cycledogg

"What would you do?"
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/l...-window-411455

ridelikeaturtle

I'd have the authorities review the footage of my Cycliq cameras.

Mitkraft

base2 

What I would do would get me jail time if they ever found me. It would be my mission in life to stomp this a-holes skull. Then I'd ride off with the same lack of regard drivers do when ever they cause harm to cyclists...Then I'd go to the dentist.

Lemond1985

I thought bikes could stop much quicker than cars, plus cars have brake lights. I pretty much expect cars to do stuff like this at any moment, or let's say it wouldn't be the first time someone has done something like this to me, often completely unintentionally.

Steve B.

AlmostTrick

Eliminate the risk by not ever tailgating a vehicle.

MattTheHat 

Racing Dan

This only works if you live in the middle of nowhere. I think, every day, I could be targeted by someone like this if they wanted to. This goes for car driving as well. Smash on the brakes, for no reason, on a busy highway and you cause a crash. In the city as well.

KraneXL

Really? That's your solution? By that logic why then not then just sell your bike and stay home. After all, you can't get tailgated if you don't leave your house. Please, nobody every say something like that again. Ever! You're blaming the victim.

OldTryGuy

Jerk driver for sure and NOT FUNNY!!!

On the other hand, I think this has a touch of humor ....

debade

This is why cyclists should advocate for a vulnerable user law so if there is legal action, it the law will be on the cyclists side.

WhyFi

That's not tailgating. That's someone overtaking, deliberately slowing to close the gap and then slamming on the brakes.

AlmostTrick

Each operator has 100% control of their following distance. City, country, highway, anywhere. No one can ever force another to tail someone any closer than they (should) know is prudent for safety.

If a driver passed a cyclist and immediately cut him off and then slammed on the brakes, yes, that would likely cause anyone to hit him. That's not what happened here. Cyclist was riding on the sidewalk and pulled out behind the car. Driver pulled a d!ck move that is illegal. Little consolation pointing this out after you end up hurt or worse.

Instead of discussing what a d!ck the driver was, which is certainly true, I think there's more benefit discussing how we as cyclists (and auto drivers!) can avoid this type of crash. Cyclist could have avoided this by not being so close.

Absolutely my solution. Don't allow yourself to be in the position where you can't avoid hitting the vehicle in front of you and you can't be made a "victim". Bike or car. Just like you can't be doored if you ride out of the door zone.

I hope the driver is prosecuted and receives a stiff sentence.

WhyFi

Still not tailgating, bro. Still 100% the driver's liability, too. But yeah, let's tell the cyclist what an idiot he is after he's done picking up his teeth.

rossiny

I think a good lawyer can make him wish he never pulls a stunt like that. You can clearly see he braked for no reason at all. The other problem is that it seems to be on a down hill. I think a car could brake quicker than the bike. I hope he gets his in court. He should also get criminal charges for assault and endangering a life...

kingston 

I remember learning in driver's ed that if you rear-end another car, it's always your fault, even if the other guy jams on the brakes for no reason. That was a long time ago, so maybe the laws are different now.

Bryan C. 

Generally speaking, yes it is the driver who rear ends the vehicle in front that is considered at fault. Some instances do change that if the driver is proven to stop without a reason. But unless the guy admits to it then it is very hard to prove without video. Even with the video provided the driver can still argue that traffic suddenly stopped in front of him.

rossiny

I think he intentionally braked hard for no reason. Combine that with the fact that he is going down hill. I just think 4 wheels have more traction and can stop quicker, so in this case I doubt he could have stopped. I mean the cyclist may have made an error in riding on sidewalk and then came onto street, but my first question would be to the driver, what caused you to come to a dead stop like that? .?? Next question. How were you filming? Next question it seems like you were smirking and were fully aware of the biker behind you ? Next question if you admit guilt your jail sentence may be lowered. It is so obvious was intentional. Just look at his face. Then
..his comment " oh ..are you alright"".. . This guy is a sociopath period....
I hope the rider is ok...

KraneXL

That was always an inappropriate application of the term. A driver can easily and at anytime intentionally maneuver in front of you and cause a rear-end collision. Whoever taught you that must have missed the insurance fraud scheme of that period.

Paul Barnard

Nothing is absolute.

https://www.oldhamsmith.com/blog/201...a-brake-check/

Lemond1985

Not if you stay alert and keep a safe following distance. Unless they flash some cleavage or something, to distract you.

GrainBrain

It's a hate crime if you ask me, doesn't the cyclist appear to be a person of color? And the driver just happens to be shooting video and tracking this guy randomly?

Anyway it seems too much of a coincidence for the driver to have intersected that cyclist at random.

I'd say the cyclist was following too close for safety, probably trying to catch the vehicles draft. I've done it. Just guessing the cyclist and vehicle were doing 30mph, using the two second rule the cyclist should've maintained a following distance of 44 feet.

No doubt this driver is a psychopath. I hope a prosecutor sticks him with something, this crap makes my stomach hurt. Around here we've had a few cyclists killed because the driver "didn't see them" Nothing ever comes of it.

Number one rule for a cyclist and motorcyclist is never assume anyone sees you, always assume the worst from a driver.

kingston 

I'm glad brake-checks are illegal, but it's still probably a good idea to tell teenagers that it's always their fault if they rear-end someone. I have four teenagers, and they are all terrible drivers.

KraneXL

The burden of parenthood.