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OPINION

Updated - Video: "Cyclists are their own worst enemy. They deserve to die!"

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YouTuber stays calm in face of unsolicited opinion

Here's one of the most bizarre helmet camera videos I've ever seen, in which a rider walking her bike, minding her own business and behaving perfectly and utterly legally is subjected to anti-cycling opinions offered unsolicited by a complete stranger.

YouTuber leveret day remains remarkably calm throughout the encounter despite being told that cyclists, including presumably herself "are their own worst enemy" and "deserve to die'. Lovely.

The encounter happened on the morning of Friday November 20 as she was pushing her bike in South Kensington.

She said: "This stranger walked up behind me and started talking to me. Note that this was not the result of any encounter between us as I was actually cycling along. I was just wheeling my bike along, to cross the road at the traffic lights.

"To begin with I thought he was perhaps a cyclist commiserating about recent tragic cyclist deaths with some rather uncomfortable 'gallows humour' … but then he used the words 'road tax' and was alas shown to be just a really vile man.

"I'm not at my most articulate but really I was quite thrown by how to respond to him.

He didn't seem to mind that I had my helmet camera recording so, well, here we go."

Her response is a great lesson in how to remain calm in the face of random unreasonable nonsense, pointing out that nobody pays road tax and despite being trained and licensed, drivers still do reckless things.

I have to wonder though, would this man have offered his odious opinions to a male rider?

Update: did this man see Claire Hitier-Abadie die?

A blog entry containing opinions eerily similar to those espoused by the man in this video has emerged. In it, the blogger identifying himself as James Nash writes: "I saw the crash at Victoria station when a cyclist was crushed by a tipper truck and yes, as expected the cyclist was weaving in and out of traffic with no care for other road users and paid the penalty and another one bites the dust."

(The blog has since been deleted, but a screenshot of a later version of it is here.)

The blog posting is dated February 20, the day after Claire Hitier-Abadie died after being hit by a tipper truck at Victoria.

Police are appealing for witnesses to that crash. I hope James Nash has come forward with his account.

Update 2: Denial, admission & counter-claim

James Nash initially denied he had been the person in the video, but now seems to be admitting it.

As he has deleted all the content of his blog, discussion has moved to a post on his Google Plus page.

He denies saying that cyclists deserve to die, despite it being clearly audible in leveret day's video of Nash telling her his thoughts on cycling, and then claims the video was "taken out of context".

He says he was struck by leveret day as she mounted the kerb and then received "a torrent of abuse" from her.

He wrote: "What happened was thast I was walking along Cromwell Road the other day about to cross over to the other side of the street when, all of a sudden I was struck by a cyclist mounting the pavement as I was about to step off and cross the road. My thirst thoughts was to enquire regarding the cyclist's well-being when all of a sudden I was receiving a torrent of abuse from the said individual."

Leveret day responded: "It's lucky that I've kept the video footage of the time prior to our 'conversation'. Will be posting it up soon. Interestingly it doesn't show me striking you at all!"

And indeed it doesn't. Here it is:

James Nash has been asked several times if he has given a witness statement regarding the death of Claire Hitier-Abadie, which he claimed to have witnessed. He has so far failed to respond.

In recognition of the fact that it has been claimed James Nash is mentally ill, comments on this story have been locked.

John has been writing about bikes and cycling for over 30 years since discovering that people were mug enough to pay him for it rather than expecting him to do an honest day's work.

He was heavily involved in the mountain bike boom of the late 1980s as a racer, team manager and race promoter, and that led to writing for Mountain Biking UK magazine shortly after its inception. He got the gig by phoning up the editor and telling him the magazine was rubbish and he could do better. Rather than telling him to get lost, MBUK editor Tym Manley called John’s bluff and the rest is history.

Since then he has worked on MTB Pro magazine and was editor of Maximum Mountain Bike and Australian Mountain Bike magazines, before switching to the web in 2000 to work for CyclingNews.com. Along with road.cc founder Tony Farrelly, John was on the launch team for BikeRadar.com and subsequently became editor in chief of Future Publishing’s group of cycling magazines and websites, including Cycling Plus, MBUK, What Mountain Bike and Procycling.

