Mr Christopher Long FH53 OOV Finally Charged

[@smggie]

I don't see how someone who intentionally did this could keep their licence.

[@bigbluemeanie]

It is unbelievable that you had to jump through so many hoops! Well done.

[@foresthorizons]

What an idiot. What an unpleasant experience. Well done for keeping so calm! I'm not sure I could have.

[@jerrycain6404]

After riding 52 years without an accident, I have to say, always yield to the larger vehicle, even if you have the right of way. You can be right, and still be dead. As far as holding up traffic, especially an angry driver, get the f# out of the way. You have no protection from a vehicle that weighs 10 times what your vehicle weighs. Right or wrong, you can’t fix stupid.

[@tmd63]

Agreed. But the police in this case had a difficult choice. The lights changed to green. The cyclist DO NOT MOVE. Therefore he was impeding the flow of traffic and had committed a traffic violation. At the third attempt, the car could not move around as they need room to be able to turn. Any cyclist that does not realize that is a nob. But in the same vein, the road was a dual carriageway and the car drive should have pulled into the outside lane. This is not always possible. Leaving the scene of an incident is also an illegal action. If the car had been a police car on an emergency call, would the cyclist still have been a wally and sat in the path of the police? This is a case of 6 of one and half dozen of the other. At least no-one was killed, which so easily could have been the case. I am not condoning what the car driver did, but I am also not agreeing with the cyclist either.

[@tigerbricks]

Jerry so correct, I have a powerful motorcycle , but proving a point from a coffin is not on my agenda

[@ynotnilknarf39]

Being assaulted the person on the bike needs to go nowhere, this is no longer a traffic offence. You keep thinking from a motons POV, the person who assaulted the cyclist should remain on the scene until the police arrive. Alternately the driver could simply have given a safe space to overtake without deliberately running into the back of the cyclist (THREE TIMES) and none of this would have happened. You really don't understand the law do you!

[@edaboodie6346]

Good idea. Ignore those who violate the law so that they can continue to be a danger to others. Brilliant! That 52 years has really taught you some valuable lessons!

[@raymomull2258]

Very true, defensive cycling, bike riding and driving are the best ways to stay alive.

[@MCRCyclist]

Well done for sticking with it. But how is that not dangerous driving?

[@Cliffjumper24]

It took over a year to have this resolved (including you being informed of wghat was going on). It seems that victims of a crim are a low priority for some GMP departments. Good on you for sticking with it!

[@scoopermg8226]

What is just as unreasonable as the driver's conduct is the reluctance of the Police to do anything about it. What should you need to bully the Police to do anything, when it is all on camera. Wankers and accountants.

[@PhillipMikeHunt]

If there's a JCB driving down the road do you try and force your way past and start honking.

[@johnthelegalamerican508]

Was the cyclist charged with obstructing traffic?

[@bogtrotter2239]

erm, from what I saw, the driver couldn't pass easily.

[@edaboodie6346]

Why would he be?

[@randomtwig]

JOHN 22571 That's not a charge

[@tonytiger3341]

I would love to know why you have so many thumbs down. I find it shocking that it seems people are against you. Well done by the way.

[@philipharvey8479]

While it's not right he drives into you, you were being deliberately antagonistic by not moving off with the rest of the traffic. You were clearly looking for confrontation and seemed surprised when you got it. In the clips at the start of the video you are swearing and gesturing to other road users so are clearly an aggressive rider but you don't like it when people are aggressive towards you. I commute 14 miles round trip through traffic every day and have never needed to swear or gesture at another vehicle. Yes a lot of car drivers are inconsiderate but if you go looking for trouble, eventually you'll run into the wrong person and find it. Just sayin...

[@CycleSmarter]

Do I swear and gesture to these other road users before they put my safety at risk or after? "I commute 14 miles round trip through traffic every day and have never needed to swear or gesture at another vehicle." Please record it and post, I would be interested to see.

[@MsPeabody1231]

So you don't indicate to other road users what you plan to do or tell them there is an obstruction in the road, including other cyclists? Not very nice are you.

[@MikeJRe2ipi]

Go find this charming fellow and his piece of shit car maybe he'll be your friend.

[@damienhammond1529]

Well you were both dicks and the crazy one a got fine.

[@kal9001]

How is the cyclist a dick here. The guys is beeping him to move over, On a dual carriageway where it would be easy for the guy to just go in the over lane to pass him. You can see from the rear camera footage that the guy had only just come up to the cyclist too, so what a shocking display of how little patience this guy has. As for the cyclist. There is no law (accept on a motorway) that requires you not to stop. This guy was being aggressive, and the cyclist didn't feel safe so he stopped. The guy gave in all about three seconds before using his vehicle to intimidate, and then shortly after used it again to commit an assault. The cyclist was justified in his actions as he says himself had he allowed this prick to pass he would likely have cut in front of him, potentially causing a much more serious injury, Obviously considering the driver made off after this suggests he would have also in the event of any other collision, cyclist or not.

[@dyslexiksteve2488]

I would have given up a long time ago. Good work mate

[@leew83]

Well handled. Glad u also stuck with it. Finally, a positive result.

[@p5aul789]

Well done CycleSmarter for standing your ground. People like this make me mad!

[@nigelcox1451]

Early in the video it appeared that there was a cycle lane on the adjacent footpath, yet you chose to ride on the road, potentially aggravating following vehicles, and creating unnecessary risk to yourself. Whilst there is no excuse for the driver's actions in hitting your cycle, you have contributed to his poor attitude. The road is not yours, or his, we all have to share, but you don't seem to want to share.

[@CycleSmarter]

I imagine you leave your home at times, were you to fall victim to a mugger walking down a highstreet, would anyone be right in saying that you were potentially aggravating people to mug you? Would anyone be in their right mind to state you had contibuted to that attitude to rob you. At what point could we blame you? The highstreet after all is not yours, and an unwillingness to share it with muggers reflects poorly on you as a person.

[@underwaterbubbles]

Well done for your perseverance.

[@chicofoxo]

If a driver saw a car stopped in the lane or were travelling at slower speed than them - the same driver would by instinct change lanes. It's all in their heads.

[@CycleSmarter]

Exactly - this could all be tackled with a targeted TV campaign, a few well placed billboards and by adoption into the Practical and Theory tests - this nonsense about Eco-Driving (now required knowledge for UK Driving Theory testing) has nothing to do with road safety (I agree with the green sentiment mind) so why can't they add more about actual road use?

[@MsPeabody1231]

CycleSmarter It's in the driving test already under something like planning ahead. Unfortunately some driving instructors are just shit.

[@scottwa]

3 years late but love this... "Wait, what? You mean if a driver saw a car stopped in the lane or travelling at slower speed than them, they don't just aggressively run into the slower or stopped car in order to 'teach em a lesson'?"

[@davidedwards3361]

Personally, I see dangerous driving. He was paying full attention when he ran into you. I ride a motorbike and always ride at least in the centre of the lain. If you rife close to the side of the road, drivers will try to overtake without leaving the lane, getting very close. Had I been in your position, that car would have had a bicycle through it's windscreen.

[@DjKProductions]

Wow! I can't believe this driver's behaviour. So glad u persisted to get him prosecuted! Take care!!!

[@Cycleops70]

Due care & attention is BS. That was deliberate, not unintentionally negligent.

[@paulcroft4228]

The Police are obviously too busy to investigate and prosecute Assault With a Deadly Weapon, which is what this is. The motorist obviously has severe emotional problems, and needs attention.

[@alfwilliams5446]

Well done on keeping so calm. Great news that the "f*cking nutjob" has been charged ; )

[@11monkeynuts]

Absolutely amazed at how calm you were while that maniac was ramming you. Even more shocking though was how it took your 'threat' to speak to the media that finally spurred the police to do something about this assault. Saying that, they did further drag their heels until you made another complaint. Really pleased you got a result. :)

[@CycleSmarter]

I was shocked / stunned that any thinking adult would do that. This incident has changed me, although I have been aware at how people can snap and kill over minor things, I now accept that people will be willing to kill me for the smallest of reasons. After this incident, I also do not take 'no' as an answer from the Police.

