The Snowy Path Incident That Captivated the World
On Christmas Day 2020, amidst a serene snowfall in the Baraque Michel nature reserve in Belgium, a family walk took a dramatic turn. Patrick Mpasa was recording his five-year-old daughter, Neia, when a cyclist suddenly emerged from behind. With a swift knee movement, the rider knocked the young girl to the ground, sending her tumbling into the snow. This brief clip, uploaded to social media by a shaken Mpasa, would ignite a global firestorm and begin a saga lasting years, centering on the man dubbed the 'world's most hated cyclist'.
Legal Proceedings and Initial Ruling
The cyclist was identified as Jacques Davenne, a 66-year-old retired gardener and president of a local cycling club. Prosecuted in Verviers, Davenne faced public outrage over the footage. However, the court handed him a suspended sentence, noting he had already endured heavy social media criticism and spent time in custody. The judge ruled Davenne had been cycling too fast and failed to leave sufficient space, but deemed the incident minor with no intent to harm. The court ordered a symbolic €1 compensation to the girl's family.
Davenne maintained the collision was an accident, stating he lost balance on the snowy path and extended his knee to avoid a fall. Prosecutors countered this, alleging he acted out of annoyance at pedestrians obstructing his path, delivering a 'knee punch'. The local cyclist association condemned his behaviour as unacceptable.
Defamation Lawsuit and Appeal
Nearly a year later, the drama escalated as Davenne launched a defamation lawsuit against Mpasa, claiming the viral video caused him to feel threatened and afraid to leave home. In April 2023, a court ruled in Davenne's favour, ordering Mpasa to pay €4,500 for posting the footage. Mpasa's lawyer, Jacques Englebert, argued this infringed on freedom of expression.
In a dramatic turn in March 2026, a Liège appeal court overturned the ruling. The court affirmed that uploading the video constituted freedom of expression, contributing to public debate on cyclist-pedestrian interactions. Englebert highlighted that the video did not identify Davenne or his address, and no evidence of insults was provided. Davenne was ordered to pay €2,040 in court costs.
Ongoing Controversy and Personal Impact
Davenne remains defiant, insisting he did nothing wrong and plans to consult his lawyer about a further appeal. He recounted ringing his bell multiple times and losing balance, emphasising the incident was accidental. The backlash, however, has taken a psychological toll, though he vows to continue cycling passionately.
Mpasa recalled chasing Davenne, who showed no remorse and asked for the police complaint to be withdrawn. The case has sparked intense online debate, with viewers dissecting footage frame by frame. Some argue the knee movement was a balance correction on ice, while others condemn it as deliberate. Discussions also extend to parental responsibility and path etiquette.
Broader Implications and Legal Context
The incident raises questions about similar cases under British law. Under the Road Traffic Act, cyclists causing harm to pedestrians could face fines up to £1,000 for careless cycling, where ringing a bell does not absolve responsibility if speed or spacing is inadequate. Rule H1 of the Highway Code emphasises cyclists' duty to reduce danger to vulnerable pedestrians like children. Shared path rules require low speeds and vigilance, with post-incident behaviour influencing liability.
This prolonged legal battle underscores the complexities of freedom of expression, online virality, and safety in shared spaces, leaving a lasting impact on all involved and fueling ongoing public discourse.
