Running a cycle cam on your handlebars or helmet doesn’t make the roads feel any safer, but you do feel less helpless. In the event of a road traffic incident, video footage goes a long way towards guaranteeing legal redress – it’s a cycle insurance of sorts.
One of the great frustrations about cycling on British roads is the challenges caused by a lack of infrastructure are compounded by an absence of justice for vulnerable road users. We are one of the only countries in Europe to eschew something known as strict liability – a common sense law that makes motorists automatically liable for injuries caused to pedestrians and cyclists.
The result for us is that court cases rest on one person’s word against another – and given that pedestrians and cyclists are often injured in road traffic collisions, their recollection of events can be affected. And when you consider that legislators, the judiciary and jurors comprise almost exclusively drivers you begin to understand how the the cards are stacked against vulnerable road users.
When the criminal justice system is so shaky, it pays to have camera evidence
How does the law regard cycle cam evidence?
Aside from the police portals designed specifically for the purpose, there is no reason why footage cannot be admitted as evidence like CCTV is used. It is likely that a witness statement would have to accompany the cycle camera footage and it would have to be downloaded to a CD with a certificate (countersigned by a solicitor) stating that it had not been altered in any way from its original digital format.
The Metropolitan Police is one of a number of forces that allows road users to upload camera footage when reporting a road traffic incident. The Met has already received well over 20,000 submissions and around two thirds lead to action being taken. Such systems are a game changer for cyclists. Evidence of close passes, abusive drivers and collisions can all be passed to the police with the click of a mouse. One imagines the thousands of drivers who have already received penalty points following an online submission of camera footage will become more considerate and careful road users as a result.
Cheap cycle cameras
There are a thousand and one different types of action camera on the market, but don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to spend a lot of money. The domination of the market by GoPro has inspired a host of Chinese competitors to follow suit. For example, the Akaso EK7000 is a 4K ultra high-definition action camera that shares more than a passing resemblance to a GoPro – even its various mounts are compatible. And while is doesn’t have a touch screen, it’s more than up to the job of recording the daily commute. Most importantly, it’s great value at less than £50 – a price that includes a case that’s waterproof to 30m and a bewildering array of mounts. The Akaso does a remarkably good job of capturing steady handlebar footage without the digital stabilisation offered by so many of its more expensive rivals.
We’ve been testing an Akaso action cam in the office and in the weeks to come we plan to chronicle the process of submitting footage to the police…given our collective experience of the daily cycle commute, it won’t be long before we capture a dangerously close overtake. In the meantime, we’re offering you the chance to win an Akaso EK7000 cycle camera.
Win your own cycle cam
To be in with a chance of winning an Akaso EK7000 action camera and accessories, simply leave a comment at the bottom of this page and we’ll pick a winner next week.
Protection for you and your bike
A true test of a cycle insurance company is what happens when you make a claim – it’s why we don’t farm out the process to a third party like other providers. Your claim is dealt with by one of us here and you’re always welcome to call us directly. It’s also the reason we will never devalue your bicycle, no matter how old it is.
We don’t claim to be the cheapest cover on the market, but should you ever need to make a claim, you’ll understand why we consider ourselves to be the best. After all, we are judged by The Good Shopping Guide to be Britain’s most ethical provider.
JohnR
Cyclist? Yes.
Vulnerable? Yes.
Cycling camera? No.
Need for Cycling camera? Yes.
How to obtain one? From ETA, of course.
Get the point, ETA? 😉😀😁🙏🙏
Andy Brown
Heads up for a happy record (ing) ride
Darren C
Count me in!
This would give me and my loved ones some peace of mind, that should the worst or any near miss happen evidence would be available.
You never know it might start a whole new youtube channel of interesting rides too.
Thank you ETA once again.
Tommy Knowland
Regrettably increasingly necessarily.
robert p Griffiths-garrod
I need this. Too many punishment passes around here.
Lucy
Yes please! a sad must with the dangerous drivers on narrow roads around me. Will it change dangerous driving? probably not – particularly given the pressures on van delivery drivers trying to make a living on the algorithms of Amazon etc. I vote for separation – cycle lanes, road closures. That used to seem utopian, but the pandemic has made it a reality!
