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Caught on camera: Cyclist nearly hit by road rage driver

Posted at 10:11 PM, Jul 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-07-15 23:17:08-04

CLEVELAND — A video shows the moment a driver passed a cyclists bike, coming within inches of his body.

When they both stopped at a red light on Detroit Road, Tyler, the cyclist says he noticed the drivers windows down so he told him the driver he was too close.

The driver then jumps out of the car and starts to argue and curse at the cyclist. At one point even threatens him. After about 30 seconds, he gets back in the car and drives off. Tyler caught it all on his bicycle camera.

"I think there's a sense of entitlement that comes with drivers and their cars," said Tyler.

He says he rides his bike to work a few days a week and he almost always has some sort of an incident.

"Whether its getting clipped by a car, or having a driver very angry or aggressive and insulting, having even RTA buses cut me off," he said.

On the stretch of Detroit Road where the incident happened, bikes and cars share the road. That means cyclists can take up the entire lane if they need to and that cars can pass them. Vehicles have to give the rider at least three feet of clearance when passing, but Tyler says this driver barely gave him a foot.

"It feels very unsafe, very dangerous which is part of the risk you take on as a cyclist knowing that people aren't aware of the laws and how they affect them," he said.

Tyler says he's speaking out now, in hopes of educating drivers and cyclists.

"I want more people to be aware of the laws and practice safe driving, safe cycling so that more people are able to enjoy these things," he said.

Tyler has reported this incident and others to Cleveland police.