Sue Perbs Camera cyclists
@sue-perbs
Why did you start filming traffic violations and dangerous driving?
I was hit on my bike by a car. I called the police and they told me with no evidence there was nothing they could do. I had the car’s number, but it was my word against his so I decided to protect myself since video evidence can’t be discredited.
How do you feel about being called Britain’s most hated cyclist?
It doesn’t bother me at all. In fact you should hear what the wife calls me when I forget to put the bins out!
Does it create problems that you are a bus driver at the same time as being a cycling vigilante?
No, I think it gives me a better understanding of the road. I do not like the term vigilante. I don’t follow these people home and let their tyres down, I pass the information to the police who deal with it as they feel appropriate.
How does your family feel about what you are doing? And what about your colleagues?
My family are very supportive and agree that the roads need to made safer. Not just for cyclists but for everyone. My colleagues agree that the roads need to be made safer but are less sympathetic towards cyclists. As bus drivers in central London we see a lot of poor cycling too, but unfortunately I can not film this (I can’t film on company property or in company time).
By poor cycling I mean anyone who doesn’t adhere to the highway code. People taking needless risks i.e. jumping red lights or undertaking large vehicles.
How does the police feel about you? Can they do anything to improve the way they work with you?
The police are very supportive. They will work with any information about a crime however small. We are constantly in discussions of ways to improve the procedures.
Why do you contact the bad drivers after filming them?
If they are driving a company vehicle I will contact the company to make them aware someone is not representing them well. If they are driving in a private vehicle I will approach them at the roadside to make them aware that what they are doing
I was hit on my bike by a car. I called the police and they told me with no evidence there was nothing they could do. I had the car’s number, but it was my word against his so I decided to protect myself since video evidence can’t be discredited.
How do you feel about being called Britain’s most hated cyclist?
It doesn’t bother me at all. In fact you should hear what the wife calls me when I forget to put the bins out!
Does it create problems that you are a bus driver at the same time as being a cycling vigilante?
No, I think it gives me a better understanding of the road. I do not like the term vigilante. I don’t follow these people home and let their tyres down, I pass the information to the police who deal with it as they feel appropriate.
How does your family feel about what you are doing? And what about your colleagues?
My family are very supportive and agree that the roads need to made safer. Not just for cyclists but for everyone. My colleagues agree that the roads need to be made safer but are less sympathetic towards cyclists. As bus drivers in central London we see a lot of poor cycling too, but unfortunately I can not film this (I can’t film on company property or in company time).
By poor cycling I mean anyone who doesn’t adhere to the highway code. People taking needless risks i.e. jumping red lights or undertaking large vehicles.
How does the police feel about you? Can they do anything to improve the way they work with you?
The police are very supportive. They will work with any information about a crime however small. We are constantly in discussions of ways to improve the procedures.
Why do you contact the bad drivers after filming them?
If they are driving a company vehicle I will contact the company to make them aware someone is not representing them well. If they are driving in a private vehicle I will approach them at the roadside to make them aware that what they are doing