[Closed] Threatened By A Driving Moron - What Next?

No need to apologise, it's good to vent after an incident like that.

Happy you are OK and hopefully the coppers will do something.

If that's you usual route home you might see the other cyclist again.

Stay safe.

Am i missing something here but the driver was stoned and the police are not doing anything until tomorrow... Hmmm

What moda said. It is also an assault with a vehicle. They should be right on this.

Further thought if there was contact did he provide insurance details.

Never know, they may be paying him a visit shortly. They're only coming round to see me tomorrow.

EDIT: No way to ask that guy for anything mate. He was going batpoop insane. I just wanted to get out of there before he made an "executive decision" with his car.

where aboiuts and whats the reg number.

so we can avoid him.

P44 JBG, dark blue Mercedes E200 round Acton in West London. Driven by a fat ginger man about 5' 10" to 6'.

glad you are safe. sounds like it could have been very nasty.

Seven billion people in this world maybe 10% are twunts.

That's 700 million idiots out there, most of whom want to drive a car.

You are going to bump into a few of them now and again.

How can you smoke weed and be aggressive? Glad you are ok.

It doesn't help but learn to ride away. I have learnt that you'll never reason with these idiots and their moment of madness is truly dangerous when they are behind the wheel.

Just get out of their way and hope the accident they cause only involves them.

Easy to say ride away, not so easy when his car is blocking the country lane, doors opening you are astride the bike in road cleats about to be thumped. In my case, the police took it very seriously but the car was not registered. To anybody! So anpr was used to try and locate the driver. No avail.

Hope the op has better luck. But the police will view this as a serious incident.

You're right. No point trying to argue with someone incapable of reason. I wasn't the happiest of people when I got bumped off my bike by the moron. However, I will be swiftly riding away from these fools in the future. Feeling a bit more settled now. Thanks guys.

I'm a bit worried the ballbag may live around here and I may run into him again. We'll see what comes though. I'm not going to let some idiot bully stop me riding my bike.

@TIRed what happened to you? Fully understand what you mean. You don't feel best equipped to fight or flee in road cleats! Maybe I'd have felt more of a hard man in my SPDs.

It's getting beyond a joke this hating people because they're on a bike, thing.
Am interested to see the result of Emma Way and last Friday's Critical Mass...
Glad you're ok OP

Driven by a fat ginger man

As a rotund ginger man myself may I wish you well.
Glad you ok.

That's why I make sure I wear footwear that doesn't result in me scrambleing for grip as soon as I get off the bike.

Luckily for me last time I got into a 'heated confrontation' with a **** while I was wearing cleats I was standing on grass so the inevitable throw a punch, slip, and get your arse kicked didn't happen.

Totally did the right thing in reporting it. This is assault with a deadly weapon. Sadly nothing will happen. The moment you say you were on a bike the police will lose interest and stare at the ceiling. However, go through the motions, it's important to get it registered.

In the year 2156 cyclists will be recognised as valid road users in the Uk and will be awarded the same rights as a blind dog. People who kill a cyclist will be told very sternly that they musn't do it again.

You can live on safe in the knowledge that you made this escalation happen. The UK's cyclists will thank you.

As a rotund ginger man myself may I wish you well.
Glad you ok.

[columbo]

Hmmm. Where were you earlier?

[/columbo]

Pointers so far:

- Don't argue with a driver who's just given you a firm nudge with his death machine because he's not the type who'll be solving Fermat's last theorem.
- Not all gingers are nasty (sorry takisawa2)!
- Wear SPDs for fighting or running away.
- I am the equivalent of pond scum on the UK's roads.

What will the coppers do when they come round? Should I offer them tea and biscuits? Should I prepare a statement? Or am I better off bottling my wee? I will ask them to take their shoes off at the entrance just in case.

My comments above are based on experience. I had a run of bad timing which resulted in me having the police round twice in two weeks. They were very helpful and took it seriously. They were busy the first time so didn't stay for long and didn't want tea. The second time they left in a hurry after they found the person and got a call.

First incident went nowhere really as there was only my word against his. Hopefully it made him think when the police visited. The second one, they did not press charges but the woman was referred to referred for psychiatric help and had her licence taken away for a period while she was treated.

