Riding on the road with a head camera (Countryfile)

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fourshiresrambler

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This is a link I've seen going around Facebook with the following write up, which I completely agree with so I thought I would share it on here (It's not mine). I personally have a GoPro and I love it, makes people think when they see it and I think makes them behave better.

This is the post, I've copied and pasted it for everyone to see...

Following on from the Countryfile episode showing the dangers of horse riding on the road, one thing was not discussed in enough detail.

Head cameras are a fantastic tool for all riders in not only capturing the event if there is an accident, but also in helping to prosecute dangerous drivers.

Getting the act and the registration on camera is enough for most prosecutions, it's as simple as popping that little camera on your head.

There doesn't even have to be an accident for someone to be prosecuted, as putting your life at risk and dangerous driving are all offences.

So here is a very helpful list of head cameras, affordable too, that will help you choose if you are unsure what to purchase.

Also, reflectives. Please don't ride without them, they aren't expensive and they are simple to pop on and off.
Do everything correctly and catch them on camera and you will have yourself a prosecution.

The more prosecutions, the more the figures will rise and be newsworthy, then hopefully, people will learn and we can all stay safe.

All of the cameras in the list are available to purchase from Amazon.
Click to expand...

http://www.ravenphotography.uk/2016/03/31/top-5-head-cams-horse-riders-road/
 
I do agree, although as horse riders I do think that a lot of us need to take more care.

I always ride in high vis, yellow on the horse and pink on myself, with a bright jacket at this time of year too.

I took the morning off to ride yesterday, and fancied going out around the block, but as I was leading Sam in from the field, the sun was so low in the sky I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to look down! so it would have been silly of me to ride out in those conditions.

So I am all for stopping dangerous driving, but I think we also have think about other road users and not immediately blame them for all accidents that occur.

There are a lot of people that ride without high vis where I live, on national speed limit roads, in the bright sunshine, or dusk!
 
Kezzabell2 said:
I do agree, although as horse riders I do think that a lot of us need to take more care.

I always ride in high vis, yellow on the horse and pink on myself, with a bright jacket at this time of year too.

I took the morning off to ride yesterday, and fancied going out around the block, but as I was leading Sam in from the field, the sun was so low in the sky I couldn't keep my eyes open and had to look down! so it would have been silly of me to ride out in those conditions.

So I am all for stopping dangerous driving, but I think we also have think about other road users and not immediately blame them for all accidents that occur.

There are a lot of people that ride without high vis where I live, on national speed limit roads, in the bright sunshine, or dusk!
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We should all wear hi-viz all year round, not just at this time of the year, or in grey conditions. Even in good weather, those extra seconds can be vital.
I agree that the sun is often too low for safety at this time of the year, so it was sensible for you to opt not to go out today.
It really makes me cross when riders just nimble along, completely oblivious to other road users, meandering past places where they could pull off to let traffic pass, or wandering up the middle of the road, where there is plenty of room to move to the side and allow the car which has slowed behind them to pass.
And I do wish that everyone would acknowledge drivers who wait/ pass slowly, even if they are just following the Highway Code. As a driver, I acknowledge other drivers who, let me out of junctions, allow me to pass on narrow roads, etc, etc. A little courtesy goes a long way!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
We should all wear hi-viz all year round, not just at this time of the year, or in grey conditions. Even in good weather, those extra seconds can be vital.
I agree that the sun is often too low for safety at this time of the year, so it was sensible for you to opt not to go out today.
It really makes me cross when riders just nimble along, completely oblivious to other road users, meandering past places where they could pull off to let traffic pass, or wandering up the middle of the road, where there is plenty of room to move to the side and allow the car which has slowed behind them to pass.
And I do wish that everyone would acknowledge drivers who wait/ pass slowly, even if they are just following the Highway Code. As a driver, I acknowledge other drivers who, let me out of junctions, allow me to pass on narrow roads, etc, etc. A little courtesy goes a long way!
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I was once driving over to visit a friend, along country lanes that I had grown up cycling and then driving on. It was a foggy day so i was driving slowly, and being a weekend morning I guessed it was likely there would be some riders out and about. I was taught to use anything and everything to help me by my driving instructor, and as the fog was quite thick I wound down my window and used my ears to fill in what my eyes couldn't see. Sure enough, I drove over a pile of steaming horse exhaust so slowed down further and could hear clip clop. I came around the corner and yep there were two horses riding side by side. The riders had those green wax jackets that were so popular in the 1990s and no fluorescents or anything else and the horses were darkish bays. They literally loomed out of the fog but because of my care and thought, no harm was done. Imagine if I had not been so on the ball and driving rather faster? My driving instructor once told me that I should assume that every other road user was a total idiot and thus be prepared to do their thinking for them, and 35 years later, I still agree with that sentiment.
 
