BBC helmet cam film to explore cyclist-motorist conflict

[Linford]

As you have said, many cyclists would have come behind me and in front of the taxi, that is the way this junction works.
I would have gone on the same green that he did, and look how long it took for him to catch me up, I think that backs up the notion of more cyclists being behind me.
Sittingduck has already said he recongises this taxi from around the same time as it was filmed as it cut him up as well.


No, I was not the first cyclist to be contacted, in fact they were only aware of me after magnatom pointed them in my direction.


It's Croydon Road A222 going out of elmers end. a hump back bridge.
I sounded a bit out of breath when the driver got out as I was giving it my all over there, I don't want to hold people up.

It's been a tough day, i'm more annoyed because the mail is reporting that I'm getting death threats. Which is not true. A few people have said some crap on twitter, not directly too me and that is no worse that what I get on youtube daily.

On reflection, would you have done anything differently either in the interview, or on the roads ?

 

[cloggsy]

As a result of this programme I understand Gaz has received death threats? Well I for one hope the Police take this as seriously as threats made over twitter/facebook and alike and take action against the perpetrators?

This is just not on!

 

[Arfcollins]

Could someone please summarise pages 22 to 43 of the thread in 25 words or less? SWMBO has a busy weekend planned for me.

 

[400bhp]

Hitting a lump of steel with a lump of flesh rarely hurts the lump of steel.

I think your point has more explicit meaning that you realise.

A lump of steel can't have feelings. Start with that premise and much of the “debate“ falls away.

 

[gambatte]

I'd be lucky if I saw 20% of the overtakes I see on my commute fit that criteria. Our roads are too busy, it's unworkable.
We can't retreat and hide behind an outdated leaflet. I know it's purpose, but it needs a heavy edit.
Highway Code standard gives no mention to a speed differential between the vehicles, and, I dont believe any guidance on cycles passing each other.
We have to work with reality. I don't expect highway code passes, I really don't. I expect considered, sensible passes. I think all of us would take that.

Outdated and needs a heavy edit.......
It got an edit and was renewed after lengthy consultation 5 years ago.
I know, I got it then and when my lads started cycling I got them a copy too.
Lets not forget that we're drivers by LICENCE. To get that we've had to prove we can drive to the standard required by the highway code, which is based on law. If you can't keep yourself in the frame of mind that that standard continues afterwards then you don't deserve a licence.
If I can't safely pass a cyclist.... I don't.

 

[subaqua]

I think your point has more explicit meaning that you realise.

A lump of steel can't have feelings. Start with that premise and much of the “debate“ falls away.

does hitting the steel with flesh damnage the steel structurally, at a molecular level ?

 

[rliu]

All this vitriol just boils down to the simple fact that some drivers and pedestrians alike are bitter towards cyclists for being able to weave in and out of traffic, while at the same time having no insurance or 'road tax'. They somehow view cyclists as 'getting away with it', without any contemplation for the fact that anyone can become a cyclist and in the process save themselves money and reduce their carbon footprint and also exercise and get healthy. All of this was completely glossed over in this BBC programme, it seems to subconsciously reinforce that all cyclists are weird/confrontational outcasts interested in only antagonising cabbies and van drivers, and who always consistently jump red lights or organise semi-illegal alleycat races.

 

[BentMikey]

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."

 

[400bhp]

does hitting the steel with flesh damnage the steel structurally, at a molecular level ?

Are oranges the only fruit?

 

[Mushroomgodmat]

All this vitriol just boils down to the simple fact that some drivers and pedestrians alike are bitter towards cyclists for being able to weave in and out of traffic, while at the same time having no insurance or 'road tax'. They somehow view cyclists as 'getting away with it', without any contemplation for the fact that anyone can become a cyclist and in the process save themselves money and reduce their carbon footprint and also exercise and get healthy. All of this was completely glossed over in this BBC programme, it seems to subconsciously reinforce that all cyclists are weird/confrontational outcasts interested in only antagonising cabbies and van drivers, and who always consistently jump red lights or organise semi-illegal alleycat races.

That sums it up perfectly.

 

[Scruffmonster]

My main objection is the word need



When is an overtake of any other vehicle a need, not a want.

You'd prefer me to say 'Cyclists want to be overtaken'?

 

[tonyhalsall]

I have watched the programme twice now and my point of view - as an occasional cyclist, motorcyclist and car driver - is that the programme simply went for "best for TV" content. There was nothing at all to offer hope or support for the regular cyclist who just cycles for fun. The two camera armed, "uber cyclists," would not have endeared the general public to cyclists as they came across even to me as being smug and arrogant types who were on a mission to "shame" motorists. Quoting the Highway Code across the divide is pretty pointless really when we all regularly break the law - be it speeding in a car or pavement riding / light dodging on a bicycle. Since I was 11 years old (40 years ago) i have ridden at a reasonable pace, under control and defensively - always expecting the worst and I do the same on my motorcycle

I would have hoped that the programme might have focused a little on the very many benefits that can be achieved from getting on two wheels but it seemed to focus on extremist cyclists who "appear" to be, at best, confrontational. Sorry Gaz - I have seen your posts on here and seen your You Tube vids but i think you were set up by the Beeb and it has not done cycling any real favours - at least not for the ad hoc cyclists amongst us.

 

[Boris Bajic]

When I was a motorcycle courier I was filtering eastward on the Cromwell Road on a very wet, cold, dark winter afternoon when I felt the need to chill....

I found a gap and pulled into the traffic lane on my left. Traffic was hardly moving, so I could put a foot down and take my hands off the bars for a moment and warm them on the barrels. Nothing finer on a cold day. Sizzle, sizzle wet leather gloves.

Suddenly there was a MASSIVE blaring of a horn. The driver behind (Cavalier, Sierra or similar) was honking , waving and shouting at me through closed windows. There'd been a big gap in barely-moving A4 traffic, so I was a little befuddled.

I paddled to the side and did the windey-downey-window sign. He just went mental: "YOU CAN GO ROUND US WHENEVER YOU WANT!!! WHY ARE YOU TAKING MY PLACE IN THE LANE? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT? YOU CAN'T JUST CHOOSE!!"

It was very weird and a little disturbing. He looked (and sounded) educated. I mumbled through my chin bar that I'd just come in from down the M4, was tired and needed a quck rest.

Almost at once, his face went a little funny and he hung his head. "I'm sorry. I've had a really bad day. I'm really sorry. Do forgive me..." Etc. He'd blown a fuse in his head for a few seconds and then fixed it. He hadn't opened his door or threatened me or anything, but he was truly barmy-looking.

We shared a little smile after his apology and I paddled back to my space in front of him, then rested a while and tonked back into the traffic.

So... Some drivers (very few) have this sort of fantastical resentment of bicycles and motorcycles being able to move through traffic with gay abandon. Most of the disgruntled honkers, I imagine, are like the chap in my tale. Pissed off about something entirely different, but stuck in a car with a loud horn.

We are all human. I really don't buy the 'hateful, resentful moton' thing. People just have bad days and they sometimes take it out on other people.

 

[Herzog]

There is an apparent dehumanising effect of being in a sealed metal box though.

Also apparent when using the internet (not directed as you by the way), allowing people to make all sorts of threats they wouldn't in normal life (unless they were in the aforementioned metal box of course).

 

[Herzog]

On a related note, it seems the people over at BikeRadar have interesting opinions regarding cyclechat users:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12893662&start=60
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12893662&start=80

Cyclist-cyclist conflict, that's a good idea for a BBC doc...