UpRide Story: Truck Rage

Why do you record your ride?

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

Prior, the roads were very empty as it was about 4am, I was cycling my normal 25km ride from Hamilton to work in Cambridge.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Mostly Intersections, as Drivers try to push past even though it is illegal to overtake on an intersection, and where there are cycle lanes but they can’t be used (vehicles blocking or debris), and drivers get abusive as they think I have to use cycle lanes regardless.

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

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

More Cyclists taking the lane, showing that we are like any other vehicle, and allowed the same amount of space.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

The Police were very interested, and will be taking the driver to court, where he would likely lose his job, didn’t hear back about the outcome

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

Its an awesome site, where cyclists can submit their footage, and see what other riders have had to deal with, what areas, how it was dealt with officials, and that it doesn’t just happen to them.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Take the Lane, cyclists need to be more dominant on the road, and it makes you more visible and overall safer. Have bright lights, so that they are for you to see not for other road users to see you.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Near Miss With A Truck

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was just riding along a local country road. We have NO bike paths, the only place to ride is on the country roads with the nearest bike path being 60km away. Our country roads DON’T have shoulders to ride on, I had not long purchased the equipment but it turned out handy. 

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When cars and trucks actually come too close when riding on the roads.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

No report made, but lots of people knew the truck and it was shared to the truck driver, so hopefully a lesson learned.

What do you think about UpRide?

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

Have the cyclists take more responsibility and ride in brighter clothing with lights on at all times. I don’t think that vehicle drivers will improve at all, you are either a careful driver and aware that bikes share the road or they don’t care. Educate drivers that they can cross double lines if safe to do so and pass a cyclist.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Wear bright clothing and have your lights on – lots of cyclists don’t!

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Failed to Indicate

Failed to indicate - 4 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I have been riding for years and came across this innovative product, which I thought would be a helpful addition as it combines a light and a camera.

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When the bicycle lane ends or during peak traffic hours, we need to improve protected bicycle infrastructure and raise awareness among drivers.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

It was reported to Police Traffic Watch and will likely result in a caution to the driver.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

It’s easy to use and helpful for identifying areas of concern.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Record your rides and share them to help educate other riders.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Range Rover

Range Rover - 5 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I always ride with a front and rear facing camera, there are too many incidents with drivers.

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When there is little to no shoulder, there should be harsher fines and jail time for drivers who intentionally hit or force riders off the road.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes, it was reported to the police. The Monterey PD did a poor job of recapping the incident. The report was riddled with errors, even though they had the video. However, the driver was cited for “following too closely” and causing the crash.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Ride with cameras and remember a car will always win in a crash.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Mr Doo

“Mr Doo” - 5 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was just biking home down Lincoln Road when I was cut-off. I record my rides to share and to remind drivers to pay attention!

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I’m a confident cyclist, but I worry about my wife and loved ones who bike across Christchurch on unprotected lanes.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Didn’t report my incident, I wasn’t hit.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

It’s cool.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Stay safe!

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Almost Head On

Almost head on - 6 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I believe there is a need for education at all levels. R.U.L.E.S. (Road Users Love Equality for Safety). Without all road users following the rules that apply to them, accidents happen.

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Anytime I am on the roads.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Education at all levels is crucial. I have approached our Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator for the State of Massachusetts, who has since released two videos.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

No, but I have tried with others, and unless there are injuries, there is no interest in following up.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I think it is a good platform for those that use it.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Be aware, be defensive, and follow the rules. Make yourself as visible as possible with lights and use a mirror. Use cameras to record and help educate others.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Picanto Cut Up

Picanto cut up - 4 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

The car was behind me at the junction and decided to overtake and cut me off, as shown in the video. I record incidents like this and previous accidents because it’s easier to provide evidence to insurance.

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When cars pass too closely or overtake but fail to fully pass, staying level with you.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

No I didn’t report it, I didn’t get the registration.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

It’s a good idea. I think it’s good to shame bad driving by posting videos.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Keep spinning and don’t let idiots in cars stop you riding.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Car Tries To Run Me Over

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

Due to the number of close calls I’ve experienced, I record every ride. Initially, I got the camera to record rides for voiceovers, showing some of the places I ride. However, I ended up capturing so much bad driving that I started uploading videos to my YouTube channel to highlight how dangerous some driving is and how often car drivers break road rules.