Guy driving a silver peugeot estate overtook, cut me up after just missing an oncoming car. Stopped, blocked the road with an emergency stop and door wide open. I had nowhere to go (except into the back of the car) so I had to stop.
He came running up to me screaming and hit me in the face. It was more of a girl's punch, but I was shocked more than hurt. He drove off and only then did I get the phone out and texted the numberplate to a friend, dialled 999 and reported everything to the police. Car was unregistered from a scrap dealers. Police tried to find it, and had a few close calls on anpr but eventually dropped it. But if I see it parked anywhere again...

Always puncture the tyre sidewalls with the multitool as these can't be repaired, or so I was told.

Even if the police can't find him at least you know you are the better person.

I've had a few confrontations with cars and if i ever had the chance i'd grab their keys from the ignition and ride off.

What time was the altercation?

Twitter's great for finding cyclists 😉

With regards to the op's initial questions, at this stage it's going to be one persons word against another and will ultimately go no-where unless the other chap admits to what he's done (unlikely). With this in mind for this to go anywhere you need to find the other cyclist. Hopefully he's a commuter and takes the same route at roughly the same time.. Therefore wait where you saw the cyclist the same time tomorrow and see if he goes past. It sounds like a pain but will be worth it to get an extra witness!

Glad to hear you're ok curious.

Just a note to encourage people to report incidents like these. I had an incident with a very aggressive driver a couple of years ago. No witnesses but reported it anyway. The Police popped round for a chat with the owner of the vehicle and it turned out it was the son who was driving. I received a letter of apology from said son and was informed he would no longer have access to father's car. One less dick on the road: Result!

Those cheap helmet cameras make seven more sense now.

If the Police go round and have a chat with the OP's aggressor they will very soon form an opinion on him; he won't be able to prevent himself gobbing off and will probably incriminate himself. Even if he doesn't his record on the PNC will be marked and every time he's seen by a car with ANPR he will receive their attention. There may have been other incidents already so this may get him banned.

[i]Totally did the right thing in reporting it. This is assault with a deadly weapon. Sadly nothing will happen. The moment you say you were on a bike the police will lose interest and stare at the ceiling. However, go through the motions, it's important to get it registered.[/i]

The guy who rammed me and my bike into the side of a bus in Portwood, Stockport got a 2 year ban, £750 fine and 80 hours community service.

All very worrying

Nobody has asked why an American Garbage Truck was in Acton though?

Hope they get him 🙂

Glad you are ok, in an altercation with a driver never turn your back on them. Hence why I never wave fingers/etc etc. Its just not worth the risk.

Get down to the station and report the driver.

Report it. They'll at the very least least flag the number plate and look for their behaviour in future. That's better than nothing at all

Are they called rubbish trucks here? I've always called it garbage!

I was definitely in two minds as to whether I should make a break for it, or if I should wait till he left. Sticking around just seemed to make it worse because the guy wasn't backing down.

I'll report back once the police have been. I've got some miles to put in this evening, so may take the same route home to see if I chance upon the cyclist who stood with me. I'll also get in touch with BC to see if there's anything they can do for me.

@monksie did you think a driving ban was adequate punishment or deterrent?

I think the anger people behind the wheel feel is due to other problems, and not just due to being held up by a cyclist. Problems at home and the like. Doesn't justify violence, but seems like cyclists are a soft target so they take it out on us. Did you gain any insight into why he thought it was ok to do what he did to you? Hope everything worked out ok for you mate.

Are they called rubbish trucks here? I've always called it garbage!

Bin lorry isn't it?

He was advised by his solicitor to get his affairs in order just in case he was sent down. I believe he lost his job as well. It was a very slow speed ram. I was stationary. He was and then turned the steering wheel, drove forward and pushed me into the side of the bus.
At the time, prison would have been adequate enough but a few weeks later when I'd calmed down, it seemed harsh. By the time it went to court I'd calmed down enough to feel that his punishment was severe. The driving ban was a bitter blow for him I believe.
A normally completely calm and considered person by all accounts who lost the plot on this one occasion.

