#bloodycyclists: @Emmaway20 is back after Twitter releases her handle
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.It all started with a tweet and now it looks set to continue in 140 character posts, with an aggrieved user taking over Emma Way's former Twitter handle.
The 21-year-old formerly used @emmaway20 to write about “bloody cyclists” after knocking cyclist Toby Hockley off his bike.
After initially locking the account, the handle @emmaway20 was released on Wednesday.
The unknown user quickly took the reigns, initially pretending to be Way (albeit somewhat unconvincingly), posting provocative tweets such as "what did they say? "cleared of driving without due care and attention"? Sorry - wasn't really listening...".
The user was quickly unmasked as an Emma Way pretender, however, mostly thanks to a bio that simply reads #BloodyCyclists. Upon Twitter interrogation, the anonymous user was forced to admit: "Okay, this clearly isn't really Emma any more. Twitter let the account be reused and I want to say things about this strange situation..."
Way received seven points, £300 fine and £337 court costs for failing to stop and report a collision with cyclist Toby Hockley.
Mr Hockley sustained minor injuries when Way’s car clipped him on a narrow country lane in Norfolk on 19 May, and cycling campaigners across the UK became angered by her posts in response to the incident.
ITV show Daybreak was also on the receiving end of pretend 'Emma's' more satirical tweets, who suggested that the £300 fine Way has received will "easily be covered by the TV deal", adding "a girl's gotta earn her money somehow...".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments