I'll accept that but your contribution tonight has been far from positive for cycling. If you're going on national TV you have to be very careful with your words, facial expression and general demeanour.

Still what would I know? I'm just a TRL549.

I'll second that He came over as having an underlying attitude problem

 

[locker]

I'll second that He came over as having an underlying attitude problem

Gaz may have come over as having an attitude but certainly not an underlying problem, his attitude, I believe, has helped a lot of cyclists & hopefully a few more, after watching this program they may read his blogs.

 

[Jezston]

I can`t be a sexist pig I have a lot of women friends

 

[defy-one]

All i got was what i already knew about the streets of London ......
They are busy,
Every road user should think about every other road user (walking,cycling ,riding or driving)
Don't antagonise each other
If you get out of your car and threaten me, be ready to run back into it quickly!!!!

 

[d87francis]

I am disappointed in the edit.

Like many others on here I'm sorry to hear this Gaz, as the edit was uncharacteristic of how we know you from here and youtube. Your contribution to cycling safety is far more balanced and beneficial than this program and I would hope that it does not deter you from continuing your fantastic work.

I found the cars vs cyclists debate more equitable than I was expecting, however, the complete lack of putting the number of incidents into proportion and the continual theme that it was a 'war' may have put people off wanting to take up cycling. Even the woman's plea towards the end that we need cooperation not confrontation, whilst a sensible message, hints that a problem is more severe than it actually is.

The program is still not up on iplayer 3 hours after it finished, is this just coincidental to the controversy surrounding it? I'm looking forward to reading your blog post about it Gaz.