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Was riding into work early this morning when some idiot driver took exception to me being on the road at the same time as him. Instead of just driving round me or being patient for a few seconds (3 lanes so plenty of room) he decided to come up on the inside of me, yell at me then grab my bars and try to slam me into the side of his car then drive off still holding them!!!
Was pretty shook up so pulled off to the side of the road then called the police, who are treating it as an attempted assault. Got to give a statement at the station on the way home.
Still a bit shaken up but more angry at him, why do people do this!! Aarrggh!! Might take the car tomorrow 🙁
why do people do this!!
tiny genitalia, it's the only explanation
That must have been bloody scary. What a total tool. Glad you ok mate.
It does beggar belief, the sheer irrational rage that affects people behind the wheel is terrifying and utterly out of character in most cases.
In the circumstances it hasn't turned out that badly, you're not hurt and the plod appear to be taking it seriously, I know I'd still be fuming if I were you though.
Good luck and keep riding.
😯
Yeah glad you're okay and hope the police get him
What did the rozzers say fella might be known to them already?
Did you get his registration?
I wouldn't hold much hope on the Police getting a result but so long as you're okay that is the main thing. If it happens again don't forget to use his mirrors for balance, shame if they fall off in doing so.
utterly out of character in most cases.
It's not though is it, the car doesn't change you just like drink doesn't. They do it 'cos they think they're safe, it's just bringing out their natural character that they're too scared to display in public as most would get a hiding.
Hope all goes well at the police station for the OP and they find the idiot and remove him from the roads.
Reg and CCTV?
bet he follows clarkson on twitter
I really hope they catch the **** keep us updated
It's not though is it, the car doesn't change you just like drink doesn't. They do it 'cos they think they're safe, it's just bringing out their natural character that they're too scared to display in public as most would get a hiding.
+1
It is also I think very little to do with car and bike, more likely to be outside factors such as stress and unhappiness in their wider lives that bubble up to the surface when people are all alone in a little metal box/riding through traffic.
Wow that is a very scary story, glad you are ok.
Glad you're ok, lucky you didnt come off.
Sounds like he's got his just desserts now you've fingered him. Hopefully the authorities will give him something to think about aswell
Glad you're ok, lucky you didnt come off.Sounds like he's got his just desserts now you've fingered him. Hopefully the authorities will give him something to think about.
Vigilantism should be discouraged though.
Got the reg and make of car, area is crawling with CCTV cameras as it was right by Cardiff prison!! Hopefully get a result as the reg checks out fine.
Still a bit shaken, won't let it go as the guy is a typical boy racer. Needs to be taught a lesson actions have consequences.
transactions have consequences.
You're so right I made a transaction last week and some brake pads turned up a couple of days later! 😉
[quote=milky1980] called the police, who are treating it as an attempted assault.
Actual rather than attempted, shirley?
I think you can phone the DVLA and get his details for insurance purpouses if you've got his reg number, after all your bar ends of grips must have been scuffed, or maybe your shorts caught on his door. It would be a shame if he was forced to make a claim for some £15 bar ends and lose his NCD wouldn't it?
Actual rather than attempted, shirley?
CPS's decision what he's ultimately charged with based on what they think has the likelyest outcome of sucess. The police just gather the evidence and arrest them.
Milky earlier today!
Not funny I know but the first thing that came into my head 😳
What's the betting he gets nothing more than a verbal warning?
Katie phoned me yesterday to say she'd had a scarily close call with someone who didn't even slow down for a mini-roundabout and screeched to a halt 30cm from t-boning her.
Then this morning we had to bail to the side of the road as we heard someone screaming up to overtake in second gear with a car coming the other way.
😯 I do read some horror stories on this forum - not had so much bad luck myself (yet?) on my commute.
Hope your ok OP, and you get a good result with the police.
Someone passed too close to me at 7pm on Uxbridge Road near Stanmore last Saturday and bashed their wing mirror into my handlebar sending me into spasms. I've got seven bright LEDs out back, including one extra bright one, and there was nobody else coming the other way, so you have to wonder WHY???????
I handed off their roof to stay upright and then had a couple of severe wobbles as I was spat out the back before I regained control. Luckily there was no car close up behind them or I would've been in trouble.
I was looking at the back of my bike to see what else I could do to cater for idiots like this one, but the bike already looks like an illuminated flashing Christmas tree.