DerekM
Cycling over 6000 miles a year, I see some poor driving from car and truck drivers. I have often thought that being able to provide video evidence to appropriate authorities, or even just to post such evidence on social media, may increase the awareness of the scale of the problem. Apart from that, being able to record some of my more adventurous rides and being able to share them with my family would help them understand why they see so little of me!
Thanks ETA.
Jill
This would be so useful for when I’m leading (from the rear of the group) bike rides women for two reasons. One, to catch any vehicle near misses and two, to replay for training purposes and relive the rides.
Rory
Would love to win this.
Graham Corfield
As you say, these are a necessary evil these days, just like daytime running lights!! I have the lights but not the camera (yet!!). 🤞🤞🤞
John Thys
Yes please smile for the camera
Geoff Wiles
The more visible evidence we collect of dangerous actions on the roads the stronger our case will be to change attitudes and laws to protect vulnerable users.
Carol W
Seems like a great deal for the spec 🙂
Steve K
A cycle-cam would be a really useful accessory, and the Akaso EK7000 looks just the ticket
Paul D
Would love to try a camera like this, for h egg ok with just-in-case incidents but also for general recording of rides.
Philip Benson
Also great for recording the great countryside where I live.
Mike Croker
Would be very useful to document some of the kamikaze actions of the motoring brigade on my local roads.
Peter Clark
I lost one of best friends to a driver last year. The guy drove into him at speed from behind. So this would have not recorded the driver but would have recorded his correct road positioning and made the police’s job a lot easier. I’ll never get him back now but it did get me thinking about whether I should use one of these now (I’ve always resisted till now). For once I’m not trying to cram a pun in to my ‘pick me’ comment but this is serious stuff
Steve Green
Sad that these should be such a vital part of one’s kit these days.
Karl Wallendszus
Apart from its use in gathering evidence of dangerous driving and other bad behaviour, this could be a lot of fun when used to film more leasurely trips.
Keith G
Bikes! Camera! Action!
Edward Fleet
Apart from the obvious use should something untoward happen while out cycling, I can record the delights of Lincolnshire’s best kept secret- the Wolds. Though, I’d have to edit out my comments on inconsiderate motorists 🙂
Mark B
Mine has sadly stopped working so this would be invaluable. It’s surprising how much more defenceless you feel when you can’t get footage of all the times you get cut up or overtaken on blind bends!
Mark P
I haven’t got a cycle anymore but this camera will be great for my tai chi videos
Alastair Seagroatt
Have used one of these, sent evidence to the police and action was taken. Unfortunately the camera has stopped working properly, Ah well?
Gordon
Wow! What a great piece of kit, giving the cyclist the full weight of the law in a camera.
Alastair Seagroatt
I wish the process of submitting video evidence was more straightforward in Scotland.
Ewan Cushan
Great value cycle insurance. I’m a happy customer of many years standing.
David Webster
Always wanted to be a gadget man!
Jane Collier
Sad to think that we still don’t know how to share our roads safely with each other yet.
Hence the need for cycling cameras to act as an extra source of witness.
Wallace Gilbraith
It’s a shame it’s come to this, and I know ETA will keep lobbying for a change in the law, but for the time being, a camera like this would be right handy.
Andrew
Cycling is a fantastic activity, but the last thing we want is for it to be “them and us” vs motorists, not least because most cyclists also drive a car. Cameras help ensure that motorists are just a bit more thoughtful and considerate – and that’s got to be a good thing for everyone. I’d love one – every outing is just that tiny bit safer.
Johnny Faro
Yes please.
Paul Magnall
All you need to go with the camera is a pannier sticker saying “Smile, you are on camera!”
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones
At 86 after a stroke I’m not as good as I used to be, & this is just the job.
I have a decent bike & good brakes, but need this badly.
Su G
This is such a good idea – people often don’t remember what happened in an accident, so a camera would be invaluable.
Sarah j L
Cornish roads would seem less scary with one of these 🙂 Stay safe and sane all xx
Sarah
Love to win
Greg S
Yes please it will give me the confidence to return to the roads
Russ Taylor
I would love to have one of these to work along side our Bicycle Safety Check system (is your bike up to scratch mechanically before you ride?). It would be enormously useful to create video footage to support this campaign as well as teaching kids the do’s & don’ts of Bikeability and road sense.
Jonathan Hunt
Well everyone loves a freebie 🙂
Helen
Could have done with one of these to catch the hit and run driver who knocked me off my bike and left me for dead at the side of the road….
