Cycling with cameras article

[Arjimlad]

I've had this article published by Bristol Cycling Campaign. It's the first part of three.

The other parts will follow over the next couple of weeks.

They give more details of what my local police do with the reports received, including copies of typical warning letters, and then some practical tips. I'll put those up here too when they're published.

https://bristolcycling.org.uk/cycling-with-video-cameras-a-cyclists-perspective-part-1-reporting/

 

[stoatsngroats]

@Arjimlad An informative piece, well done.
What camera(s) do you use?

 

[Arjimlad]

A Drift Ghost XL on the front and an old Aldi Maxtek rear light/camera combination @stoatsngroats

 

[stoatsngroats]

@Arjimlad Thanks, I’m looking at something to replace my old GoPro Session 5, which I like, but the battery, non replaceable, is pretty old, I don’t get much more than an hour with it.
I’d like front and rear, but not sure which way to jump!

 

[ChangFai]

It would seem it's all about where you live, whether Police show any interest in footage from a cyclist.

 

[Arjimlad]

It would seem it's all about where you live, whether Police show any interest in footage from a cyclist.

There are national guidelines now which set out what's expected from all forces in England and Wales.

It's hoped that this will make it less of a postcode lottery.

 

[IaninSheffield]

At first I thought, 'Crikey, over 200 reportable incidents in under three years! What a frightening/dangerous commute you must have!' My subsequent reaction was to be grateful that my commute, before retirement, (26 mile round trip into Sheffield, approx. three days a week for 15 years) seemed to be much less ... stressful.

Then I wondered how frequently these incidents occur for @Arjimlad . Assuming most working days involves a commute, that means a reportable incident every three days-ish. Reflecting on my own experience, anecdotally - I never actually made a record - I experienced at least the same rate of close passes, left hooks, etc etc. It was usually at least one every other day, and sometimes more than one on the same day. I never got to the stage of using a camera; suitable devices just weren't around when I began that commute, and I guess I simply accepted having to deal with dangerous/intimidating driving as part and parcel of the journey. It became normalised.

In retirement, although I still cover similar weekly mileages, if not more, because my cycling is at times and on roads of my choosing, incidents are thankfully far, far more rare. However, I'm grateful that an increasing number of people are bringing these problems to the attention of the authorities. It would be interesting to monitor incident data with time and explore what effect on driving quality(?) cameras have had.

 

[ChangFai]

There are national guidelines now which set out what's expected from all forces in England and Wales.
It's hoped that this will make it less of a postcode lottery.

Thanks for that, its appreciated, even though I am in Scotland.

 

[Arjimlad]

Thanks for that, its appreciated, even though I am in Scotland.

Thanks - I really hope Police Scotland get with this, at the moment they're proudly dragging their heels on it. The benefits of proactive road safety seem to be lost on them.

 

[Enlightenedwaistcoat]

A Drift Ghost XL on the front and an old Aldi Maxtek rear light/camera combination @stoatsngroats

@Arjimlad I've seen a few people using the drift ghost xl on the front - how do you mount this? Is it below the bars or above? I've seen some mounts can integrate a garmin and the cam but I have a wahoo roam. Been looking at running a cam more of late due to a few close passes that have shaken me and felt absolutely deliberate. Wasn't sure whether to bother really but if it hopefully acts as a bit of a deterrent then all good I guess.

 

[Arjimlad]

@Arjimlad I've seen a few people using the drift ghost xl on the front - how do you mount this? Is it below the bars or above? I've seen some mounts can integrate a garmin and the cam but I have a wahoo roam. Been looking at running a cam more of late due to a few close passes that have shaken me and felt absolutely deliberate. Wasn't sure whether to bother really but if it hopefully acts as a bit of a deterrent then all good I guess.

Hi WC, I use an "out front" mount like this https://www.tredz.co.uk/.M-Part-Bar...MJwXXcOlcwSzG4cQN1yRTSww-gWQDOqRoCRcEQAvD_BwE with an additional adapter to provide a tripod screw bushing to which the Drift screws. https://ebay.us/8eBYJk

Often, rather than discreetly slinging it under the bars, I mount mine backwards a lot of the time, so the camera sits higher than the bars and back nearer the steerer clamp. This shows the cockpit and my Wahoo Bolt in shot, and gives context for the close passes. It gives smoother footage for a scenic ride, for example ..
View: https://youtu.be/2SjV3_Mu-AE
- however it won't catch phone users or provide good footage if someone engages in a face to face attack.

The biggest visual deterrent for close passes I have found is a Passpixi plate which attaches to my clothing with magnets. This really does seem to get noticed. The comparative hesistancy of many drivers has to be seen to be believed. https://passpixi.com/

 

[Arjimlad]

https://bristolcycling.org.uk/cycli...e-part-2-how-to-report-and-what-happens-next/

Part 2 is up now. It includes samples of the warning letters which my local police send out.

 

[Enlightenedwaistcoat]

Hi WC, I use an "out front" mount like this https://www.tredz.co.uk/.M-Part-Bar...MJwXXcOlcwSzG4cQN1yRTSww-gWQDOqRoCRcEQAvD_BwE with an additional adapter to provide a tripod screw bushing to which the Drift screws. https://ebay.us/8eBYJk

Often, rather than discreetly slinging it under the bars, I mount mine backwards a lot of the time, so the camera sits higher than the bars and back nearer the steerer clamp. This shows the cockpit and my Wahoo Bolt in shot, and gives context for the close passes. It gives smoother footage for a scenic ride, for example ..
View: https://youtu.be/2SjV3_Mu-AE
- however it won't catch phone users or provide good footage if someone engages in a face to face attack.

The biggest visual deterrent for close passes I have found is a Passpixi plate which attaches to my clothing with magnets. This really does seem to get noticed. The comparative hesistancy of many drivers has to be seen to be believed. https://passpixi.com/

This is really useful, thanks! I considered a passpixi in the meantime until I get a camera but I feel a bit silly using one without actually running a camera still, I suppose drivers will never really know if you're running a cam or not will they!

 

[Arjimlad]

https://bristolcycling.org.uk/cycling-with-video-cameras-a-cyclists-perspective-part-3-kit/

Here's the final instalment about kit choices.

 

[Bazzer]

@Arjimlad well done for the publications.
Your reporting rate is a little higher than mine, but my morning commute (pre Covid) was completed before a lot of people were dressed, which reduced incidents towards me.