Unless you’ve not been paying your Internet bills late last year and had your Internet cut off, you’d have been one of the few million people who’ve seen this video (we’ve sliced it into gifs for you because we’re good like that):
It went so viral, even overseas media outlets were writing about it.
Lest you’ve forgotten the context (or missed out on some new details), here’s what happened:
- Lorry driver honked cyclist because cyclist was taking the entire lane like a tortoise
- Lorry tried to overtake by squeezing into another lane
- Cyclist went apeshit and hit the lorry’s side mirror, damaging it (read on, because new info suggests he was just “protesting”)
- Taxi on the other lane honked as the lorry was getting too close to it
- Lorry swerved away, hitting the cyclist
- Both claimed there was “no injury” so they left it at that
- Video went viral and both of them were summoned to the same police station
- Cyclist looked injured
- Lorry driver accused of rash act and could be jailed at least two weeks
- Lorry driver decided to claim trial instead of pleading guilty
If you’re on the Internet, you’d know that a majority of netizens sided with the lorry driver, though I’ve to admit that whatever views on the Internet might not be the views of the majority of the population.
So, what about the cyclist?
Unlike the lorry driver, the cyclist hasn’t been talking to anyone except the police.
Well, there is now an update, which is like Episode 158 of this entire saga that never seems to end.
Not a “Hit” But a “Protest”
Yesterday (12 April 2019), the verdict is finally out for the cyclist, together with his point of view.
First of all, an introduction of the protagonist here: he’s an avid cyclist who passed his “cycling proficiency test” when he was nine in the UK.
Wait, cycling also need test one?
Turns out it’s a training programme for cycling over in the UK, primarily for kids (since that’s when they learn cycling). It’s not a license per se, but more of a training. Now known as Bikeability, it’s basically a “government-recognised, practical and professional training, and we know that cyclists are more skilled and more confident once they’ve taken part.”
In other words…pretty much irrelevant in this context, methinks.
He has been in Singapore for seven years and has been cycling here in the entire seven years. When the lorry was too close to him, he felt “very vulnerable” and guess what?
He protested by swinging his right arm. The right arm, as we all know, hit the side mirror of the lorry.
Injured & Want to Compensate Lorry Driver
According to his lawyer, he had sustained abrasions and bruises on his lower back.
And despite this footage…
…he claimed that he regretted his actions and hoped that he could have managed his emotions better. According to the lawyer, he even offered to compensate the lorry driver but the lorry driver turned the offer down.
Because of the video’s virality, his world was turned “upside down” and he even had to seek psychiatric help to manage his anxiety.
He has since quit his job and is actively looking for another job as he wanted to make Singapore his home.
Fined $2,800
Eventually, he was fined $2,800 to one charge of committing mischief and another charge of not cycling in an orderly and careful manner under the Road Traffic Rules.
As for the lorry driver?
His case would be heard at a later date.
Doxxing to Become a Criminal Act
The cyclist must be thinking, “If only the doxxing new laws have been kicked in earlier.”
On 1 April 2019, amendments to the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) were tabled in Parliament, and one of them is to criminalise doxxing.
Simply put, the cyclist is a prime example of a victim of doxxing: his personal details were “CSI-ed” by netizens and published online. Netizens then went on some kind of wild online justice by harassing him, or encouraging others to harass him.
Oh wells.
If you watch at least 10 minutes of brain rot content daily, you must know this:
Read Also:
- 62YO Woman Allegedly Put Dozens of Expired Products in 2 FairPrice Outlets
- There Are Now 1 Million Vehicles in S’pore, a Record High
- It Turns Out That There Are Free Payphones Around S’pore
- US Probing Whether DeepSeek Got “Banned” Nvidia Chips Through S’pore
- Everything About Punggol Coast Mall, a New Mall That’s Opening in March
- Dragon Puppet Hit By Moving Ceiling Fan in Sin Ming Restaurant, Injuring Diners
Advertisements