I wouldn't feel too badly about it, he could have killed you, yes?
I'm glad an appropriate sentence was applied in your case but statistically I'm correct, this sort of sentencing is very rare. The more incidents that get reported though, the less it can be ignored.

But the police will view this as a serious incident.

Bwahahahahaha!

I was riding to work one day on a quiet suburban street when a car came up behind me. As it approached the driver beeped the horn. I looked over my shoulder (to make sure it wasn't an emergency vehicle) and then just carried on riding. A few seconds later, as we're approaching a humpback bridge he starts to overtake, very closely. Then he sees an oncoming car so moves left and side swipes me. I stick an arm out to keep myself upright which makes a clunk as he hits me.

He carries on, gets in front of me and then slams on the brakes. I go past, he accelerates after me so I hop onto the pavement to let him through. He stops, gets out, jumps at me, knocks me to the ground and gives me 7 or 8 punches to the face while I'm lying ont he ground, tangled up in the bike. All caught on head-cam with another 3 witnesses.

The police just made him write a letter saying "I'm sorry we bumped into each other" (that's genuinely what he wrote) because "it wasn't a serious assault" and "there was nothing wrong with the driving" (that's genuinely what West Midlands Police said). The officer who dealt with it left a sheet on the desk when I gave my statement that said the bloke had a shotgun license!

Good luck to the OP, but expect the police to not care. You're on a bike, you don't count.

The police just made him write a letter saying "I'm sorry we bumped into each other" (that's genuinely what he wrote) because "it wasn't a serious assault"

While I feel sorry for all of the situations here, some cyclist are complete dicks I had one decide to to pull across me the other day on the way to work (I drive on a Friday).

Busy Crossroads I'm going straight over he's turning right from the other direction he's frame standing in the middle of the junction decides he's had enough of waiting and pulls across in front of me, que me slamming on the brakes in order to not to kill him then starts shouting abuse at me ****ing idiot I had right of way, him just wishing to die I guess 🙄

yeah, but he didn't try and run you over with his bike or punch you in the face did he?

While I feel sorry for all of the situations here, some cyclist are complete dicks I had one decide to to pull across me the other day on the way to work (I drive on a Friday).

Being a dick is a world away from assault with a deadly weapon.

bails you let that go? (No offence meant as the whole situation shook you up) but I would have at least looked into making a complaint to the IPCC as to how the assault was dealt with and ask the officers/manager in charge to answer for themselves when it clearly looks like you were assaulted.

IF this ever happened to me and it came to blows I'd scream merry bloody hell.

Heres the link:

http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/en/Pages/your_complaint_.aspx

[b]What can I complain about?[/b]

[i]You can complain if you are not satisfied with the service you have received from the police.[/i]

Sorry- from what you've described it would undermine (my) public con?dence in the police service and how they treat a serious case of use of car (assault) and violence.

While I feel sorry for all of the situations here, some cyclist are complete dicks I had one decide to to pull across me the other day on the way to work (I drive on a Friday).

Busy Crossroads I'm going straight over he's turning right from the other direction he's frame standing in the middle of the junction decides he's had enough of waiting and pulls across in front of me, que me slamming on the brakes in order to not to kill him then starts shouting abuse at me ****ing idiot I had right of way, him just wishing to die I guess

Not really sure what it's got to do with anything else in the thread, but thanks anyway.

bails you let that go? (No offence meant as the whole situation shook you up) but I would have at least looked into making a complaint to the IPCC as to how the assault was dealt with and ask the officers/manager in charge to answer for themselves when it clearly looks like you were assaulted.

Well at the time I accepted it (I was given a pre-written statement accepting the apology and told to sign the bottom of it), then realised afterwards "actually, that's properly sh*t".

Complained to WMP and got a phone call basically saying "sorry you weren't happy" (good non-apology, not "sorry we were rubbish".) but she's a good officer, lots of us ride bikes, we know what it's like, money's tight, we can't afford to prosecute things like this blah blah blah.

It's an institutional thing.

