Cyclist Ben (47) gets a success of reckless car driver: « My children cycle here too, perhaps they will be a victim tomorrow » (Ghent)

The incident happened on Friday evening at 4.20 pm near Gent-Sint-Pieters. Ben van Alboom (47) was on his way to pick up his daughter from school. In Achilles Musschestraat in the direction of the station, a car wants to put it past.

« The driver pulled up and passed at 5 centimeters from mine. I made it miserable and shouted: » Silly.  » I live nearby and such situations really push cyclists there. « 

According to Van Alboom, the driver braved and he got out. « I was able to brake just in time. The driver gave me a blow in my face, after which he drove on. Fortunately I don’t have any fractures, I just had to put some ice on my face. »

License plate noted

Van Alboom was able to note the number plate and one eyewitness also passed on his data to him. « What a pity is: at least nine other witnesses did nothing. I still shouted: » Does anyone call the police?  » But they drove or just continued. Fortunately, that one person did help. « 

The Ghent police then made an official report. « The agents were super friendly and helped me. I gave them a number plate and description. »

Van Alboom is known as ‘a Gentenaar with an opinion’ and tells his story to draw more attention to bicycle safety. « My children also cycle in this street and maybe they will be the victim tomorrow. »

More bicycle streets

According to the journalist, the street in question is one of the hundreds of Ghent streets where it is impossible to catch up with a cyclist at more than a meter distance. « Dangerous, so why isn’t a bicycle street made of this? »

Van Alboom’s call goes even further. « Entering a bicycle street is one something, but there must also be checked. I often cycle on the old Houtlei and catch cars. Why not use drones such as in Mechelen? You have to give drivers a signal, that they will be caught if they do it anyway. »