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An UpRider was cycling along a familiar route a few miles from home in a quiet suburban area when a distracted driver suddenly turned into a driveway without signaling, resulting in a collision. Incidents like this are all too common for cyclists, which is why the UpRider started recording with his Fly12 Sport. In addition to distracted drivers and inadequate infrastructure, the importance of anticipating and avoiding dangers are also critical factors in protecting cyclists.

What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride? 

I was near the end of a 30-ish mile mixed surface tempo ride on the coast, just a few miles from home, cruising on a quiet suburban arterial, next to a park.

I have been cycling 8 – 12 hours per week for the past several decades, both on and off-road, including lots of commuting in urban and suburban environments. I have been knocked off my bike by folks driving motor vehicles a number of times, and a few years ago my daughter and son in law gifted me a Cycliq Fly12, “just in case.” I adopted the habit of running it during all my rides that involve time on the road, which is most of my rides.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I am always aware of my vulnerability when I am near motor vehicles, but I think I feel most vulnerable on suburban arterials where there is a large speed differential between myself and the motor vehicle traffic, and when there are numerous distractions to drivers and lots of potential for sudden turns onto cross streets and into driveways.

What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road

Aside from the usual education and enforcement efforts that must be continuous, I firmly believe the most gains can be made by improving cycling infrastructure. I am partial to focusing public resources on improving design of designated bike lanes, as opposed to creating physically separated bike facilities. Reducing or narrowing motor vehicle lanes to “calm” (slow down) traffic, introducing buffered bike lanes, and especially shading bike lanes to make areas where bike and motor vehicle traffic must cross (intersections, highway onramps, etc.) will produce the most improvement in safety for a given investment.

Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?

Bystanders called police and paramedics to the scene and an accident report was produced by the police. I took issue with a few details in the report and was allowed to add my comments in an amendment to the report. Although the police report noted that the driver of the car involved was at fault and had made an illegal turn in violation of the vehicle code, I was told that it is the department’s policy to not issue citations at accident scenes unless an officer witnessed the incident.

What do you think about UpRide?

I think UpRide can be a useful educational tool, particularly to demonstrate to the non-cycling community how vulnerable cyclists are, and the need for us to all watch out for each other. I think law enforcement and legislators should be particularly interested in the amount and seriousness of intentional aggressive behavior directed at cyclists.

However, I think there are lots of “incidents” uploaded that are typical of the situations that all urban/suburban cyclists encounter on every single ride, and may just contribute to a sense of victimhood and outrage within the cycling community that is ultimately unhelpful. The fact is, drivers are faced with chaotic environments with many distractions, and every cyclist I know is extremely vigilant and regularly sees and avoids potentially serious incidents, similar to the one I was just involved in. I’m not excusing the negligence of drivers or minimizing the tragic consequences of that negligence, but I think we, the cycling community, can make ourselves safer by maintaining a high level of situational awareness while riding, and by advocating in a rational and persuasive way for changes to infrastructure and laws that will meet our goals.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Besides my comments above, be vigilant, anticipate and avoid dangerous conflicts with vehicles, don’t behave in ways that provoke drivers, and record your rides whenever possible. If law enforcement does not respond when presented with video evidence of dangerous or aggressive incidents, advocate for changes to policy or law.

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

S shares a troubling incident on UpRide involving a truck driver who ignored traffic laws and safety signals. Despite the cyclist’s clear intentions, the truck driver’s reckless actions created a dangerous situation that resulted in a collision, without considering the cyclist’s safety. This incident underscores the importance of road safety and serves as a cautionary tale for all road users.

Why do you record your ride? 

I record all my rides for multiple reasons. 1) Sometimes the beauty of nature just takes my breath away and I love to remember all of the amazing terrain that is in our world. From Riding around Mt. Rainier in the Pacific Northwest, to the desert terrain of Utah. It is all beautiful and I love to relive it from time to time. 2) I enjoy embedding my ride data into the videos that I record so I can see my power and metrics at the same time as my rides. It allows me to train more effectively but is also cool to see. It is even better when I drop music on top. 3) When I was riding with a team, it was nice to have records of the rides, and was good for marketing. 4) If I get hit by a car, I have evidence of what happened, not what the driver claims happened. In the battle of cars vs. bikes, the car will always win so it is nice to have indisputable evidence of what actually happened.

