ABC7 story request

[Bilsko]

Hi Pamela,
Thanks for posting your info request here on the forums – I’ve been riding with a helmet cam for about 2 years now and can partially attribute my buying it in the first place to a CNN piece that aired a couple years back that showed some pretty dramatic footage of the cyclist having some close calls (this one, I believe). I also bought it after getting hit by a driver who, on seeing that I could get up and push my bike out of the way, drove off.

I’ve recorded a few instances over the past coulpe years of drivers doing stupid things, but I haven’t seen any reason to keep any of it. I have the camera recording in case something really bad happens and I need to submit it as evidence in legal proceedings or to insurance.

As to your report, I applaud the intention of educating the public about road safety, but I wonder if sensationalist footage of careless driving/close calls is the best way to do that. Could you elaborate a bit more on your thinking for the piece?

[JeffB]

If it bleeds it leads?

[Certifried]

@JeffB 32654 wrote:

If it bleeds it leads?

not very nice, hopefully you’re just being goofy

Welcome, Pamela. I hope you get the info/story you’re looking for. I haven’t bought a cam yet, but the main reason I want to is due to the incidents I see captured and played on the news. I think it’s a great service to the cycling community, actually. The more of these incidents that are shown on the news, and the reckless individuals (whether cyclist or driver) are prosecuted, the more aware everyone is of the necessity for everyone to share the road. I think it also gives drivers pause when they’re thinking about cutting a cyclist off or driving dangerously because they’re thinking, “does that cyclist have a camera?”. I think the spread of helmet cams is actually a great safety boost.

[Pbrown]

Thank you very much for your response! The main purpose of the story is to use the video to illustrate safety issues on the roads and how video captured on these helmet cams can sometimes lead to positive results and hold drivers AND cyclists accountable. For example, a local cyclist was hit and injured by a driver who sped off. By the time the cyclist looked up the driver was long gone; However, the video captured on his helmet cam showed the car’s license plate. As a result, that driver was charged with a hit and run. (his story also featured in this recent NYT article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/21/technology/bicyclists-using-cameras-to-capture-accidents.html) I’m actually going to be interviewing this particular cyclist, but would like to work with a couple other cyclists as well. If you’re interested in learning more and/or collaborating please email me at pbrown@wjla.com or give me a ring at 703-236-9426. It would be great to hear from you! Thanks again, Pamela

[Greenbelt]

Spooky sleety raining dogs and cats commute for the camera:
[video=vimeo;53474534]https://vimeo.com/53474534[/video]

[ShawnoftheDread]

So this guy just followed you around all morning with a camera? Was he waiting for you when you left the house?

[Greenbelt]

Yep, they asked if they could take video of a “typical” bike commute. The weather certainly cooperated!

[jopamora]

I expected a zombie or two to pop out at the end.

[Greenbelt]

Zombies are not a threat to cyclists. We evade. Others lose their brains.

[Certifried]

@Greenbelt 35993 wrote:

Zombies are not a threat to cyclists. We evade. Others lose their brains.

I was really expecting to be prepared well for the Zombie Apocalypse, but now that Hostess is out of business, I’m not sure I want to survive.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Author]

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