John has also written for Cyclist magazine, edited the BikeMagic website and was founding editor of TotalWomensCycling.com before handing over to someone far more representative of the site's main audience.

He joined road.cc in 2013. He lives in Cambridge where the lack of hills is more than made up for by the headwinds.

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95 comments

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ChrisB200SX | 9 years ago
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Leading up to the incident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA4jfqTLmZo

I look forward to him changing his ridiculous story again  4

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brooksby | 9 years ago
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Well, it looks as if we may have a new winner in the "forgetting that the interweb is public" category, replacing the previous winner Emma Way.  41  41

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Quince | 9 years ago
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So from a tasteless, not to mention pretty limp joke, we can identify the man's name, occupation, and pretty much any other factor of his identity? God the internet it freaky...

Anyway, better to be openly obnoxious and horrid face-to-face with another person than threatening or aggressive from the anonymous confines of an automobile.

I don't think James can be charged with any other crime than being deeply unpleasant. And I'm not sure that warrants the Internet bringing his life crashing down around him.

But please James, do be less unpleasant, if you could.

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Jimmy Ray Will | 9 years ago
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Its good to voice these opinions... there is nothing worse than harbouring such thoughts, letting them fester, harden and become entrenched.. speak up, get listened to and then get educated.

Again, the woman did a great job in doing just that.

Who knows, maybe he'll have a think now.

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OldRidgeback | 9 years ago
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He's pulled the post. Perhaps someone would wish to comment on this one instead:

James Nash
Shared publicly - 21 Feb 2015

The Singing Butler by Jack Vettriano
The Singing Butler has sold 10m copies in print and posters from when the artist clearly didn't get the couple's hold the right way round. When dancing in this manner, we understand, the man's left arm should take his partners right. Vettriano painted the...

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OldRidgeback | 9 years ago
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The worst thing about this toad's comments is that it has now gone viral and will likely be heard by the family of Claire Hitie-Abadie. They've got enough to deal with as it is.

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DavidJ | 9 years ago
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discominer | 9 years ago
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according to Facebook, he went to scholl...

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DavidJ | 9 years ago
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He went to a "Secondary Modern Scholl"!

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tomisitt | 9 years ago
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Mr Nash does, on his FB page, offer some useful guidelines for cyclists:

To All My Followers...............
It is surprising that there have not bee more fatalities on the roads within England due to the INCOMPETENCE of CYCLISTS.
I'm not lambasting anyone who does cycle but I have seen cyclists cycle through red lights, give NO HAND SIGNALS to let other road users what the cyclist is going to be doing
EVERYONE RIDING A BICYCLE SHOULD PASS THEIR CYCLING PROFICIENCY TEST AND KNOW THE GREEN CROSS CODE the RULES AND REGULATIONS FOE ROAD USERS otherwise THERE WILL BE MORE CYCLIST DEATHS ON THE ROADS.
for example.
Riding a Bicycle:
A Cyclist should and MUST CYCLE NEXT TO THE KERB AT ALL TIMES and NEVER EVER CYCLE MORE THAN ONE ABREAST ON THE ROAD as depicted by the CYCLING ROAD CODE because there are OTHER ROAD USERS ASWELL and they will never be held responsible for the STUPID ANTICS OF CYCLE RIDERS WHO HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW TO RIDE A BICYCLE and for this reason reason I am surprised that has not been more DEATHS ON THE ROADS OF ENGLAND DUE TO CYCLISTS INCOMPETENCE.
Like it or not this is a fact of life.
The Rules of the Road for the Cyclists who should and MUST PASS THEIR CYCLING PROFICIENCY TEST PRIOR TO RIDING A BICYCLE will inevitably minimize accidents now and in the future.
When I started to ride a bicycle I passed my CYCLING PROFICIENCY TEST a RED TRIANGLE METAL BADGE WITH A CYCLE WITHIN THE MIDDLE AND A LIGHT GREEN BACKGROUND
IF CYCLISTS DO NOT PASS THEIR CYCLING PROFICIENCY TEST THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE DEATHS ON THE ROADS DUE TO CYCLISTS INCOMPETENCE LIKE IT OR NOT THIS IS A FACT OF LIFE< I@M SORRY IF THIS SOUNDS OFFENSIVE BUT ITS TRUE.
SLOWING DOWN:
The cyclists arm near the road should out - streached their arm with the hand horizontal which should then be lowered and then highered indicating to traffic that the cyclist is slowing down.
TURNING LEFT:
The cyclist should streach their left arm out as they approach the corner turning left and continue to do so until the cyclist has turned left indicating to traffic that the cyclist is slowing down and turning left.
TURNING RIGHT:
The cyclist should glance over their shoulder to see where the traffic is coming and out stretch their right arm keeping it straight indicting to the the traffic behind that the cyclist is about to leave the kerb on the left side of the road and is about to move over to the right, when the traffic eases the cyclist should immediately cycle over to the the RIGHT HAND SIDE of the road and wait at the junction to cycle turning right. Traffic coming up behind the CYCLIST will see that.
HAPPY CYCLING