What do you think about UpRide?

While it is always fun to commiserate with my riding peers it is often very painful to see what we all go through. There is so much evidence of dangerous drivers out there I think it would be good to have a “driving with bicycles” education center that is mandatory viewing for licensure. It seems to be getting worse with drivers today and if they knew a lot of us ride with cameras it would probably help.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel the most vulnerable when riding on streets in small towns. Drivers often don’t understand how dangerous it is when a two-tonne auto bumps a rider.

In your opinion, what are the most crucial steps to be taken to enhance safety for cyclists on the road?

Education of drivers. They need to watch videos of what a car does to a bike. After education, having video of rides to confirm culpability is HUGE. Even with very obvious video evidence of being struck by a truck the drivers insurance company denied responsibility. If the driver hit a car from behind it would be 100% their fault. So why is it not so with hitting a biker? Doesn’t make any sense. In summary… 1) Education. 2) Video evidence.

If reported, If the incident was reported, could you shed light on the reporting process?

The incident was reported to the police after it happened so no citation was issued to the driver. I went straight to urgent care after the incident and called to local police to report it after returning from urgent care. Even with direct video evidence of the driver crossing a double yellow (illegal in the US) and striking me as I began my turn, there was no citation issued. Without a citation, the insurance company claimed it was 70% my fault for turning.

What piece of advice would you offer to other cyclists out there?

ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS ride with a camera front and back and ride like the cars are out to get you. Signal every turn and ride like your life depends on it.

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

In the blink of an eye, life can take an unexpected turn. Imagine a routine day, cycling your usual route as you do every day, when suddenly, you witness a huge crash unfold right before your eyes, leaving you showered in glass.

One of our brave UpRiders, E, shares an unforgettable encounter: a car, racing through a green light, collides with another vehicle running a red light, resulting in a heart-stopping collision that sends one of the vehicles flying towards the UpRider. While the UpRider is fortunate to escape with only a shower of glass, miraculously, both drivers also walk away unharmed.

Why do you record your ride? 

E records their ride for two main reasons which include footage for Strava and to enhance safety during their cycling journeys. 

What do you think about UpRide?

E shares that UpRide is a platform that offers valuable insights into the challenges cyclists face. It’s an informative and indispensable resource for the cycling community. 

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

They experience the greatest vulnerability as a cyclist when they encounter aggressive drivers on the road. 

What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?

They believe that good communication between cyclists and drivers, coupled with increased road awareness, is crucial for improving safety. 

If reported, what was the reporting process?

In a recent incident, E reported it to the Victoria Police who attended the accident. 

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Ride on! 

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

Disclaimer: This video may contain offensive language or content that could be sensitive to some viewers.

We recently received a video submission from a brave cyclist, whom we refer to as ‘T,’ from the US. T found himself in a harrowing incident where a group attempted to steal his bike while he was riding, threatening him with a firearm. Another individual within the group tried to incapacitate him with pepper spray, hitting T’s arms and the back of his neck. Fortunately, their attempt to harm T backfired when the pepper spray blew back at them.

T promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to the assignment of the case to detectives. They informed T that all the suspects had been identified and were now in custody. Thanks to his Fly6 camera, he captured enough evidence to prosecute the individuals involved.

At what time of day did this incident occur, and can you specify the exact location? 

The incident was at around 8:30 at night and this was in Norfolk, Virginia on the Berkley Bridge. 

Were there any witnesses or fellow cyclists in the vicinity during the incident?

I think the clock is off on the footage. It was just me and the 4 suspects.

With the recent apprehensions, how are you currently feeling in light of the incident?

 I tend to look over my shoulder a little more now, but I won’t stop riding.  I ride to work everyday and that’s the only way home.  It’s good to know that if anything were to happen, I have proof. 

How has the Fly6 added to your sense of security during rides in general? 

I’ve been running cameras for about 8 years now.  Back in 2015 I was hit head on and luckily got that on camera as well.  Basically I edited the footage to the main part.  I wasn’t able to share the footage right then as my laptop was dead. 

Can you describe the process of sharing the footage with the authorities and how it aided in the arrests? 

