BBC helmet cam film to explore cyclist-motorist conflict

[RWright]

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.

I hope the iplayer will let me watch it over here. I tried a couple of other shows on BBC UK and it would not. Sounds very interesting.

 

[RhythMick]

It was more balanced than I expected. As many have said, humbling to watch the mother striving hard to see improvements made. Good on her.

The film showed the problem, but came up very short on solutions in my view.

There were many shocking moments. But for me the most shocking aspect is that even when provided with the evidence on a plate the police STILL won't pursue justice. The idiot who got out and lamped Simon the lawyer would have been untouched had it to been for YouTube. Disgraceful.

 

[veloevol]

About a year ago I spoke to a producer (unlisted on the credits) who was filming on the Kings Cross junction protests for Leopard. At the time the film seemed to be more about cycling activism but a year later it had morphed into road wars with heart strings. Apart from the inclusion of alleycats it could have gone to the other extreme, perhaps hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.

Edit: Spelling

 

[BentMikey]

Anyone who knows Gaz knows he doesn't go out looking for trouble or to intentionally antagonise other road users.

Seconded. I've found him to be restrained in real life, riding with consummate skill. I and my wife were also impressed with his maturity and common sense at such a young age.

 

[Monsieur]

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

That summed it up well.
Couldn't really see what point the programme was making?

 

[Globalti]

If the programme makers (who probably ride bikes) were trying to show drivers in a poor light and cyclists as the victims, they failed spectacularly. In the same way as when you read the Commuting section on this forum, the cyclists came across as stressed and paranoid as the drivers. It's an inescapable fact of city life that everybody is competing for scarce territory and very often people's territories collide; add a bit of testosterone to the mix and you're guaranteed fireworks, They looked to me like naughty school kids walking down the school corridor... "Sir! He hit me!" "Sir! I didn't, he hit me first!"

What both sides have failed to appreciate is that in an imperfect system (British streets) with vehicles of different sizes moving at different speeds on the same route there are bound to be times when it doesn't go smoothly and both parties need to recognise that they are equally the victims and cooperate with appropriate patience and restraint for the sake of their own survival. I commuted from Leytonstone to Blackhorse Road in London for five years by bike and I really don't remember it being particularly stressful; maybe there were the occasional close shaves but I certainly didn't have any confrontations and I certainly never yelled at drivers. After that I graduated to 12 years of motorcycling in London and the Midlands and again, I don't remember any bad incidents or arguments.

 

[Electric_Andy]

To us guys outside the smoke, it certainly looks chaotic. Up here I never see anywhere near that number of cyclists or volume of traffic. Everyone always seems to be in so much of a hurry!

I'm not in London either but the problem in cities such as Plymouth is that there are so few cyclists that people are not used to them being on the road and don't know how to share the road with them

 

[subaqua]

And less nob jockeys up here who believe they are more important than everyone else.

are you sure about that?

 

[clockhammer]

I enjoyed the programme, was a balanced view in my opinion. Perhaps there was a bit of sensationalism but what would we expect? I do though think that a chance was lost to really educate both cyclists and motorists. They should have perhaps showed examples of the right way to do things, how to overtake safely, how to negotiate junctions etc.

By spelling it out with examples i think that the audience would have learned more. A lot of it is common sense, like why on earth would you creep up on the inside of a bus? Examples though would just make things a bit more black and white for those with any doubt.

I started of not liking Gaz but his later comments won me over, sorry if you feel you have been mis-represented by the edit, i do think though on the scales you habe dine more good than bad so well done for stepping up.

I would have also like to have seen a bit more on the positive side of cycling, the enjoyment, the community etc but i guess this just isnt sexy tv. Surprised my mother hasnt phoned to convince me to stop cycling after the programme.

O well, its done, lets see if it makes any difference, ride safely and have fun all

 

[subaqua]

Wifey watched it, she said she didn't really want to but did anyway.

Her words " That Traffic droid fellow is a complete cockwomble" , " the taxi driver isn't bloody past him" , " oh my god that tanker driver should be taken off the road" , " that Gaz bloke is a bit of an arse "

wasn't as bad as i expected, 1st comment so far in work has been. " did you see that program with the cyclists in London last night, showing all the riding like loonies" . I asked why no comment was made about the bad drivers , and got a "hmm yes i suppose "

My ride in was no worse or better than yesterday , so I think jezston was wide of the mark with the "its going to cause us lots of problems"

 

[subaqua]

If the programme makers (who probably ride bikes) were trying to show drivers in a poor light and cyclists as the victims, they failed spectacularly. In the same way as when you read the Commuting section on this forum, the cyclists came across as stressed and paranoid as the drivers. It's an inescapable fact of city life that everybody is competing for scarce territory and very often people's territories collide; add a bit of testosterone to the mix and you're guaranteed fireworks, They looked to me like naughty school kids walking down the school corridor... "Sir! He hit me!" "Sir! I didn't, he hit me first!"

What both sides have failed to appreciate is that in an imperfect system (British streets) with vehicles of different sizes moving at different speeds on the same route there are bound to be times when it doesn't go smoothly and both parties need to recognise that they are equally the victims and cooperate with appropriate patience and restraint for the sake of their own survival. I commuted from Leytonstone to Blackhorse Road in London for five years by bike and I really don't remember it being particularly stressful; maybe there were the occasional close shaves but I certainly didn't have any confrontations and I certainly never yelled at drivers. After that I graduated to 12 years of motorcycling in London and the Midlands and again, I don't remember any bad incidents or arguments.

not exactly a big commute in a really busy part of London is it. I ride across to walthamstow regularly with no problems.

as well as riding into the city everyday , where i get maybe one issue a month. if that.

 

[srw]

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...

Or a keyboard?

 

[lukesdad]

Blimey gaz are you famous ? I do hope you looked your best, sorry I missed it, perhaps one day .....when I'm allowed to watch grown up telly !

 

[Leodis]

I *heart* gareth

 

[Drago]

I don't think the nob jockeys did our cause any good. It was to be expected it'd be a bit sensationalised, but it was clear from the start this was a bit of voyeuristic entertainment and not a serious show highlighting dangers.

It was like and episode of Jeremy Kyle with cyclists and motorists as guests.