Cyclist posts video of van clipping his bike mirror

An Ottawa cyclist posted a video to YouTube on Friday, in which a minivan appears to narrowly hit the bike’s handlebar mirror after an altercation on Cyrville Rd.

[rachelheftlemire]

Bikes are not required to be on the shared path, they are 100% allowed on the road at all times.  Paths, especially shared paths, have speed limits (often 20km/h - which is not very fast) that sometimes make them inappropriate for cyclists.  If the motorist was not able to pass safely, his obligation is to slow down (behind the cyclist) until it is safe to do so.  That's the law.

[Teamshmo]

I blame the city for this. They have a bike lane that just randomly ends and suddenly there is a bike path with no way to easily enter it from the road. This happenes all the time and it drives me insane. It's like idiots are designing all bike routes.

[NeillHolloman]

1. One Bike are allowed on the road way. 2. Minivan is in the wrong, He passed on solid yellow line (0:10). 3. Bikes are to be treated like any vehicle on the road and bicyclist are required to follow rules of the road (ie, turn signals required)

[TB-kdny]

I don't understand why you DID NOT REPORT HIM you HAVE HIS LICENSES PLATE !!!!....IT WAS HIT & RUN !!!!....

[allanmcelroy]

Bicycles are allowed on the road legally. The motorist claiming he should have used the sidewalk...he is allowed on the road. I've done so myself many times. Never had an issue. The one small difference is I'm in a different town. The 2nd black car was fine. Although his gopro did not caught the actual mirror bump, it was obvious the 2nd time at the intersection.

[reggg]

Bicycle vs Car = car wins. I will never ride my bike where I have to complete for space with a car.

[PrincessUnicornSprinkles]

This is pretty normal.... If I had a little mirror that sticks out 2" like that, mine would be gone too. Welcome to Ottawa. May I suggest a nail pressed into the left grip...

[InvisiMan]

Why don't we give jail time for people using their vehicles as weapons against cyclists? After jail, a permanent loss of your driver's license is in order. We can't fight the stupidity of dangerous drivers, but we can keep them off the roads.

[sigurjonor]

"I bike too" continues to opress cyclists. Yeah right buddy

[jcjuxojn]

All I see here is another self-righteous cyclist trying to instigate a motorist. First and foremost: there is a shared sidewalk (as mentioned by the motorist) that the cyclist chose not to use. Second, after the choice was made, he made no effort to stay as far tot he right as possible. YOU HAVE NO SAFETY MARGIN ON A BIKE - DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE BECAUSE YOU ARE "ENTITLED TO SHARE THE ROAD".


When the cyclist blocked the car at the intersection he lost all credibility. Probably seen too many Russian road rage videos and wanted in on the action.


As for clipping the mirror, if the cyclist made an actual effort to keep to the right instead of leisurely going where he pleased this would never have happened. Ego has no place on the road people. It's annoying crap like this that ruins everyone's experience on the road.

[slowdownmoveoversharethero]

You can try pressing charges towards the driver but the one thing that you need to realize that your kinda at fault because you failed to maintain your lane

[silverfox]

I love how cyclist love to quote laws. Here is the law of physics, a 5000 lb van vs 150lb man on bike, man on bike loses. When you are dead, it won't matter if you were right. So, I'm not saying you weren't right, but staying on the road was not the safe option. I'll start supporting more laws to protect cyclists when I see more cyclists respect the traffic laws. Stop at stop signs and ride single file when vehicles are present.

[blackpanthers]

What happens if a bicycle hit and damage a car? Do they have insurance?

[reg]

Van driver should hold down horn button so cyclist knows they are there.

[andrelapointe]

This cyclist is riding far from the curb as if he owns the road.
If cyclists want to used the roads, they should have to contribute to the high costs of the construction and maintenance as the automobile drivers bare.
Better yet, roads having reached saturation point, cyclists should pool their money and build their own roadways, bridges, traffic signals...Cyclists are freeloaders!

[Jaymichel]

Can’t give you any more space when there is oncoming traffic. I’m not going to risk a head on with my kids in the car for your bike. Get over yourself.
Come to Nee York and try those rules of space with your bike. It’s called a bike lane. Use them.

[autumnanne]

I don’t even see why the cyclist got so mad about the first pass by the van, he still had plenty of room.