SW11 car fines from a local cyclist's camera Post Reply

[firsttimerSW11]

Got to hand to you OP, I haven't seen a thread with 60 comments on nappyvalleynet since about 2014.

<misses point of thread>

[readysteadycook]

I am lost for words to words this poster. Putting is politely, you need to get a life.

[muddyboots]

OP

When fellow humans in a vast majority disagree with your behaviour it’s should be a reality check.

You suggest it’s for us to stop you
Reporting, when really this is a really good opportunity for self-reflection for you.

Nobody likes a self-righteous, obnoxious person.
(Feel free to add a 4-letter word of your choice. )
You seem only too happy to glee-fully apply the law like a wanna-be vigilante police officer.

There a loads of laws in society, it doesn’t mean people spend their day curtain twitching and spying on fellow humans drooling at the thought of reporting them.
What’s next? Will you
Go around sending footage on people cars touching a yellow like by 1 cm as it’s “the law” ? Where does one end with this ?

Just so ugly ! And petty and pathetic.

[SW11_Cycle]

"Nobody likes a self-righteous, obnoxious person.
(Feel free to add a 4-letter word of your choice. )"

Thank you for your kind comments whilst I'm trying to make the local roads safer for everyone, including you and your family.

[muddyboots]

Errr a bit late to pull the martyr card!

We All Want safe roads, myself included.
If you go to my first reply to you will see this I always accommodate cyclists as much as possible.
I also agree with reporting dangerous driving if life threatening.

WHAT I DISAGREE with is your trying to report people driving as safe as possible given the road conditions trying to nail people on technicalities gleefully stating how many fines, and posting footage like it’s your part time job .

Perhaps you could step out of your own bubble and see This .

[SW11_Cycle]

"Errr a bit late to pull the martyr card!"

I'm not pulling any card.

I'm just stating that my objective is road safety and you're being rude.

I haven't been rude about anyone on here but multiple motorists on here, you included, have been offensive and some even threatened violence.

I'm surprised that anyone would behave like that but I'm also surprised that anyone would choose law breaking and a lack of road safety over politeness and and an increased risk of death on the roads for our families and friends.

But people are complex and I won't pretend to understand them all.

[ClaphamPedestrian]

It’s the self righteous attitude of it all and doing this on the technicalities and having the daily habit which has upset so many people. Yesterday morning I saw a female cyclist stop on zig zag lines when the traffic light in front of her was green, right near the green traffic light, one foot on the pavement, the other on the road, texting away on her phone, ignoring all the beeping cars she was putting at risk, as she had her headphones in. I was quite far away and I am a pedestrian (I don’t drive or cycle) but the only thing I thought was it was so horribly dangerous and she should be liable for 9 points for that alone. Cars do kill pedestrians sadly, but also cyclists and scooters do too. Cyclists can also cause serious accidents and to pretend they don’t do this is untrue. We all want safer roads as pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. E Scooters on the other hand are a menace!! The police’s job is to do this - police the roads and uphold our safety.

We are all human, and I’m sure drivers do drive as safely as they can while assessing the road, and if you were the most perfect individual and never made any mistakes, then that’s one thing. But we all make mistakes (and I assume you have made some in your life / cycling too as a human yourself). If you feel so strongly, it makes more sense to write to the MP to lobby for the roads to be one-way, or educate people on this forum or those who you cycle past without being so nasty and reporting them every day. I wonder if you get paid for all these videos you report? Or maybe you could retrain and become a police officer in real life?

[Talkman]

Some of the responses to the OP really are vile and vindictive. What an unpleasant bunch of people inhabit this place. OP, stay safe and keep on keeping on!

[SW11_Cycle]

Hi
Even though posts from people like MuddyBoots have become personally insulting I thought I'd share some details of my journey today to try and explain why I feel so passionate about road safety.

Again, please do take these in the manner I intend, I do not want to come across as smug or arrogant.

I can't post footage here because the police ask you not to in case it goes to court but these happened today and I have the footage. I'll come back and post videos as/when they're dealt with.

To/from the the West End today, these are the infractions I witnessed:

1. A van turning left across a cycle lane with no warning. This is called left hooking. It's incredibly dangerous, this is what has killed a number of London's cyclists, and is usually down to the driver being distracted as they turn. The only reason there wasn't a collision was because the cyclist slammed on their brakes. To be clear, this could have been a fatality if the cyclist didn't take avoidance action. We even have a phrase for it - SMIDSY - Sorry Mate I Didn't See You. For car drivers, I'd like to ask when was the last time you genuinely thought you might die in your car?