Anna Green
Concerned friends keep telling me that I should get a camera. One day …
Tom White
I’ve almost got hardened to the number of close passes I’ve experienced. Every now and then I get freaked out by one that’s just that bit more scary and wonder if I should get a camera. This might be just the thing to have on rides.
JH
Terrified of cycling on the roads these days – don’t use my bike as often as I should. Tend to stick to cycle paths, but few and far between.
Maybe a cam would give me the confidence to get back out there!
Paul Elmer
Great idea – a little extra peace of mind when on two wheels.
Pamela
What a great offer.
Extra insurance for my cycling.
What’s not to love
Meg Stark
The number of times I’d wished I’d had a cycle cam, done some research on the subject, then not quite got round to buying one…
Guy
Great idea and good to hear they’re getting cheaper
Roy
Would love one of these!
Richard
I’d put this on the everyday bike shared by partner and son.
James
Sounds a great addition to keep me safe, hope never needed!
Rob Harris
As you said cycle cams are perhaps a necessary evil on today’s roads and also cycle insurance if the worst should happen. I wonder if the effect of cycle cams could eventually make cycling safer as drivers become aware of bad their driving habits on film!?
Doug M
I would love one of these, but hope that I would never need to provide evidence using it!
Robert King
A really useful extra, especially in these times of claims, counter claims and litigation.
Paul Seymour
Akaso
Kamera
Adds
Safety
Option
John Mullen
I am sure I am not the only one that relies on hearing a car behind to prepare oneself for a possible close pass or cut in. When more cars are electric and silent this will not be possible so a mirror and camera seems a must.
Brian D
This is almost a necessity on the race tracks that are purportedly our roads.
Mike G
Yes, count me in too. Hope to never to need it but good to have
Robert
Maybe the ETA could organise a bulk purchase of a recommended camera for members who want one…
Chris Bromwich
Looks a neat little solution to providing evidence to the police regarding not only incidents that happen personally but can be used to support that of other road users.
Vincent Procter
Lights 💡
Camera 🎥
Action🎬
John Davidson
Cor, this would be great.
For me.
Steve
Lights, camera, action!
Chris
Makes sense – yes please
Jon Allen
I live near Bradford, lots of bad attitude to two wheel road users (I motorbike and cycle). Definitely a camera could help in the event of an incident.
Pat
I spy with my action camera eye.
Richard Newman
Ideal for cycling selfies. 🙂
Peter Chisnall
Wonderful
Becky Dacre
Although there’s not so much traffic here, car drivers are less used to cyclists and the single track roads encourage cars to try and squeeze past… Then it’s their word against yours. A camera would be great!
Jon Vamplew
The best Cycle Cam in Town “aka AKASZO EK700 4K, protect yourself with your own virtual insurance. Remember Hill Street Blues – “Lets be careful out there”
Mike bike
Having been ‘close shaved and cut up’ more times than I can remember on the supposedly quiet narrow rural roads in Kent this piece of kit would be the perfect answer to identify the selfish and dangerous motorist responsible.
Kevin Morris
Just what I need for my cummute and with the added bonus of using the camera to record my off road adventures too.
Kate Oliver
As a lifelong female cyclist who has prosecuted dangerous drivers and faced down sexism and ageism in court, an Akaso would achieve road justice, gender and age equality irrefutably and in style.
Donald Waters
I think a lot of us feel sad that road safety requires this but there’s no doubt that it does, and this camera looks fantastic!
sara garside
Please bear me in mind when you pick someone.
We’d really love this.
Wish we’d had one when my husband was hit by a car turning into him!
Thank you.
Chris
Given the inherent bias against cyclists and the propensity for motorists to lie, We’ve all heard the tosh about the cyclist appeared from nowhere.
Video evidence is essential.
Gavin
Shame we have to go to the length of wearing a TV camera when out riding is this pathetic country to have a chance of getting legal redress in the event of attempted murder on the roads. What a crappy place we now live in… a rubbish strewn, car centric – hell hole.
Michael Ballard
Would be great to have one !
I’m a road cyclist and a lot of my miles are solo so I use a safety beacon, this would be a great safety addition.
Maybe prosecute the motorists who pass to close!!
And educate.
Thanks
David
Yes please!!!
Dr John Heathcote
Good idea. What would be even better is to have a standard for capturing forensic information, particularly GPS data. Difficult to alter, and useful for evidence of speeding.
