We've never seen a close pass of a cyclist closer than the one captured in this jaw-dropping clip.
We’ve seen some very hairy clips of close passes since the use of bicycle-mounted cameras took off. But the pass in the video below is the closest we’ve come across.
It features a pick-up passing a cyclist in Galveston in the US at speed and very closely indeed.
The video was shared by Charlie Thomas, Bike Law USA’s representative in Louisiana. The Bike Law organisation is a network of “bicycle crash attorneys” all of the States.
Aside from simply viewing this in shock, there’s a couple of points to take from it.
Because there’s no mandatory passing distance where this occurred, the driving in this clip does not break any laws.
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While the incident clearly didn’t take place here in Ireland; videos like this one really underline why the promised close pass legislation can’t be implemented fast enough in the Republic.
The closest pass ever recorded by a cyclist without contact? It's the closest we've seen. From Galveston in the US - and because they have no close-pass legislation the police there said no laws were broken. This is OK.... pic.twitter.com/vFdecS0645
— Sticky Bottle (@sticky_bottle) July 4, 2018
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While the cyclist is not to blame for this pass, the video illustrates why taking up a position slightly into the road is much better than hugging the kerb or verge as close as you can, as this cyclist is doing.
By taking up position in the road, though obviously not too far out, you assert yourself on a bike. And drivers must take you into account when passing, even if they don’t want to.
The danger in hugging the side of the road is that some drivers see you as something in the road they can squeeze passed.
Charlie Thomas said the cyclist who recorded the clip sent it to Galveston Police Department for review.
She received a reply which should be the only evidence Irish politicians need to convince them of the merits of the close pass legislation promised here.
“I've reviewed the video footage and pictures you have sent and I'm grateful you were not harmed,” an officer in Galveston writes in reply to the cyclist.
“I'm not sure what you would like for us to do at this time as no crime was committed. This video doesn't show any ill intent.
“And neither you or the vehicle did anything that would constitute an actual crime.
“You were riding on the shoulder and the vehicle was clearly driving within the marked lane. I would agree that the truck was very close to you when it passed.”
The legislation promised by Ross would ensure passes like these would become an offence.
Under the mooted measures, drivers would be required to allow cyclists 1 metre when passing them on roads with a speed limit up to 50km.
And on roads with higher speed limits, the minimum mandatory passing distance would be 1.5 metres.
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