I bought one a few years back for use on my Boardman pedal bike. I had it clipped to the handlebars so most drivers didn't notice it.
I have since attached it to the side of my bicycle helmet with a couple of heavy duty cable ties. Since then, i've not really worked out whether it's a bonus having it on or a hinderance.
As it sticks out from the side of the helmet, I am aware that most drivers that bother to look work out that i'm wearing a camera and behave themselves around me. That's a bonus and I do notice this a lot. Especially with bus drivers.
A few weeks ago however I was nearly crushed (sandwiched) between a white van and a parked car. I banged on the side of the van as he passed as he clearly wasn't paying attention so it was purely to let him know I was there. He stopped, got out (big scaffolder chap) and came right up to me having a go. I was waiting for a punch so I had my hands up to protect myself (a woman across the road was shouting for him to leave me alone). He then noticed the camera and proceeded to try and rip it off my helmet. Luckily i'm stronger than he thought and managed to defend myself by throwing him back. Once he realised he couldn't get the camera and was being filmed, he backed off and left. I took the footage to the police station and they claim the video proves "driving without due care and attention" and "common assault", for which I am prosecuting him for at the moment.
I just wonder what would have happened if I didn't have a camera. Maybe a full fight would have ensued (self defence in my case). Maybe he would have had a shouting match with me and then left. I don't know. Although the fact that this is now a police matter which is a positive, i'm not sure if the whole thing is worth it. Why? If someone does something naughty and knows you have filmed it, the temptation for them to destroy the camera becomes a good reason for them to assault you. An assault that may not happen if you didn't have one. I'm not a fighter but i'm strong and most people don't try and mess with me if i've get harassed so I think i'll stick with it for now as I don't scare easily. I just wondered what other people's feelings on them as cyclists.
I have since attached it to the side of my bicycle helmet with a couple of heavy duty cable ties. Since then, i've not really worked out whether it's a bonus having it on or a hinderance.
As it sticks out from the side of the helmet, I am aware that most drivers that bother to look work out that i'm wearing a camera and behave themselves around me. That's a bonus and I do notice this a lot. Especially with bus drivers.
A few weeks ago however I was nearly crushed (sandwiched) between a white van and a parked car. I banged on the side of the van as he passed as he clearly wasn't paying attention so it was purely to let him know I was there. He stopped, got out (big scaffolder chap) and came right up to me having a go. I was waiting for a punch so I had my hands up to protect myself (a woman across the road was shouting for him to leave me alone). He then noticed the camera and proceeded to try and rip it off my helmet. Luckily i'm stronger than he thought and managed to defend myself by throwing him back. Once he realised he couldn't get the camera and was being filmed, he backed off and left. I took the footage to the police station and they claim the video proves "driving without due care and attention" and "common assault", for which I am prosecuting him for at the moment.
I just wonder what would have happened if I didn't have a camera. Maybe a full fight would have ensued (self defence in my case). Maybe he would have had a shouting match with me and then left. I don't know. Although the fact that this is now a police matter which is a positive, i'm not sure if the whole thing is worth it. Why? If someone does something naughty and knows you have filmed it, the temptation for them to destroy the camera becomes a good reason for them to assault you. An assault that may not happen if you didn't have one. I'm not a fighter but i'm strong and most people don't try and mess with me if i've get harassed so I think i'll stick with it for now as I don't scare easily. I just wondered what other people's feelings on them as cyclists.