Julian Fargher
Say cheese! Yes, please Louise!
Daevid Ward
On the road, riding your bike
A coming car, avoid the strike.
Take a tumble, land quite crumbled
but all recorded, a dispute thwarted!
David
Here’s my entry – would love this, thank you!
David
Not yet convinced and I suppose I would hope I never need to use the ‘footage’
wesley
With emptier roads cars seem to be speeding faster and more recklessly than ever. I hope bicycle cameras can be part of the solution to curb this dangerous trend.
Ian J
So difficult to reliably remember details of incidents – a camera would remember for me!
Andrea Partridge
I would love this for my cycle commute to Stirling. There are some crazy drivers out there who close pass or cut me up at road narrowings. They clearly don’t realise that I’m a fellow human being, a wife, mum, daughter and sister who is just trying to keep fit! They obviously see me as an inconvenience to them and I would love to be able to report those who drive dangerously. Thanks
Mr P A Ramsbottom
Becoming more and more a necessity, sadly. Can be fun to replay the footage of good routes, though!!
Fergus Duncanson
What a lovely idea to promote safer road behaviour – not just to use filming to enhance my safety but to publicise good and bad behaviour on the roads.
Give me one, please, please, ?
Sandy McQueen
Yes please for the cycle cam. Had some near misses on my road mobility scooter, this is just what I need.
John Fletcher
So many times I’ve wished I had footage of bad driving so I could shop the perpetrators! This would go a long way towards addressing the stress of the injustice of our present legal system with regards to vulnerable road users like me.
Steve
Lights, camera, motoring infraction!
Tim Earl
Oh yes please.
My current camera has died and I’m constantly reminded that I need a new one.
Paul Evans
Yes please
Gary
I’ve noticed during these times in lockdown that some drivers are even less tolerant or just not thinking of cyclists.
Maybe having this behaviour on camera could be used to prevent and educate.
David
Not sure how often I would need to view the footage. I can see the value in checking out driver behaviour.
Matt Hodges
I have used a front and rear camera for several years and have reported several cases of bad driving and some have had letters from the police.
The problem is my cameras are getting old and the batteries don’t run for long so I’ll need to replace them soon.
Simon Randall
Cycle cameras will hopefully prove to be a game changer.
Sadly, drivers get away with too much at the moment, but if cycle cameras become more proliferate, drivers will have to sharpen up their behaviour just in case that next potential victim records proceedings.
One day, there may come a time when such cameras are unnecessary. Until then, let’s use all we can to address the wrong.
Laurence Hill
Looks like a great piece of kit! Like the handlebar mount
Raf
fantastic accessory!
Matt
Even better than uploading to the police would be uploading to the drivers insurer. As an insurer could you consider setting up a system that would post dangerous driving incidents against the registration number. That way dangerous drivers would have an incentive to reform.
Frank
Thank you for bringing this £50 gem to my attention!
I’ve always thought GoPro’s were too expensive, so your recommendation is making me look at getting one!
Can’t wait for your review!
Ema
This would be really useful evidence to show how certain drivers go about their daily business…
V Fraser
Would make good use of this camera…hopefully would not need it to provide evidence in an accident but record some nice routes.
Andy
Yes please, great chance to give one of these a try.
Tom O’Toole
I need this!
David Mayers
We need to name and shame those drivers guilty of close passing cyclists. This would give me the chance to do just that. And the police round here do look at video evidence.
Karen
To encourage me to ride more, and to encourage motorists and cyclists to consider their actions more, cameras will help the ride safely cause.
Mark Norman
Thank you, that’s a useful article. Makes me think one could be useful for my daily commute.
Bill Reynolds
I am one of that rare breed…a profoundly deaf cyclist…who, despite wearing a yellow tabard with …”Deaf Cyclist”…on the back….still needs help on the open road from daft motorists who mess me about….!
Stephen
Great offer. I’d love to find out how the law enforcement authorities react to video evidence of dangerous driving. In Cambridge, unless a car actually physically hits the cyclist, without a video from my experience, they are not interested.
Gordon
Keeping me and kids safe while out cycling? yes please!
Rod Hewson
This would be a superb addition to my new bike and you might say an essential accessory now.
Iain
This would be useful for my commmute
Paul
Cycle ,Camera ,Action !! Yes please .
PeteG
The camera never lies