Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The most hated man on two wheels
Armed with three cameras and a mission to record the misdemeanours of Britain’s motorists, 37-year-old Dave Sherry wears this accolade with pride – with the footage he’s caught resulting in 70 convictions.
Another anti-engine warrior?
Not quite. Sherry is a London bus driver - and it’s on his 40-mile roundtrip from Essex to his bus station in East London that he practises his particular kind of vigilantism. “It might be strange that I’m also a bus driver too but I’m just trying to make a difference. I sit on the fence,” he said.
What inspired this camera’d crusade?
One too many near-misses. “Someone hit the back of my bike and the police said they couldn’t do anything because it’s my word against them,” he said of an incident two and a half years ago. “That spurred me on, so I went and got my cameras.”
So he’s well kitted out?
He is, strapping a grand’s worth of recording devices to his bike for his daily ride. He also wears £80 body armour for protection against motorists and dresses head to toe in fluorescent clothing. He carries nine spare batteries and his £2,000 carbon fibre MEkk 2G bike is equipped with a £200 Garmin computer allowing him to record the time and location of each traffic violation.
And these 70 convictions…
Using his footage, police and local councils have reprimanded a host of poor drivers for offences including speeding, overtaking too close and running red lights. “I do what I do because I want to make our roads safer for everyone,” he said. “If people follow the Highway Code there would be so many fewer accidents and casualties.”
Drivers beware.
Indeed. As Mr Sherry puts it: “If I catch you, you are going to be very, very sorry”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments