You don’t need to be a commuting cyclist to have witnessed the steady rise of mounted helmet cameras on Britain’s streets in recent years. As these video cameras have become more widely affordable and as picture quality and recording time have improved, it makes sense that we’re seeing more and more cyclists filming the road around them. But what are the reasons behind cyclists using this equipment and what do they do with the footage afterwards? From dedicated YouTube channels and websites to articles debating their use, it’s clear that the rise of the mounted helmet cameras has kicked up quite a fuss!
Evidence
After speaking with some camera-wielding cyclists, we gathered that at least a few of them were using the cameras preemptively to gather evidence should reckless motorists collide with them. If the incident were to end up going to court, the video footage could provide cyclists with the necessary proof to support their claim, secure convictions or, in some cases, compensation. Others, however, might use the footage to raise awareness and act as a warning to the dangers of careless driving, just like this unfortunate cyclist did recently after a horrible crash.
Protection
Another reason for using mounted cameras seems to be that some cyclists believe they can offer another layer of much needed protection. Rather than the physical protection provided by a helmet, a visible camera can apparently make motorists – with whom a cyclist may have become embroiled in a road row – think twice about using physical violence. However, if these 18 scary examples of motorists attacking cyclists are anything to go by, they’re not much of a deterrent!
Vigilante cyclists
You may have read about the cyclist, Dave Sherry, dubbed ‘the most hated man on two wheels’. As of last year, Dave had secured over 70 convictions with his arsenal of three mounted cameras. But rather than being just a vigilant cyclist, Dave’s a fully fledged vigilante who, it seems, goes out of his way to catch out unwitting motorists. Amongst his stack of evidence, bus driver Sherry has previously handed over four videos of fellow bus drivers to police during his moral crusade for road safety. To some, his behaviour is admirable, although you cannot help but question whether people like Dave are doing more harm than good in exacerbating the already tense relationships between cyclists and motorists.
Review and improve their own riding
But, of course not every cyclist is out there to catch fellow road users. Some use mounted cameras simply to record and review their footage for their own, personal cycling development. Speaking to one of our customers, Mike, he confirmed that his own cycling camera was for nothing more than recording his performance on his route. Although, Mike did fail to mention his ‘mere camera’ is a top of the range computer camera that starts recording when his heart rate reaches a certain level. What’s more, Mike tells us his equipment edits the clips together at the end of a ride so you can easily share them over social media.
Do you use a mounted helmet camera when cycling? Leave a comment below telling us why you use yours for a chance to win a commuter cycling kit and saddlebag!
Full Definition of vigilante
: a member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime summarily (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate); broadly : a self-appointed doer of justice. Dave Sherry et al are not taking the law into their own hands, they are merely providing evidence,