A Leeds cyclist who submitted helmet‑cam footage to West Yorkshire Police accusing an SUV of passing too close was fined after the same video showed him riding between a parked BMW and an oncoming Volvo in Menston near Ilkley. Bradford magistrates concluded his actions amounted to riding without due care and ordered fines and costs totalling more than £1,200. The Volvo driver is seen edging toward the kerb to avoid a collision; identities have not been released and it is unclear whether the driver faced charges.
Cyclist Fined £1,200 After Helmet-Cam Reveals Risky Move Between Parked Car and SUV
Image credit: Cyclists for Safer Roads on X
A cyclist who sent helmet‑camera footage to police to complain that an SUV passed too closely has been fined after the same video revealed he rode dangerously between a parked car and an oncoming vehicle.
What Happened
The clip, filmed in Menston near Ilkley and submitted to West Yorkshire Police by a rider from Leeds, shows the cyclist approaching a parked blue BMW as a Volvo SUV travelled toward him in the opposite lane. Rather than slowing, unclip or wait for the oncoming vehicle to clear, the rider squeezed through the narrow gap between the parked car and the SUV — a manoeuvre that could easily have caused serious injury if anything had gone wrong.
To avoid a collision, the Volvo driver can be seen edging their vehicle toward the kerb, risking damage to the car. No physical confrontation occurred, but the rider reported the incident to police, accusing the SUV driver of passing too closely.
Image credit: Cyclists for Safer Roads on X
"Later on in the same submission, he captured himself riding without due care and attention as he approached a parked car and an oncoming vehicle," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson told ITV. "Rather than slow down or have to unclip from his pedals, the rider chose to travel between the parked car and the vehicle heading directly towards him."
Outcome
Bradford magistrates found the footage showed careless riding and ordered the cyclist to pay fines and court costs totalling more than £1,200 (around $1,600). The identities of both the cyclist and the SUV driver have not been released. It is not known whether the Volvo driver faced any charges based on the footage.
Discussion
The incident has prompted online debate about responsibility on narrow roads: cyclists and drivers both have duties to take care. Road-safety advocates say cyclists should be prepared to slow, stop or unclip on tight roads, while drivers should give space where safe. This case highlights how video evidence can strengthen complaints — but can also expose the complainant to scrutiny.
Image credit: Cyclists for Safer Roads on X
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