2. A van driver who changed lanes into me. He moved into the lane I was cycling in and I had to hug the curb. He did this as the bus lane ended and so he could move into the left hand lane. Only I was already in it. I was so close to him my elbow touched his wing mirror. As we stopped at the red lights a few yards ahead I turned to look at him to complain but he had fallen asleep. I'm not making this up. He was actually asleep at the wheel. I reckon this could be my first full driving ban as the footage is quite clear and he's open mouthed, eyes closed. His was a huge van and the engine was running at the lights.

3. A car that drove at me as it didn't realise I had right of way through a chicane. He stopped, wound down his window and apologised. I won't report him as he was genuinely sorry.

So there you have it.

In one day - one "almost collision" which was only saved by the cyclist's quick thinking, one driver asleep at the wheel after almost knocking me off my bike and one who apologised.

This is the reality of our roads and yet some people say I need a hobby or to get a life.

[livegreen]

Some simple facts to counter some of the anecdotes in earlier posts.

From the last time accurate figures are available in 2016 
 Research shows that cyclists are perfectly able to mix harmoniously with pedestrians and, contrary to popular belief, are not a major danger to them.
 Even though, unlike driving, most cycling takes place where there are high levels of pedestrian activity, pedestrians are more likely to be killed in collision with a motor vehicle than in collision with a cycle. This includes collisions that happen on the verge or footway (pavement).

43 pedestrians were killed on footpaths by motor vehicles.  None by cycles.
4-5 pedestrians per year are killed by motor vehicles going through red lights.  From 2006-2017 none by cyclists.

Serious injuries also correlate with above figures.

For the sake of all of us, our children and elderly parents all cars need to slow down and take more care.  
Keep up the good work SW11_cycle : at the end of the day any drivers not breaking the law can happily carry on their way (whilst I hope reviewing if all their car journeys are essential).  
Those shouting about cyclists, Lycra etc need to look in the mirror and ask why - the evidence is clear on where the danger and pollution comes from in our community - in fact on all our roads in the UK.






 

[Talkman]

Livegreen that’s clearly and succinctly stated. Of course there’ll be a comeback from Tuppence and Tarquin’s parents at some point. Whataboutery will ensue once again and more anti cycle rhetoric will be spouted.
Lycra louts, MAMILS, Road Tax, Cycle lanes, “how dare they hit my car window with their gloved hand, I barely touched them”.
I’ve ridden bikes for 57 years and never worn Lycra (other stretch fabrics are available online and instore). I’ve also never been in fear of my safety when driving a car or a truck. The steel cocoon protects me. I’m also owning up to having NEVER paid Road TAX.

[Bluebunny]

Every day I wish cyclists had number plates which could identify them. I drive a small electric car and see cyclists filtering, overtaking dangerously, driving through red lights as a norm. My mother was hit by a cyclist 3 months ago whilst on a pedestrian crossing near Pizza Express in Balham. He stopped long enough to check she wasn't dead and rode off, leaving her in the middle of the road. She had a broken shoulder, smashed to peaces. I had to do everything for her--wash hair, do up jeans etc. She will probably need years of physiotherapy. We have no way of finding this cyclist, despite several witnesses.

All road users should be identifiable and responsible.



 

[SW11_Cycle]

"My mother was hit by a cyclist 3 months ago whilst on a pedestrian crossing near Pizza Express in Balham. He stopped long enough to check she wasn't dead and rode off, leaving her in the middle of the road. "

I'm so sorry that happened, it must have been horribly scary for your mother and it's dreadful she is still suffering the after-affects.

I think we could end up with a digital solution to identification of cyclists, we're a way away from that now but if cycling continues to boom and more people are involved in accidents, then if the technology can handle it then it may happen.

I guess one issue is how you force riders to use such a system but where there is a will there is a way and if it means the roads are safer for everyone then that's a good thing.

[Starr]

For balance please do film and report all the people riding their bikes through red lights.

[Sw11_cycle]

Hi Starr,
It’s not possible for me to report cyclists as they don’t have number plates.

From a selfish perspective I’m focusing, quite literally, on those road users who cause the most deaths which is cars/lorries but the Met Police do prosecute those cyclists that they see break rules and subsequently stop.

I’d welcome any insight into how you’ve managed to do this if you have.

Thank you for the suggestion.