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Video: Heated cyclist, car standoff on the streets of Ottawa

Police are investigating an exchange between a driver and cyclist in downtown Ottawa

January 15, 2017
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A heated exchange between a cyclist and driver on the streets of downtown Ottawa was captured on video by a passing vehicle on Wednesday. Ottawa police are now investigating the incident and are looking for witnesses including the individual who was filming the apparent standoff.

The video was posted by the Ottawa radio station CFRA and shows a driver pushing up against a cyclist who was dismounted and in front of the vehicle. The incident took place on Bronson Avenue near Slater St. between 2 and 4 pm on Wednesday Jan. 11 according to the police. Yelling “no” and using his bike as a shield, the cyclist can be seen trying to stand his ground against a driver who continues to advance towards and then push him.

“No, you can’t do that man,” the man filming the confrontation says as he pulls up next to the car. The driver of the vehicle can be seen making hand gestures in the video as he pushes the cyclist through an intersection. The 39-second video does not show how the confrontation began or ended with Ottawa police saying they are trying to fill in those blanks with their investigation.

“We don’t condone this type of behaviour and we don’t want people to engage in this type of behaviour,” said Staff Sgt. Stephane Tracy of the Ottawa police to the CBC.

“All users of the roadway should be respectful and abide by the rules of the road…road safety is a priority for the Ottawa Police Service and I think these types of incidents shouldn’t happen,” he said. “People should not take matters into their own hands.”

Tracy said that a number of charges, including if the person filming is using their phone while operating the vehicle, are possible under the Highway Traffic Act or Criminal Code in relation to the incident but it remains to early to know for sure.

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The police are asking anyone with details to call police at 613-236-1222 ext. 7300.