Who wants to test a mini cycle camera?

Whether you're already one of the increasing number of cyclists who runs a cycle cam or are considering investing in one, how do you fancy testing one for us?

A small and inexpensive mini camera caught our eye this week so we snapped it up and would like to give it away for testing. It's not intended to be a replacement for action cams like the GoPro (at less than £30 including a memory card, it's a fraction of the price) - in fact it's not pitched as a cycle cam at all, but we're intrigued to know whether it's up to the job of recording a daily commute.

To be in with a chance of winning the diminutive camera, which measures less than 10cm long and can record up to 1.5 hours of looped footage, simply leave a comment below.

Cycle cams - Essential kit for UK roads?

Running a cycle cam on your handlebars or helmet doesn't make the roads feel any safer, but you do feel less helpless. In the event of a road traffic incident, video footage goes a long way towards guaranteeing legal redress - it's a cycle insurance of sorts.

One of the great frustrations about cycling on British roads is that lack of infrastructure is accompanied by an absence of justice for vulnerable road users. Not only that, but we're one of the only countries in Europe to eschew strict liability - a common sense law that makes motorists automatically liable for injuries caused to pedestrians and cyclists.

The result is that court cases rest on one person's word against another - and given pedestrians and cyclists are often injured in road traffic collisions, their recollection of events can be affected.

How does the law regard cycle cam evidence?

Aside from the police portals designed specifically for the purpose, there is no reason why cycle cam footage cannot be admitted as evidence in the same way as CCTV is used.

The Metropolitan Police is one of a number of forces that allows road users to upload camera footage when reporting a road traffic incident.

The Met has already received well over 20,000 submissions and around two thirds lead to action being taken. Such systems are a game changer for cyclists. Evidence of close passes, abusive drivers and collisions can all be passed to the police with the click of a mouse. Hopefully, the thousands of drivers who've already received penalty points on the strength of camera footage will become more considerate and careful road users as a result.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance (covers cargo bikes), breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

{{cta-cycling}}