Here’s a video of an appalling incident in Essex, England, all caught on the cyclist’s helmet cam. Coincidentally, I am publishing a review of my helmet cam tomorrow morning – the video below shows an excellent reason to wear one at all times, if possible. If anyone ever attacks me like this, I hope my helmet cam is running! This video clearly shows the face of the attacker, as well as the van he drives (very badly) for Taylor Landscaping, a company based in Billericay, Essex. The van driver was ON HIS CELL PHONE.
The van driver almost clipped the cyclist, and the cyclist shouted at the van driver to get off his mobile phone. The van driver then deliberately drove closer to the curb and knocked the cyclist off his bike. The driver then got out of the van, hurled abuse at the cyclist who was still on the ground, and then punched him. A real prince of a guy. The cyclist got up to defend himself.
Essex police are looking for witnesses.
The driver has gone to the police to give his version (love to know how he tried to explain this). Unfortunately the victim has not yet come forward. This attack prompted me to write a post called “Who else is SICK of road rage?”
The incident has had repercussions for the company: Gary McEwan, managing director of Trust A Trader, said the driver’s company had been suspended from the list of those recommended on his website. He said:
“We can check people’s credentials but not their driving skills I am afraid. They have been a good member but regrettably we have suspended them pending the investigation.”
The company, Taylor Landscaping, was not returning calls. The company has received many angry calls, including (allegedly) a death threat. I cannot find the name of the aggressive van driver anywhere. I assume that is being withheld for his safety (delicate flower that he is).
What do YOU think about this? You can comment below if you are logged into Facebook, Yahoo, or Hotmail, or if you have an email address!
The takeaway for me? As always, ride defensively and carefully (and wear a cam, if you can). Read this Post:
How to Not Get Hit by Cars on your Bike – 10 Top Tips
And if you can, wear a helmet cam so that scumbags don’t get away with their vile actions. Read my review on my awesome, cheap, rugged-as-hell G0Pro helmet cam/camcorder here.
See also my post on Safe Cycling in London
And here’s a post where a helmet cam captures the action as a cyclist is doored by a woman exiting a cab in New York.
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In all this has anyone stopped to think it could be cyclist’s OWN FAULT? Why was he cycling on a busy street and shouting at a van driver to get off the phone? Asking for trouble? It’s not HIS job to tell the van driver to get off the mobile – he’s not a peeler!!!