Cyclist fined £1,200 after reporting driver for dangerous passing

A cyclist who submitted helmet camera footage to police to report a driver for passing too closely has ended up being fined himself after officers spotted poor riding in the same video.

The incident happened near Menston, West Yorkshire, where the cyclist uploaded footage to West Yorkshire Police's Operation Snap portal, a scheme that allows members of the public to submit video evidence of alleged driving offences.

While reviewing the footage, officers agreed that the driver had passed the cyclist too closely. However, they also noticed the cyclist riding towards a parked car while an oncoming vehicle was approaching, leaving what police described as an unsafe gap.

Police said the cyclist's actions amounted to riding without due care and attention, adding that the distance he allowed was even smaller than the gap he had complained about when reporting the driver.

The case was heard at Bradford Magistrates' Court, where the cyclist was found guilty and ordered to pay more than £1,200 in fines, court costs and other charges.

West Yorkshire Police said the outcome demonstrates that all road users, including cyclists, are expected to follow the rules of the road and can face prosecution if evidence shows they have committed an offence.

Operation Snap is designed to improve road safety by allowing the public to submit footage of dangerous driving, cycling or other traffic offences. Police review every submission and can take action against anyone shown breaking the law, regardless of who submitted the evidence.

The case serves as a reminder that camera footage can be used to investigate the actions of every road user captured in a recording, not just the person initially being reported.