[@Jonesykins]

Not the best result, but a decent one at least. That charge will stay on his license for four years (1 year left to go). And because it's dangerous driving his insurance will sky rocket. Furthermore, if I'm correct, that Dangerous Driving Charge will be on his Criminal Record for the next 11 years (8 to go)

[@giloupierre7616]

When with your car you hit someone on purpose it's closest to murder attempt than driving without due care :/

[@flemwad]

That's an instant ban.. Completely crazy from the motorist. What ended up happening in court 👍👍

[@funlovingvoyeur]

The driver deserved to be charged. But you could keep to the left (I'm saying this as a fellow cyclist) and start pedalling when it turns green.

[@CycleSmarter]

No need to, as shown by the other cars that overtook safely and with no issue. The issue began and ended with the driver.

[@funlovingvoyeur]

You are shouting at the first 3 cars in your clip. I see a pattern. Just keep to the left.

[@CycleSmarter]

Did you not notice that was a compilation? Your powers of perception are wanting.

[@funlovingvoyeur]

So you admit that on several occasions you shouted against people that overtook you while you cycled in the middle of the road... I still see a pattern, it now spreads over multiple occasions instead of you having just 1 bad day.

[@CycleSmarter]

Admit? It is there in video. Most bicycles aren't fitted with a horn, so we may adapt to use our voices to warn other road users of our presence. I never had bad days cycling, I had discrete incidents thrust upon me by inconsiderate and dangerous drivers. I'll add deduction to that wanting list.

[@gps-gps]

He was wrong to ride into you, but you were committing the offence of obstruction. Funny how trouble seems to follow you around. Is there a theme here?

[@CycleSmarter]

No offence committed at all. "If a person, without lawful authority or excuse, in any way wilfully obstructs the free passage along a highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding..." First, I have explained my reason for stopping quite clearly. I this case, the red traffic light - also my reason for remaining stopped - it was not safe to proceed. And to the obstruction, there was a second lane into which any following traffic could move (and did, as seen), therefore no obstruction of free passage along the highway. "Is there a theme here?" Certainly. The theme is I am cycling on the Highway, and morons amongst the sensible drivers (a small minority) make the venture dangerous for us all.

[@bertiebasset123]

In the earlier clips there were cycle lanes!! Why weren't you in them?

[@CycleSmarter]

Clip 1: No cycle lane. Clip 2: Shared use cycle lane which ends at the junction. Clip 3: Same as Clip 2. In the two cases where there was a cycle lane, I wasn't in it because it is shared use, I cycle faster than 12mph, and the lane ends at that junction. The particular lane I was in carried on all the way to my home.

[@bertiebasset123]

I still say you should have been in the shared use lane. You obviously weren't in a hurry as you blocked the traffic for ages to taunt the already angry motorist. If you cycled at 12 mph in the safer lane you would have been home earlier. Why did you keep calling him mate?

[@CycleSmarter]

"I still say you should have been in the shared use lane." Thankfully you don't write the laws, and nobody looks for you for guidance. "You obviously weren't in a hurry..." I am rarely in a hurry, I wasn't in a hurry here. I was however cycling at my regular pace, which is above 12mph (max speed to which shared cycle lanes are developed). "...as you blocked the traffic for ages to taunt the already angry motorist." Stopped to see what hazard he was drawing my attention to, once it was obvious he was angry, opted for the safer measure of not setting off to increase the risk of the violent encounter. In hindsight, there was a third safer option, but if I lived my life by what vocal arseholes demanded of me, I'd be dead already. "If you cycled at 12 mph in the safer lane you would have been home earlier." Nonsense, and really didn't matter to me. "Why did you keep calling him mate?" Convenience, didn't know his name, could equally have said fella, buddy, pal, sir, etc etc. Inconsequential. What are your thought's on motorists using their vehicles as weapons, and then fleeing the scene of their crime?

[@coolhippyman]

So stopping the flow of traffic in an active lane of traffic is completely fine?

[@CycleSmarter]

It is. In this case it was a legal requirement, as the traffic light displayed was red. The HWC also talks of moving off after the light changes green only when it is safe to do so. In this situation it wasn't, as the video demonstrates.

[@davidgathergood7839]

What are you doing cycling in the middle of the lane?

[@CycleSmarter]

Adopting the safest road position for the conditions, and road type, and providing maximum visibility to approaching vehicles. It's an industrial area so the gutter and Secondary road position would mean debris, punctures etc. There is also a full, open and clear overtaking lane, so I pose no delay to attentive drivers. Were I on a single lane road, a road with contraflow lanes, or maybe another scenario, my road position may be different.

[@simonwright2663]

David Gathergood from what I saw he wasnt even cycling, just blocking the lane

[@zanhari1]

@@simonwright2663 look at the traffic lights, they were on red when the car parped his horn and the driver made a comment, can't hear what was said but listen to the response of the biker. The car driver wanted him to move to the side of the road or onto the pavement as that's where he gestured. The middle of the lane is safer for the biker. I'm a horse rider, I know how to ride on the roads. Be safe, be seen. Take up the space of one car, ride closer to the edge of the road when it's a narrower road. On a side note, I can see no bike lane, just the pavement. It's illegal to ride a bike (or a horse) on the pavement. It's for pedestrians only.

[@shornsparks20005]

So any comments not supporting are deleted says it all

[@CycleSmarter]

What are you onabout? Read the comments, I don't delete them. I even go into the junk folder and liberate ones that have been snagged there (save for links to websites that may be malicious).

[@BlackCountryBikeCam]

Local plod simply don't seem that bothered about traffic offences and seem to take the same attitude as some of those drivers who do get stopped. "Haven't you any real criminals to catch?" Telling that you had to threaten them with the media to get that to court. Well done for persevering.

[@pukkadriver]

Local plod are not bothered about anything they're a - NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE - bunch of lazy good for nothings

[@hulabiker21]

BlackCountryBikeCam a

[@paulb8153]

Bet Mr Long thought he'd got away with it. As nearly a year had gone by. Well done for persistent complaints.

[@doodlydiddle]

That was not driving without due care....that was downright dangerous. I'm stunned at the lengths it took to get a result but I'm glad you stuck with it. I just wish the police would take something like this seriously and pursue the proper charge for a deliberate act like this...

[@CycleSmarter]

I think the proper charge was eventually made, but then it was the decision of the CPS to accept a guilty plea to the lesser charge. In my opinion, as the victim of the crime (and a tax payer), this is irresponsible - I do not feel safe on the roads with this driver on the road.

[@Camsplint]

CycleSmarter So the CPS conspired to pervert the course of justice. Sadly, that seems to be an institutional policy. The question is, how can a case be brought against them for it? Any case that is brought privately against them can be taken over by them and dropped (which underlines the extent of the criminality, but doesn't progress the case in any meaningful way). I think maybe a case through the civil courts against the DPP might have success, but would need to be brought by a subsequent victim of one of the criminals that the CPS failed to prosecute adequately on a previous occasion, as only the subsequent victim would be able to show consequential loss. Probably naming them as co-defendants in a case against the driver would have the best prospects of success. The CPS only have the power to take over criminal cases, not civil ones, so that would be the only way to hammer them over their consistent and institutional perversion of justice.

[@cigmorfil4101]

It was a deliberate assault with a not completely blunt extremely heavy instrument.

[@cigmorfil4101]

Camsplint CPS = Criminal Protection Service. (Quote from BBC Radio 4's comedy show "It's a fair cop" hosted by an ex policeman, but it seems to be a fair comment.)

[@palmer3977]

He should have been disqualified for 18 months.

[@k-rj740]

There is a very real problem that drivers feel that they own the road and that they have priority over all other road users. This isn’t just an issue for cyclists, it is a considerable problem for pedestrians as well and even other drivers. Research carried for by the insurance company AXA has shown that there are about 800 deaths a year in the UK due to "disrespectful driving". This come from sort of behaviour shown in the video you have here. 　 We really need the police and the courts to remind people that driving is not a right, but a privilege granted under trust by licence. Too few people seem to understand that the way you drive to pass your driving test, is the way you are supposed to drive for the rest of you life. 　 It is likely pointless trying to explain vehicular cycling to drivers like Mr Christopher Long, but you can ask if he would have driven like that on his driving test (or when driving around his kids for that matter if he has any) and then ask why he thinks he can do it now? There should be no excuses for bad driving, and we should have zero tolerance for it. Bad driving is a threat to ALL of us, no matter which way we choose to travel.

[@ndaveis8208]

K-R J no you feel you own the roads, plague you are

[@k-rj740]

Nick Davidson No one owns the road, but cyclists have a right to ride in the middle of the their lane in the UK, and here is some info as to why this is often the safest position for cyclists. First one is from the police and the second one from one of the biggest cycle program in the UK (which of course is government approved) *Cyclists have a right to claim the lane* It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle, particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead. Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs, increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the wheels of a vehicle. *Allow plenty of space* When overtaking a cyclist a driver is required to give them as much room as you would a car, where possible. Cyclists may need to swerve to avoid hazards. Drivers should always anticipate that there may be a pothole, oily, wet or icy patch or some other obstruction. Don’t drive too close behind a cyclist as you may not be able to stop in time if they come off their bike or pull up abruptly. Unless you have an entire clear, empty lane in which to pass, slow down and wait until there is room to pass, and do so slowly. *It’s your responsibility as a driver to avoid hitting the cyclist, not the responsibility of the cyclist to avoid getting hit by you.* www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safety-advice/Road-Safety-Vehicle-Security/Cyclists.aspx *Riding further out from the edge of the road is safer, faster, and helps prevent motorists from cutting you up.* Never hug the kerb. That's rule one of road positioning on a bicycle. You need to be further out into the road, sometimes right in the middle of the traffic stream. Less assertive cyclists worry that being further out may put them in the way of the traffic. It won't: you are the traffic. Being in the traffic stream helps you to get treated like traffic. *Reducing risk* It can feel safer to ride in or near the gutter. It isn't safer. It vastly increases the chances of drivers buzzing past you with inches to spare. You'll have to contend with drains, cambered surfaces, and debris like broken glass that has been 'swept' to the edge of the road by the action of car tyres. And you're less likely to be seen at all by drivers. The commonest type of car-cyclist collision is the 'Sorry, mate, I didn't see you' variety. You must register in a driver's field of vision. You'll do that best by cycling where they are looking. Drivers look where their vehicle will be in the next few seconds, which is to say: ahead of them. They pay much less attention to people and objects in their peripheral vision. Initially, you may feel exposed riding further out from the kerb. But it's very rare for cyclists to get rear-ended by drivers. Being safe is being seen - and forcing drivers to react to your presence. *Controlling your space* Drivers are obliged by the Highway Code (Rule 163) to give you 'at least as much room as a car' when overtaking. Let that sink in: at least as much room as a car. That means that they should pull out, cross the central, dashed white line, and pull in again. By riding further out from the edge of the road, you force following traffic to overtake you properly instead of squeezing past dangerously close. Are you inconveniencing anyone? Only those drivers who would not have overtaken you safely in the first place. As a rule of thumb, your distance from the kerb is the same distances that drivers will give you when overtaking. *How far from the kerb?* You never want to be closer than 50cm from the kerb. Often you'll be a metre out, sometimes more. The key factor is not so much the edge of the road as the location of the traffic stream on that road; that is, where cars are actually driving in that traffic lane. There are essentially two cycling positions to choose from, relative to the traffic stream. One is the centre of the traffic stream - that is, the centre of the lane, rather than the centre of the road. You'll sometimes hear this called 'the primary position', but it's easier to think of it as 'taking the lane'. The other position is about a metre to the left of the traffic stream, so long as that doesn't bring you too close to the kerb. Sometimes called 'the secondary position', you can think of it simply as 'not taking the lane'. *When to take the lane* If you can keep up with the traffic, such as around town, it's safest to take the lane. It's also the position to adopt when you want to dissuade drivers from doing something stupid, like cutting you up. Here's a non-exhaustive list of situations when it's best to take the lane. • Approaching a pinch point, such as pedestrian island in the centre of the road. • Approaching and negotiating a roundabout. • Approaching Give Way markings. • Approaching a side road, to prevent drivers from 'left-hooking' you and to help drivers on the side road to see you. • Approaching traffic lights. • Approaching a blind corner. • Negotiating a junction. • In queues of stationary traffic. • Overtaking parked cars. *When not to take the lane* If you're not confident in taking the lane, especially when simply riding along, don't feel that you have to. If the road is busy and the traffic is moving faster than you can, either because it's a fast road or a steep hill, you're often better not taking the lane. This is a courtesy to drivers, enabling them to overtake you more easily. Your safety is paramount, so you should not feel pressured not to take the lane. If a driver pips his horn at you, relax in the knowledge that he has seen you. *Changing positions* Unless you're taking evasive action, any change in position should be gradual - particularly when moving out to take the lane. Check back to see where any following traffic is, then gradually move into your new position. If you check back early enough, you may not need to signal to change your position within a traffic lane. Signal when you need to communicate your intention to drives who are closer. Don't assume that you can move left to the secondary position without checking behind you. Around town, another cyclist or a moped rider may be about to 'undertake' you. *Specific to cyclists* Cyclists are allowed to ride two abreast, although most drivers are not aware of this. On fast or busy roads, it is courteous to single out to make it easier for drivers to pass. Cyclists are allowed to stop on double-yellow lines. Again, drivers may be unaware of this. Finally, don't tailgate motor vehicles. It reduces your visibility - in both senses - and bicycles can't stop as fast as cars, so you risk rear-ending a car if it stops suddenly. www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/how-to-road-positioning

[@ndaveis8208]

K-R J its a pity those idiots don't extend to reading the highway code when its comes to stopping at red lights! Or scratching people's cars then simply riding off. It's about time you lot had insurance, tax and licensed

[@k-rj740]

Nick Davidson "its a pity those idiots don't extend to reading the highway code when its comes to stopping at red lights!" Really?: *Only 1-in-8 cyclists run red lights says study of 60 Irish junctions* irishcycle.com/2016/05/26/only-1-in-8-cyclists-run-red-lights-says-study-of-60-irish-junctions/ Compared to drivers: *Millions of drivers fail to stop at a red light, new research suggests* Overall more than 67,000 motorists - or 184 per day - were given points for failing to stop at traffic lights in 2015 with UK police forces reporting a eight per cent increase in the number of offences - equivalent to an additional 5,023 motorists - compared to the previous year. But insurance experts say that even this is just the tip of the iceberg as only a minority of traffic lights have a camera. A separate esure survey suggests one in four motorists admit to running a red light in the past year alone - equivalent to 9.3 million drivers. www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-3589194/The-roads-drivers-caught-running-red-lights-revealed.html "Or scratching people's cars then simply riding off. It's about time you lot had insurance, tax and licensed" Tax: Its amazing that there is still people out there that think someone using a bicycle don't pay tax. One thing that seems to elude people like this is the fact that most cyclists are drivers themselves. Its like it is unthinkable that you can own both a car and a bicycle at the same time. Other fact is of course that what people call road tax is really an vehicle emission tax (VED), which is based on the emission your vehicle lets out, more emission, higher tax you have to pay. Another thing is that maintenance of roads is funded out of general taxation which everyone pays, no matter if you own a vehicle that requires an emission tax or not, or don't own a vehicle at all. Here are some food for thought about cycling vs driving and who pays the most: "Cyclists don't pay their own way on the road because they don't pay registration fees or other use fees such as gas taxes." In fact, when you consider the extremely low costs associated with non-motorized travel, the case can be made that cyclists are actually paying way more than their fair share of road costs. Or to put it another way, if we're all sharing the burden of road expenses equally (on average), then those imposing lower costs on the system (cyclists) are in effect subsidizing those who impose greater costs (motorists). Consider further that the average cyclist logs many fewer bike miles per year than the average motorist logs in his car, so that the per-mile disparity is multiplied many times over by the difference in total miles on the road(s). Bear in mind too, that although we might wish it to be otherwise, most of us who cycle a great deal still own a car, or live in a household with at least one car in the garage. I own a car, but because I work at home and ride a bike as much as possible, I only put about 3000 miles a year on it (less than half what I put on my bike), and yet I have to pay the same registration fee on that car as the fellow who logs 10,000 or 15,000 or more miles in his car. If you divide the registration fee by the number of miles, it's easy to see the full-time motorist is getting a much better deal than I am. Wouldn't it be nice if our registration fees could be pro-rated on the number of miles driven? www.teamestrogen.com/pages/cycling-myths-debunked Insurance & License: *Why regulating cyclists is unnecessary and harmful* www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2010/dec/13/regulating-cyclists

