I cycle 6-miles each way from the south side of Glasgow to work and have done for about 4-5 years, in that time I've had a few spats with drivers and the like and last year was involved in a collision with a car - thankfully I wasn't injured but it gave me the fear and I didn't cycle in at all through winter. Been cycling in this year for about 3-months, again had 1 or 2 spats but nowt serious until this morning when a taxi driver overtook me in the face of oncoming traffic (I was on the right of 2-lanes) and cut across me, anyway, I pulled up next to him and asked politely what he was doing and couldn't he of waited a few secs to pass, I got told to f*ck off then the red mist descended and it turned into a full on spat, borderline fistycuffs. A woman who saw the whole thing said it was incredibly dangerous etc. Should I have not bothered saying anything? Should I start using my go-pro to record these incidents (I have an opinion that some people who ride with Go-Pro's on the road do so to antagonize some drivers). I'm an experienced cyclist and generally do everything in my power not to piss drivers off, I signal, stop at lights, say thanks etc etc but I'm really getting concerned for my safety of late. Any words of wisdom would be great!
I never antagonise or even acknowledge dangerous drivers these days... IMO you have nothing to gain & potentially everything to lose. Even a look or shake of the head sets them off if they're of the utter nobhead looking for trouble variety (from experience).
Best thing you can do (esp with taxi driver) is report to police & council licensing. Obviously camera footage would be very useful in this sort of situation. I've contemplated getting one as I've wished I had one on a couple of occasions (but these are mercifully very rare). Don't suppose you got any details from the witness?
I used to get pretty worked up about it and had the odd minor altercation. I sort of enjoyed it a bit in my younger days but its not really worth it. These days I ride pretty defensively. If someone does something stupid I may try to get their attention so they can a least be made aware of my presence on the road but nothing more than that. I have reported a couple of commercial vehicles where I can get the contact details, though. I think that does a lot more good.
Best thing you can do (esp with taxi driver) is report to police & council licensing. Obviously camera footage would be very useful in this sort of situation
I'd guess reporting is useless without evidence and I don't know if they prosecute on the basis of video.
As above it sounds like this knuckle-dragger wasn't about to be convinced by a reasonable chat.
Unfortunately didn't manage to get details off the woman, was pretty shaken up by the whole thing and wasn't really thinking straight. Will need to be a bit more 'on it' with regards to getting details etc.
This is what my local police (not Scotland) say:I'd guess reporting is useless without evidence and I don't know if they prosecute on the basis of video.
If you make an allegation of bad driving, you'll need to be prepared to go to court and give evidence.Courts will rarely accept one driver’s word against another without supporting evidence, such as:
Two or more independent witnesses
A witness who is able to produce video evidence
Local council web page has a specific form for reporting taxi drivers. You'd hope that they'd take it seriously, and at least "have a word" if they get multiple reports, etc.
I've been commuting into (and through) Central London for 7 years and have had precisely 0 'spats' with drivers. A few idiot moments, but let them go, life's too short, you'll never change anyone's opinion.
[i]I have an opinion that some people who ride with Go-Pro's on the road do so to antagonize some drivers[/i]
Is that what you'd be doing then? I can't see what other people are doing (in your opinion) has anything to do with what you think you should do.
I like having my camera on. Find it's like not having a helmet on when it's not working. And I don't wear a helmet for anyone else's benefit.
I run a gopro under by bars and pretend it's not there. Infact, I've just checked my desk and I dont know where it is 😕
I see it basically as an extra life insurance policy for the family, I've had a few dodgy overtakes too and considered reporting them to the police, but haven't bothered in the end. Maybe if one was really bad I would, but I just keep the worst ones on file on my phone and computer incase the same driver does it again. When you watch them back some of them don't look too bad when the mist is gone so it's probably for the best.
I'd like to think that if the worst happened and it wasn't my fault then the drivers insurance/driving licence will take a pasting and my kids will be looked after.
Should I start using my go-pro to record these incidents (I have an opinion that some people who ride with Go-Pro's on the road do so to antagonize some drivers).
Yeah, use it. You don't have to start behaving like a dick just because you bought a camera. I use one all the time, I ride just as I always have, I don't put stuff on YouTube, I have no need to manufacture drama. It's just there to record things should the day come when that recording is needed for whatever reason.
Fair points about the use of the Go-Pro...guess having that back-up should things go horribly wrong is very much worthwhile.
Found mine, I'd left it on my bike, it's on charge now.
I was distracted by some contractors use of the whole bike rack and I gouged my shin on my big ring trying to fit my bike in.
I never antagonise or even acknowledge dangerous drivers these days... IMO you have nothing to gain & potentially everything to lose. Even a look or shake of the head sets them off if they're of the utter nobhead looking for trouble variety (from experience).
This, although I would say rarely rather than never. Anytime I do I think to myself, 'why did I bother', its not worth the stress. As above I speak from experience. Just try not to let things wind you up, take your lane and ride defensively. It's all you can do really.
What's your route by the way? I cycle into Glasgow too and when you mention the 2 lane bit it may be the same bit I ride (Cathcart Road) and its the riskiest part of my commute.
I'm not sure on the go-pro thing. The only guy I see on my commute with one on rides through every red light there is!
[i]Go-Pro...guess having that back-up should things go horribly wrong[/i]
Not even that - it makes me laugh about things that would have annoyed me before (Ha! you're going on youtube you twonk), hardly ever upload em though, cos as prawny says, when you watch em back, they usually don't look as bad.
Good for sending pics of liveried close pass vans to their company too.
I'm thinking about getting a Fly12 for convenience sake. About the same price as a Hero Session 5, which is the other option.
[i]What's your route by the way? I cycle into Glasgow too and when you mention the 2 lane bit it may be the same bit I ride (Cathcart Road) and its the riskiest part of my commute.[/i]
I used to cycle in down Cathcart rd, now just ride down Fenwick, Kilmarnock and Eglinton St, the incident happened just past Bridge St.
I do have a go-pro for MTB pursuits, will get a mount for my road helmet!
Report to the council licensing dept if you know the taxi number or firm.
It's easier to get an outcome with Hackney carriages, private hire firms are a bit harder for the council to pin down who was driving.
Ah I'm not a fan of that route, too busy and cars racing to get through the next set of lights.
I work in the Gorbals and see Cathcart road as the lesser of the two evils.
[i]Ah I'm not a fan of that route, too busy and cars racing to get through the next set of lights.
I work in the Gorbals and see Cathcart road as the lesser of the two evils.[/i]
Yeah, I tend to agree....A77 is definitely the most direct route for me, only other viable option is Clarkston Rd, round Queens Park then on Victoria rd which isn't much better!
hould I start using my go-pro to record these incidents (I have an opinion that some people who ride with Go-Pro's on the road do so to antagonize some drivers).
Yes.
Means you're also on record, so your behaviour has got to be good should you present the video to the fuzz.
(I say this because when I cycle commuted the red mist could descend – something to keep it in check wouldn't be a bad thing)
[i]Means you're also on record, so your behaviour has got to be good should you present the video to the fuzz.
(I say this because when I cycle commuted the red mist could descend – something to keep it in check wouldn't be a bad thing)[/i]
Yeah good point that, my behavior/language this morning left a lot to be desired tbh but the guy was at it and knew it...hence why the red mist well and truly descended.