Veteran broadcaster Jeremy Vine has revealed he will no longer share videos of his cycling commutes through London after years of escalating online abuse. The BBC Radio 2 and Channel 5 presenter, known for his strong advocacy for road safety and cyclists’ rights, made the announcement on Sunday via social media and expanded on his decision in an emotional interview on BBC Radio 4’s World at One on Monday.
Vine, who has posted numerous viral clips documenting unsafe driving and road behaviour on London streets, said the backlash had become overwhelming.
“I’ve been dealing with a lot of abuse – what used to be called flak, now they call it trolling,” Vine said. “I wish I didn’t care, but I do. In the end, it got to me.”
Hostility and Harassment Over Cyclist Advocacy
A longtime campaigner for safer streets and greater awareness around vulnerable road users, Vine has amassed millions of views on his cycling videos — often captured via helmet camera — exposing reckless driving, road rage, and near-miss incidents in the capital. However, he says the volume and vitriol of personal attacks online have reached an intolerable level.
“Please only upload another cycling video if it’s you getting run down and hospitalised,” one disturbing comment read, which Vine shared as an example of the hate he’s received.
Vine told listeners that any criticism of UK motorists is often met with hostility, comparing the nation’s attachment to driving with religious fervour. “Car driving is like a religion in this country,” he said. “If you say anything that challenges that, you get a reaction.”
Controversial Remarks and Pushback
While Vine has garnered praise from safety groups and cycling campaigners, some of his remarks have drawn criticism. In a recent podcast appearance with Gaby Roslin, he quipped:
“All the people who are not getting enough sex lock themselves in small metal boxes and drive around London.”
When asked whether such comments alienate drivers, Vine defended his approach, saying:
“I’m just someone who wants people – especially children – to be safe on the roads.”
Theft and Fatigue Prompt Step Back
In addition to the mental toll of online abuse, Vine cited the recent theft of his bicycle as another factor prompting his decision to stop filming and posting.
“These videos have been watched over 100 million times, but the anger they create has genuinely upset me,” he wrote on social media. “My only goal was to get drivers to think more carefully about how dangerous cycling in cities can be.”
Vine also previously told the London Assembly transport committee in 2018 that he regularly witnessed up to 40 traffic offences per day on his ride from Chiswick to central London. In 2017, a woman was jailed for threatening him during one such commute.
Moving Forward
While Jeremy Vine may be stepping back from video advocacy, he remains a prominent voice in the debate over urban road safety. His departure from filming, however, leaves a noticeable gap in the grassroots push for greater awareness around cycling dangers in UK cities.
