Require cyclists in Arlington to have and use video cameras?

[5555624]

In case anyone missed it, on Friday, there was a NY Times article on cyclists using cameras to capture accidents, Cameras Are Cyclists’ ‘Black Boxes’ in Accidents. It was mentioned over on The WashCycle, too. Friday night, someone posted the question to ARLnow.com’s forums.

While I can see benefits, I’m not sure about making it a requirement or even a recommendation. I have to admit, though, I have thought a rear-facing camera could come in handy.

I did get a camera a while back, with the intent of mounting it on my bike — just to record segments of rides — not my helmet. I’m not sure how well it would go over riding next to the Pentagon, either. One of these days, I’ll get it mounted and use it.

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[ShawnoftheDread]

Sure, and Arlington can adopt its new motto: ideas so good they have to be mandatory.

You know you live in a bubble when you can seriously suggest that people who can’t afford cars should be required to carry $200 cameras.

[baiskeli]

@ShawnoftheDread 26018 wrote:

Sure, and Arlington can adopt its new motto: ideas so good they have to be mandatory.

You know you live in a bubble when you can seriously suggest that people who can’t afford cars should be required to carry $200 cameras.

You didn’t hear? Cyclists are all wealthy elites on $2,000 bikes, wearing snobby Lycra. Don’t you read the Washington Times?

[PotomacCyclist]

That forum post is nonsensical.

But on more practical matters, I hope more cyclists use those cameras voluntarily. It can help to provide a deterrence against aggressive, reckless and violent actions by car drivers if they know that they could be filmed while undertaking those actions. It might actually help for some cyclists to use an inexpensive fake camera (similar to fake red-light and security cameras) to increase the deterrent effect.

While all groups tend to break the laws on the roads, the illegal acts by cyclists and pedestrians don’t cause nearly the amount of damage and threatened injury to others that the illegal and reckless acts of car drivers do. If the widespread presence of bike cameras helps to convince more of those drivers to slow down, respect pedestrians who are legally in crosswalks, respect the safety of cyclists who are riding responsibly, stop turning through right turns on red light at high speed and so on, then life will be a little better for all road users.

[MCL1981]

I have one. It’s great. But the mere thought of making it a “requirement” is completely absurd. We’re not even required to have adequate safety equipment. Requiring everyone on a bicycle to have $400 worth of HD video equipment attached to your head is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard suggested.

[rcannon100]

Not gonna happen. Not even worth responding to.

But to say this. I have a contour roam on my handlebar at all time. It some ways its just psychological. No more he-said-she-said arguments. If someone does something that boneheaded, something is likely to get captured. The confidence that I am going to win the argument, means in some way I can relax a bit more.

We have had a few accidents over the years. Back before digital cameras, we ALWAYS had a disposable camera in the glove box. Whip it out; take some pictures. Over years and years, I cant tell you how fast insurance companies settle when they hear you have pictures. It almost always seems to kill any dickering.

I got hit by a car about 2 years ago. Took pictures of everything. Damage to the bike. Damage to the car. The car’s insurance agent was *very* easy to work with.

Even if you dont mount a camera, always carry one. And if something happens to you or to someone else, take lots of pictures. It ends arguments fast.

[dasgeh]

Wouldn’t it be better to start with getting the police to enforce the laws when they see violations happen with their own eyes?

[pfunkallstar]

@dasgeh 26066 wrote:

Wouldn’t it be better to start with getting the police to enforce the laws when they see violations happen with their own eyes?

+1 for having some sort of camera on you at all times – cellphone, polaroid, Leica, what have you. If not for the accidents then for the AMAZING sunrises, random geese, and tourists wearing “Female Body Inspector” t-shirts.

[Mark Blacknell]

A successful troll from the ARLnow forum, all the way over here? Oy.

[5555624]

@Mark Blacknell 26085 wrote:

A successful troll from the ARLnow forum, all the way over here? Oy.

I just thought I’d point it out. Oh, well, I guess I need to dig out my rec.bikes.racing jersey, since it mentions both trolls and Spam….

[DaveK]

@5555624 26089 wrote:

I just thought I’d point it out. Oh, well, I guess I need to dig out my rec.bikes.racing jersey, since it mentions both trolls and Spam….

People are still on Usenet? Hang on, let me dial into my friendly local BBS and ask around…

[rcannon100]

There’s a troll that lives under the MVT boardwalk under the Roosevelt bridge…

[Brendan von Buckingham]

Requirement? Ridiculous. How about we require them in cars first, umkay? God knows there’s enough bells, whistles, tvs, toasters and usb ports in cars nowadays. Even cameras on the rear to protect your bumper and first born. Why not put a forward facing camera on to to go with the rear camera.

[DaveK]

@Brendan von Buckingham 26140 wrote:

Requirement? Ridiculous. How about we require them in cars first, umkay? God knows there’s enough bells, whistles, tvs, toasters and usb ports in cars nowadays. Even cameras on the rear to protect your bumper and first born. Why not put a forward facing camera on to to go with the rear camera.

The commercial where the smiling dad backs his car with his whole happy family out in front of a speeding dump truck until the car senses the truck and stops itself just cracks me up. Seriously? Is this what we’re reduced to? The other one I love is the Mercedes that keeps you in your lane when you’re too stupid or asleep to realize you’re driving on a sidewalk or something.

If you can’t drive, you can’t drive.

[Tim Kelley]

Spotted in my twitter feed this morning:

I repeat: “I didn’t see him” should be equal to “I admit I wasn’t paying attention, and should never be allowed to drive again.”

[mstone]

@DaveK 26186 wrote:

If you can’t drive, you can’t drive.

You must be new ’round here…in my experience it’s not only “you can”, but “you will”…

[Author]

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