Anyone had money thrown at them?

pdwhelan

Hi all, don't really post on here much but thought I would make a start after what happened to me today..


So there I was with my brother and his friend, casually riding at 20mph when some stupid funt thought it would be funny to throw a hand full of change at us from his car window, he was going past us on the opposite side of the road at roughly 40mph. One of the coins hit me at the top of my shin causing a cut and a little amount of blood.. oh and a lump on the bone. It all happened so fast that none of us could get his number plate.

I just don't understand what it is with these idiots thinking they can abuse cyclists the way they do and get away with it. I get abuse all the time from passing motorists but they won't stop when I offer for them to abuse me to my face, they're so tough when they are sat in a 2 tonne car.

It's been getting to me all day, I have so much built up anger. I'm just trying to do something that I enjoy but you get these pricks spoiling it for everyone. I have told my brother that the next time we get any abuse we both remember a half of the number plate and report it, I’m not sure if the police can actually do anything about it but it would be nice if they did, maybe they would think twice about abusing someone.

Anyways... just wanted to share my experience with everyone on here.

sungod

report it

take a deep breath

remember that most people are decent, you can encounter idiots, bullies and general scum any time, it's not about the bike, but the fact is that they're worthless and you are better then them

then put it behind you and have a lovely ride

ilm_zero7

its why I ride with a helmet cam when in the UK - lots of chavs and pillocks about

houndlegs

ILM Zero7 wrote:

its why I ride with a helmet cam when in the UK - lots of chavs and pillocks about

How heavy are these things? Do you notice you're wearing it?

StillGoing

sungod wrote:

report it

take a deep breath

remember that most people are decent, you can encounter idiots, bullies and general scum any time, it's not about the bike, but the fact is that they're worthless and you are better then them

then put it behind you and have a lovely ride

In this incident that would be a complete waste of time. With no vehicle registration to go on the only means of tracking the vehicle would be if it were an urban road with a street camera nearby that the vehicle couldn't avoid. You'll get the satisfaction of having a crime reference for the assault but it will be filed immediately awaiting further lines of enquiry.

Sadly there are dickheads in all manner of vehicles who never seem to read the headlines when someone is killed in similar circumstances or seem bothered if they have. Yesterday I had a pick-up come from behind at speed that the wing mirror of narrowly missed me. He was going too quick for me to get any registration details and try as I might to sprint up the hill I couldn't gain enough ground on him at the junction to read his rear plate. I know there are no cameras around in the area so it would be a waste of police and my time reporting it. A head camera does seem a wise option if you regularly encounter these buffoons and their ilk on your rides.

chris_bass

thats terrible, i used to have to commute through some of the worse areas of Birmingham and had a plank of wood thrown at my, got spat at (a lot!), someone even tried to kick my as I went past once but luckily missed or could have been nasty!

it is really frustrating but they just want a reaction so as the previous poster has said, deep breathe and try and put it behind you is good advice.

PeakRider91

Go back to the spot exactly a week after it happened unless it was a weekend chances they were on a joy drive. Scope out for the car and driver profile.

Tail them in your car, stalk until they park, wait until 3:40am, smash all the car windows, slash all 4 tyres, deep scratch all bodywork panels, mini drill through fuel tank and engine block.

Finally place some coins on the bonnet and scratch in "keep the change ya filthy animal. - the cyclists"

Swos

I was out cycling the other Sunday and a white van came past with the people in the van jeering at me. The woman in the passenger seat then decided to squirt some Fanta (or similar) over me as they drove past I got soaked and was covered in fizzy orange I wasn't happy but didn't get a chance to get the number plate.

simona75

I would definitely report this. Reading your account it looks like a very serious offence (at least common assault if not ABH if a wound was inflicted) and not something that should be written off as its the type of thing that could do more harm to someone else if tried again. If you have the make and model then there are things that can be done to follow it up.

StillGoing

simona75 wrote:

I would definitely report this. Reading your account it looks like a very serious offence (at least common assault if not ABH if a wound was inflicted) and not something that should be written off as its the type of thing that could do more harm to someone else if tried again. If you have the make and model then there are things that can be done to follow it up.

Like what? Do you really think the police have the time, resources and funds to trawl through PNC and DVLA records for the owner details of every vehicle of that make, model and colour? What about ones not registered to the current keeper to avoid speed camera fines? What about pool cars used by every scrote on the local estate? What about cars not local to the area that may have been passing through? They don't have time to sit up on the road just in case it comes by again and even then how are you going to prove it's the same vehicle? Yes it is an offence, but it is never going to be detected without a registration number. You then need a witness to say who actually threw the object as the driver if you can identify them will say it wasn't them and it was so long ago they can't remember who's been in the car with them and weren't aware of anyone throwing anything. All that will happen is a crime number being given, an appeal (maybe) in the local rag and filed due to no evidence. Spend your valuable time doing something more worthwhile.

wheeledwidewebb

PeakRider91 wrote:

Go back to the spot exactly a week after it happened unless it was a weekend chances they were on a joy drive. Scope out for the car and driver profile.