I use a Go Pro. Brilliant camera. But I agree, all riders need to help themselves. Wear hi viz at all times, what ever the time of year. Assess the time of day/ rush hour traffic etc. and visibility, ie low sun and try to avoid. Try to go out at quieter times. The days of ambling around the country lanes in a green Barbour with a velvet peaked cap with the elastic on top have gone...:(. I do realise so much depends on where you live.
 
I use a GoPro too. For me a head camera does two things.

1. Encourages drivers to drive safer if they know you have a camera
2. Enables you to prosecute them if they do something dangerous.

For me, that is enough for me to always rode with one.
 
I'm wondering if the leg hi viz boots on horses are actually better than stuff on the rider. If you're driving along a country lane you are often looking slightly down at the verge, gutter, drains etc, as you can't see very far ahead with the bends (I'm not saying I don't look where I'm going, but think one's visibility is lower rather than higher). In which case Hi viz brushing boots would be the first thing you see. If the sun is low your vision is downwards anyway.
 
fourshiresrambler said:
This is a link I've seen going around Facebook with the following write up, which I completely agree with so I thought I would share it on here (It's not mine). I personally have a GoPro and I love it, makes people think when they see it and I think makes them behave better.

This is the post, I've copied and pasted it for everyone to see...



http://www.ravenphotography.uk/2016/03/31/top-5-head-cams-horse-riders-road/
Click to expand...


I have been riding with a head camera - go pro- also driving the pony, we have caught evidence and sent to the police. Def worth doing as the more evidence the stronger our case
 
Mooseontheloose said:
I'm wondering if the leg hi viz boots on horses are actually better than stuff on the rider. If you're driving along a country lane you are often looking slightly down at the verge, gutter, drains etc, as you can't see very far ahead with the bends (I'm not saying I don't look where I'm going, but think one's visibility is lower rather than higher). In which case Hi viz brushing boots would be the first thing you see. If the sun is low your vision is downwards anyway.
Click to expand...

I think so I use shires pink hi viz on my horses leg, moving hi viz def catches the drivers eye
 
I would actually like to get a go pro but they look so big, are they really okay attached to riding hats??

I must say I went out on the roads, only, this morning, and I was very surprised that everyone passed me at an acceptable speed and i didn't have to ask anyone to slow down :)
 
Wraps on legs are great as the movement catches the eyes but once you have been up a muddy track they cease to be hi viz. As we are in arable country I tend to use them in the summer but not winter. I have a quarter sheet & ears on the horse & a vest on me. I use a combination of yellow/orange depending on the time of year (yellow not much use when the rape is in flower but great with bare winter fields)
 
A friend of mine has got the SJCAM and there are actually side by side video comparisons of that and the GoPro equivalent on YouTube.

To be honest for the difference in price it is a great little camera and all the GoPro stuff fits it if you ever did want to upgrade to a GoPro.
 
Did anyone try any of these head cameras?

Blast from the past I know but I'm curious about the cheaper one on there as a gift for a friend and was wondering if anyone had used it, didn't really want to start a new thread about it.
 
I don't ride on the roads anymore as my horse hates large vehicles and we have a lot of tractors, horseboxes, mobile libraries down our road but when I did, I was always OTT in Hi viz. Never wanted there to be an excuse that i wasn't see and i still had idiotic drivers going passed me.
 
Caracarrie said:
I was once driving over to visit a friend, along country lanes that I had grown up cycling and then driving on. It was a foggy day so i was driving slowly, and being a weekend morning I guessed it was likely there would be some riders out and about. I was taught to use anything and everything to help me by my driving instructor, and as the fog was quite thick I wound down my window and used my ears to fill in what my eyes couldn't see. Sure enough, I drove over a pile of steaming horse exhaust so slowed down further and could hear clip clop. I came around the corner and yep there were two horses riding side by side. The riders had those green wax jackets that were so popular in the 1990s and no fluorescents or anything else and the horses were darkish bays. They literally loomed out of the fog but because of my care and thought, no harm was done. Imagine if I had not been so on the ball and driving rather faster? My driving instructor once told me that I should assume that every other road user was a total idiot and thus be prepared to do their thinking for them, and 35 years later, I still agree with that sentiment.
Click to expand...

My mom was taught that too and she intern taught me the same thing. You have to think for everyone else.
 
