Viral cyclist and cat knocked off bike by ‘impatient’ moped driver in London
Watch: Cyclist carrying cat in basket knocked off bike in London
This is the moment a cyclist and his pet cat were both knocked off their bike onto a busy London road by an “impatient” moped driver.
Travis Nelson, who has racked up thousands of views on TikTok and Instagram by sharing his adventures with cat Sigrid, were riding on a rental bike in Farringdon when the incident took place.
Footage filmed by Nelson, 47, shows he and Sigrid approaching a set of traffic lights that had turned red.
When the lights began to change to green, Nelson is seen setting off and appearing to turn the bicycle right – before a moped appears and knocks the bike’s handlebars.
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Nelson and Sigrid, who was tied to a leash attached to the bike and sitting in a basket at the front, both tumble to the ground, with Sigrid coming close to falling under the wheels of the moped.
Nelson quickly grabs Sigrid to protect her from any oncoming traffic and puts her back in the basket.
The moped driver can be heard saying on the video: “Check you're safe and everything before you get back on your bike.”
The end of the clip shows Nelson back on his bike and continuing his journey.
Nelson wrote on X that Sigrid is “fine” but blasted the actions of the moped driver – and criticised who he believes was an undercover police officer for scolding him for not wearing a helmet.
He wrote: “Impatient, close passing moped driver knocked us off our bike today.
“Fortunately the police (?) were right behind us, so they could scold me for not wearing a helmet and then leave. First time off my bike since 2007.”
‘Unacceptable behaviour’
Nelson later wrote that the incident was “exactly why I don't like to stop for red lights”, as “inattentive or impatient motorists frequently hit cyclists when the light turns green”.
Reactions to the clip, that was posted on X, have been mixed – with people criticising both the moped driver and Nelson for their actions.
One person wrote: “Unacceptable behaviour from the moped driver... Would still recommend the helmet, though.
“As an ED nurse, I've see way too many life-threatening/life-changing head injuries from people not wearing them.”
Another added: “Clearly your fault. Nicely positioned then cut across not checking a blind spot.”
Can you get fined for not wearing a helmet on a bicycle in the UK?
Cyclists, like drivers, are bound to the Highway Code, meaning they must follow a set of rules to keep both themselves and others safe.
One of the main considerations for cyclists is whether it is compulsory to wear a helmet or not.
Cycle campaigners are split on the issue, with some say it takes away the focus from other safety issues, including dedicated cycle lanes that keep them separated from other vehicles.
Statistics show that helmets have reduced the risk of fatal head injuries by 65%, according to Cycles UK.
However, the Highway Code does not make wearing helmets compulsory – meaning cyclists will not be fined for riding without one.
Instead, it recommends wearing one that adheres to recommended safety guidelines to reduce the risk of injury or death.
Elsewhere in the Code, it is made clear that cyclists should give way to pedestrians crossing zebra or pelican crossings, while riding on the pavement is not legal and can be subject to a fine if caught.
Cyclists must not skip red lights and should stop along with any other vehicle, while they should also stay at least 0.5 metres away from the kerb edge when riding on busy roads.