[@IWTBF]

K-R J you have a free right to travel in this country

[@lennyvee5735]

Good work mate.....

[@andrewhowden3887]

Very, very, very, self righteous.

[@WellingtonBikeCam01]

WTF?!?! You should have been invited to court, to hold him accountable to the dangerous driving charge! He also should have been charged with "assault with a weapon" and "fleeing the scene of a crash". And of course, running over your bike was an act of vandalism, for which he should have also been charged! If you'd "accidentally" damaged his mirror or scratched the side of his car (while he was fleeing the scene of the crash), I'm sure YOU would've been charged with "criminal damage". The police and courts failed at every step! I hope you've got some energy left to pursue these systemic failures via MPs and media. *Illegitimi non carborundum!*

[@Camsplint]

After the second assault, I'd have been tempted to drive my cycle pump through his radiator, to disarm him. This also is about the minimum force necessary to detain him until such time as he can be handed over into the custody of a police officer. How did the court make their sentencing decision without a victim impact statement? Anything less than a ban for deliberately using a motor vehicle as a weapon is completely unacceptable, and makes a mockery of the whole principle of the driver licensing system.

[@CycleSmarter]

I was dumbfounded. I have had people hit me with their vehicles before through carelessness, but never deliberate - I underestimated people before this incident. If you look back through a spate of my videos, I had a lot of slowing and showing tailgating horny drivers the second lane - if they show themselves to be unhinged (there is one such video), then I will move off the road. In hindsight, I would apprehend the person.

[@tonyschofield4489]

That motorist will never learn anything. He is a prize tool

[@royalstevep68]

And the driver gets f all. No deterrent. Then again I used to cycle alot and I always opted for self preservation first. Next time you might not be so lucky.

[@stewartrood3633]

Is that a cycle path to your left?

[@CycleSmarter]

No. At the time it was pedestrian use only (Trafford Park / Old Trafford has undergone a lot of work since, not been there for years).

[@SiLoJayLo]

Well done on your persistence, here. Don't be discouraged, due to a lesser charge being lodged at the defendant. I know, from experience, that it's extremely difficult for the CPS to prove that Dangerous Driving was committed, given that they have to prove that the standard of driving fell WAY SHORT of the norm. Unfortunately, the CPS just don't have the resources to follow through with many cases, yet a defense lawyer can scrutinize, at length, every piece of evidence presented to him/her, by the prosecution. Until Theresa May's government channel's more resources into the police service, this state of affairs will not change; shame on you, Theresa May - former Home Secretary.

[@ThomasWLalor]

Hit and run; Vehicular assault; Personal injury. WTH does one need to do to get police action.??

[@CycleSmarter]

Write mean tweets on the internet.

[@CycleSmarter]

vivek keshwala, the first time I ignored a driver honking his horn behind me, and set off from the lights, he close passed me, pulled towards the curb, mounted the curb and sped off, all with the horn blaring. The safest option is to be at no, or low speed. In some cases, after this event, I have opted to slow gently to a stop, dismount, and remove myself from the road.

[@MsPeabody1231]

vanoraki You need to get a bike cam. If you manage to catch any more idiots giving the footage to local and national media will soon have motorists especially HGV and coach drivers acting properly.

[@SuperRcolvin]

why did u stop at a green light ??

[@CycleSmarter]

If you are referring to 01:07, that light at the top of the three is red. And in the UK that means stop.

[@CycleSmarter]

If prayer worked, I'd pray for you to have a bigger imagination, and greater hopes and desires. Do you know what a green light means in the UK?

[@bell1974]

Ha. Priceless comeback re the power of prayer. I see something of myself in your approach to being a cyclist. I've been knocked off the bike by one of these unhinged fellow road users. It proved that there's little value in being right when the outcome is that the 2 ton of steel, rubber and plastic is still going to injure you and damage your propoerty. Safe riding.

[@bike-commutercouk]

This is insane. Firstly what the driver did, on purpose. Then, secondly, the police for not following up at all. Insane. Well done for keeping your cool & continuing to press the police on this matter.

[@CycleSmarter]

As I have said before, it makes me worry for cyclists and other vulnerable road users that do not have the luxury of catching their incidents on camera. Had I not had the footage, it would have been extremely difficult to progress the case - the Police falling on the old 'your statement against his' line. I encourage all cyclists (and motorists) to run personal CCTV.

[@samleonard1916]

I've had worse and a similar response from police (had no camrea footage) on a much more aggressive driver shoving me forwards. Glad yours was taken more seriously

[@stevemisog]

It clearly wasn't taken seriously by the police until the complaint against them was made. The police are never interested unless it's an easy cop. If they have to do any proper police work they will take the easy option and drop it. That's why you should never let them get away with claiming lack of evidence. Keep pushing them until they do their job.

[@Alexisonfiresx]

steve dann damn that's crazy... and they say the UK has the best policing, sure we don't randomly shoot people but seems like the US gets things done quicker with their court system, the fact this took over 2 years to get the guy done is ridiculous! And the fact it almost got dropped too! Where's the justice in police anymore? What are they even getting paid to do?

[@maz7726]

It will become a case of people having to take the law into their own hands eventually. I'm not sure about other people but i would take a very dim view if a dick head endangered my life.

[@CyclingClaire]

Hi, Excellent! What cameras and editing software do you use, please? I've just started on my safety journey and having difficulty getting sound on my Roadhawk Ride cameras when in waterproof mode.

[@CycleSmarter]

I used to have the dogcam sport hd2, which I think is now the roadhawk ride. If that's the case, I never used mine with the rear 'rain' cap, but instead used the one with the holes. Camera wise, I have moved fully across to the Mobius (not waterproof, but aftermarket silicone rain covers are available). Software, just regular Windows Movie Maker, occasionally Audacity to enhance sound.

[@CyclingClaire]

Thanks for the info. I hope you never post another video, if you know what I mean. Yesterday I had a very close encounter, check my channel for the video. 2 roadhawk but next to no sound......

[@CycleSmarter]

No idea how to navigate to a youtube channel through this google+ nonsense. What's the title?

[@inin725]

Two wrongs don't make a right. You antagonized the guy in the car far too much, you got what you deserved in my opinion. He will just have even less respect for cyclists than he had before. I'm a driver and a cyclist and if you go out looking for trouble you will find it, so I don't.

[@CycleSmarter]

Well it's a good job your opinion is as consequential as a ducks fart.

[@inin725]

That's how they get across the lake isn't it.

[@CycleSmarter]

Who cares?

[@inin725]

Obviously you do. Your the kind of friendless looser that gives the rest of us cyclists a bad name. GROW UP.

[@CycleSmarter]

I really don't care about ducks, I'll eat them, but wouldnt care if it was a dish I could never have again. I also don't care about you and your curious opinions and assumptions.

[@Trevor_Austin]

Proper outcome. Well done for persisting.

[@alansingh9510]

On more than one occasion the video shows cycle lanes. Even when the incident occurred, two other cyclists are on the pavement. This bloke was just looking for trouble. Must lead a sad life!

[@CycleSmarter]

Bus stops are also shown - should the motorists leave their private vehicles at home and use those? Or is it the case that cycling in speeds in excess of 12mph is not suitable for pavements and shared use cycle lanes, and my use of the highway is where I pose least risk to others.

[@kevinkerr8006]

Agree with you, typical arrogant biker, no respect for anyone else, he carries on riding with this attitude he will end up more than nudged

[@MaltAndPepper]

You sir, ride like a twat. Here Holland we have the best bike and car traffic situation in the world, and even here you would manage to get drivers infuriated enough to push you of the road. I bike everywhere and would love to see that happen safely all over the world. You're the kind of petty person that makes this highly unlikely to ever happen.

[@Adrian_Nel]

Sadly on the nail.

[@jgdooley2003]

I knew characters like that who would pick on people with short fuses and deliberately pick fights in public spaces, pushing by them, hitting against their tables in pubs etc. trying to be the hard man. Driver should have ignored him but made the mistake of escalating the situation and not going around the obstacle. I'm sure other drivers in right lane would have let him out to do so.This would have left cyclist in left lane to explain to any passing cop why he was stopped at a green light on a dual carriageway for an extended period of time.

[@OldNorsebrewery]

Isn`t there a seperate lane reseved just for bicycles? Or a sidewalk? Bicycles don`t have to block vehicles

[@jonredhornet]

Kudos for sticking with this, hopefully the driver will learn how to overtake vulnerable road users in future.

[@jgdooley2003]

This character is far from vulnerable.

[@hannecatton2179]

That motorist deserves a criminal record and hopefully you were able to pursue a civil suite and get damages for assault and stress.

[@JoeSoap76]

Wow! I've seen some idiots, but this guys is up there with the worst of them. I've been told by an officer before that I'd have to be hit by a driver and that the driver would then need to leave the scene before they would consider taking action. It's unbelievable that even with all of those conditions met you still had to go to these lengths to get them to take appropriate action. Also, unbelievable that the court allowed him to plead to driving without due care and attention. That would suggest this was an accident rather than a deliberate assault (with a deadly weapon to boot).

[@Cliffjumper24]

JoeSoap76 "I've been told by an officer before that I'd have to be hit by a driver and that the driver would then need to leave the scene before they would consider taking action." That really annoys me. A part of policing is 'prevention' of crime. For every death of a cyclist, it's at the top of a pyramid of close passes, left hooks, MGIF's and SMIDSY's/SMIDGAF's. The same applies for other road deaths too.

[@WellingtonBikeCam01]

It's the job of police to ENFORCE THE LAW, not just clean up the mess after it's been broken.

[@WellingtonBikeCam01]

*****- Depends on the cop, the dept, the law, the evidence... Sometimes it all comes together.

[@WellingtonBikeCam01]

*****- Here in NZ, "sometimes" is as good as it gets :(

[@borderlands6606]

The driver is a bully. Would he have done the same to a copper on a bike? Would he heck, he'd have sat simpering at a safe distance and given the bobby all the time he needed before giving a car's width overtake.

[@vivekkeshwala7805]

Surely you must realise that staying stationary antagonises the aggressive driver further?

[@paulcuthbert]

If a driver gets annoyed by another road user, that is not the other road user's fault. Plus, what is more important? Your own safety (the cyclist outlines his reasons for staying stationary) or appeasing people who are aggressive over, let's face it, nothing?

[@ssel8458]

vivek keshwala the driver started it didn't he? He wanted the cyclist to move over, as if the driver owns the road.

[@phildarley4393]

vivek keshwala yeah why did he block the inside lane. Either go or move out the way. Strange behaviour on both sides

[@luke5159]

ssel8458 you stupid cyclists wonna play the high horse but then come out with things like "he started it" ridiculous lol

[@1ninjatiger]

Luke how do you know ssel8458 is a cyclist? Just curious?

[@paulp458]

A great result for you at last and I'm chuffed that the driver was charged. I can also see why you ride in the middle of the lane as to defend your position on the road.👍

[@paudie2005]

fair play for persevering

[@johnmunday9208]

Is that not a cycle path on the left where that women was cycling?? If so why wasn't you using it?? And that might be why so many people was getting pissed off and that might be why he was showing his hands plus sitting at the light not moving your just asking for really

[@CycleSmarter]

"Is that not a cycle path on the left where that women was cycling??" No, its a poorly laid pavement for pedestrian use. What pisses me off as a road user (pedestrian, cyclist, motorists) are the nutters using their vehicles as weapons, risking my safety, safety of others, and pushing my insurance premiums up. I would think more people would be annoyed with that last one commenting here. He got pissed off because he chose to make a scene in an attempt to bully me either off the road, or into a dangerous position on the road. And when I didn't accept his agitated demand, he committed battery.

[@johnmunday9208]

CycleSmarter if it's not a cycle path how comes 2 cyclist are using it?? And if it ain't then they should be done for breaking the law. And again my insurance don't got up because of things like that. I'm not saying his right to have just hit you and drove off. That is wrong but every one has to share the roads and it wasn't nice of you just to sit there telling him to go round for no reason

[@CycleSmarter]

On the far side of the road, there is a shared use section of cycle way. On the side I was on there is only pavement. The reason the chief of police directed officers not to charge cyclists on the pavement is because they realise how dangerous drivers are, and the law cannot compel you to risk your life. Everyones insurance goes up when people commit crimes which affect their own premiums, as the data feeds into a pot on which the brokers figure their rates. Recall when lower insurance for women was challenged on the basis of sexism? "That is wrong but every one has to share the roads and it wasn't nice of you just to sit there telling him to go round for no reason" It isn't for no reason. He cannot drive through me, he cannot share the lane given the width. He can however use the second lane for its intended purpose. Had I set off, he would have either driven into me, or driven close forcing me into the gutter - both clerly dangerous driving, and over being stationary, much more dangerous to my health.

[@jgdooley2003]

We had this discussion in Ireland regarding the mandatory use of cycle lanes where provided. The upshot is that the cyclists were of two categories, ordinary street bikes doing about 5-10 mph and performance bikes doing at least double that speed. It was considered wiser to allow cyclists to choose either the road or the cycle path depending on their speed. Many cycle paths are narrow and shared with walkers, not the place to be on a high performance bike at high speed. The transport Minister made the needed changes to the regulations.

[@fkmehardy6186]

You're the reason lots of drivers are losing patience with cyclists.

[@CycleSmarter]

Bollocks.

[@fkmehardy6186]

You're fking morons pal and that isn't bollocks, two wheels all my life and never demanded a full lane, never held any fker up but you cnts these days are all over the road in your plastic hats and multi cameras, people haven't the time to fk around with you lot, you're morons and sound like a one too.

[@CycleSmarter]

Notice how the other drivers tha carried on didn't want to fuck around, they just changed lanes with no delay to their journey. Mr Christopher Long decided to stay behind me, decided to engage me with his horn, decided to have a conversation with me, decided to drive into me three times from memory, and decided to make off from the scene. Those were all his choices to 'fk around with' me as you say. If you never demand a full lane, but do cycle in the gutter, I think you are needlessly pointing yourself at risk - but that's your choice. Have at it.

[@fkmehardy6186]

Go pedal in a park if you're frightened of traffic, better still get an exercise bike then you'll be no bother to anyone, or would that make your stupid cameras obsolete.

[@CycleSmarter]

Are you simple? If I was frighterend by regular traffic, I wouldn't be on the road.

