who says we look for incidences?

[BentMikey]

There's a brilliant little hint in the stats - how many people/year do cyclists kill and injure, and how many do drivers kill and injure? Therefore who needs most to change their road behaviour?

No justification is needed - the thousands of camera users out there have chosen for themselves already.

 

[Norm]

I wonder why his videos have all been made private now? Perhaps he experienced some sort of pressure, legal, police, or just nasty YouTube trolls?

Or maybe he woke up from his dream world one morning and realised he was making himself look a little bit silly?

 

[gaz]

The majority of camera riders seem good experienced cyclists riding in quite challenging situations. Why not use the experience and footage to educate fellow cyclists? This would be addressing important issues to an appreciative audience rather than simply publishing video to out drivers when no one, other than a few cyclists, really cares.

You obviously haven't looked at many channels. There is one devoted to highlight mistakes of cyclists. MrOrigamist does some great videos on defensive cycling and I have a few about reading the road.

 

[PK99]

134 miles cycled this commuting week at rush hour and not a single problem...

*By we I mean those who use cameras.

you don't, and generally don't have problems because you ride assertively not aggressively - my observation of some video zealots is that their aggressive style seems to provoke, even seek - unnecessary conflict. It's almost like helmet-risk-compensation -

 

[BentMikey]

You obviously haven't looked at many channels. There is one devoted to highlight mistakes of cyclists. MrOrigamist does some great videos on defensive cycling and I have a few about reading the road.

What I don't get is how PaulSB thinks that cyclists can be educated, but drivers can't be. Can drivers not learn too?

 

[Norm]

What I don't get is how PaulSB thinks that cyclists can be educated, but drivers can't be. Can drivers not learn too?

They certainly can - I just went through most of Origamist's defensive cycling videos with Mrs Norm behind me, she was amazed at some of the shite we face... and concerned that pretty much the same dangers face all those on the road, whether cycling, on a motorbike or in a car.

It's amazing how immune we can get, and she had her car written off just 3 years ago when someone turned across in front of her. I don't imagine that this would have been quite so surviveable without the crumple zones...

 

[daSmirnov]

Looking for incidents? I like uneventful rides. Nothing better than coming in, throwing the helmet off and putting my feet up with a nice cool drink.

 

[downfader]

They certainly can - I just went through most of Origamist's defensive cycling videos with Mrs Norm behind me, she was amazed at some of the shite we face... and concerned that pretty much the same dangers face all those on the road, whether cycling, on a motorbike or in a car.

It's amazing how immune we can get, and she had her car written off just 3 years ago when someone turned across in front of her. I don't imagine that this would have been quite so surviveable without the crumple zones...

I'm sorry to read that. I think the majority of us now using cameras accept that its not just cyclists being affected, its everyone. I dont think the majority even post it online. Its used mostly like I use it as an insurance - we might need the evidence to help ease the legal process. I've used mine to show friends and family what I've sometimes experienced, they then spread the message on when people raise the usual debates.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I've taken quite an interest in the subject in recent weeks for no reason other than 3-4 threads on here, and some specific comments from individual posters, caught my attention. Consequently I've become more aware of the whole culture.
...
Without wishing to dig at Gaz the need to create the thread is another example of the self-justification which seems to run through the culture.
...
Use your undoubted talents - on bike and camera - to educate fellow cyclists not persue errant motorists. I've learnt a great deal on many subjects on the MB. I feel the camera guys could take it to another level but currently miss the opportunity.

With respect, though you claim to have studied the subject, lecturing Gaz about how he should try to educate other cyclists shows you haven't really looked far at all!

 

[wiggydiggy]

I think Paul makes some good point actually, and I'm not and neither should anyone else taking his comments as a full broadside at all camera cyclists. Gaz has pointed me at some vids, thanks, and I'll be accepting recommendations for more

 

[400bhp]

Grammar alert

 

[growingvegetables]

One rider spoke of buying a camera after 15 incidents in 6 months. My reaction in these circumstances would be to question what I was doing - not my ability but looking to make changes to avoid the problem.

That rings bells – and getting a camera kinda hits the nail on the head.

Been there. Aye, questioning what I was doing; getting anxious and/or angry by turns; and at times, my confidence was taking a real knock. Having a camera IS a bloody useful tool after an incident

- looking at my own riding and analysing what I've done myself to create/worsen the situation. My memory alone is incomplete, and often inaccurate (fresh and tainted by emotion, or old and full of gaps). Camera = good learning tool.​

- and identifying the incidents where no amount of guilt-tripping can avoid the simple fact that my only contribution to the incident was just "existing" ... at precisely the same moment and place as a ****-head.​

 

[GrasB]

Aye, i normally do just above 160miles in the 5 day commuting period, taking a shorter route at the moment as i'm still recovering from christmas :P

Surly this is the wrong way round. You do extra miles after christmas to burn off all those excesses you consumed

 

[gaz]

Surly this is the wrong way round. You do extra miles after christmas to burn off all those excesses you consumed

Whilst that would make sense, i lost quite a lot of fitness when I had 3 months off last year and the 3 weeks off at christmas put me back more than usual. So getting pretty tired by the end of the week.

I also find getting up in the mornings when it is dark pretty hard.

 

[Adasta]

I think that the massive advantages of a camera are the opportunities to evaluate one's riding style and as a type of insurance policy.