Tail them in your car, stalk until they park, wait until 3:40am, smash all the car windows, slash all 4 tyres, deep scratch all bodywork panels, mini drill through fuel tank and engine block.

Finally place some coins on the bonnet and scratch in "keep the change ya filthy animal. - the cyclists"

Spot on.

That's why you should never report anything to the police, it just makes your life more difficult when exacting revenge.

TheEnglishman

It's usually knickers and thongs here. It's terrible being me.

I hope the cuts heal soon.

simona75

philthy3 wrote:

simona75 wrote:

I would definitely report this. Reading your account it looks like a very serious offence (at least common assault if not ABH if a wound was inflicted) and not something that should be written off as its the type of thing that could do more harm to someone else if tried again. If you have the make and model then there are things that can be done to follow it up.

Like what? Do you really think the police have the time, resources and funds to trawl through PNC and DVLA records for the owner details of every vehicle of that make, model and colour? What about ones not registered to the current keeper to avoid speed camera fines? What about pool cars used by every scrote on the local estate? What about cars not local to the area that may have been passing through? They don't have time to sit up on the road just in case it comes by again and even then how are you going to prove it's the same vehicle? Yes it is an offence, but it is never going to be detected without a registration number. You then need a witness to say who actually threw the object as the driver if you can identify them will say it wasn't them and it was so long ago they can't remember who's been in the car with them and weren't aware of anyone throwing anything. All that will happen is a crime number being given, an appeal (maybe) in the local rag and filed due to no evidence. Spend your valuable time doing something more worthwhile.

It is a long shot but what about ANPR, CCTV, comparative cases nearby. The amount of vehicle related crimes detected without VRNs nowadays is significant. Unreported crimes never get detected.It takes 5 minutes to report an offence like this and possibly another 30 to deliver a statement (over the phone). I would report it just to know that I've done everything I could to perhaps stopping someone else suffering something similar.

Davy-dee

Police, wast of time. I got hit on the back with a half full coke can from a passing car, took the registration and went to the station.

After about an hour of questions, I began to think it was all my fault. Complete wast of time, never heard about it again.

ben@31

The helmet-cam seems the best idea. You then have some bomb proof visual evidence the accused can't deny.

Can I ask where you come from? The thing I remember the most in my last year of school, was the physics teacher saying the best advice he can give us, is to live somewhere else. There's so many better places in the world, with such better opportunities than the ****hole where I grew up.

pdwhelan

Thanks for the replies, some good advice but reporting it without any details would be a waste of time. I was in Kirkby (Tower Hill) at the time, we always get some form of abuse in that area so its hard to avoid, once we cycle towards Southport, Formby and where ever it is we go then everything is usualy fine. I'm from Wigan - Ashton in Makerfield and drive to my brothers in Kirkby to cycle from there.

I'm considering the camera option so I will look into it further, does anyone have any recommendations on which one I should buy? I don't want anything too hefty sitting on my helmet. Is there something with maybe just a little camera on the helmet but with a wire leading to the main storage unit to go in a jersey pocket?

mouth

philthy3 wrote:

simona75 wrote:

I would definitely report this. Reading your account it looks like a very serious offence (at least common assault if not ABH if a wound was inflicted) and not something that should be written off as its the type of thing that could do more harm to someone else if tried again. If you have the make and model then there are things that can be done to follow it up.

Like what? Do you really think the police have the time, resources and funds

Worth a shot. Maybe not the first time the car has been involved in such an incident etc.

Also (and perhaps more unlikely) the officer you report it to will be a cyclist themselves and have a great degree of sympathy. It's amazing how much effort they can put in if they take it personally enough.

Bottom line is that the more stuff like this happens and the 'bankers' keep getting away with it the more it will happen again.

wheeledwidewebb

Have a look at dogcamsport.co.uk, they have some options and are a decent lot.

You will really need an HD setup if you want to maximise your chances of catching a number plate with any clarity or you might want to consider one that can take a still image every second or so. Still images are often better quality and the battery will last longer.

I doubt the footage will actually record the crime so the police will still have trouble assisting you but it might allow you to then work out who it was.

But remember, revenge is a dish best served cold and never mention anything that happens to you on your bike to anyone, not anyone.

