Tonights Knobber !

[fossyant]

I was cycling along the bus/cycle lane southbound on the A34 Birchfields Road at approximately 4.40pm/4.45pm on 12/10/2010. Road conditions were dry and it was sunny.



Traffic in the outer southbound lane was at a standstill.



I approached the traffic lights at the shopping centre/blockbuster, and joined the traffic queue waiting to turn left onto Kingsway at the Moseley Road junction (the bus lane terminates at the previous traffic lights). I was stationery, foot down in the centre of the inside lane (primary), with 4 or 5 cars immediately in front, and cars stationery to the right of me.



I had been stationery for about 10-20 seconds, when I heard a horn sound behind. I turned round and a black golf was behind me. The driver was screaming for me to get out of the way. I turned back to focus on the traffic. I remained in the traffic queue. The driver behind then started revving his engine and edging forward, many times. He was now trying to threaten and intimidate me.



As the traffic started to filter left, I proceeded behind another 2 vehicles to the next roundabout (where the lane filters right for going onto the A34 Kingsway). I was aware that the driver of the golf had ‘wheel spun’ away behind me from the junction. As I was coming to a stop, the driver of the Golf then pulled along side and swerved towards me, whilst leaning across and swearing and screaming at me. I thought the driver was about to run me off the road. At this point I shouted “come any closer and I’ll take your wing mirror off”.



I was again focussing on the traffic, and as the car in front joined the roundabout, I followed behind. The driver of the Golf then drives along side me, again shouting and screaming as we are travelling round the roundabout. I shout ‘learn how to drive’ and he’s still screaming. At this point I realise he’s ‘off on one’ and shout “mate I’ve got your Reg plate”……... He then realises what I have said, and then speeds off in excess of the 40 limit down the A34 Kingsway (southbound), and jumps the next set of traffic lights. The registration was XXXXXXXXXX. Black Mk5 Golf.




If it reads like a report it is....................copied and pasted. Police informed and calling me back later.

 

[2Loose]

Sounds like a right 'mare. Glad you managed to stay cool and got his reg.

 

[661-Pete]

Horrific! At least it didn't end up with a dead or injured cyclist. How many specimens like this are there on our roads? Good luck with your Police report.

 

[fossyant]

Just crazy.........couldn't believe it......nice sunny evening, just had a fast run down past all the traffic (in the cycle lane and bus lane) and just sat minding my own business in the snarl up at the bottom of this road - if I was a 'knob' I'd be squeezing through, but it's not worth it - safer to follow the traffic in rush hour at this particular junction.

The Police seemed interested, and are referring it to the local traffic boys. Like most folk on here say, you've got to report people like this - bugger all I can do on a few KG's of pedal bike. If the driver get 3 police reports it's TROUBLE time.

It's the first time I've had some one rev like that in 20 odd years. Had some lads messing about shouting and leaning out of a car last year - they got reported, but this one was a nutter - completely lost it.

Bad thing is I did have to tell the missus as I needed to phone the police. This sort of thing doesn't go down well.

 

[661-Pete]

Bad thing is I did have to tell the missus as I needed to phone the police. This sort of thing doesn't go down well.

Don't you carry a mobile? In this day and age, I'd call it a number 1 essential for a cyclist. If you've got an incident like this to report, do it immediately while it is fresh in your mind (and while you're still shaking from the shock).

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

Sounds nasty. Glad you're ok.

Is it captured on camera for the coppers? Either one of your own, or are there traffic cams along there?

 

[dan_bo]

Bloody hell- night of the nobheads tonite!

 

[fossyant]

Stopped using the camera on the commute (mainly as insurance until my shoulder injury was properly diagnosed), and I do carry a phone and the correct non-emergency number for the Police. But, seeing as I was 20 mins to get home, and if the cops 'phoned' back later - thought better be honest with the missus............

Not so sure about traffic cams where the incident was.

 

[400bhp]

There's a lot of weirdo's about.

And a lot of these have cars

 

[Peter10]

Possibly Sec 5 Public Order or a Sec 59. Police Reform issue there. That statement would levy either way, depending on what the officer decide if they do pursue it.

 

[Crankarm]

The police won't do anything. Your word against that of the driver. You need video footage and even then they may still not feel it's worth doing anything.

Not good for your heart fossy ......... neither that Mrs F knows about it as no doubt she will worry for you.

 

[potsy]

Sound like someone was having a bad day and decided you would be the outlet for his frustration.
Scary that there are people out there driving about with that level of agression,ready to 'lose it' at the slightest thing.
Main thing is you're the bike is OK.
Any kind of incident and I've started saying that they are on camera now,even though they're not,quick point to the helmet and away I go.
Stay safe pal.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Possibly Sec 5 Public Order or a Sec 59. Police Reform issue there. That statement would levy either way, depending on what the officer decide if they do pursue it.

Nope it's a Section 4 offence..I would say that the driver was causing harrasment alarm and distress with intent to cause fossy to believe that immediate unlawful violence will be used against him!

 

[John the Monkey]

Odd - had someone tailgate me past the parked cars outside the school on Parrs Wood Road & then mouth something as they went past, but mine was a couple of lads in an 05 silver Astra. First bit of aggressive stuff in a while, although nowhere near as bad as Fossys. I do remember thinking that everyone seemed grumpier yesterday.

 

[BSRU]

Odd - had someone tailgate me past the parked cars outside the school on Parrs Wood Road & then mouth something as they went past, but mine was a couple of lads in an 05 silver Astra. First bit of aggressive stuff in a while, although nowhere near as bad as Fossys. I do remember thinking that everyone seemed grumpier yesterday.

According to the DfT statistics, for some reason, May and October are the most dangerous months for cyclists.