I didn't get the registration as I was too busy trying to stay upright and they didn't stop, which was probably a good thing because I was very angry.
you need to appear wider. I can't see myself ever fitting one but these are meant to be surprisingly effective.
[img] 
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i'd worry about it catching on lampposts.
Hopefully they nick him.
Milky, try not to let it put you off riding though. Then the **** really will win.
If you know the make of car it may be that he uses the same route everyday....keep your eyes peeled and you might get his reg.
dude thats an amazing tail and glad youre ok. Well done for calling the cops.
one question, how did he get on the inside of you? were the lanes dividing and one going left giving him space to do it? the highway code says about a metre off the curb, not a whole lane! 😉
General tip:
If you have to pull out from the gutter at any point - taking the lane, changing lanes, or being in a different lane - make eye contact. Helps loads.
wow, glad you're ok! I'm not sure how the law works where you are at but here in the US that [i]IS[/i] assault, with attempted battery (as evident by the grabbing and trying to cause bodily harm). If you got the guys car/plates I'd be taking this as far as I could go. Like I said tho, very glad the outcome wasn't worse!
Actual rather than attempted, shirley?
+1
Don't let the police fob you off with "you weren't hurt so we can't do anything". Assault means causing someone to believe that they're going to be on the receiving end of the "immediate infliction of unlawful force". Which you surely did.
An assault is committed when a person intentionally or recklessly causes another to apprehend the immediate infliction of unlawful force.
Actually causing that harm then moves into wounding, ABH, GBH etc.
the highway code says about a metre off the curb, not a whole lane!
What rule number is that? From here: https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/highway-code
Leaning out of the car to grab/injure someone seems a big step up from the isolation/insulation bobbins a lot of drivers seem to suffer. Sounds like proper aggressive nutter behaviour
What's the betting he gets nothing more than a verbal warning?
sadly true, but of the cops turn up at his house and deliver it in front of his wife and kids and he then has to explain to them, he might, just maybe, think about what a tool he's been.
maybe.
molgrips - MemberGeneral tip:
If you have to pull out from the gutter at any point - taking the lane, changing lanes, or being in a different lane - make eye contact. Helps loads.
I get that you qualified that as a general tip but as the guy was holding his bars at the time it would have been difficult to maintain eye contact!
OP - well done for not spilling, I'm impressive with your stability, I reckon I'd have ended up on the road.
I'd imagine he either had someone in the car he was showing off too - or had a fight with someone before driving.
However, if you see him again be sure to publicise his details, then everyone that sees the car can check the wing mirrors for stability as we never know when we might have to use them.
He was on the inside of me as the road splits there, the two right hand lanes go into town where the left lane filters of left towards Tue bay, where he was heading. All well marked out. He deliberately moved from his lane towards me to grab the bars, putting him on a direct collision with the railings a bit further on, presumably wanted to drag me into them 8O.
Will not ride in tomorrow just to be on the safe side, normal service will resume next week though. Can't let the buggers win!!
Still don't know how I stayed upright, all those skinny log runs must have helped! Will make it clear to the police this evening that I won't be backing down on this. Too many stories of near misses and deaths over the last few months/days. It's my first bad encounter on the roads, strange how I wasn't scared at the time but a minute after I was shaking like hell!!
That is mad.
Glad you're ok and MAKE SURE you go to the cops and make the statement - that guy needs to be off the roads
shame you didnt strike hard down on his wrist breaking it given the chance. although dangerous for you and you would have been the one in trouble
shame you didnt strike hard down on his wrist breaking it given the chance. although dangerous for you and you would have been the one in trouble
Surely that would have been self defense?
shame you didnt strike hard down on his wrist breaking it
While he holds your bars? Not a great plan, is it?
Calm down Rambo; going to Plod is best.
Very scary story op. Good luck with the police, they need to get this guy off the road and into court.
[quote=BigButSlimmerBloke]but of the cops turn up at his house and deliver it in front of his wife and kids and he then has to explain to them, he might, just maybe, think about what a tool he's been.
There is something in this I think.
A story I've told several times on here: we were touring in France (on a tandem) when one car gets far too close - not surprised to note the GB plates. Caught up in the traffic jam heading into the next town, knocked on the window and when it was wound down I said ever so politely "Sometimes I'm ashamed to be British. You should watch how all the French cars overtake cyclists and think about giving them that much space". Bloke said nothing, I rode off. Bloke driving, wife and kids in the car - expression on wife's face suggested he was going to get the telling off I didn't give him - I like to think that's somebody I educated.
General tip:If you have to pull out from the gutter at any point - [s]taking the lane, changing lanes, or being in a different lane - make eye contact.[/s] then you need to modify your road positioning - don't ride in the gutter. Helps loads.
FTFY
Glad your ok,
i havent read any post but the OP's - however i expect >50% of the posts have already blamed you for the incident. 😯
Full statement made to the police. They are taking it seriously as there have been a rise in cycle-related incidents recently and they want to avoid any fatalities.
Will keep chasing it up to see what results from it all.
Good. Let's hope they continue to be interested.
Blimey mate, just clocked this one. Glad you're okay. In your shoes I'd do the same regarding taking the car, if he thinks he got away with it he may try the same tomorrow if he finds himself in the same position.
That's mad.
Sorry about your experience op.
Hoping for a bad result for the driver!
yeah. Nasty stuff. Hope they do something serious about this and get the message out there. Glad you're ok.
that is terrifying, i 'excuse' a lot of bad behaviour from drivers as a lack of awareness, but this kind of thing is something much much more sinister.
im glad your not seriously hurt, i bet you're shook up though. maybe modify your route until the police take his licence away?
Riding in to work yesterday on my motorbike. Stop at some lights. Coming other way a car changes lane making a van brake. Old bloke in car puts hand up to say sorry. When car stops vans passenger jumps out and runs to car window and starts throwing punches at the old fella. Took me a while to untangle the side stand and get between them. No one else did a thing to help this poor old boy. Shocking what people will do and others see as normal. Van driver said he deserved as he almost caused an accident. FFS whats wrong with people?
Police said they would only look into it if the victim came forward. When I asked if thats how tbey dealt with murder cases too the conversation soured. I gave them the vans reg but they dont wont to know. ****ing ****s.
I used to live in Adamsdown so know that junction well. Nothing more to add, but glad you're OK!
Police said they would only look into it if the victim came forward. When I asked if thats how tbey dealt with murder cases too the conversation soured.
Nice response. Wish I'd used that when they refused to investigate a hit and run I witnessed in London where the victim was 'too scared' to go to the police.
If you have to pull out from the gutter at any point - taking the lane, changing lanes, or being in a different lane - make eye contact. then you need to modify your road positioning - don't ride in the gutter. Helps loads.
By 'gutter' I meant the usual 2-3ft from the kerb. I don't ride any further out than that normally, because I don't want to obstruct drivers needlessly. I only pull out when it's needed, which is the usual STW position on the matter I believe.
This belongs here as well
[url= http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/news/2014/01/17/our-submission-to-the-transport-select-committee-on-cycling-safety ]http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/news/2014/01/17/our-submission-to-the-transport-select-committee-on-cycling-safety[/url]
Wow what a prick, hope they do throw the book at him. Most of all, glad you are unharmed OP.
I once had a kid grab my handlebars when I was cycling past a car in Melbourne, scary and unpleasant experience. I don't understand why cyclist abuse is considered fair game.
Apologies for taking you too literally, the gutter riding thing is a bugbear of mine and I reacted a little harshly on reflection!
It's worth being clear though, as there's plenty of cyclists I see who don't make it easy for themselves by riding literally in the gutter, which not only means they're riding over all the detritus that ends up there and the drain covers etc. but also invites drivers to "squeeze through" for overtakes where there really isn't enough space, and furthermore the rider who's already in the gutter hasn't got anywhere further to go to get out of the way (other than bunny hopping on the pavement).
Even more annoying for the rest of us, the gutter riders create an expectation in at least some drivers that that is where the cylists [b]should[/b] be and they then get arsey (or worse) at those of us who ride in a more sensible road position. Like that Clarkson moron.
In summary: riding in the gutter annoys me a lot!
Just had an answer phone message off the police.
He's admitted the offence and has been cautioned. No further action will be taken as he came in on his own accord. Sounds like he's learnt a lesson at least!!
Well that's a bit crap - a caution for that?
If it was his first offence, caution will always be the outcome.
bet he follows clarkson on twitter
What a stupid remark.
Ok, I bet he doesn't follow Clarkson on twitter.
it was his first offence, caution will always be the outcome?