I was told by a sergeant of a neighbouring force that if I'm run over by a driver on a mobile phone then "that's just the risk [b]you choose to take[/b] because cyclists aren't always very visible". That resulted in another (!) complaint and it turns out the "Chief Inspector for uniform policing" of that force is a genuine keen cyclist himself and agreed about the problem of poor overtakes/bad driving. He also gave me his direct email so if I need to report anything again I can involve him and hopefully get it dealt with properly.

we can't afford to prosecute things like this blah blah blah

does that work both ways? I can't afford this piece of bread so I think I'll just steal it.

Possibly!

I've currently got another complaint in with WMP after a driver cut me up and stamped on the brakes, deliberately making me crash into the back of them. It's been almost 8 weeks and I've not heard a thing back from them.

A similar incident in london (somewhere on youtube) ended up with a fine and 5 points, so if they just shrug their shoulders again I'll kick up a fuss. Maybe ask if that means I can run over police officers on 'bike patrol' and get away with it...

I was told by a sergeant of a neighbouring force that if I'm run over by a driver on a mobile phone then "that's just the risk you choose to take because cyclists aren't always very visible".

That's just lovely isn't it? 👿

Wonder if he feels the same way about children hit by drivers while on mobiles?

It was a very slow speed ram. I was stationary. He was and then turned the steering wheel, drove forward and pushed me into the side of the bus.

Only takes a slip of the clutch or accelerator and you are serious injury. The intent was there.

The driving ban was a bitter blow for him I believe.
A normally completely calm and considered person by all accounts who lost the plot on this one occasion.

Sorry but not having this. I've lost the plot on occasion, blown up with Malcolm Tucker-esque consequences but [b][i]NEVER[/b][/i] have I considered driving my car into another person. You've already said it was a "very slow speed ram". This is not the action of someone who has lost the plot. This is the action of someone with serious underlying problems who knows [i]exactly[/i] what he is doing. Typical character reference for a prick who as been caught out.

#edit - bails, your story really does beggar belief. I know that hindsight is a wonderful thing but you really should have pressed for further action. Let's be careful out there.

I unfortunately have first hand experience of most of the possible outcomes and there's very few winning scenarios for the cyclist.

Go to the law and win: it'll take months, you will be put of at every opportunity and the punishment will be derisory if anything.
Have a scrap and lose: ouch.
Have a scrap and win: mental ouch. ( although a likely result as most aggressive car drivers are fat ba***ds).
Get run over: big ouch.

Better off letting the little stuff at least go if you can and stay calm if conflict is unavoidable, it's not personal, there just morons.

I know this would never happen but in an ironic kind of way it would be great if police could confiscate the keys to a car and make the driver cycle home after they are involved in a serious incident with another cyclist.

I had 2 encounters with cars last night;

- Car beeps at me as it overtakes into on-coming traffic on a narrow climb, followed by a hand gesture that I think he made up on the spot...

- On-coming car beeps at me as I'm looking behind, I assumed I had inadvertently strayed out too far. As I looked up a big smiley face leaned out of the window and shouted "GO BRADLEY WIGGINS!".

So one aggressive, one funny... Balance is restored...

Car keys down the nearest drain.
Ride home.
Make cup of tea.

I'm not convinced anyone should be taking peoples car keys - but assuming the driving was bad / erratic enough to warrant such an action (I'm thinking intoxicated / drugs rather than just being a tool) then anyone any idea where you'd stand legally on 'confiscating' the keys until the police arrived ?

bails, your story really does beggar belief.

I'm not the only one let down by WMP, don't know if it's a local or national problem though. http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/road-eager-let-off-cos-of-police-rules-suffers-from-twitter-attacks/014718

Report it on Smidsy the ctc web site, for all to see.

these threads depress me

In other news, [url= http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/catch-you-can---speeding-5387052 ]bloke gets caught doing 165mph, with previous convictions for Driving While Disqualified and Driving Without Due Care And Attention, only receives a three year ban and £515 fine[/url].

He laughs and tell the court: [i]"I’m still going to drive – catch me if you can."[/i]

Incidentally, this is a bloke who is "unemployed" yet somehow can afford an Audi R8 Spyder with £20k worth of carbon fibre accessories.

Oh and funnily enough he has a previous conviction for intent to supply drugs...

"Our message to anyone who flouts the law to such a degree is that we will use all the technology we have available to bring you to justice."

what about using some common sense to bring people to justice? can you also use all the technology to redefine what justice actually means?

