Helmet/Bicycle Cameras?

nsimon24

Yesterday I was reminded that many people consider brains and compassion as optional equipment, and also why I stopped cycling around the area. Two different cars swerved onto the shoulder and opposite lane - the first to hit a Canadian goose and goslings, and the second to hit a turtle. I stopped riding in the area when I had a car swerve and cut close enough to me I ended up in the drainage ditch when he clipped my pedals - I got the guys plate since he had been a general A-hole a little bit further back on the road (He was driving behind me honking his horn - and yes,he had lots of room to pass and I moved over as far as I could) but the cops didn't do much since he denied doing anything wrong. Apparently trying to kill things with your car is a favorite pastime for some people (Chicago also just had a driver go onto the sidewalk to kill a cyclist yesterday the take off).

Problem is, I REALLY miss riding. We have a few trails around, but most are reserved for walking or running, or are fairly loose stone and not readily accessible. I live in a suburb of Chicago that still has a lot of farmland and farm roads that you would think would be ideal, but that is apparently where these idiots seek out targets. The other options are major county roads with little shoulder space.

I am thinking about getting a camera that will mount either on my bike or on my helmet - possibly two (one forward, one back) as some insurance against other "incidents". I know it will not stop me from getting run off the road again, but it at least means the idiot who does it will get a ticket if I have him recorded and not go after someone else. Does anyone have any experience with these - brands, mounting ideas, where to purchase, etc? Also, any ideas to handle these idiots that will not set off their apparent road-rage or urge to kill people on bikes would be helpful.

WillLift4Tats

Oh geez, seriously?? There's morons and a-holes everywhere, but I can't imagine someone going out of their way to hit an animal, let alone a PERSON!!

Sorry, I have no advice on cameras, although that sounds like a good idea.

Amalthea8284

Go Pro

BrianSharpe

I don't have one myself by the general consensus amongst my camera toting cyclist friends is Go Pro - you can get a handlebar or helmet mount. (the thought has crossed my mind too, the drivers here tend to be pretty civil but you get the occasional oblivious bonehead......)

JoRocka

GoPro- they are designed for bikers- pedal and motor- and almost any highly mobile activity- they are great.

hilts1969

There should be a law where bike riders need number plates so car drivers can also report idiot bike riders, all road users have moron's among them, in my experience a lot of cyclists seem unaware that getting hit by a car/bus/lorry will be a lot worse for them than the guy safely surrounded by metal

nsimon24

Thanks! I've looked at the GoPro online and they seem to be the best rated, but I did not know anyone who had experience with them.

It does suck that this kind of thing is necessary. I have a friend who rides a lot in the area who refuses to ride solo anymore since he was driven off the road so often by cars. I looked into joining a club by me, but there is no way I could match their pace right now - it would be like joining a group training for a marathon while I am still working on the 5k. Maybe after I get into better shape, but in the meantime I just have to be careful on the roads and have a camera when I cannot make it to the bike trails.

nsimon24

There should be a law where bike riders need number plates so car drivers can also report idiot bike riders, all road users have moron's among them, in my experience a lot of cyclists seem unaware that getting hit by a car/bus/lorry will be a lot worse for them than the guy safely surrounded by metal

Yup, there are always idiots on both sides, I've grumbled at my share of cyclists who have failed to use signals or have taken up half the road on a single-lane street with no passing - not horrible when the speed limit is 30, but it causes a problem when it is 45 and I have to deal with the tailgaters behind me. Not to mention the ones who feel that stop-signs and signals do not apply to them!

I am not particularly fond of the idea of having to remove bike-sized dents from my car however, or having to wash blood off my front fender, so even though they are idiots I try to protect them from themselves with the selfish motive that I do not want to clean up their mess. Saves me the time of arguing my case in court and having to face their family after, too. One of the hazards of driving a 2000 pound vehicle down the road and sharing it with 30 pounds of metal. The bigger guy has to be the better person and resist temptation.

The idiots I am worried about are the ones who think it is hysterical to see a cyclist fall off their bike and wipe-out - they approach as close as they can to clip pedals, handlebars or even rear tires, or they just blatantly swerve in front of the rider to run them off the road. My ex used to ride his bike to work daily about 15 years ago and it was happening then, from what I have heard from others it is getting worse, not better - the state even started a campaign to try and stop it and create awareness.

tycho_mx

Fly 6, combination rear camera and tail light specifically designed to capture traffic incidents. Just note that the camera merely captures the incident, doesn't make your bones less brittle.

That said, living in fear is unpleasant. I ride every day in an urban area. I have had my share of car incidents, including three crashes. I've also had car crashes, and had to jump out of the way on foot when a car came out of a parking lot without paying attention.

