News

In an ironic turn of events, a truck with a warning sticker—’CYCLISTS, Beware of passing vehicle on the inside’—made a dangerously close pass while rushing to overtake despite oncoming traffic, creating a potentially serious situation. This highlights the importance of recording your rides, as you never know who might put you at risk on the road.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I always record my rides, there were no issues before the incident.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel the most vulnerable when I am cycling on main single carriageway roads.

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

The most important improvement would be increasing driver awareness, and additionally, making lights and helmets mandatory.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

The incident has been reported, but there has been no outcome as of yet.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

Hopefully it may raise awareness and reduce the number of issues.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

My advice to other cyclists would be to 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.

An unusual situation on the road quickly turned into disaster when UpRider T encountered a reckless driver who lost control and crashed into a tree. Thankfully, no other cyclists or drivers were nearby, but incidents like this highlight the dangers of unpredictable driving behaviours. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can go wrong, and why it’s crucial to stay vigilant and always have eyes on what’s happening behind you.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

Just before this incident, the car in question entered the left turn lane right next to me and turned left. I noticed that it seemed like they really went too far to make the left turn and might hit the intersection curb. I realised afterward, however, that they were mainly trying to do a U-turn using the intersection. I didn’t really think much more about it, since I was in a hurry to get where I needed to, but a few seconds later I heard tires squealing and glanced back to see the car doing donuts in the road. Shaking my head, I just went along my way and then a few seconds after that heard a loud crash. I glanced back again but didn’t, at that time, see where the car ended up. It wasn’t until later that I looked at the recording to see what happened. That’s one of the reasons I record my ride, in case something happens where I need the information later. It could be (hopefully not!) a crash I’m involved in, or it could be, as in this case, something where someone does something stupid.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable on narrow roads when cars are coming up fast behind me. In addition to my Fly6 and Fly12 cameras, I also use a GPS based radar to hopefully give me more awareness of the vehicles around me.

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?

I think normalising people riding their bikes would go a long way to changing drivers’ mindsets. While I would love to see more bike infrastructure, I feel that getting drivers to think more about and be more kind to cyclists is, right now, the most important thing we can do to improve safety for cyclists on the road.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

I looked to see if I could find where to report the incident but was unable to find a good way to do so. So, alternatively, I uploaded the video both to UpRide and Youtube for future reference with all the relevant information I could remember about it.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I like the platform. It makes it easy to look around your neighbourhood and see if there are potential problems or recent encounters.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Keep your eyes open and pay attention.

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.

Everyone knows that at a red light, you’re required to stop—it’s one of the most basic rules of the road. But how can a driver’s attempt at intimidation ever be justified when the cyclist is simply following the law? This type of aggressive behavior could have ended much worse, but in moments like these, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and ride with eyes behind.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was commuting home from work and was stopped in the bike lane at a red light. This bicycle lane is a right turn on red — a driver can use the lane to turn right if there is no cyclist present. In this case, the driver should wait in the lane to my left. I commute through an urban environment with many cars, and I want to be prepared in case the worst happens. This is the worst that has happened so far.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable as a cyclist when riding on roads with narrow and unprotected bike lanes. Bicycle safety is taken fairly seriously by local governments in the Bay area, but car is definitely still king. My commute goes through a mix of very good and pretty bad bicycle lanes and bicycle boulevards.

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?

Protect bicycle lanes from cars so that an interaction like the one I had is not possible. San Jose recently made some excellent protected bicycle lanes along 10th and 11th streets that have really improved my safety while cycling, a decision that was not popular with drivers. I was really happy to see the city go ahead anyways. I hope to see more of the same throughout the city and surrounding areas.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

I called the police non-emergency line the following day. They declined to take a report when I described what happened.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I’m glad incidents like this can receive some notice.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Always bike defensively when on the road and make yourself obnoxiously visible.

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.

A driver sped directly in front of UpRider C in the bike lane, going the wrong way against traffic. This reckless behaviour could have ended in disaster if UpRider C hadn’t swerved just in time. Situations like these are a reminder of why recording your ride is essential—you never know what might happen on the road.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was on a bike path on my way home after visiting my Mom. I always record my ride in urban areas after my friends were hit by cars. For my friend that recorded being hit, the insurance claim was much easier.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable whenever cars are nearby.

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

Enforce traffic law for a start. A minority of car drivers make things extremely unsafe for pedestrians. Driving should be a privilege, it isn’t.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Oakland currently doesn’t have a way to report these crimes.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Always record your ride in urban areas. A camera is minuscule fraction of the cost compared to surgery.

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.

A driver tries to avoid traffic by moving into the next lane, but in doing so, clips the UpRider with their side mirror. Taking shortcuts isn’t worth it if it means neglecting safety and awareness of your surroundings.

Hit ‘n wave - 1 year ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

This section of Hampton Rd between Wray Av and South St is just plain awful. It is badly designed and needs an overhaul. I record my ride because motorists find it just a bit too easy to blame cyclists for poor road behaviour. Having video also keeps me accountable to a higher standard too.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Wet weather. Visibility is reduced and drivers seem to throw caution out their tightly wound-up windows. I always use my lights when it’s wet.

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?

Accumulating and feeding back hard data to local councils about road conditions and cyclist safety. Great cyclist and driver education is indispensable. Councils usually only make changes to road layouts if someone dies. Nobody wants that to be the data threshold for improving cycling infrastructure. UpRide provides a great global platform that local councils can access hard data any time they like.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Did you report your incident? 

I did report this to the police.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

UpRide is an awesome global database of real data that grows on a daily basis.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Get all the right gear to see and be seen, get educated and always check up on the road rules and regulations. Get a Cycliq camera because you never know when it is going to pay for itself.