Wouldn't it be an idea for the national cycling groups to encourage other cyclists, who see an incident, to stand together - offer to be a witness, physically stand next to someone being threatened so the people involved can clearly see that their actions will be witnessed. If this is a problem for one of us then it's a problem for us all, collective action folks (bloody heck, am starting to sound like Ernie & JY 8O)

If at all possible, car keys in the nearest dog shit bin.

To tie the speeding driver story back into the topic, just read the comments on the story on various news sites, there are people actively defending him:

"The police should be finding paedophiles and rapists, not worrying if a car that is built for speeds in excess of 200 mph are speeding at 5am on an empty motorway."

Seems that some members of the public consider all driving offences as trivial these days.

In other news, bloke gets caught doing 165mph, with previous convictions for Driving While Disqualified and Driving Without Due Care And Attention, only receives a three year ban and £515 fine.

He laughs and tell the court: "I’m still going to drive – catch me if you can."

If people drive whilst disqualified the police should confiscate their cars and auction them off for charity [u]THEN[/u] hit them where it actually hurts, in the knackers. Hard.

FTFY

confiscate their cars

Was his a lease car?

What comrade roger said 😉

Welcome to the [s]club[/s] wilderness

If people drive whilst disqualified the police should confiscate their cars and auction them off for charity.

Guess what the normal sentence is? [url= https://www.gov.uk/highway-code-penalties/penalty-table ]They get 6 points on their (non)license and a discretionary disqualification![/url]

(max sentence is a £5k fine and 6 months in jail, but I've never heard of someone getting that)

Junkyard - lazarus
What comrade roger said
Welcome to the club wilderness

Great joy!

Graham
How did he afford it - it was a hire car.
I thought the ban was a little OTT, there was no incident - no harm was done. its was 5am on a motorway, if you watch the footage there is no one on the road.
Here in sunny shropshire we have had police pulling similar stunts 156mph in a 70 and 93mph in a 30, just learning how the car handles!
But i guess its how you view these things 40 in a 30 at 15.00hrs is a bigger crime than 165 in a 70 a 05:00hrs to some.

How did he afford it - it was a hire car.

Okay - how much does it cost to hire a Spyder with after-market kit on it for a day?

Is it slightly more than unemployment benefit?

I thought the ban was a little OTT, there was no incident - no harm was done. its was 5am on a motorway, if you watch the footage there is no one on the road.

Shouldn't the punishment fit the [i]potential[/i] for harm rather than requiring people to be killed for justice to be served?

If I let off a machine gun in the street should I be able to walk away provided I don't actually hit anyone?

There was no one on the the road. Good. BUT HOW DID HE KNOW THAT?

Shouldn't the punishment fit the potential for harm rather than requiring people to be killed for justice to be served?

If I let off a machine gun in the street should I be able to walk away provided I don't actually hit anyone?

Interesting one. I used to work with a fella who fell asleep while driving on the motorway. Drifted out of his lane, up an embankment and stopped. No one hurt, minor damage to car. He got a fine and (quite a few) points.

Gary Hart was unlucky enough when he did basically the same thing to drift off the carriageway where there was no barrier, down an embankment onto a main railway line, where an intercity train promptly ploughed into his vehicle. Ten people died in the train crash. Hart got five years for death by dangerous driving.

What's interesting, though, looking at the culpability, is that my ex-colleague was exactly as reckless / dangerous and the only reason Hart caused ten deaths in a rail crash and the other guy had an unplanned parking moment was luck.

Is attempted murder less serious than murder? The only difference is competence (or luck).

Graham
you seem to be very angry about this, it isn't the biggest crime of the century. No really it isn't. it wasn't even the worst story to make yesterdays news.
Try googling Daniel Pelka.

"Shouldn't the punishment fit the potential for harm rather than requiring people to be killed for justice to be served?"

Thats a little crass isn't it. "life in prison for potentailly killing someone."
"There was no one on the the road. Good. BUT HOW DID HE KNOW THAT?"
by getting up at 4 in the morning and driving down the road.

Lots of mental stories around about bike accidents and vehicles. It's not on really is it?

