It Looks Like That Cyclist Revenge Video Was A Big Fat Fake

A 'viral agency' has admitted that the video it published of a cyclist getting revenge on a cat-calling douchebag may have been staged

Whether it was on CT or elsewhere, it’s highly likely you saw the above video at some point this week. It shows a female cyclist on the receiving end of the kind of sexist abuse which is - sadly - not that surprising, before exacting her revenge.

The story received extensive coverage in countless publications, but it looks like the whole thing was staged. Numerous eagle-eyed viewers spotted that the wing mirror which the cyclist removed looked to have been partially dismantled in preparation, and Buzzfeed News spoke to an anonymous witness who claimed to have seen the filming and reported that it took two takes to get it right.

The company which distributed the clip - a firm called Viral Thread - has issued a statement admitting it “may be factually incorrect,” while distancing themselves from the production of the video:

“It has come to our attention that a video distributed on our Facebook channel Viral Thread on 21st February 2017 may be factually incorrect.

Contrary to reports, we want to make clear that we were in no way involved in the making or production of this video. The video was received from a third-party content provider and it was distributed on Viral Thread under the impression that it portrayed real-life events.

We rigorously vet all content received from third parties to ascertain its credibility, but unfortunately our usual high standards were not met on this video. We are committed to ensuring and protecting the integrity of content on our channels and take matters of this nature extremely seriously. We’ve since started an internal investigation to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Comments

Noah Thorley Images

They were just filming:

02/23/2017 - 10:26 |
146 | 4

To the top you go

02/23/2017 - 10:39 |
27 | 18
Freddie Skeates

FAKE NEWS

02/23/2017 - 10:28 |
80 | 2

This should be a runner up for top comment

02/23/2017 - 19:55 |
1 | 1
Tomislav Celić

I TOLD YOU AND ALL YOU DID WAS DOWNVOTE ME, WOMEN WONT DO CRIMINAL DAMAGE JUST TO AVOID CREAPS, THEY WILL CYCLE AWAY. And why the f’ck am I shouting

02/23/2017 - 10:38 |
19 | 8

Um, you didnt say it was fake, you said it was acceptable for a guy to act that way. Thats what the downvotes were probably for

02/23/2017 - 13:10 |
12 | 2
The VW Beetle

Cyclist be like: “It’s just weight reduction”

02/23/2017 - 10:39 |
28 | 1
Alex Kersten

I still legit think that this is real. Would have taken a lot to set this up, including having an extra actor in orange work clothes for the van to pull up next to…

02/23/2017 - 10:41 |
26 | 6

Fake or real, this video should be used anyway to discourage such behaviour.
I could see myself being that motorbike driver, following the van and shout some words to them.

02/23/2017 - 10:59 |
3 | 1

Plus countless hours of editing.

02/23/2017 - 12:59 |
1 | 0

Not that you aren’t right or to offend, But can you explain how she pulled the mirror off that van so easily? Because normally it is pretty hard to take them off a car.

02/23/2017 - 13:58 |
9 | 0

may very well be real. some companies don’t exactly take the best care of their vehicles, and it may have already been damaged or loose

02/23/2017 - 14:57 |
1 | 1
Anonymous

But why? Why do people make fake vids like this? You’re only pissing of people and/or trying to start a gender war.

02/23/2017 - 11:22 |
8 | 0
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Money

02/23/2017 - 14:23 |
3 | 0
TDN

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Exactly what the fake news media wants to do: piss people off.

02/23/2017 - 14:29 |
11 | 0
Alex Webster

Top comment on a fake video, feels bad :(

02/23/2017 - 11:28 |
9 | 0
TurboToddler (Straight-five)

In reply to by Freewie

sulking intensifies

02/23/2017 - 14:13 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I always thought that the mirror came off too easily

02/23/2017 - 15:22 |
3 | 0
Anonymous

[DELETED]

02/23/2017 - 18:59 |
2 | 4
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Why doe vote is true

02/23/2017 - 19:00 |
0 | 3
Jack (AUDI fan)

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Your messed up

02/23/2017 - 19:57 |
1 | 0

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