UpRide.cc - Make Cycling Safer

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?

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?

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

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.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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

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.

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?

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?

Always anticipate bad driving. Ride defensively at all time.

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?

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?

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?

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.

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?

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

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?

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 has captured every cyclist’s nightmare: the moment of a crash that left them stranded on the side of the road—a situation no one wants to experience. Despite claiming not to remember the incident, the driver was cited for failure to report a crash after being reported to the police.

Why do you record your ride?

With too many close calls from drivers, I felt it necessary to document my rides. Therefore, in the event of an incident, I have video proof of what happened.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

All the time! With the routes I take, about 50% of the time, I’m on a road with no bike lane. However, most close calls have been when I approach an intersection and the drivers just cut me off.

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

Obey the traffic laws. Use proper hand signals. Have local governments build bike lanes.

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

Yes, the local law enforcement responded to the incident. The driver was eventually located and cited for “failure to report a crash”.

What do you think about UpRide?

It is a great platform that has room for improvement.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Keep your head on a swivel and acknowledge other riders as they pass. They may be the only ones to come to your help if something happens.

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.

Grésy-sur-Aix, France

Thanks to the UpRider’s Fly12, they were able to capture the moment a driver committed a classic roundabout error by overtaking before giving way. Incidents like these are easily preventable if basic traffic rules are followed.

Why do you record your ride?

Since my first accident, 3 years ago, I record every time I ride even if it only provided me the pleasure to see the driver’s face when he sees the camera.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

At every crossroad or roundabout, when drivers change direction.

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

Designate lanes exclusively for bikes or two-wheelers. Inform pedestrians to walk on the left side to face oncoming silent vehicles, as pedestrians are the second most dangerous hazard cyclists encounter. Most importantly, authorities should always treat road traffic incidents (RTIs) involving cyclists as serious events, even if there are no severe injuries.

What do you think about UpRide?

UpRide is an excellent platform for sharing experiences, especially negative ones. I wish it could become a database for French authorities, but our country still prioritises car drivers. UpRide could also be used in driving license courses to demonstrate how misbehaviour, like not using blinkers, can be lethal.

What is your advice for other cyclists?

Be careful in two ways: respect traffic lights and stop signs. Do not leave room to be overtaken on roundabouts or narrow roads, as drivers may push past you once you are out of their line of sight.

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 records the moment a ute driver makes strange attempts to intimidate their group of cyclists by racing to an intersection with a dangerous close pass and throwing threats while driving through a quiet street in the same area. This unnecessary commotion highlights that the road should be safe for everyone to use, as long as we respect each other.

What happened prior to this incident? 

Prior to this incident we were just doing a training ride out with my mates on a quiet loop. The driver tried to intimidate us for an unknown reason. Then further up the road stopped with some other people and recorded us for another unknown reason. Some people are very strange.

When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?

I actually feel most vulnerable when I am not riding with my Cycliq cameras as these are a great line of defence. From increasing my visibility to de-escalating a lot of altercations as you have constant video evidence recording through your whole ride. It’s amazing how quickly drivers calm down when you tell them ‘I’ve caught you in 4k mate’.

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

The most important things to improve cycling safety is education about road safety and the mentality that people have when they get behind the wheel of a car. People think because they lock themselves inside of a 2-tonne metal box they are invincible and that it’s ‘funny’ to intimidate cyclists. Drivers forget that cyclists are humans too.

What do you think about UpRide?

UpRide is great as this creates a global map to see hotspots of incidents. I have seen there have been numerous incidents with the same cars in certain locations!

What is your advice for other cyclists?

I would greatly encourage other cyclists to invest into their safety on the bike. I’ve been using both the Fly12 Sport and Fly6 Pro while out riding and would not go for a ride without them. The new Fly6 Pro is a huge upgrade with a massive battery now, I have been able to do a few mega 6.5hr rides with the light and camera always on, and it’s still got battery left to spare! Knowing that I am constantly recording my rides calms me while out riding as I know if something happens that it’ll be on camera.

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.