Anyway, the police have been to take down particulars. I told them my story and they say they will have a look to find out where the guy lives and if anything can be done. They've asked I ring them if I see the chap again. Quite likely because the area I rode through is a residential street.

I asked if they can let me know if he lives close by so I have the option to ride a different route for a while. They can't let me know that unfortunately. They've also said the "friendly nudge" he gave me can be interpreted as criminal damage.

Wish I'd asked them what would happen if they did find out the car was registered to him. At least I have some experience of what to do now and it could have been a lot worse.

It's sunny and I'm going out for a bit to clear my head. Cheers for all the support guys. I cannot tell you how good it feels to have someone to share this stuff with.

GrahamS - Member
In other news, bloke gets caught doing 165mph, with previous convictions for Driving While Disqualified and Driving Without Due Care And Attention, only receives a three year ban and £515 fine.

He laughs and tell the court: "I’m still going to drive – catch me if you can."

Incidentally, this is a bloke who is "unemployed" yet somehow can afford an Audi R8 Spyder with £20k worth of carbon fibre accessories.

Oh and funnily enough he has a previous conviction for intent to supply drugs...

You're missing the real crime in that video... bloody middle lane drivers. 😉

Back to the OP, I always wonder what i'd do in that situation, I reckon you handled it well. I do hope the police come down on him hard.

How common these incidents seem to be, and the absolute lack of a resolution in any case mentioned really annoys me.

If the police are paid to follow up the case, investigate, file the paperwork, yet can't actually afford to do anything about it, I don't know why they bother at all.

I had an incident the other morning, bloke in his work van decides I'm going too slowly off the lights and decides to drive too close, gunning the engine and beeping away like a looney. If he had come off the clutch I'd have had a van ram me from behind.

I was going to let it go but then decided to stop and take a photo so I could call his boss and have a pop. He stops, gets out and is now screaming blue bloody murder and looking like he actually wants a fight, what do you do? What I did was ask him if he really planned to take a swing at me on High Street Ken in front of several witnesses, turned out he did not however I reckon if it had been a more quiet location I'd have been in a proper fight. As it stands there is absolutely nothing to be done about this bloke, bullying cyclists isn't a crime.

jools, call his employer. they might do nothing..... they might tell you where to get off. Or he might be a arse who is on his last warning and they are dying to get rid of.

you seem to be very angry about this, it isn't the biggest crime of the century.

Do I?

Mainly I just think it is another sad example of the crap entirely ineffectual punishments that are handed out to the few drivers that actually make it as far as court.

That background is a big part of the reason why drivers treat all motoring offences as trivial and think it is perfectly okay to bully other roads users and drive their vehicles into them to make a point (as the OP discovered).

> "There was no one on the the road. Good. BUT HOW DID HE KNOW THAT?"
by getting up at 4 in the morning and driving down the road.

The video is only 55 seconds long and ends with him passing what looks like a lorry cab. IME motorways are rarely [i]completely[/i] empty, even at 5am.

How well do you think he'd have reacted to say stationary traffic ahead of him, or debris/wildlife on the road, or road works?

They'd all come up pretty quick at that speed!

"There was no one on the the road." thats your quote Graham not mine.

as for the what if's we'll never know.

But its still not the end of the world.

Another time another place - a friend of mine past a police car at 183mph on a spanish motorway. so he stopped anyway and waited for them. they rushed him 65 euro's for not having his head light on! (motorbike -day light) never mentioned the speed.
i don't really see any difference.

the down side of all of this is that our audi man [b]will[/b] drive whilst banned and be uninsured.

"There was no one on the the road." thats your quote Graham not mine.

Erm no it was yours from where you said [i]"if you watch the footage [b]there is no one on the road[/b]."[/i] I was just quoting it back to you.

But its still not the end of the world.

Well of course it's not. I'm not saying the bloke should have been hung, drawn and quartered.

Just perhaps that he should face a penalty that he doesn't openly laugh about in court.

the down side of all of this is that our audi man will drive whilst banned and be uninsured.

Yep - as he has done before. So don't you think that second time around he should face something a little bit harsher?

This threads turned into inception, can someone draw me a graph or something, I'm lost.

I drive lots of miles.

There is never "no one on the road". Ever.