Bike Cam Prosecutions

• Published date: 21 March 2022
• Subject Matter: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration, Transport, Rail, Road & Cycling, Personal Injury
• Law Firm: Osbornes Law
• Author: Mr Stuart Kightley

Have you ever been cut up by a van turning left? Or been riding along only to find the tarmac narrowing in front of you as a bus pulls in? Or you may have even been subject to the velo-hating red mist that seems to descend upon some of our fellow road-users?

For an increasing number of cyclists, the solution to these problems is in part to be found in a simple bike cam, mounted on the helmet or handlebars. It may not prevent such incidents occurring but - at least, the hope is that - the prevalence of bike cams might encourage drivers to be more vigilant, improve rider safety and prevent cycling accidents.

The one that started it all...

The first widely-publicised prosecution resulting from footage recorded on a cycle cam was in 2010. Eventually, Scott Lomas pleaded guilty to a public order offence having been shown evidence from a bike-mounted video, but that was not before barrister and bike-enthusiast, Martin Porter, had fought tooth and nail to have charges brought against him.

Mr Porter's footage was initially not accepted at the police station and, when he emailed it to an officer, it was dismissed and Mr Lomas informed that no further action would be taken against him. Only after a letter to the local Crown Prosecutor, followed by one to the Director for Public Prosecutions, did the investigation even progress as far as an interview.

Recent developments

The attitude of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service has changed markedly since then, with a number prosecutions being brought for driving and public order offences on the strength of bike cam evidence. Mr Porter's namesake, Ben, videoed a van driver who not only drove into him but proceeded to...