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KirinChris | 9 years ago
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Looking at the Linked In profile, if indeed that is him, I actually feel quite sorry for the guy.

33 years in one job, rising to be a deputy manager, looks like he got caught out when the company went bust, his partner was ill, and been unemployed for a long time.

Unfortunately the profile is a shambles and says to anyone looking that he really doesn't know this stuff, which wouldn't help his prospects.

Bizarrely he is in one of the same professional groups as me, though he appears to have no relevant background or experience. And we have three common connections. How about that for six degrees of Kevin Bacon.

This bit was ironically amusing though:
"I have experience within sales, customer service and an administration background with a friendly disposition, communication skills and IT skills for your public facing role with the ability to work under pressure with conflicting priorities."

I don't suggest or support any internet or social media witch-hunt (I also read that Jon Ronson article) but I do think people who claim to have communication skills should know better and understand the risks.

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atgni | 9 years ago
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Within the 1st 12 seconds of that video Mr Nash manages to break both his beloved Highway Code and Green Cross Code.

Highway Code rule 18 'always cross between the studs'.

Green Cross Code; rule A 'Do not cross the road diagonally'; B 'Stop just before you get to the kerb'; C 'Look all around for traffic'; &, E 'Keep looking...for traffic'.

He sets such a good example to us all!

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arfa | 9 years ago
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His comments speak for themselves.
Perhaps time to move on and focus on "being the better person in this".

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Iamnot Wiggins | 9 years ago
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We could all be good Samaritans and donate to his medical fund.

http://rabbit2020.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/james-nash-medical-mission-fund...

He'd probably still hate us though!

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jacknorell | 9 years ago
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With everything that's come to light around this guy, I feel sorry for him.

His statements are upsetting, yes. So is his misfortune.

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andyp | 9 years ago
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'With everything that's come to light around this guy, I feel sorry for him.

His statements are upsetting, yes. So is his misfortune.'

We can trust his statements, as there is evidence. He could be a complete bullshitter ref the rest. Pinch of salt, etc.

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Yorkshie Whippet | 9 years ago
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I always thought "Another one bites the dust" was written by John Deacon not Freddie Mercury. My CDs confirm that.

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gsk82 | 9 years ago
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i don't think it's worth getting angry about this. the guy's clearly got a screw loose.

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Nevans | 9 years ago
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Well done for keeping calm, I would probably have sworn at him or got on my bike and tried to run him over.

Don't suppose we've found out who he is or where he lives, I have a spare brick which would like to meet one of his windows.....

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Jahmoo | 9 years ago
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Let's face it, he would not have spoken to a male cyclists in this way, he knows it would have ended differently. Only adding to his Medical Fund!

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WolfieSmith | 9 years ago
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An overweight shop assistant once said to me in my cycle gear "My dad calls you lot 'organ donors'!" I felt like saying 'If he's as fat as you he might appreciate my heart one day soon."

I actually like all this anti cycling bile. The worse it gets the more it shows that the tide is turning as the minority who fear change bleat ever more loudly. The Government has realised that the country can't continue supporting a culture where children have a lower health and life expectancy than their parents. Things are slowly improving through sheer weight of numbers cycling now.