StillGoing

simona75 wrote:

philthy3 wrote:

simona75 wrote:

I would definitely report this. Reading your account it looks like a very serious offence (at least common assault if not ABH if a wound was inflicted) and not something that should be written off as its the type of thing that could do more harm to someone else if tried again. If you have the make and model then there are things that can be done to follow it up.

Like what? Do you really think the police have the time, resources and funds to trawl through PNC and DVLA records for the owner details of every vehicle of that make, model and colour? What about ones not registered to the current keeper to avoid speed camera fines? What about pool cars used by every scrote on the local estate? What about cars not local to the area that may have been passing through? They don't have time to sit up on the road just in case it comes by again and even then how are you going to prove it's the same vehicle? Yes it is an offence, but it is never going to be detected without a registration number. You then need a witness to say who actually threw the object as the driver if you can identify them will say it wasn't them and it was so long ago they can't remember who's been in the car with them and weren't aware of anyone throwing anything. All that will happen is a crime number being given, an appeal (maybe) in the local rag and filed due to no evidence. Spend your valuable time doing something more worthwhile.

It is a long shot but what about ANPR, CCTV, comparative cases nearby. The amount of vehicle related crimes detected without VRNs nowadays is significant. Unreported crimes never get detected.It takes 5 minutes to report an offence like this and possibly another 30 to deliver a statement (over the phone). I would report it just to know that I've done everything I could to perhaps stopping someone else suffering something similar.

You still wouldn't be able to prove that vehicle was involved or who threw the object. The CPS would never authorise charge let alone run with it. You can't have joint enterprise without proof so only the thrower would be prosecutable if you could identify them. However, now the OP has revealed it was in Kirby and knowing what Kirby is like, local CCTV might have the vehicle and occupants getting up to other antics and possibly within the area of the throwing within the same time frame.

rob13

I got pelted with eggs once at a Junction. Chavs in cars thinking it was funny. Some total wankers out there

ben@31

philthy3 wrote:

You still wouldn't be able to prove that vehicle was involved or who threw the object. The CPS would never authorise charge let alone run with it. You can't have joint enterprise without proof so only the thrower would be prosecutable if you could identify them. However, now the OP has revealed it was in Kirby and knowing what Kirby is like, local CCTV might have the vehicle and occupants getting up to other antics and possibly within the area of the throwing within the same time frame.

Surely if the op had a helmet cam. He could film them in the act. What other proof do you need? I'm sure the police would be very quick to contact the owner of the car if he went past a camera van at 77mph.

StillGoing

He hasn't got a helmet cam otherwise yes.

Secteur

I was in a cycle lane today, on a long straight stretch of road.

A car came past me (speed limit 40mph) and as he passed (without slowing) he swerved into the cycle lane in front of me almost to the curb, before then pulling back into the normal road lane and carrying on.

Completely pointless, and at 40mph+ potentially fatal.

It actually didnt cause me to swerve or anything, but the thought of what someone had just consciously done really shocked me.

The world is full of hateful, presumably frustrated & unhappy small minded people.

Cannock Chase

I've had the customary lighted cigarettes thrown at me plus an uneaten beef burger.

MICHAELCYCLES

Apart from having verbals thrown at me I think the only time was a coupe of years ago I was out for a spin on a flat-bar hybrid bike.

I had stopped in a local town centre for a breather, got on the path and just sat there having a swig of juice. Next thing an almost full can of lager comes flying out of a chav-mobile at 30mph, misses me and nearly wipes out an old couple just stepping off a bus.

As luck would have it when I got home there were 2 coppers walking past my house. I mentioned what had happened and they told me 'no point in reporting it as the CCTV there is terrible so there will be no chance of doing anything about it'.

Typical!

neeb

OP, this was a pretty serious assault and should be reported. Coins travelling at that speed could have been deadly, you could have been blinded or suffered serious facial injuries. Whether or not the police have the time and inclination to follow it up is only half of the issue, if you report it it will end up in the crime statistics and that's important. Cyclists need to be stubborn and consistent in reporting incidents such as this, if we don't take it seriously ourselves we can hardly expect anyone else to either.

redvee

Not had money thrown at me but I've thrown plenty at my bikes over the years.

houndlegs wrote:

ILM Zero7 wrote:

its why I ride with a helmet cam when in the UK - lots of chavs and pillocks about

How heavy are these things? Do you notice you're wearing it?

I ride with a Contour camera on my helmet and although it only weighs 125g I did initially notice the additional weight on my helmet, I suppose it took about 2 weeks of riding before I stopped noticing the extra weight on my helmet.