Did anyone happen to witness an incident this morning at the Picardy Place roundabout at about 8.25 am this morning (5/8/10) between a man in a blue Honda and a woman on a bike?
Any help would be appreciated.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting
Road rage
(31 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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I've put it on Twitter
http://twitter.com/CyclingEdin/status/20375534468
Must have been bad if you think it's worth mentioning - you've complained about different attitudes to different bikes in the past.
Posted 13 years ago # -
wha' happen?
Posted 13 years ago # -
I hope you weren't the cyclist involved Min.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yes it was me. He got stopped at the next set of traffic light and as I approached he pulled the wheel round so he was close up aganist the barrier so I couldn't approach on his side to talk to him.
That is the kind of man he was.
I don't want to give details since the polis told me they couldn't talk to him without witnesses since it was only my word against his. Having given it some thought I think this is rubbish since if they don't even talk to him, they are not even going to get his word.
Posted 13 years ago # -
:( hope you are OK. I've yet to hear anything back from the Polis about my bus-driving wannabe assassin either. Funny how they managed to rustle together a body-armoured response unit to tackle those cycling terrorists causing slight delays in the meadows.
Posted 13 years ago # -
":( hope you are OK. I've yet to hear anything back from the Polis about my bus-driving wannabe assassin either. Funny how they managed to rustle together a body-armoured response unit to tackle those cycling terrorists causing slight delays in the meadows. "
Hmm yes. Good point. I'm fine though, thanks.
I went into a Police station and explained the situation, the woman was very sympathetic but said the same thing, they can't talk to him without witnesses. This doesn't seem right to me! Surely this is the case with everything? How many people have witnesses from the outset? Still, if that is what they say, there is not much I can do about it.
So a word of warning to everyone, if something happens to you that you want to report, try to find someone who has witnessed it and is willing to corroborate your statement.
Kaputnik, I hope you have better luck than me. You had witnessess didn't you? Hopefully that will make the difference.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Whoever told you the police can not talk to the chap in the car without witnesses is talking complete rubbish. The basis of Scot's Law requires at least two competent witnesses speaking to an incident in a court. It does not need two witnesses for an officer to go and speak to someone. An ASBO warning only requires a single witness. (In the first instance at least). I would go back to the police station and ask that the chap in the car is spoken to. There are also a lot of very good CCTV cameras in the Picardy Place area. Most watch the traffic at that time in the morning.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I don't think that's right either. Police can give someone a warning without witnesses.
Years ago I saw a car just blatantly drive though red lights at North Bridge. I reported his number to the police and they found that the car was not insured and took action.
Posted 13 years ago # -
First thing I can confirm is that Min was fine, as I saw her (for the first time in ages, I did wonder why she was running so late) that very morning on the Innocent.
Secondly, this 'aint my legal area, but my other half is an ex-fiscal, and the official line is, "Yip that is rubbish. There’s been an allegation of a crime so the cops should investigate. If in the interests of them cutting down work they have a policy to only deal with witnessed events the police should have disclosed this."
Posted 13 years ago # -
BUt if they just keep telling me they won't do anything, then what can I do? :-/
"(for the first time in ages, I did wonder why she was running so late) that very morning on the Innocent."
Are you leaving a bit later nowadays then? I was wondering how I had "lost" you!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Leaving unintentionally later - got into a bad habbit of an extra 'snooze' on the alarm that I need to break.
That's the problem, the only thing you can do is to issue an official complaint to the police complaints commission. Without knowing the details it's hard to guess whether that would be worthwhile. Alternatively if you've got the numberplate we can all keep a look out... >:)
Posted 13 years ago # -
So everyone can cycle very close with their front QR open. oops. Okay, I know that wouldn't really work with the whole handlebar/body in the way thing. But I kinda like the spiked wheel imagery of it.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Like the chariots in Ben Hur?
"That's the problem, the only thing you can do is to issue an official complaint to the police complaints commission. Without knowing the details it's hard to guess whether that would be worthwhile. Alternatively if you've got the numberplate we can all keep a look out... >:) "
I think I will settle for writing to my MSP since digging around, it looks as if there are only two police forces in the UK who are interested such reports. I don't want to go down the road of publishing number plates! But if anyone has an altercation with a blue honda, PM me and we can see if it is the same driver.
"Leaving unintentionally later - got into a bad habbit of an extra 'snooze' on the alarm that I need to break."
In that case, I expect a big smile usual time, usual place on Tuesday (bus day Monday)or I will come round and kidnap your chickens. :-P
Posted 13 years ago # -
I was thinking more D lock welded to the handle bars as a fairly sturdy bar end personally.....
Posted 13 years ago # -
yep, the Scottish version. But n' Ben Hur.
Posted 13 years ago # -
LOL. I'm a bit disappointed though. I think some Ben Hur chariot attachments would look rather swish on a bike. Especially if you could get them in different colours.
Posted 13 years ago # -
well, Roman sandals are apparently fashionable for blokes at the moment, you could get a carbon fibre breastplate to keep the weight down, and we now know the skirt wearing leanings of at least a few board members.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Update. I contacted my MSP Malcolm Chisholm (who was very quick to reply and take action) and was contacted eventually by the Police. The guy told me that indeed they have a policy of not investigating these things as what happens is when they go to talk to the driver, the driver then makes a counter claim and it all gets messy and so without witnessess they can't sort out what happened. I asked about CCTV and he said that the cameras at Picardy Place are almost always pointed at the front of the Omni centre but that I could have asked for it to be checked at the time just in case.
Posted 13 years ago # -
they have a policy of not investigating these things
I think we need that in writing from L&B Bobbies. Even if it reaches a stalemate and no prosecution is forthcoming, the very prospect of getting a visit from some of L&Bs finest and having a jam sandwich parked outside your home or place of work sends a small but significant message and might make even a few drivers think twice the next time. It also sends them the message that "you were lucky this time, there were no witnesses, next time your luck might change".
The current situation sends out a message to drivers that they can get away with anything and likely act with impunity as the police just aren't bothered.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I agree. Would be interesting to know what they would say if there was helmet-cam evidence.
I think I'll have to get a camera once I'm back in the saddle.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yes I totally agree. I will get back to my MSP about this as this is something the Scottish Governent should be doing something about.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Yes, I am also considering getting a camera though I really don't want to as I feel horrified at the fact that I am beginning to feel like I need to record every bike ride just to get some sort of protection for myself. :-(
Posted 13 years ago # -
My parents offered to get me a swanky yellow saddle for my birthday. I'm thinking a cam might be a better investment now. That way I can look out for myself and any other cyclists who happen to be in my line of site.
I wonder if you can get a fish-eye one that you can put on the bars instead of on your lid.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well that is one of the problems, I don't really want one on my head (not least as, if I do fall and hit my head I may trash the camera) but I think you need one that looks where you are looking, otherwise it will miss stuff.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I'm thinking on the bars, pointing slightly to the right, as I reckon most problems seem to occur (for me at least) by being badly overtaken. If an incident did happen, the bike or camera could quickly be pointe din the appropriate direction.
Posted 13 years ago # -
One more thing to forget to take off the bike.....
Posted 13 years ago # -
The Go Pro Wide cameras have a fish-eye effect and you can get a bar-mount for them too.
Posted 13 years ago # -
A few years ago I called Strathclyde Cops when a white van passenger skept me on the head. They came to see me, said there wasn't really much they could do but they did pay a visit to the van driver.
Posted 13 years ago #
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