Spotted [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-bristol-40119192?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=59317284e4b0e4c91d41fcf6%26Police%20target%20drivers%20who%20get%20too%20close%20to%20cyclists%26&ns_fee=0#post_59317284e4b0e4c91d41fcf6 ]this on the local news[/url]
Police on bicycles with cameras stopping dangerous drivers. It's probably a bit flash in the pan and could I suppose make drivers dislike cyclists even more, but I though it was worth putting up for discussion as it seems pretty encouraging (especially when the usual expectation is [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-40117352 ]this[/url].
Looks like Avon police are rolling out the initiative started by West Midlands Police and discussed on here a few times (when they first introduced it, and most recently I think when Edinburgh police also joined in).
Interesting to see an interview with a motorist who still hasn't got it after having the talk from the police - I don't think I've seen that before.
Here's the obligatory FB post where you'll doubtless find lots of motorists telling the police they are wrong to enforce the law.
[list]Here's the obligatory FB post where you'll doubtless find lots of motorists telling the police they are wrong to enforce the law.
Ah yes!
[i]I do wish the cyclists would set a good example to children and cycle on the cycle path in Long Ashton. It's not uncommon to have 2 cyclists in the road going in opposite directions causing cars to stop until they have passed. Why have car drivers given up some of the road for a cycle path to be built only for the cyclists to cycle on the road.[/i]
Absolutely no issue with the police stopping bad cyclists and educating them too though (particularly red light jumpers); bad cyclists who let the cycling side down are a real pet hate of mine.
I'm a driver, and bad drivers who let the drivers side down are a real pet hate of mine (said nobody ever)
Life an death calls Comming in on the non emergency line?
Sounds like bad staff training to me, or more likely bad attitude. Worthy of a formal complaint I would say.
FYI West Yorkshire Police are also trialing the initiative in Leeds possibly rolling out further across the county.
"It's not uncommon to have 2 cyclists in the road going in opposite directions causing…"
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I should point out there are a few more FB posts by A&S Police on this further down with more entitled driver comments, for those who like exploring the arse end of the internet. Most amusingly, there's also a short video clip of the chap in that TV report doing the whataboutery - best of all he's posted comments himself boasting about how experienced a driver he is!
I'm a driver, and bad drivers who let the drivers side down are a real pet hate of mine (said nobody ever)
😆
but also
😥 because it's so true
I think the problem is that such a substantial and diverse part of society drives that there is never really scope to lump them all in together in the same way that you can lump another smaller proportion of the population together.
It's like the abuse of any minority/smaller/more vulnerable group based on their membership of that group.
If you started to say all [insert ethnic group] commit [minor criminal act] and they deserve to get run over by a car while running away you could get yourself in proper trouble.
If you say "All cyclists run red lights so they deserve to get run over / I'd cut them up" you get a pat on the back from the knuckle draggers.
I know they're not 100% comparable but it boils my wee that we seem to think discriminating and hating on the basis of someone's transport choice or legal hobby is any more acceptable than any other kind of abusive bile and when you look at some of the rhetoric it's as aggressive and hate-filled as some of the low grade racism that we've spent so long trying to stamp out in this country.
And well done to the Police for doing something pro-active. 😀
Indeed - I'm still amazed at how much support this initiative is getting from police forces across the country. As I commented on an earlier thread, I don't think it's yet been rolled out here, but we're right next to the WMP area where it first started and my anecdotal experience is that I've been getting a lot more room from drivers since they started it. Possibly not coincidental given that every single time I've reported a driver to the police they've lived in the WMP area!
I seem to recall a recent update from WMP reporting incidents are declining?
Cycling UK are about to ensure every force has a close pass mat, so no reason forces can't get involved.
They're taking to two wheels themselves in a covert operation to catch [b]inconsiderate[/b] drivers.
and from the outset there is part of the problem, inconsiderate is not holding the door open for the next person or paying music from your phone. The language of things like this is important.