UpRide turns daily rides into data that drives change.
Every UpRider has a story. Here is Peter’s.
What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride?
I was on my way home from work, following traffic, not weaving or squeezing through gaps, simply waiting my turn and staying out of everyone’s way. It was a lovely clear day with excellent visibility.
The driver of the blue car would have seen me with my arm out, in the middle of the roundabout, with a clear legal right of way. I had a flashing light on my helmet, a bright Cycliq light, and a second bright white headlamp. I was wearing bright reflective clothing. There is literally zero chance she did not see me.
I could see the driver clearly, she was not even looking in my direction or paying any attention to the road whatsoever. As far as she was concerned, it seemed to me that I was regarded as little more than a spider to be stepped on. She could not have cared less whether I lived or died. She decided she was more important than me, that the rules of the road and basic human decency did not apply to her, and so she simply drove on, completely ignoring me, as if it would be perfectly fine for me to splat on the front of her car like a fly.
I have seen this kind of behaviour a hundred times. I call it “anti-cycling racism”. A certain percentage of drivers see cyclists and treat them as a lower life form, and some of them seem to actively delight in it. I am sick of it.
This driver has been reported to the police for dangerous driving and for failing to give way at a roundabout in breach of the Highway Code. She will likely receive a fine and penalty points on her licence. If there is any justice.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
When there are unthinking and uncaring drivers behind the wheel. It is a tiny percentage of drivers, but they are absolutely out there.
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?
Consequences. If drivers know there are real consequences for endangering others, they will change their behaviour. It really is that simple.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
The UK police force has an online portal where you can report incidents and upload evidence directly. I reported her and uploaded the video, which clearly shows a breach of the law, failing to give way to a cyclist already on the roundabout, in direct violation of the Highway Code. I am confident that due process will be followed. I expect she will receive a fine and six penalty points on her licence.
I also hope she is given the option of completing a safety awareness course, because if she continues to drive like this, she will kill someone.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Get a Cycliq camera and start providing evidence. We need to educate the drivers who would end our lives without a second thought, and right now, camera footage is one of the most powerful tools we have to do it.
Real UpRides. Real stories.
Submit yours to UpRide.