Good sized clubs have all levels of ability. Here (Ottawa) we have a "race simulation" ride with some elite and semi pro/National team riders, and also rides where 12 year olds dictate the pace.

hilts1969

There should be a law where bike riders need number plates so car drivers can also report idiot bike riders, all road users have moron's among them, in my experience a lot of cyclists seem unaware that getting hit by a car/bus/lorry will be a lot worse for them than the guy safely surrounded by metal

Yup, there are always idiots on both sides, I've grumbled at my share of cyclists who have failed to use signals or have taken up half the road on a single-lane street with no passing - not horrible when the speed limit is 30, but it causes a problem when it is 45 and I have to deal with the tailgaters behind me. Not to mention the ones who feel that stop-signs and signals do not apply to them!

I am not particularly fond of the idea of having to remove bike-sized dents from my car however, or having to wash blood off my front fender, so even though they are idiots I try to protect them from themselves with the selfish motive that I do not want to clean up their mess. Saves me the time of arguing my case in court and having to face their family after, too. One of the hazards of driving a 2000 pound vehicle down the road and sharing it with 30 pounds of metal. The bigger guy has to be the better person and resist temptation.

The idiots I am worried about are the ones who think it is hysterical to see a cyclist fall off their bike and wipe-out - they approach as close as they can to clip pedals, handlebars or even rear tires, or they just blatantly swerve in front of the rider to run them off the road. My ex used to ride his bike to work daily about 15 years ago and it was happening then, from what I have heard from others it is getting worse, not better - the state even started a campaign to try and stop it and create awareness.

In england cycling is becoming more popular and the problem is lack of space and bad manners on both sides, i use a car,drive a bus, have ridden a motorbike and a cycle, the problem is a lot of cyclists don't follow the rules of the road and as they are the most vulnerable they need to understand that in any accident they will come of worst, i always presumed the worst when on a bike, to stay safe you have to presume everyone else on the road is incompetent

conniedj

I only ride in enclosed parks because I just don't like the danger of drivers. I know too many people who have been injured....

I was just talking about this with a friend of mine this weekend....which lead us to this handy camera:
http://www.bicycles.net.au/2014/02/fly6-not-an-action-camera-a-safety-camera/

They have the funding to kick off production....curious to find out if the USA will launch a compete product that is made for a front mount. In my state--there is NO front license plate....

JG762

Go Pro

An armed society is a polite society, just saying. LoL

allaboutthecake

Not saying the idiot drivers can't see you, but do you wear high-visibility clothing & a high-vis helmet? Also highly recommend Dinottee lights for your bike, front & rear. GoPro works AWESOME but you need to make sure you get the kind that has instant playback and also instant upload. Cops will use the playback and want the instant upload. However, check their first before making your purchase.

And thanks for the note on the Windy City. Personally would probably be more inclined to move to a more bike-friendly community than be around a bunch of morons with driver's license.

grayo15

Replay xd mini, its a lot smaller than go pro and top quality

nsimon24

Not saying the idiot drivers can't see you, but do you wear high-visibility clothing & a high-vis helmet? Also highly recommend Dinottee lights for your bike, front & rear. GoPro works AWESOME but you need to make sure you get the kind that has instant playback and also instant upload. Cops will use the playback and want the instant upload. However, check their first before making your purchase.

And thanks for the note on the Windy City. Personally would probably be more inclined to move to a more bike-friendly community than be around a bunch of morons with driver's license.

Yup, the day I was driven in the ditch I had on a bright screaming neon green t-shirt that was used for my daughters trip to Great America (I chaperoned, and everyone got one). I also a have a road-cone orange shirt that I got from volunteering at a local brewfest one year. Their ugly color choices are my safety measures :laugh: My bike also has reflectors everywhere and is a light color, since it was designed as a hybrid for city/suburban riding.

Morons with licenses are everywhere there are people that drive cars. Chicago and this area of IL in general has some awesome bike paths and the Chicago Mayor is working towards making the city more bike friendly. I unfortunately live in an area where the trail-heads are not readily accessible for daily use for me, and about 40 miles from the city, so I am stuck sharing the road with the morons who think it is a game to try and kill/injure things with a car. :ohwell:

allaboutthecake

Am going to re-open(?) this post..... If not for the Poster, then to give the Bike community more chances to pipe in.

I ordered the Fly6 rear mount camera. When it comes in I plan to also try to fashion it on my helmet of sorts, or at least the front handlebars. It is def cheaper than GoPro and tho cost is always considered when buying, am more concerned about morons who suddenly behave like goodie-2-shoes when they know they're being recorded.

The GoPro sticks up like a sore thumb, plus ya gotta download it or somehow remove the footage. With a Fly6, it will loop around after 12 hrs. Also, it has a auto-save if the camera is tilted sideways for 45seconds or longer. (Think, laying down your bike after a moron T-bones you in the bike lane.) I like the auto-save feature myself.

I would like to know if there is anyone else with a front-mount camera and what brand they are using.