Should one video record one's commute?

[leemo]

I just got a veho muvi mini cam, not for using on my bike but now Ive got it Im wondering whether I should start recording my commute.

Im thinking the plusses are that if I had an accident or altercation with someone else, I would have video evidence of what happened. I rarely have trouble with drivers, but one or twice a year someone will try a ridiculuous manouvere and I like to be able to report them.

On the negatives are mainly the hassle of doing it, although its not that much I guess. Also I might become more confrontational?

Anything else?

 

[DrSquirrel]

If it only happens once or twice a year, you're lucky and don't "need" one.

It will only really help if someone kills you, and even then they will get off lightly, its good for education etc, maybe even looking over what you could have done better yourself - other than that, give it a try - you already own it, see how it goes. You might get bored of turning it on, clearing the files etc.


If you live in an area covered by RoadSafe(London) or Operation Crackdown(Southampton?) then go for it and report incidents there.

 

[numbnuts]

Most people with cameras play up to them, and then post it on here with the heading “3cm from death”

 

[DrSquirrel]

Most people with cameras play up to them, and then post it on here with the heading “3cm from death”

Rubbish, most people certainly do not.


Since all you see are the people that actually post, how are you counting those who don't?

 

[GrasB]

If you want to do so, if you don't want to don't bother.

Personally I video my commutes & solo rides but I've saved about 3h of video out of 100s of hours. Almost none of those 3h haven't been anything about altercations or problems rather they're that perfect descent or the inspired attack on a set of rolling 'hills' that I wanted to keep for posterity.

 

[gaz]

Try it and see. Some of the users here record but then delete the footage straight away if nothing happens, in which case they spend very little time in maintaing it.
Others, use the footage to do different things; such as campaigning and teaching. Which can take more time but bring good results if you get recognised for it.

 

[brokenbetty]

I do but I never bother watching the footage. I think of it as a black box recorder. I think cyclists are not always treated well by courts. If getting enough compensation to cope with a life-changing injury ever comes down to my word against a driver's , I want extra evidence on my side.

That doesn't mean I think badly of motorists. The vast majority drive with consideration and courtesy. However the stakes are high enough to make even an unlikely event worth planning for.

 

[al78]

I have thought of getting a helmet camera, not to record bad driving but to record some of the more "interesting" commutes which occur when the snow comes down thick and drivers start wheelspinning on the hills.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

I'm glad I got mine

My making of videos has rapidly declined once novelty value wore off

However I have saved footage of a lovely snowy Xmas morning ride...I'll edit it together at some point. For no other reason than my own enjoyment and reminiscing.

 

[slowmotion]

I don't use one for heavy traffic commutes in London. So far, nothing too awful has happened, and I suspect that if I wore one I would become a slightly more aggressive and self-righteous rider, something I would wish to avoid. That is not a swipe at those who use them BTW, just an observation of my own flawed psyche.

When something really bad happens, and if I am alive, I will get one.

 

[BSRU]

It is all part of my normal "getting ready" routine now, I do it without thinking.
I generally only review parts of the footage where something of interest may have happened, to see if it was interesting, just my imagination or my fault(so I know not to do it again).

The camera means I do not need to become confrontational, in fact quite the opposite for me, as I have caught the incident on video and in theory can report it to the proper authorities if required.

 

[downfader]

I'm glad I got mine

My making of videos has rapidly declined once novelty value wore off

However I have saved footage of a lovely snowy Xmas morning ride...I'll edit it together at some point. For no other reason than my own enjoyment and reminiscing.

Add in some nice music and stick it on youtube! Paint a positive pic of cycling thats fun, too.

 

[darth vadar]

Most people with cameras play up to them, and then post it on here with the heading “3cm from death”

Correct.

 

[ianrauk]

yes, why not.
Just please don't feel the need to subject us to the boring close pass/on a mobile phone style videos.

 

[gaz]

yes, why not.
Just please don't feel the need to subject us to the boring close pass/on a mobile phone style videos.

They serve a purpose!!!!!!!!