Small flashing LED lamps are cheap from Halford, Fleabay, etc and can be seen from miles away. I have a couple on an elastic strap around my hat...
 
I wonder why more people don't ride with lights like cyclists. You would think that they would design them for your hat, stirrups etc.

Maybe there is a gap in the market there!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
And I do wish that everyone would acknowledge drivers who wait/ pass slowly, even if they are just following the Highway Code. As a driver, I acknowledge other drivers who, let me out of junctions, allow me to pass on narrow roads, etc, etc. A little courtesy goes a long way!
Click to expand...

It is a pet peeve of mine when I have stopped to let oncoming traffic pass when they have priority, so I am just complying with the law, that they negotiate the awkward narrow gap one handed, whilst looking and waving at me. I'd rather they controlled their vehicle and looked where they were going! I make a point of not making eye contact if they wave at me.

If I am to thank car drivers who are considerate, am I also fine to make suitable hand gestures at those that overtake whilst an oncoming car passes, go too close, etc?

By the same logic, when I walk through a city centre and pass a group of hooded youths and they don't mug or stab me, should I thank them?
 
fourshiresrambler said:
I wonder why more people don't ride with lights like cyclists. You would think that they would design them for your hat, stirrups etc.

Maybe there is a gap in the market there!
Click to expand...

Bike lights will go on your horse and are available in Tesco. I like the silicone loop type ones. They are very cheap.

However don't make the same mistake a lot of cyclists seem to, and think lights are instead of hi viz. They are not. You need both and lights are a waste of time unless very over cast/dark imo.

I have a head cam but I don't always wear it because it only goes on one of my hats (don't want to stick the mount onto my xc skull cap) but I'm thinking about getting another skull cap and using the old one for hacking. Frankly I'm getting so risk averse that I want the toughest hat available at all times.

Mine is pretty heavy so I would suggest the lighter the better as it's a little annoying at times.
 
Good idea as I am getting a bit upset by the drivers around us lately. I had bought me a prolite jacket for my birthday.I must have worm it two dozen times of more now on the roads and I have noticed a distinct difference in the way people have been driving and not for the better. I have had motorists revving up behind me, flying past me with half an inch to spare and a generally a very distinct and aggressive behavior which has made me query whether I should continue wearing it. Our yard is on a lane that is close to a National Trust property and we get loads of people driving down the lane very slowly and as they go past they wind down the window and ask if I am a police woman so presumably they think I am. Previously I wore a hi viz yellow jacket for years and never had this. Same horse all this time, no difference in my level of politeness or horses behavior, just the jacket that makes me look like a copper. Frightening.... I will see if I can get my headcam fixed and then start wearing it again. It would be interesting to revisit old hacks on film especially if they have been a subject of poor driving behavior.
 
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FfionWinnie said:
Bike lights will go on your horse and are available in Tesco. I like the silicone loop type ones. They are very cheap.

However don't make the same mistake a lot of cyclists seem to, and think lights are instead of hi viz. They are not. You need both and lights are a waste of time unless very over cast/dark imo.

I have a head cam but I don't always wear it because it only goes on one of my hats (don't want to stick the mount onto my xc skull cap) but I'm thinking about getting another skull cap and using the old one for hacking. Frankly I'm getting so risk averse that I want the toughest hat available at all times.

Mine is pretty heavy so I would suggest the lighter the better as it's a little annoying at times.
Click to expand...
Aldi sell flashing lights on hi viz band thats you can put round horse and human legs around a fiver for 4 bands when they do there Crane Cylcle event
 
case895 said:
It is a pet peeve of mine when I have stopped to let oncoming traffic pass when they have priority, so I am just complying with the law, that they negotiate the awkward narrow gap one handed, whilst looking and waving at me. I'd rather they controlled their vehicle and looked where they were going! I make a point of not making eye contact if they wave at me.

If I am to thank car drivers who are considerate, am I also fine to make suitable hand gestures at those that overtake whilst an oncoming car passes, go too close, etc?

By the same logic, when I walk through a city centre and pass a group of hooded youths and they don't mug or stab me, should I thank them?
Click to expand...

By the same logic, do you thank shop staff for giving you your change? Or if someone holds a door open for you? Ok, so one is a requirement and the other is just good manners, but surely it's no big effort to be polite in return?

I have yet to experience anyone passing me in a narrow gap, whilst looking at me and waving - most just give a small wave or brief nod before they pass. Those that have trouble negotiating, tend to have phones in hand and are driving as a secondary activity.
 
I never wear yellow hi viz in the sun you just blend in if you get into a really bad spot where the rider is dazzled .
 
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