Make sure your first offence is murder or robbery then. I am surprised that a roadrage with use of a vehicle and dangerous driving resulted in a caution. I personally would want to take this further and would write to the superintendent asking for a written explanation of the decision to caution.
If you had been representing this motorist, would you have pushed for, suggested or enquired of the police as to his eligibility for a caution, or objected if they had suggested it?
Thegreatape I would have argued for it and if charged asked the Cps to review it and if unsuccessful taken any legitimate Argument consistent with my clients instructions.
That's not purely theoretical been there done that but told the client a on the facts he was guilty b I was a cyclist and he may want a more objective advocate. I won mode of trial for him . He sacked me got another lawyer and lost spectacularly.
I was looking at the back of my bike to see what else I could do to cater for idiots like this one, but the bike already looks like an illuminated flashing Christmas tree.
This is a common mistake people make about people driving badly must not have seen the cyclist. Its is nothing to do with visibility. Once you have one good rear light that chances of not being seen from behind are pretty small, when have you had problems seeing a traffic light? If you have two, both at different levels, the chances are pretty much zero. Its all down to driver attitude.
Thanks.
Milky you should press charges mate. I don't see how trying to make a cyclist crash in moving traffic is anything short of attempted murder. Like that bus driver in Bristol how he got off so lightly I don't know.
Maybe Cardiff is getting worse like they say. I have for the most part found drivers here to be pretty reasonable but only this week had a very close call with a guy who ran a yellow light at speed to cut in front of me turning left. I might not be here ranting if I'd not slammed the brakes on. Wish I got his number.
From what the officer I spoke to this is the only real outcome from the evidence they have available. I will run it past a lawyer friend to make sure it's correct but I'm reasonably satisfied he has learnt not to do something like this in the future.
As aracer said further back, education is the way forward. If he changes his friends' driving attitudes too that will make the roads safer for everyone.
Not sure I'd be happy knowing the driver just got a caution as it was a deliberate & dangerous act......but it's your call OP, glad you managed not to crash!!
Well at least it can be used in court as evidence of bad character next time, even though it's not a criminal conviction.
OP: glad you're ok.
But acts of aggression like that are NOT unintentional, so I don't think
is likely...I'm reasonably satisfied he has learnt not to do something like this in the future.
The instructor at the speed awareness course I went on 3 years ago advised when getting tailgated or facing other types of aggressive driving, just pull over/get away - that type of aggression was there when they got out of bed that morning and we're just the target for that aggression.
I doubt the guy who attacked you will be sitting at home going "gosh, I've learnt today that I shouldn't grab a cyclist and try and pull him off his bike"
What was he given a caution for? I wasn't aware that was the normal action with assault, first offence or not (though I'm not a lawyer and have no experience of this sort of thing, so could be talking a load of rubbish). Or was he not actually charged with assault for something which clearly was?
The police can't take a case any further unless they are confident they can secure a conviction. If it's "my word against yours" then it's only 50:50.
How can an admission not be evidence?
Surely you have evidence, he's given his admission - job jobbed, CPS's job half done
Yep the caution can only follow an unequivocal admission of guilt so it's your word and his against nothing.
you need a good detective on the case mate, get them to cop to it, might be able to squeeze a confession out of the perp
OP - I'm glad that you're ok. But what he did was intentional; I'd press charges!
IMO, the motorist probably didn't go to the cops because of a guilty conscience; he did so out of self preservation. Get his name and look into his background a little.
I'm American, and many professionals here belong to some sort of professional organization or are regulated by some start body. I assume that its the same in the UK. Lawyers belong to the Bar Association, Engineers would be licensed by a state professional board. Other professions have similar bodies. And none of them look highly on poor conduct (such as assault) by their members!
If the motorist belongs to one of these organizations, file a complaint with them. A written statement from you and a copy of documentation from the Police that he admitted to it would be all that you should need. He'll have to respond, and there's a good chance that they'll suspend his membership or put him on some sort of probation for a period of time. That will remain with him a little longer than some stern words from a cop!
Remember, his [u]intentional[/u] actions could have killed you!
@molgripsApologies for taking you too literally, the gutter riding thing is a bugbear of mine and I reacted a little harshly on reflection!
No, you were quite right - lazy typing on my part.
Eye-contact is a miraculous thing though, very important when cycling in traffic!
Or was he not actually charged with assault for something which clearly was?
He wasn't charged, I don't think it was assault either.