[@nchcroy3877]

Great result but you really shouldn't have had to go to the lengths you did in order to get things sorted out. Sadly it's how modern policing works. Unless it's an"exciting" job or an easy one they're really not interested. Lazy.. Glad you got a good result.

[@bluesky4733]

Yes the guy in the car is obviously an impatient idiot but cyclist could have left room instead of sitting in middle of lane so both of you should have a word with yourselves and be more tolerant of other road users

[@roadbiker8333]

Blue Sky Room? That lane is not wide enough to overtake safely anyways. The car had to change lane or ride in between two lanes to overtake anyways, so fully change lane! This is not a wide lane, it doesnt even matter for the driver that the cyclist was cycling in the center. You drive your car in the center of your lane, so why would you expect other people to hug the edge?

[@Jcraft153]

you cycle quite far from the curb. is that intended? is it to stop cars from overtaking in the same lane? Im a young cyclist myself so anything i can learn would be quite helpfull

[@CycleSmarter]

It is intended on this road. Where the lanes are wider, and the highway is clear of debris I will cycle closer to the kerb. Look up bikeability, it is training for on-road cycling and gives good tips. The idea of riding in the middle of a lane is to discourage other vehicles from attempting to share the lane with you - it is the safest road position when there are narrow lanes, or narrowing in lanes (traffic calming). Most motorists know to check mirrors, indicate, and move out to overtake safely, or if not possible, slow maintaining a safe distance and overtaking later.

[@yangtse55]

Good on you for sticking with it mate. So much hassle !

[@CycleSmarter]

Too much. Imagine if I hadn't the luxury of footage, this case would have had the traction of a damp boulder on an icy long empty lake bed.

[@yangtse55]

CycleSmarter did you get compo for the damage to your bike ?

[@CycleSmarter]

I was forced to go through ASKMID dot com to get a hold of his insurance details - worth noting, if I had not pushed the police to do their job, and someone had challenged me 'buying' these details I could face criminal charges - after this I approached his insurer and got compensated for the repairs and some travel costs. I did not push any personal injury claims.

[@mcrcycling378]

+CycleSmarter Well hopefully an insurance claim will teach him not to be a bullying twat in future. Not as good a lesson as a criminal charge though.

[@CycleSmarter]

MCR cycling Both were made and won (well, slight loss on the charge) in the end. He got a Careless driving charge after a plea deal. I fear it went something like Reginald Scotts case - I wasn't in attendance.

[@HoucKSF]

"Due Care and Attention", he was fully attent, intending on hitting people.

[@928frogman]

3 year old video, I know...do you ever consider that with all these interactions, YOU may be the problem?

[@CycleSmarter]

Sure, but I know given all the 'interactions' on that day, namely the tens of vehicles that passed safely in the second lane - and the many thousands that have passed me safely on other occasions - that it is precisely Mr Long that had the issue - I do hope he is over it, and no longer poses a danger on the road.

[@roadbiker8333]

So many motorists here not wanting road users to report dangerous drivers. One of the possibilities is that they are the one who drive dangerously. Bicycles are legally vehicles on the road. And no, even if a multi-billion pound cycle lane was present, he didnt have to use it. Just like those multi-million motorways, cars are not made to use them and cars are all over the highway outside of motorways just like cyclists. So your impatience is the only problem here, not cyclists’.

[@Hirotoro4692]

Your logic is awful, Ed. You drive these roads too, do you not? If you do, you know full well how many psychos share it with us. Even a model driver is going to either wind someone up at some point, or get in the way of someone who has had a bad day.

[@MrStreetboy80]

Leaving the scene of an accident you can almost be certain 5 points will be issued. Good on you for pushing the police to do something. I know it can be annoying encountering a cyclist when the roads can't take both car and bike but a dual carriedway! Really?! How much room does a car need. We all got family's to go home to. Whatever we drive or ride, we need to take care and be safe on these busy roads and look out for each other.

[@northerncyclisttvl6532]

errr leaving the scene of a deliberate collision. Should have lost his licence.

[@MrStreetboy80]

Northern Cyclist TVL I understand it was deliberate and I was going by what the minimum punishment could be, however in a court I'd say it would stand that using a vehicle as a weapon against a vulnerable road user would be more to the point and a jail sentence on top of losing your licence could be the worse end of the outcome and quite rightly so.

[@ineedahatnow]

I ride and this guy is a nutter, KEEP LEFT>

[@jaschenski]

Why do you need to be so far out in the road, though? By definition, if a lane will take a truck, it will easily accommodate a car and a bike. So just keep to the left of whichever lane you need to be in, where safe, and most traffic can pass you in the same lane!

[@CycleSmarter]

Not so. By definition in the UK texts, an overtaking vehicle should afford a cycle the same amount of space as they would a car, therefore a car in the vehicle would require them to move out of the lane to overtake. Thankfully on this road, it was designed with another lane in that same direction. Being central to the lane reminds people of this.

[@lanzecki]

Due care and attention is IMHO for hitting something by accident while distracted. This was a deliberate act. Therefore dangerous driving. Meh. The law is an ass. Well done for keeping up the pressure.

[@paulcuthbert]

Dangerous driving is lenient. This is assault and criminal damage.

[@projectcyclingfitness1160]

Wasn't the offece criminal damage to your bicycle aswel? and did you get his insurance details and claim for damages?

[@CycleSmarter]

The police try and pursue a single charge in the UK, it isn't like the US where they have several charges which stack. I did get his insurance details, if I recall I had to purchase access to them, but his insurer did not hang around, they couldn't pay out quick enough.

[@steffanandersen92]

get ur bike on the side"walk" when its nothing there, staying in the middle of the lane when its traffic behind, and when it turns green you stand there like a goon trying to throw ur arms at the driver, take bus please

[@CycleSmarter]

Nah.

[@steffanandersen92]

then dont cry when u lay under a car, nobody forced you to cycle slow there :)

[@terrystratford1235]

Kebab mannen ali I understand where u coming from! And I wish it was legal for cyclist to use a pavement! But unfortunately the people at the top (law makers) say cyclist cannot use pedestrian walkways! It's the road or cycle lanes! It's all in the highway code! I find it best to educate ones self, otherwise ur Givin ur option as if it's law! Makes u look stupid! I'm sure ur not! Just uneducated concerning the highway code laws and bylaws!

[@janheard3826]

Yes the cyclist is basically a complete moron

[@questioneverything6860]

Well-done Mr Christopher Long FH53 OOV is a dangerous, aggressive driver. It is appalling that such dangerous, aggressive driving wasn't treated with the seriousness that the video suggests. He committed vehicular assault.

[@spock31132]

I agree what the Idiot In the car did was wrong, but If you had not blocked his way this would not have happened.For all you know the guy In the car might have been going to visit somebody Ill in hospital and wanted to get there ASAP, so for a start he wouldn't have been In the right frame of mind.

[@CycleSmarter]

Did you know cars have steering wheels? They allow drivers to turn the tyres in a direction that allows the vehicle to navigate bends, objects or other vehicles on the road. Did you know highways sometimes have overtaking lanes? This is where the planners have considered the volume of traffic for an area, the modes of transport used, and have deduced that secondary or tertiary lanes are of use, to allow vehicles to navigate other vehicles on these highways. Did you know, battery is not a legal avenue when making your way in public, even where the journey is pressing for you as an individual? There is a social contract, expressed in laws that ensure the person is respected where they do not present a risk of unlawful force to you. Wasn't Spock known for his logic and reason?

[@marty8535]

That doesn't justify criminal damage.

[@mulgerbill]

Ahh, the old mythical "someone in hospital" defence. I've been there and A/ I'm in too much of a hurry to want to waste time weakly trying to assert my non existent dominance based on a charade and B/ It's all the single occupant cars creating the congestion. Keep on dreaming tho...

[@pauljh74]

If he wasn't in the right frame of mind, he shouldn't have been driving. If he was in a hurry, he wouldn't have hung around and rammed the bike a few times. Its drivers like that we don't need on the roads.

