Cyclists abused in viral road rage video were off-duty policemen
The cyclists that copped a verbal spray from an irate driver on Australia Day were actually off-duty policemen, NSW Police has confirmed.
Thomas Harris, from Albion Park, NSW, filmed himself as he unleashed a foul-mouthed tirade at two cyclists who were peddling along the road instead of using a bike lane near Jamberoo on the NSW south coast.
As the cyclists ride side by side on Swamp Road, Mr Harris shouts at them from his window.
“What’s the point of us spending this money if you’re not going to use it, you f***ing d***head?” he yells.
One of the cyclists suggests the driver pull over so they can “have a chat.”
But instead, Mr Harris responded: “F*** off, f***ing idiot. Use the f***ing bike track.”
The footage was posted to Mr Harris’ Instagram account and quickly went viral.
On Monday, he was interviewed by Lake Illawarra police and charged with using his phone while driving, offensive language and driving on the bike path.
A friend of the angry motorist has since set up a GoFundMe page to help Mr Harris pay for his legal costs.
“Let’s get behind this Aussie Hero … Thomas Harris, 28yo has been charged for trying to prove a point to the media about cyclists hogging roads when there are clearly goverment [sic] funded cycle ways in place for their safety and the safety of other road users,” the campaign statement reads.
“There needs to be a stop to cyclists ridding [sic] two abreast on roads where there are cycleways, and something needs to be done about these ignorant and ‘uninformed’ cyclists.”
The $2000 campaign goal has already been exceeded, with donations totaling more than $3200.