A detective contacted me a couple days later and I emailed the footage to him.  He then shared it with local resource police officers and the local schools.  Within a couple days they caught two of the suspects.  About a week later they got a third one and then just today they got the fourth one. 

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

While we’ve referred to him as “J from Perth” to protect his identity, this Super UpRider is close to marking his 100th incident post on UpRide.

A firm advocate for recording rides, he states, “I record my riding because… people will lie. It’s just that simple.” With the trusted Fly 12 by Cycliq as his companion, J documents everything from prevalent road hazards to the unanticipated behaviors of other road users. He commends UpRide for being an “awesome platform” and emphasizes the need for robust infrastructure and thorough education for cyclists.

“Record your ride. Make it count.

Why do you record your ride?

I record my riding because I work with people and I know that in the absence of other forms of accountability, people will lie. It’s just that simple. The Fly 12 is a solid, reliable unit that takes care of all that. I also record because I believe that good data collection can lead to positive outcomes in education and infrastructure design. I also record for a bit of a laugh because I never know what dumb thing I’m going to see next.

What do you think about UpRide?

Upride is an awesome platform that is steadily building up a density of data that is providing great information about the nature of cycling hazards. It provides an excellent reference database of driver/rider behaviour.

What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?

Well thought-out infrastructure makes a huge difference to cyclists. I have seen structures built by local councils that supposedly make cycling safer but have done the exact opposite. Good driver/rider education is also very important. Most people think they are great drivers and will even try to justify why they ‘speed up for orange and slow down for green’ or, why they are OK running a red signal or, why cyclists aren’t allowed on roundabouts. The same goes for cyclists. I have witnessed a Fremantle cyclist dressed in black, no lights, no helmet, wrong side of the road, both hands on their mobile, at night. There can never be too much good quality education.

What do you ride with?

I have a Fly 12 attached to my helmet. It records where I am looking. So far, only one sour person has tried to tell me that is illegal – the police have no problem with it.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

We are all pushing towards a low-carbon economy. I’m not sure about those people that drive those big, puffy ego-utes, but most are trying, and that often means cycling. I easily save $1000/month by not having a second car at home, I stay fit and I arrive at work feeling invigorated rather than annoyed by the traffic. My best advice is to gear up with a helmet,  hi-viz, lights, and a Cycliq camera. Educate yourself. Check up on road rules as they relate to tricky things like double-lane roundabouts (did you know cyclists can do hook turns in these?). Communicate with your local council in a positive tone if things aren’t right – they really like positive people rather than whingers. 

Most of all, get on your bike and ride. Feel the joy of the sun, the breeze, the rain, and freedom. Cycliq has got your back.

Thanks for using UpRide J!

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

Today, we’re sharing a personal account of a rider who had a firsthand experience of the perils that sometimes accompany our passion. This narrative serves as a reminder of the need for better safety measures and offers insight into the benefits of recording our rides.

Eight months ago, Richard from Rochester, New York had a nasty crash. Today, he stands fully recovered, ready to hit the road again. He tells us that the healing process took about 6-8 weeks post-crash, but he’s now back on the saddle, and he assures us he’s feeling better than ever.

The unfortunate incident occurred on a route he frequently traversed. As most cyclists can attest, familiarity with a route doesn’t guarantee a risk-free journey. Our rider recalls one other close call on the same stretch. It involved a bus that failed to indicate its intent to turn. Despite these experiences, he reminds us that, for the most part, the route offers a pleasant ride.

Record your ride. Make it count.

Why do you record your ride?

“I record my ride for safety. A friend was riding one day and was approached by two men in a Jeep “looking” for directions. My friend said he didn’t have his phone and didn’t know the roads that well. The two men then commented on his bike, at which point my friend rode away. Soon after, I bought a front-facing camera, a Drift, until I found Cycliq.” 

Was this a route you often rode on, if so, have you experienced any other close calls or incidents?

“This was a route I took often. I used the road as a way to get home, as I was doing that day. I had one other close call with a bus further down the road. The bus was making a right-hand turn at a stop light but did not use its indicator. I do believe I have that video as well. Other than that, the riding on that road has been pretty good.”

8 months on, how was recovery?

“The recovery was good. I have no lingering issues and I was fully healed about 6-8 weeks after the crash.”

If reported, what was the reporting process?

