- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Cross country mountain bikes
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
Driver tries to ram cyclist off bike Motorist drives into cyclist moments after shouting abuse for not using cycle lane
*UPDATE 12/03/2022* The road.cc reader who sent us this video complained to Thames Valley Police...
"I have just got off the phone to someone who explained that 'due to staff absences' my submission via their website was missed and the footage not viewed in time to send out a notice of intended prosecution (served within 2 weeks)," they told us.
"Had this error not occurred I was assured it was something they would have prosecuted for, and the driver was spoken to by a police officer about his actions in addition to the warning letter. Given Covid I can understand that, I suppose.
"Next time something of that nature happens (because it will sooner or later) I think I might take my video to a police station rather than submit online."
Just days after a road.cc reader sent us some shocking footage of an incident involving a West Midlands driver repeatedly trying to ram them off their bike, we have been sent another concerning video.
This time the video comes from Berkshire, where a Land Rover driver, angered by an earlier exchange about the rider not using a cycle path, drove into the cyclist, pushing them towards the kerb.
Shockingly, the road.cc reader involved reported the incident to Thames Valley Police, who decided, after three months of waiting, to send the driver a close pass warning letter.
"It has taken Thames Valley Police the best part of three months to send a warning letter for a 'close pass' when the car [driver] clearly purposely hits me," the reader told us.
"The incident starts with a close pass as the driver shouted at me out of his window about not using the rubbish cycle path. It contains some rude words, sorry.
"The driver of the car behind stopped to see if I was okay and the passenger had also videoed it so I gave the police their details too. Obviously any sort of investigation or desire to make roads safer is not important to them.
"I'd love to know what the warning letter said... 'if it wouldn't be too much trouble could you consider not ramming cyclists with your car please?' or something like that!"
> What to do if you capture a near miss or close pass (or worse) on camera while cycling
On Friday, we shared footage of a shocking road rage attack on a cyclist in Hagley, West Midlands, after they threw an arm up in frustration at a close pass.
The motorist chased after the rider, matching their speed before a series of attempts to ram the cyclist from their bike.
> Shocking footage of road rage driver repeatedly trying to ram cyclist off bike
West Mercia Police twice downgraded the report from assault to dangerous driving, finally settling on driving without due care. The driver admitted the offence and walked away with a £100 fine and three penalty points.
When we contacted West Mercia Police with the footage and outcome, the force first suggested it had not been under their jurisdiction, before later saying they had nothing new to add and the cyclist would have to contact their police point of contact directly.
Dan is the road.cc news editor and joined in 2020 having previously written about nearly every other sport under the sun for the Express, and the weird and wonderful world of non-league football for The Non-League Paper. Dan has been at road.cc for four years and mainly writes news and tech articles as well as the occasional feature. He has hopefully kept you entertained on the live blog too.
Never fast enough to take things on the bike too seriously, when he's not working you'll find him exploring the south of England by two wheels at a leisurely weekend pace, or enjoying his favourite Scottish roads when visiting family. Sometimes he'll even load up the bags and ride up the whole way, he's a bit strange like that.
Latest Comments
- chrisonabike 13 min 47 sec ago
I hesistate to suggest anything with the words "planning regulations" (governments with "thumping majorities" have tried and failed) ... but could...
- HollisJ 1 hour 37 min ago
Probably better suited as an all-road wheelset - the internal width of 22mm is kind of narrow for a gravel wheel these days, where the standard is...
- quiff 2 hours 7 min ago
"A big positive of gravel bikes is that the possibilities to customise them are endless"....
- Miller 2 hours 41 min ago
If I was a DS I'd be lambasting Bettiol for being defeatist but as a spectator, his view seems pretty realistic. Anyway I want Pogi to stay out of...
- wtjs 3 hours 17 min ago
I hope this outcome brings some form of closure for Roseanne’s wider family and my thoughts very much remain with them today...
- Gkam84 18 hours 25 min ago
I think that is why blind eyes have been turned in the UK, internationally aswell, with things like the Redhook crits, there were many licensed...
- mdavidford 19 hours 34 min ago
Ahem - other esporters(?) might be rather surprised to hear that the UCI has taken over their events - I think that would be the Cycling Esports...
- Bungle_52 19 hours 43 min ago
I wonder how he got to the game?
- OldRidgeback 19 hours 45 min ago
You'd need some good wet weather gear for that ride too.
Add new comment
103 comments
Have submitted a complaint, they called me today but I couldn't answer.
Just spotted that someone has shared this link on the Thames Valley Police Roads Policing Unit twitter feed.... apparrently they are "supporting Travel Safe Bucks who are working with Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service to encourage drivers and cyclists to share the road safely."
Well, I wonder do they mean the people taking up 99% of the road, or those taking up 1% should share more?
Excellent! It will be interesting to see if they respond to it.
If I deliberately drove my car into a pedestrian who happened to be walking on the road would I get a warning letter?
Just checked again this morning there are a lot of people now posting links to the road.cc article or other articles asking for comment from @tvprp on twitter. Including one commentator who has asked.
"Dear @tvprp please treat this as a freedom of information request (FOI) made in good faith following information seen in this thread.
How many times in 2021 did Thames Valley Police issue a warning letter for attempted murder?"
By contrast the main Thames Valley Police twitter account is full of posts telling us all about the important causes they are supporting each day - it's no surprise they don't seem to have any time for actual police work.
When you do speak to them about the complaint, you could remind them that this was assault as well as a RTA Section 2 offence.
The problem with the Police not taking action even when the evidence of actual threat and attempt of harm is as clear cut as this case is that eventually someone gets angry enough to take direct action and then the Fire Brigade might have to get involved.
The problem with the Police not taking action even when the evidence of actual threat and attempt of harm is as clear cut as this case
The real problem is that of convincing cyclists in general that their greatest single enemy is the police.
Deliberate assault with a 2.5T weapon and they get a letter despite a camera and third party witnesses with video.
Why can't the police do their job ?
Rule 153
Traffic-calming measures. On some roads there are features such as road humps, chicanes and narrowings which are intended to slow you down. When you approach these features reduce your speed. Allow cyclists and motorcyclists room to pass through them. Maintain a reduced speed along the whole of the stretch of road within the calming measures. Give way to oncoming road users if directed to do so by signs. **You should not overtake other moving road users while in these areas.**
Perhaps the police are unaware of that rule.
Institutionally anti-cyclist
Also, if you are a member, get CyclingUK on this case, to get some semblance of justice
Oh, I've had exchanges with Keir in the past. Not sure he's managed to get anywhere with TVP either.
Pages