In this case, I was happily riding in the cycle lane (which was separated until this point), intending to go straight ahead. This car was behind me in the car lane, could see I was going straight, and increased its speed to pass before cutting in front of me. The driver’s actions were illegal, and the police are looking into it. One of my aims is to make people aware of incidents like this while also campaigning for better cycling infrastructure.

In addition to riding to get places, I also ride for fun and mental health. I find that when stress builds up, going for a ride fixes it—even if the ride involves yelling at stupid drivers in their metal boxes.

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable around car drivers. However, it doesn’t worry me too much. I actually love rush hour traffic.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes, reporting here seems simple, but most reports—unless someone is hurt—get ignored. Getting the police to even warn a driver takes a lot of effort, as they effectively side with the driver and accept the false “I didn’t see him” claim. On the rare occasions they do charge a driver, it is always the lowest possible charge. 

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

Love the site and hope it gets at least a few drivers to think about their driving.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Be confident. Be assertive in your riding and don’t be afraid to claim your space on the road. If taking the lane is necessary to ensure your safety—because you know some drivers will take risks with your well-being as a cyclist—then take the lane and disregard the impatience of the person in the metal box. Your safety comes first.

Want to share your story?

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.

UpRide Story: Idiot Driver Lacks Patience

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I ride in Toronto and Mississauga, and I’ve witnessed all sorts of aggression from drivers towards cyclists. This isn’t going to change anytime soon. Even if I report incidents to Toronto Police or Peel Police with video evidence, they don’t seem to take action to correct the driver’s dangerous behaviour. I record my rides to document the worst behaviours and have proof in case I get hit by motorists (which has happened twice so far: once by an aggressive driver and once by a clueless driver).

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

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable when I’m riding alone on the side of the road in Toronto and Mississauga. Drivers often take their frustration out on cyclists, and when I’m not in a group, it happens more frequently—likely because there are no witnesses when I’m riding alone.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes, I reported the incident. The Peel Police website states that for a first report against a vehicle, they will send a letter to the registered owner of the vehicle. However, I couldn’t attach pictures or videos to the report, and no one contacted me to obtain the evidence. So I doubt they did anything. It’s frustrating because, while passing 30 cyclists on a narrow road, the vehicle nearly caused two head-on collisions with oncoming traffic!

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

It’s great for posting videos and raising awareness. When I post a video, I’d like it to go live immediately so I can share the link while the topic is still fresh.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Choose your routes carefully. If you live in the Toronto area, try to get outside the city for safer road cycling and ride with a buddy. Always document your rides—you never know what could happen.

Want to share your story?

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.

Close Pass, Abuse & Assault

A known aggressive driver takes their frustration out on cyclists who have every right to be on the road. Incidents like this are a stark reminder of the importance of recording your ride—some drivers’ behavior is unpredictable, and in cases of assault, having evidence is crucial when you need it most.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

Prior to the various incidents (passing too close and common assault), we were riding on a 60 kph two-lane road (in our direction of travel) and entering a two-lane roundabout where the cycle lane ends.

Why I record my rides: There are too many instances of antisocial, dangerous, and/or inattentive driving where I need hard evidence of legal infractions.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable in certain lower socioeconomic areas.

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

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

Legal action, early life education.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes, I reported it to the police. The process (this time) was straightforward.

The following is an excerpt from the Central Coast Express Advocate on September 26, 2024: link here

Robert Kevin Kinley, 32, drove dangerously close to two cyclists in his ute on a quiet Sunday morning, passing so closely that one cyclist reached out and knocked on his window. The mechanic-turned-truck driver then cut them off, pulled over, and assaulted one of the cyclists, calling them “selfish c–ts.”

Kinley’s behavior was recorded on the cyclist’s cameras and brought to police attention. He was confronted by police three weeks later and admitted his actions after viewing the footage.

Despite Kinley’s claim that the cyclists were not keeping to the side of the road, footage from the victim’s Cycliq Fly12 and Fly6 cameras revealed otherwise.

For this latest incident, Kinley was fined $1,500, convicted of the two fresh charges, fined an additional $200, and placed on a new 12-month CCO. He is required to perform 100 hours of community service and abstain from alcohol during this period.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

My advice would be to record and report offences.

Want to share your story?

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.