[@boydmidwinter1306]

Sorry mate but your headstone will read " I was in the right ". use the cycle lanes provided.

[@CycleSmarter]

Don't be sorry, I get lots of silly comments like this.

[@boydmidwinter1306]

You will be the one that is sorry when you are splattered on the side of a hgv......You mug

[@CycleSmarter]

No I wouldn't in that scenario, I'd be dead you donor.

[@boydmidwinter1306]

You donor?...when you see a cyclist twisted and mangled in a lorries wheels screaming in agony for four minutes before he died. You might change your attitude.

[@CycleSmarter]

As in brain donor.

[@waynemoore8615]

Greater manchester has spent millions creating cycle ways to keep you safe - there is one right beside you in the video that two other cyclists are using - but YOU feel the unreasonable need to take up a whole lane on a busy road. THE CYCLE LANE IS RIGHT THERE - USE IT, IT'S FOR YOU. Numnuts.

[@CycleSmarter]

Why were roads surfaced in something other than cobbles? You'll find it was for cycles.

[@waynemoore8615]

You must think the whole world revolves around you. Cycles had NOTHING AT ALL to do with why the roads were properly paved. Your ignorance is mind boggling.

[@CycleSmarter]

Google is your friend buddy. The resurfacing of roads was driven by cycling groups. All road users benefited.

[@waynemoore8615]

CycleSmarter You must be talking about over a hundred years ago when cars didn't exist, you snowflake. The reason that roads exist at all is to facilitate the ease of movement of troops, and goods and livestock for purposes of commerce. To pretend anything else would be real ignorant.

[@waynemoore8615]

CycleSmarter Your eyes are YOUR friend "buddy". When you see a cycle lane, hop on it to keep yourself safe - that's what you make believe you're concerned with. Walk the walk, don't just talk the talk.

[@colinfraser369]

Is it only me that thinks it's ridiculous this driver was given the option of pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention? A charge that suggests a careless error caused by a lack of awareness or concentration, what he did was completely intentional and dangerous causing injury. Should have been a driving ban. To be fair and impartial the cyclist could also be accused of unnecessarily blocking the carriageway, he should have moved off or if worried about the driver stepped onto the pavement. Not that this in anyway excuses the drivers actions.

[@routha3046]

this is the reason that cyclists are hated when there is a perfectly good cycle lane to use.

[@CycleSmarter]

It is pavement to the left. And to the 'perfectly good cycle lane to use', the closest is that on the opposite side of the road, which usually contains the debris swept from the road, and upturned pavers and gutter coverings from the HGVs that park in it every morning. Cyclists are hated, because people have small minds.

[@routha3046]

Perfectly suitable for the other cyclist but not good enough for you?

[@TheManShaker]

Leave it. He lives in his own world

[@CycleSmarter]

"Perfectly suitable for the other cyclist but not good enough for you?" Yes. Catching on slowly but surely.

[@routha3046]

Because you are a Road Troll & getting cyclists tarnished with your immature behaviour & lack of skills

[@iangriffen6118]

I'm a driver and a cyclist. I don't condone the actions of the driver for one second. He was a typical impatient w***er, but if someone is raming you with their car wouldn't you get out the way? Also there appears to be a cycle path running along side the road. If safety is your priority then surely it's best to use the cycle path.

[@CycleSmarter]

" if someone is raming you with their car wouldn't you get out the way?" Matter of judgement. While he did ram the bicycle repeatedly, he didn't put his foot down. Keeping the bicycle where it was after the strike which drove the mudguard up pinning the wheel was a poor attempt at keeping him there as I called the police. In the future, I will remove the drivers keys. "Also there appears to be a cycle path running along side the road." It's a pedestrian footway, not designed for cycles. "If safety is your priority then surely it's best to use the cycle path." Safety, convenience and exercise were priorities. Safety is one we must share with all road users. In this case, the Mr Long assumed I was preventing his convenience, and sacrificed my safety.

[@PhilipMcAdam]

I have to admire you in what you did and your persistence. I would not have the courage to all that you did but we do need people like yourself to champion the cyclists cause. I think your driver instruction as is ours is very lacking in behaviour to cyclists. I find younger drivers far more impatient and aggressive than older ones.

[@CycleSmarter]

Philip Mc Adam I just want a safe cycle to work, and I know that me letting things like this drop either mean I pass the risk of serious injury/death to my future self, or on to an unfortunate cyclist further on down the road. It is stressful, you feel victimised twice (first the the violent individual, then to the failing system), but I would find doing nothing harder to get on with.

[@PhilipMcAdam]

CycleSmarter Really totally behind you on all your points. I am behind you all the way and admire you for what you have done.

[@tonyschofield4489]

Well done if more cyclists were as tenacious we could cut down on these actions by dangerous motorists

[@carlitobrigante814]

He shouldn't have run you over but you shouldn't be stopped when it's green

[@CycleSmarter]

What makes you think that?

[@carlitobrigante814]

CycleSmarter you would have been better off moving as normal or switch to pavement temporarily. You trying to get frm a 2 b like everyone else no point getting ptentially killed like you almost just did because you had somthing to prove against this dude who tried kill you in the end...

[@CycleSmarter]

Carlito Brigante I think I discuss this in the video. You can see videos after this incident where I slow to a stop, dismount and move from the road where it becomes apparent that there is someone unhinged behind me.

[@carlitobrigante814]

Ok

[@carlitobrigante814]

I didn't see

[@neilwiddison6529]

Well done mate.these people want locking up .I ride a motorbike and they all want to race you from the lights lol.

[@alanslater4206]

So while I agree the motorist was wrong I have to say that in my opinion you were as bad by antagonising him and provoking him into his actions.

[@CycleSmarter]

They call this victim blaming in some circles. Using a vehicle as a weapon is not remotely similar to speaking to someone.

[@191246mann1]

read a lot of comments here but the fact is most people would have better things to do than argue ,just pull out and go,but what does come out of it is the way the police acted,just didn't want to know,lost the paperwork [just put it in the rubbish] do this to 100 reports and most people will give up and that is a big saving for them.and in the end the driving withouit due care was a cop out anyway ,how can you drive without due care if you deliberately damaged a persons bike hitting it 4 times,that is not careless,so it is all wrong.

[@trakside1]

watching this video you seem to want to antagonise drivers. why dont you pull to the left hand side, you clearly dont need that much room to warrant sitting in the middle of the road!

[@CycleSmarter]

No antagonising intended. I want to cycle to and from places in the safest possible way. From experience, gutter cycling on an industrial estate means large potholes, debris and sharps breaking my vehicle - each of which could see me spill onto the road. Maintaining the centre of a lane affords me the option of moving around such debris/hazards. It also makes me more visible to approaching vehicles - and given it is a carriageway with two lanes in the same direction, other vehicles have a whole lane to pass into. I will cycle left on residential roads provided they are well maintained, free from parked cars etc. But never on an industrial estate that has dual lane roads - there's just no need.

[@markhagon335]

The fella in the car was a bit of a loon,yes bit you did purposely make.the situation worse. Anyway, to my point. At 3m 37sec on your clip there is footage from your rear facing camera showing the car striking your bike and as you put it "Knocking it from under me and causing the minor injury I suffered ". But if you fast forward to 5m 00sec we see the same footage with a bonus feature. Your not on your bike, your standing talking to the witness of the situation you caused. So my question is. What injury was caused when the bike you wasn't sitting on was "knocked from under you". And did the authorities get the full footage? Just curious

[@CycleSmarter]

I can see why you infer that, but you are incorrect. The driver actually drove into me several times at 01:28 was the first hit, where I comment that he rolled into me, the one that did the damage is at 01:44, which drove the mudguard up under the rear panier, egged the rear wheel, and caused a cut on my leg. The footage at 05:00 shows the last strike, if you listen to the audio before hand, the comment 'Did you see that' to the passerby of the battery that the driver committed was in regards to him driving into me again. The police had the full files.