“The crash was somewhat reported. By the time a police officer arrived, the scene had already been cleared and I was en route to the hospital for a check-up, leaving him with nothing to report. Nonetheless, I sought out the officer and requested that a report be filed, to which he reluctantly agreed. He seemed uninterested in viewing the video footage and assured me that the driver would face no repercussions. After about two weeks, the officer eventually completed the report, a copy of which I still need to obtain for my records. In addition to this, I also filled out a form through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).”

What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?

It’s often the immediate assumption that cyclists are at fault in an incident. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that drivers should bear considerable responsibility due to their vehicles’ size and momentum. While it’s true that some cyclists make poor decisions, such as ignoring traffic signals, occupying the entire road in groups, or neglecting to use hand signals, the majority usually practice safe riding habits.

In terms of improving safety, a more robust biking infrastructure could certainly make a difference. However, a significant step would be to initially assign culpability to drivers, rather than automatically assuming the cyclist is at fault. This approach doesn’t mean drivers should merely receive a slap on the wrist. Instead, there should be meaningful consequences for actions that compromise safety on the roads.

Implementing such measures is never an easy task, especially considering that some people would rather cyclists stay off the roads altogether. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to continue striving for balanced road use that ensures safety for all parties involved.

Thanks for using UpRide Richard. We wish you a speedy recovery!

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.

As we reflect on the last few years of UpRide.cc, we are so proud of the community of UpRider’s for posting over 10,000 incidents and together, helping to make cycling safer. With many of our users uploading over 20 incidents to UpRide, we’re glad to see the platform performing its desired task as a cycling safety hub and awareness platform.

Let us introduce our friend RV.

RV is originally from Switzerland, and based in the Australian state of Victoria. He’s experienced some close calls on his rides, and in 2021, was hit by a young driver. Thankfully he’s ok, and although his new custom built bike suffered some damage, there’s been some correspondence with law enforcement since the event.
Many of the close calls have occurred in a time when Victoria had no minimum passing distance law implemented and therefore, RV was told that the police wouldn’t do anything about it.

He also has a Youtube channel where he exposes drivers and calls them out with their number plates.
If a company car is involved in an incident, which we find is occurring increasingly more and more, he will leave a 1 star rating on google and explain what happened linking back to the event on UpRide and Youtube.

“I was hit in 2021 by a young driver. I had camera footage and went to the police. The result was that after a week, when I asked them for the case-file number for insurance, they told me they decided to not follow up, despite the video evidence (they did not even look at it, as I was asked again to hand in the files/links) and my brand new custom built road bike was damaged.” 

RV is an avid cyclist, he says that riding on the roads under the current laws makes him ‘really uncomfortable’ riding without a camera.

Record your ride. Make it count.

Why do you record your ride?

“It actually makes me feel safe since in case of an accident, I would have proof of the circumstances. Riding without a camera makes me really uncomfortable, and additionally I use the footage to create videos of my rides, like ‘holiday’ memories.”

What do you think about UpRide?

“It ‘s a great idea. I think it definitely should become more famous and police/crime investigators should consider it more often/regularly. I actually discussed a while ago with a friend ,who was hit badly a few years ago, to build up such a site in combination with a database where number plates from the incidents are stored and Insurances and police can have access to in order to check on drivers behaviours.”

What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?

“Change the minds of the drivers (Make it mandatory for drivers to attend regular road trainings, where they also sit on a bike and ride through traffic, public transport, trucks, delivery etc) Force police to investigate any issue that is handed over to them. Police officers should become liable if they push serious offences under the table.”

If reported, what was the reporting process?

“Generally I raise it via Crime stoppers, what bothers me is that there is no info on if it has been transferred to police. If the driver did it to me he most likely did it to others as well, as it is an indication of his driving style.
There has been a follow up on a case I filed with a concrete truck. I not only took this to the Crimestoppers, but also to the Victoria Big Building Projects with the result that the truck driver got a written warning from the employer, the employer used my video to teach his drivers on how to not act and the police followed up on him. Sadly I never heard about the final outcome.”

What is your advice for other cyclists?

“Get cameras and speak up, raise cases to the police, don’t aggravate the driver, read the number plate loud if possible.”

Thanks for using UpRide RV.

Want to share your story?

We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to share your stories and experience as a cyclist please reach out to the UpRide team.