Mike van Erp, widely known as Cycling Mikey, has gained notoriety for his efforts to monitor and report dangerous driving behaviors on London’s roads. Utilizing a helmet-mounted camera, he captures footage of motorists he believes are driving recklessly or carelessly. Van Erp then submits these recordings to law enforcement and shares them on social media, where they often gain significant attention.
Since 2019, Van Erp claims to have reported nearly 2,500 drivers, with his profile on X highlighting almost 3,000 penalty points and 36 disqualifications. He describes his actions as a form of civic responsibility, stating,
„I see what I’m doing as good civic duty. I’ve become like this demon on the shoulders of drivers, [which means] everybody is much more worried about being on their phone.“
Van Erp is part of a growing trend of individuals using cameras to assist in monitoring road safety. In 2016, North Wales Police initiated Operation Snap, which has since been adopted by various police forces across England and Wales. This initiative allows the public to upload video evidence of suspected driving offenses through an online portal.
Public Submissions and Traffic Violations
In London, the Metropolitan Police reported receiving 22,971 submissions of road traffic incidents via their Single Online Home platform in 2025, a slight increase from 25,439 in 2024. The most frequently reported offense in 2025 was driving without due care and attention, which encompasses behaviors such as tailgating, turning into the path of another vehicle, or lingering in the overtaking lane unnecessarily. The second most reported offense involved the use of mobile phones while driving, with these two violations making up a significant portion of the total reports.
Among the resolved submissions in 2025, 14.3% resulted in advisory letters, 10.1% led to fines, and 8.9% resulted in drivers being required to attend training courses. Just under 12% of cases were forwarded for prosecution.
Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox from Northamptonshire Police, who previously led the Vision Zero initiative aimed at reducing road injuries in London, asserts that public reporting has contributed to saving lives. He stated,
„More people die on our roads than through any other form of crime. If you were to look at the mindset of the dangerous driver, they look for the speed camera, they look for the police officer, and if they see neither, they are minded to drive dangerously. If they know the average member of the public has a camera, they are more minded to drive safely.“
Consequences of Reckless Driving
One individual reported by Cycling Mikey for using their phone while driving received six penalty points and a £200 fine. Preferring to remain anonymous, they expressed gratitude for the encounter, stating,
„In a way I’m grateful for the encounter as it definitely changed my relationship with my phone in my car. I have never touched it in the car since. It made me think more about the consequences.“
While acknowledging that the risk of causing harm while using a phone when stationary is low, they recognized the legal implications of their actions.
The Need for More Law Enforcement
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, believes that the increase in dashcam usage stems from a perceived decline in visible policing on the roads. He noted,
„Over a number of years, there has been a big loss in the number of road traffic officers out on the roads. With the rise of dashcams, people are now being a bit more proactive that where they feel drivers are overstepping the mark, they’ve got footage to send on [to the police]. What we need is a mix of both.“
Cousens emphasized the importance of having more traffic officers present on the roads, in addition to public submissions of camera footage.
The Impact of Social Media
In addition to reporting to the police, road users have increasingly turned to social media to share instances of reckless driving. Van Erp believes that posting these incidents online serves as a powerful deterrent. He remarked,
„Posting online has made what I’m doing 100 times more powerful. It’s a bit like Archimedes lever — give me a long enough lever and I’ll move the world.“
Cox also supports the notion that social media can play a role in deterring poor driving behaviors. He stated,
„It is helpful to stimulate a debate and help people to recognize that they need to drive more safely. By showcasing dangerous driving, it hopefully leads to an improved standard of driving through education and awareness.“
Accounts dedicated to sharing footage of traffic incidents have gained substantial followings on social media platforms. For instance, the account Exposed: UK Dash Cams boasts nearly 350,000 followers and 12 million likes on TikTok. Rich, who started the page in 2023, indicated that while his primary motivation was financial, he also aimed to address a perceived decline in driving standards.
He stated,
„I thought that sharing dashcam footage could help raise awareness, educate drivers, and potentially encourage better behavior on the roads.“
Concerns About Content Focus
Despite the positive intentions behind sharing footage, some critics argue that the content often prioritizes sensationalism over education. Driving instructor Ashley Neal, who operates a YouTube channel offering driving advice, expressed concern that the focus tends to be on dramatic incidents rather than constructive education. He commented,
„Anyone can buy a camera and create these [videos], and there’s a pull for likes. They are always going to go for the drama and road rage, and those are the clips that are going to be most viewed.“
Neal believes that the emphasis should shift towards educating road users rather than merely pointing fingers at poor driving.
The Role of Public Reporting in Road Safety
As the debate continues, the question arises: should the responsibility of monitoring road safety fall to the public? Legal scholar Professor Sally Kyd views initiatives like Operation Snap as a form of „Neighbourhood Watch of the roads.“ She emphasized that these programs should not replace police duties but rather complement them.
Dr. Helen Wells, a criminologist specializing in road safety, conducted research in 2024 examining the effects of public reporting on traffic incidents. She noted that these initiatives emerged from a public demand for accountability on the roads.
„This grew from the bottom up,“
she said.
„It was a publicly demanded approach… the public were saying enough is enough, the roads aren’t safe, and we want something done about it.“
Wells advocates for encouraging the public to submit more footage, citing research indicating that increased surveillance can positively influence behavior. She stated,
„If you think about the vehicle behind you, or the cyclist you’re trying to pass, and imagine them as somebody who has the means to hold you accountable, maybe you won’t do some of the things we see captured in footage every day.“
Quellen: bbc.co.uk
Bildquelle: depositphotos
