helmet mounted camera for safety when riding -- anyone?

[bacarver]

Does anyone in TE forum use a helmet-mounted camera to record problems with dogs/angry people? I've been advised by local law enforcement to consider purchasing a camera to record situations that turn into he-said/she-said.
Thanks - Barb

[rebeccaC]

Wondering why dogs and people are so angry in southern Indiana to need to do it.

If you think you might need a recording of an incident use the technology. I’ve seen some great video from go-pros used by friends on their helmets. Personally go pros seem too large to me though. The size can make it known that video recording is going on though. The number of smaller well made cameras are increasing. Google glass and other computerized eyewear soon too.
I carry pepper gel for dogs, which I’ve only used a couple of times in 10+ years, and self defense training for people with the gel as a back up, neither of which I’ve had to use. I try to de-escalate anger in people on a bike or not.

[colorisnt]

I have thought about it since I ride in traffic. It worries me sometimes. If I was doing a tour of multiple days in and out of traffic, I would definitely consider it.

I am concerned for your safety with angry people, though. What's happening that you feel so scared?

[lph]

I've never considered wearing one myself, but I've seen a few people using them on their daily commutes here.

They've caused a bit of a snit over here, actually. One guy regularly posts videos of "bad behaviour" on youtube. When a newspaper ran an article about him, showing some of his worst examples the commentary exploded. Follow-up articles about "the war between cyclists and drivers", and lots of people apparently infuriated by him wearing a camera, as if it in some way implied that he was out to get all drivers and all cyclists are perfect. Popular opinion is that cyclists are arrogant and unreliable.

I can understand a little of the feeling, I guess. No-one is a perfect driver or cyclist, and when you consider that you may ride (or drive) flawlessly 98% of the time but make one poor decision at some point, it's not quite fair to have those split seconds published on the net as an example of your appalling judgement, or even all cyclists' or drivers' appalling judgement.

Anyway. Small cameras are probably great as back-up just in case, larger ones may or may not cause people to behave better...

[Jolt]

I've never considered wearing one myself, but I've seen a few people using them on their daily commutes here.

They've caused a bit of a snit over here, actually. One guy regularly posts videos of "bad behaviour" on youtube. When a newspaper ran an article about him, showing some of his worst examples the commentary exploded. Follow-up articles about "the war between cyclists and drivers", and lots of people apparently infuriated by him wearing a camera, as if it in some way implied that he was out to get all drivers and all cyclists are perfect. Popular opinion is that cyclists are arrogant and unreliable.

I can understand a little of the feeling, I guess. No-one is a perfect driver or cyclist, and when you consider that you may ride (or drive) flawlessly 98% of the time but make one poor decision at some point, it's not quite fair to have those split seconds published on the net as an example of your appalling judgement, or even all cyclists' or drivers' appalling judgement.

Anyway. Small cameras are probably great as back-up just in case, larger ones may or may not cause people to behave better...

I can understand people's concerns about this guy's videos...like you said, no one is perfect and it would be pretty embarrassing to have that one mistake posted on the web for all to see. Also, if I were driving (or riding, or anything else) and saw someone recording all the goings-on I would be a little suspicious of their motives...IMHO it does come across like they are out to get people. Seems like the kind of thing that while it may seem like a good idea if you've had a lot of issues on your rides, may just create more adversarial feelings.

[pll]

I will a different concern about helmet mounted cameras or lights: the change the balance of your head, making it possibly more dangerous when you fall (after all, that is why we wear a helmet). I tried a light, one strong enough to ride in complete darkness, and absolutely did not like the feel. Mounted on the handlebars, no problem.