On another note. Belated congratulations to Richard Hammond for getting up from that crash in St Petersburg and finishing the race. Without the crash he would have won again. They should get him to present the cycle show with Roger Hammobn just to piss that kippered potato Clarkson off.

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Volumedistorted | 9 years ago
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Marvelously measured response and absolutlety no congruent argument from a blatant imbecile! he really knows how to win an argument with rationed sound, evidenced points.
I'm sure if David Cameron sees this that man will be Transport Minister soon - although his views seem to be rather too tame for most in the Conservative Party!

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Volumedistorted | 9 years ago
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Marvelously measured response and absolutlety no congruent argument from a blatant imbecile! he really knows how to win an argument with rationed sound, evidenced points.
I'm sure if David Cameron sees this that man will be Transport Minister soon - although his views seem to be rather too tame for most in the Conservative Party!

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Volumedistorted | 9 years ago
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.

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ofathens | 9 years ago
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From the medical fund... http://www.gofundme.com/l9o38c

'Homeless man in seek of help from the good people everywhere who has fallen on hard times and lost his home due to finacial diffulties who is currently sleeping rough at airports and other warm and secluded places. Thank You in advance of receing donations from the good and hearted people everywhere.'

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steve58 | 9 years ago
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In our very politically correct society, this is a clear case of "hate crime" against cyclists. I hope the Police act on this matter, the same as they would if race, religion or sexuality were involved.

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paulfg42 | 9 years ago
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She did very well. It wouldn't have taken me long to tell him to eff off.

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John Pitcock | 9 years ago
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He mentioned "Road Tax"
As some cars have a zero rate of vehicle tax - what should it be for a bicycle?.

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beardyjim | 9 years ago
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https://plus.google.com/113133382429619390470/posts
Under the Adobe comments..

Quote:

James Nash Yesterday 5:20 PM

Hi Vicky, this was taken out of context. What happened was thast I was walking along Cromwell Road the other day about to cross over to the other side of the street when, all of a sudden I was struck by a cyclist mounting the pavement as I was about to step off and cross the road. My thirst thoughts was to enquire regarding the cyclist's well-being when all of a sudden I was receiving a torrent of abuse from the said individual and then later on in the day I reaslised that I had become a bit of a celebrity for all the wrong reasons as to this person who collided with myself on the pavement was the cyclist in question who relied to myself a torrid of abuse to myself making passers by looking as to what on earth is going on when of corse giving any responsbilbe persons remarks one would consider something appropriate but, it seems as though the cork has dropped out of the bottle for ''no apparent reason'' if I have offended anyone within this domain I humbly apologise for ant ill-will which has been taken of context for whatever reason as I can only assumne that the individual concerned has an attitude problem and was consequently taken it out of myserlf who just happened to be within the wrong place at the wrong time and have been unable to publicise any blogs within the format that I use due to ''colourful language usedby said in dividuals who have left inappropriate comments upon my blog which to be quit honest has nothing with anybody else other than the lady in question and myself as I inappropriately engaged after being hit with her bike in the street on the pavement prior to crossing the road. Given the same set of circumstances anyone who was within my shoes would haave said within the heat of the moment when you that II was run into by my accuser on the pavement who has made my life intolerable and so without much further ado, I, James Nash, do humbly apologise to the person with whom I was speaking to whom I thought at the time that I was haveing a sole conversation with which has now brought upon this hornets nest upon myself for the circumnstances alot of people within this medium have jumped in and have been accused and hung drawn and quatered very publically for what was a private converrsation between inteligent adults that for whatever reason has caused alot of unintentional abuse towards myself without being able o give my side of events which took place on that fateful morning to which I apologise once more and hope we can all benefit from this and have a lovely weekend. Best Wishes to Yiou All, Kind Regards, James

His story seems to be changing but ...

Quote:

leveret day

It's lucky that I've kept the video footage of the time prior to our 'conversation'. Will be posting it up soon. Interestingly it doesn't show me striking you at all!

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mrmo | 9 years ago
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what is the saying, when your In a hole stop digging.

I can excuse the crap English, but the changing story seems a bit odd.

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