Broadcaster and keen cyclist Jeremy Vine has sparked controversy after sharing a video of a car blocking a cycle lane on social media. The 56-year-old is known for his love of cycling and often shares videos to Twitter of his travels, which often cause huge debates between various road users.
In the video shared yesterday (April 4), Jeremy cycles across a junction in the rain, before encountering a white Renault which appears to be blocking the cycle lane. As he approaches the car, Jeremy wipes the rain from his camera and asks: "On what basis are you stopping here?"
Once the presenter has to manoeuvre himself past the vehicle, he taps on the car window, but the driver appears not to react and stays in the cycle lane with hazard lights on. The actions of both Jeremy, who said on Twitter 'I assumed this car had crashed', and the driver, have sparked mass debate on social media.
Sarcastically agreeing with Jeremy, Chris Pearson wrote in response: "Now come on Jeremy. EVERYONE knows that hazard lights double up as confirmation of entitlement indicators." Mark said: "Unreal. I can't wait for the day when motorists are inconvenienced by BICYCLES taking up THEIR road space!"
Meanwhile, Andy Pearce joked: "Hey, what are all these weird bicycle symbols someone painted in the parking lane?" Jeremy, who questioned 'What is the point of building cycle lanes if this happens?' was also met with criticism by other social media and road users for how he handled the situation.
Gary Logan tweeted: "No. You didn’t assume the car had crashed. You are dramatising the situation. They possibly made a poor decision to stop out quickly outside their house for whatever reason?"
Jamie Coldrick told Jeremy: "I see what you mean but this happens to all of us. Pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers, hgv etc. you don’t see drivers posting photos of blocked roads all the time ? You’re not king of the Rd."
"May of broken down, rude knocking on window," said Gary Turner.
Just last month, a cyclist from Bristol named Tom Bosanquet was reportedly hit with a £1,000 fine after spotting a driver using a mobile phone behind the wheel before driving through a red light. However, after sending his headcam footage off to Avon and Somerset Police, the police force notified Tom that he was facing a fine for breaching traffic regulations as he 'blocked the road' to 'converse with the occupant' of the vehicle.
Tom's story sparked mass debate on social media, with Jeremy Tweeting in his defence. The broadcaster wrote: "Has anyone got any more detail on this absolutely ridiculous #tombosanquet situation? @WeAreCyclingUK need to be involved here. @ASPolice @MikeyCycling"
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