Cyclist shocked police said he should wear a helmet after being knocked off bike

A cyclist was left shocked after he was knocked off his bike in front of a police officer – only to be told he should have been wearing a helmet.

Travis Nelson was riding a rental bike in Farringdon, central London on Monday along with his pet cat Sigrid, who was sat in the handlebar basket.

His ride through the city was cut short when a moped driver cut past on his right hand side, knocking Travis’s handlebar and causing him to fall to the floor.

Travis stopped at a red traffic light, and as the light turned green, he started to make his right turn – however he was unable to gain much speed before a moped snuck past on his right.

Sigrid was flung from the basket and fell perilously close to the moped’s wheels before Travis could grab her.

The incident was witnessed by a police officer, who then proceeded to tell Travis he should have been wearing a helmet, before dismissing both parties.

In the clip, the female officer asked ‘are you alright?’ and when he confirmed he was fine she said: ‘You’ve not got a helmet on. I’d really recommend wearing a helmet.’

The officer then checks on the moped driver who said: ‘Make sure you’re safe and everything before you get back onto your bike.’

Travis shared the footage on social media and said: ‘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.

‘Sigrid is fine; my knee is messed up, can’t ride for a bit.’

The clip has drawn criticism on social media, with some suggesting Travis rode into the moped’s path and others even suggesting he put his cat in danger.

But Travis hit back, sharing a snipped of the Highway Code which shows he was in the right for dominating the lane – and that it’s not a legal requirement to wear a helmet while cycling, even if it is the safer option.

One user said: ‘You veered across the motorcycle’s path. All that needs doing here is informing the RSPCA because by your own admission you don’t like stopping at red lights but you’re wilfully putting that cat in harm’s way.’

Another added: ‘I think you’re arguing with everyone for no reason. Wear head protection. Keep the cat safe. You nearly lost him.

‘Drive with an eye to everyone else’s safety and you’ll hopefully stay safe too. You know you nearly lost him? That’d play on my mind. Keep safe.’

However, a third replied: ‘Glad you and Sigrid are okay. Unacceptable behaviour from the moped driver.

‘Would still recommend the helmet, though. As an ED nurse, I’ve seen way too many life-threatening/life-changing head injuries from people not wearing them.’

Another commented: ‘Glad to hear you’re both okay. Sorry it happened, unfortunately far too common in London and even the police who’re supposed to protect us are victim blaming. Unbelievable. See you and Sigi around.’

The Metropolitan Police have been contacted for comment

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.