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.

Do you have an incident you’d like to share to raise awareness? Join the movement—by sharing your incident, you’re helping make cycling safer, one video at a time.

Why do you record your ride?

Log in to your account or sign up for UpRide. If this is your first time uploading an incident, register as a new UpRider.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Once logged in, select “Report An Incident” to get started.

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

Before uploading your incident, please read the guidelines to ensure your submission is appropriate and suitable for approval.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Select the type of incident you want to share on the left-hand side, and drag the relevant pin to the map based on the location of the incident.

What do you think about UpRide?

After dropping the pin, a window will open with questions about your incident. The more details you provide, the better other UpRiders will understand the incident and its aftermath.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Complete the questionnaire and hit submit – thank you for your contribution to making cycling safer!

Want to share your story?

Have a question?

If you have any questions regarding the uploading process, please reach out to the UpRide team.

Traffic rules apply to everyone on the road. But when an UpRider encounters a driver pressuring them to break the rules, what do they do? Naturally, they stick to the same road rules that apply to everyone. This driver could use a reminder that patience is a virtue.

Ranger danger - 4 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

This was a nothing special sunny afternoon ride. I have been recording my rides for years because I’ve had too many friends killed while riding and then, contemptuously, blamed afterwards for the accident. I don’t see why I shouldn’t do what I can to spare my family from that at least.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Early morning training rides during the Tradie GP hour.

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

Treat road deaths with presumptive manslaughter charges and commensurate prison sentences. Ideally motorists would be required to spend at least a month commuting by bicycle before qualifying for a license.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes. There’s an on-line process in the ACT that is relatively painless. The advice that I have received from ACT Pol subsequently is that they would be taking action.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I think it’s a useful resource, potentially, that i wish was used more by other cyclists. It should give transport policy makers and law enforcement agencies pause for thought but at the moment I think that it hugely understates the scale and scope of the problem.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Use cameras, know your rights, keep going.

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.

While riding in the bike lane, a cyclist experiences a close call that could have been easily avoided if the driver had respected boundaries. Instead, the cyclist was squeezed into the gutter. When confronted, the driver neither cared nor apologised. What happened to basic respect for others?

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I have been cycling for over 35 years and have had a number of close calls and incidents involving various vehicles/animals/pedestrians. This prompted me to get a camera over 10 years ago as soon as they became small enough to fit on a bike, and record all my rides. Because as they saying goes, “If you don’t have proof it never happened, nor can it be proven in court.”

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

Riding in wet weather, alot of drivers just seem to go into autopilot and not drive to the conditions, and distracted drivers on their phones.

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

In New Zealand, it is very much a car driven culture on the roads, the Government needs to push for more safety campaigns regarding cyclists, as there are alot more of us on the roads now, especially with the introduction of E-Bikes and Scooters.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

It was reported to the Police and the Company. Police were helpful, but in the end they only got a warning and a $150 fine. The Company was very much “Oh well, shit happens”, stay off the road in future.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I like it, knowing that there are cameras out there and more people reporting incidents, can only make for a better experience.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Get a camera, not every country has a cycling culture and be hyper aware of your surroundings at all times.

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.

An UpRider narrowly avoids disaster as a Hilux veers into the bike lane without checking its mirrors. Simple actions like checking mirrors and blind spots can mean the difference between life and death.

Use your mirrors Hilux - 8 months ago
Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was doing my usual commute work from home. I’ve had so many close calls recently doing my commute, which is why I decided to purchase the Cycliq cameras and always record my ride to and from work.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I feel most vulnerable riding on high speed roads and in the inner city, even though there are bike lanes.

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

Motor vehicle drivers need to be reminded of the laws around cyclists, such as: 1m distance on roads with speeds up to 60km/h, 1.5m distance for speeds greater than 60km/h, rules around crossing green painted bike lanes, just a general reminder that drivers don’t always have to overtake cyclists, particularly when they are travelling close to the speed limit.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

I didn’t report it, as I wasn’t injured and I given I communicated with the driver, I believe he learned a lesson. I have reported some instances where drivers are deliberately being reckless and intimidating, but I think that was the case in this instance.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

I think it’s great, but I’d like to hear about some of the penalties drivers receive for their bad driving. My only concern is that despite collecting and reporting incidents, nothing is actually being done about them.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Always anticipate bad driving. Ride defensively at all time.

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.

During a routine ride, a cyclist experiences a harsh collision when a driver speeds through an intersection without yielding. Was this a dangerous decision made out of impatience, or did the driver simply not see the cyclist? Fortunately, the cyclist was equipped with a light and dashcam to capture the entire incident.

Why do you record your ride?

Why do you record your ride?

I was covering my 2023 Ironman Oregon training by covering my routinary Saturday morning long ride. The routine includes riding my TT bike around the county side of the city, carrying the necessary cautionary devices such bike lights and recording cameras.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

As soon as I’m out of my garage there is always a vulnerability concern that increases as the roads start reaching the transition between urban and rural areas, where larger, rural vehicles are less minded to share roads with bicycle riders.

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?

Improve education regarding the need of sharing the road with bicycles in a more consciously and safety manner. Make this requirement a training and gating item for getting a driver license/permit.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

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

Yes. Reports to police and insurance parties as requirements for further litigation process. I’m still waiting for our lawyer to reach an agreement with the driver’s party, looking for at least coverage on all medical and personal expenses; it’s expected to reach closure by end of August.

What do you think about UpRide?

What do you think about UpRide?

A great forum for documenting and exposing the current vulnerability of bicycle riders.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

What is your advice for other cyclists?

It’s not about if it’s going to happen or not, but rather when will happen: Get informed, minded, equipped and ready for take proper action for when it happens.

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.