Dan was halfway across a clearly marked, well-signposted pedestrian crossing when a driver blew straight through without even glancing up. In situations like these, drivers often don’t face any consequences, but thanks to Dan’s Cycliq Fly12 Sport footage, the police were able to prosecute the driver.
UpRide turns daily rides into data that drives change.
Every UpRider has a story. Here is Dan’s.
What happened prior to this incident and why do you record your ride?
I was riding along the shared path and approaching the Carlisle Station pedestrian crossing. I rode across slowly and was halfway over when the car failed to give way. The driver didn’t even look, I could see they were not going to stop, so I braked to avoid a collision. It was light out, I was visible, and I had my daytime flash front light on. The crossing is clearly marked, well signposted, raised on a speed hump, and very hard to miss.
I record every ride because there are so many careless and distracted drivers out there taking risks on the road. I record just in case I’m involved in an accident, but also to report and have proof of close passes and dangerous driving. If drivers are warned or fined by police, they may think twice about how they drive around cyclists.
When do you feel most vulnerable as a cyclist?
When riding on the road around distracted and careless drivers, and when riding on shared paths with distracted and wandering walkers and runners.
What do you think are the most important things that can be done to improve safety for cyclists on the road?
Driver education through road safety campaigns on TV and social media. More resources for police to process online dangerous driving reports and enforce the existing laws that protect cyclists and other vulnerable road users. If drivers are fined or warned for driving dangerously around cyclists, they are far less likely to do it again.
Did you report your incident? What was the reporting process?
It was a very straightforward process. I reported online using the WA Police Hoon Report website and was sent a link to upload my Cycliq footage. About a month later I was asked to attend my local police station to make a statement, and a few weeks after that I was contacted and advised that the driver had been issued an infringement, including a $300 fine and 3 demerit points, for failing to give way to a pedestrian at a designated crossing. The driver said they didn’t see me, hopefully the fine means they’ll pay more attention at crossings in the future.
What is your advice for other cyclists?
Stay safe and alert.
Record your rides and report close calls, it only takes a few minutes. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear back straight away. Police have limited resources and it can sometimes take a while. You will normally receive a call, but there may be cases where a driver has received a warning or infringement without you getting a follow-up.
The more reports police receive, and the more drivers that are made aware of their unsafe behaviour, the safer our roads will be for cyclists.
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