[@JTV84]

when i read the text at the beginning i thought here we go, another self righteous cyclist blocks a whole road to make a point, but NO, in all the clips especially the main one, the other vehicle had a whole lane to their right, which they could have used to safely overtake him. it's not as if they're on a windy country lane with blind corners where they could potentially get hit head on at 60mph+ to anyone supporting the driver, how would you like it if i drove into the back of your car repeatedly until the bumper fell off because you were doing 65 in the left hand lane of the motorway? you'd think i was being pretty unreasonable since there are two more lanes there that i could have easily used to overtake you and go on my way.

[@gdog6226]

You must have been laid up in hospital for months after that vicious attack..... Will you ever be able to ride again!!!!!

[@CycleSmarter]

Thanfully I had the footage, his plates, and a crime number to worry his insurers into paying for a new bike and other expenses. Don't you worry your little heart.

[@gdog6226]

CycleSmarter Is that all...... What about the life changing injuries you received in this horrendous incident!!!!

[@CycleSmarter]

The joke bombed the first time, why repeat it again?

[@denniseves2155]

You deliberately provoked the incident, you pillock. It's a shame the police didn't prosecute you for wasting police time.

[@CycleSmarter]

If I happened to know where you lived (I don't, and have no interest in knowing), and I came round to your house and drove a car into your living room (I won't, and wouldn't do so to anyone), could my legal defense be that you provoked me by posting under my video that I should be charged for some other crime?

[@bobfisheruk]

Whats wrong with you using the Cycle Paths, but there for your safety at great expense to the tax Payers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@CycleSmarter]

Why wasn't the driver on the motorway? Put there for motor vehicle users safety at great expense to the tax Payers!!!11!!!!111!!!

[@GingerHamster19]

CycleSmarter because he doesnt need to go a long distance, bellend. If you didnt sit in the middle of the road, then maybe you would have a safer ride. Make it easier for faster traffic to pass you.

[@CycleSmarter]

Wow you are dumb BoraBora23.

[@CycleSmarter]

I am not sure you'd have the advanced motor skills to ride a push bike - but I am open to persuasion. The reason he doesn't use the motorway is the exact reason I didn't use a cycle path here - they are discontinuous, and where they do exist they don't go from my starting location to my destination. The rhetorical device of analogy was to point out this error to him, with something he might understand. Then you jump in totally missing it, and spouting more nonsense - hence 'wow you are dumb'.

[@GingerHamster19]

CycleSmarter but if there was a motorway on his journey then he would use it. So when theres a cycle path, use it

[@patracey7072]

Why should the driver go around you!!!How much road tax do you pay!!!!

[@seekthetruthandbuymytactic620]

Articulated lorry driver here, time to slap you upside the head. Road tax was abolished in 1937 and replaced by Vehicle Excise Duty. This is a tax on cars, not roads, with me so far? Do you drive a car? Why do so many car drivers get soo close to my lorry, so that i can't see you in my mirrors? Pointless question? So is asking if a cyclist pays for road tax. Considering you don't, it means shit all.

[@patracey7072]

Seek The Truth and Buy my Tactical Anti Spy Hats -mate you have way to much time on your hands to be writing such a long reply!!Maybe try going out more.

[@seekthetruthandbuymytactic620]

You have been corrected, i don't care if you admit your stupidity. You just replied with "oh too much time on your hands" Yet you repied to a comment that you made over a week ago......then again, you still think you pay road tax HAHA!

[@patracey7072]

Seek The Truth and Buy my Tactical Anti Spy Hats wow I’m sure you knowledge earns you how much a year??

[@beldengi]

I think you are the one at fault here.

[@CycleSmarter]

What do you mean by 'at fault', in the UK, legally the driver was 'at fault' hence the charges.

[@beldengi]

CycleSmarter you just sat there blocking his progress.

[@CycleSmarter]

See the two lanes to the right... those are ongoing lanes. In the UK you use those for overtaking slower or stopped vehicles. He had opportunity to do so before even stopping for the lights, honking at me for my attention, shouting at me that I needed to move out of his way, and before driving into my vehicle. All of those opportunities he rejected were conscious choices of his. Hence it was his designs that led to the outcome.

[@mouldygrapes9500]

Just because there are two lanes, it does not mean that you weren't blocking one of them when the light was green. A car would get in trouble with the police for that, so why should you be any different. Anyone without their head up their **** like yourself would consider you to be a self-righteous, idiotic ****!!!

[@laurahess3417]

Damn, that's scary! I'm sorry it happened to you, and I hope you're doing ok now! That's insane that the police were so unwilling to do their job!

[@endangereddangerous8102]

I'm with the driver on this one. Your wiggling around on the road in the middle of the road. I don't agree with him hitting you. But you are in the middle of the road. You don't pay tax or insurance but you expect to share the streets yet is a cars fault when your waving around all over the place. Don't expect sympathy. When your gonna be ignorant.

[@CycleSmarter]

Then your name is justified in part. Middle of lane one, on (at that point) a three lane road. I pay both tax and at that point I had two types of insurance specifically for cycling. It wasn't the cars fault for anything, it was the pillock driving it that had the issues. You will also notice, what you characterise as 'waving around all over the place' more rational observers would name 'standing still'.

[@alexanderkarlsson6193]

Roads are paid for by general taxation, VED only pays for the damage cars make on the nature and people. Bike doesn´t have compulsory insurance because they aren´t two ton steel vehicles which can do damages for enormous amounts of money, but most cyclists still have insurance via their home insurance.

[@paulcuthbert]

If you think that no cyclists pay tax and insurance, but that all drivers have tax and insurance, you probably also believe the UK is going to remain in the EU, David Bowie is alive, and that Hillary Clinton won the US Presidential Election... The irony in your sentence "Don't expect sympathy. When your gonna be ignorant" is clearly lost on you.

[@underwaterbubbles]

So you support the driver on this one, who infact was eventually charged for the offence.. The guy in the car also left the scene of an accident, one of which he caused by deliberately driving into instead of going round to avoid the stationary cyclist. Does that also now mean that pedestrians who wish to "share the streets" have to have tax and insurance ? Maybe you need to think again.

[@arthurpewtey]

Twat.

[@alanturner9609]

I have not ridden a bicycle in fifty years. I have a full driving license dated from February 1955 so you will see that I am an experienced motor car user. I have been in accidents but not one was ascribed as blame to me. I support the idea that it is the mandate of the motorist to protect vulnerable road users. I am of the opinion that road rage of any kind is an automatic revoke of license and that it remain permanent. Road ragers are a psychological danger to us all. They may strike any one of us without warning and without us knowing what for. Get them off the road and keep them off.

[@gaycha6589]

Well done you. But I think that you also know, in your heart of hearts, that you went out of your way to exacerbate and frustrate the situation. A bit too self righteous for my liking.

[@CycleSmarter]

Frustrate sure, I was frustrating the drivers attempts at bullying a vulnerable road user into a dangerous road position. Exacerbate no, the driver had choices to make, many of which did not involve violence or destruction - he chose both of his own free will.

[@minecraftfirefighter]

This guy started honking before the biker was even stopped so he then already made a choice.

[@leehilton221]

Alba Gu Bràth says the person with a fake profile name haha coward just like youre dad i insult youre parents because they are to blame for you. Ive never had a beating without coming out on top put it that way.

[@CycleSmarter]

You would have tried, and yes I agree, you would have been a dick for trying.

[@subbiejon6325]

I don't usually side with cyclists because they are often arrogant self righteous twats... but in this case the driver is a twat,,, he should have been banned from driving for that. it wasn't an accident or driving without due care and attention. this was reckless driving or even dangerous driving....

[@beetlejuicexx]

Did you manage to claim on a new bike or wheel?

[@CycleSmarter]

Wheel, mudguard and possibly some other items - can't recall now. Also some money for the inconvenience. I didn't claim personal injury, although I could have.