Sammyboy

I was just cycling over Waterloo Bridge on my way to catch the train af work, when I saw an altercation. A drivers ran a cyclist very close to the kerb, and the cyclist shouted something at him. The driver swerved at the cyclist, who the punched his wing mirror. The driver then appeared to make a real effort to run the cyclist over, swerving in so that I think he mounted the kerb. The next cyclist in front, who the car had pulled alongside, was pushed into the kerb, and would have ben crushed had he not been quick enough to hop his front wheel up, and ended with his rear wheel skidding along the kerb edge.

I could see he was alright, so I rode the car down (luckily there was traffic ahead). I memorised his number, then rode alongside and told him I was calling him in. He thought I was the guy he hit/nearly hit, and said "That wasn't directed at you mate, it was the guy who punched my mirror", as though he was excusing himself for flipping the bird, not driving 2 tons of metal at someone. I said "I saw it, and you nearly killed the guy in front. I've got your registration and I'm calling it in. Take it easier". He said something like "Yeah, whatever mate", and I pulled over to wait for the guy who nearly got hit.

When he rolled up I gave him the reg. number, and he said he'd call it in too. I hope the Police do something, but I'm less than sure they will. My motivation in talking to the driver directly was to let him know that even if the Police don't act, someone was watching, and not afraid to tackle him. I felt like climbing through the window and punching him, but luckily I have control of my temper. Hopefully it rattled him, and the other guy will phone it in too. I called the Police, and gave them all my details, and now I'm on the train, dealing with the adrenaline.

rumrunn6

thanks for sharing!

emperorcezar

I think if I were to call something in, I would never mention it's a bicycle. They might react to the idea that some guy is trying to run another guy's car off the road.

Seattle Forrest

When the driver has dealt with his own adrenaline, and calms down a bit, I wouldn't be surprised at all if your message sinks in.

ghettocruiser

It's mildly surprising to me that someone so hell-bent on maiming one cyclist was semi-cordial with another cyclist at the same time.

Sometimes I think motorists here see us all as members of some evil club who plan and scheme ways to make them late for work.

exile

I think you did the right thing by calling it in. Also giving the registration number to the other cyclist and making sure they were okay. Sometimes when stuff like that happens to you, you forget to write down the registration number. Good to know other people are looking out to.

coldfeet

Please let us know if there is any follow up from the police.

electrik

Well done, i don't think there is much else you could have done!

dwr1961

You've got class - and balls - Sammyboy. You did the right thing.

Sammyboy

Yeah, I could see that there was no way they would have got his number. I have to say that in the shoes of the first cyclist, I would simply have thought "Hmm, should try to avoid being on the inside of a car on a tight corner", and got on with my life, rather than reacting, but trying to kill someone is not really the done thing

old's'cool

Hopefully the train had a bar, to help with that, if you were so inclined.
Thanks for watching out for your fellows!

Malhavoc

+1. The world needs more Sammyboys.