billvon 3,120 #1 November 5, 2009 In 2008, a driver who became angry at two cyclists for "blocking the road" sped up to pass them, got in front of them, and slammed on his brakes. One of the bikers went through his back window, broke most of his front teeth, and cut up his face. His face is mostly reconstructed now but he has no feeling in parts of it. The other biker went down and ended up with a separated shoulder. The trial took place over the last few weeks, and today he was found guilty of battery, assault with a deadly weapon and reckless driving causing injury. A sad story all around, but perhaps it will serve as a warning to other drivers who might consider pulling a similar stunt. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cyclist3-2009nov03,0,761131.story Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #2 November 5, 2009 GOOD! Something I read just last week that boggled my mind: - The speed limit was 30 mph. - GPS from one of the bikes indicated they were doing 30 mph. The defense attorney had the audacity to tell the court the cyclists were "endangering the doctor by not letting him pass". WTF?I grew up in a rural community where encountering farm tractors and combines on the road, (neither of which could exceed 20mph), was a daily occurrence. There were also a lot of Amish in the area, so it was also common to encounter horse-drawn buggies. All this time I didn't realize they were putting me at risk by having to slow down for them. "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #3 November 5, 2009 QuoteA sad story all around, but perhaps it will serve as a warning to other drivers who might consider pulling a similar stunt. Doubtful. People in cars tend to feel as if they quite literally own the road. In my youth I was pushed off the road while on a bike more times than I can recount. Had things thrown at me. Had people reach out and whack me with their hands. People are just idiots.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #4 November 5, 2009 I am glad he was convicted.TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #5 November 5, 2009 Bill (Happythoughts) Pat close attention to this article, it could happen to you You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,590 #6 November 5, 2009 Quote Bill (Happythoughts) Pat close attention to this article, it could happen to you Damn, you have a good memory! I had forgotten all about that."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj126 0 #7 November 5, 2009 Bet they dont block traffic anymore, more than one leason learned. I Am Sofa King We Todd Did!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdfreefly 1 #8 November 5, 2009 Not to be a serious dick head, but have you ever actually tried to use a bicycle as your primary form of transportation? Ever had someone who thought you were "blocking traffic" nearly kill you so they could get to their red light faster? Ever had someone try to teach you a lesson by zipping around you as close as they can get without actually hitting you...ever had them fail and clip you with their mirror? I've been using my bike to get to work in San Francisco for over a year now. Besides losing over 20 pounds, I've learned to have a little more empathy for both sides of the argument. Yes bicycles can be an annoyance to a motorist. Yes, some bicyclists are incredibly rude and purposely ride to piss off drivers, things could be greatly improved if cyclists had some sympathy for the poor bastards sitting in traffic watching their life slip away as the lights change...but some of us are just trying to get to work without being killed by an asshole. To all you fucking pricks out there that think it's ok for you to "educate" cyclists on the right of way...That's a lethal fucking weapon you're driving, try to remember that the next time you try to clip a cyclist with your side view mirror. Methane Freefly - got stink? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kj126 0 #9 November 5, 2009 Trap is set, apply bait "SNAP" bwahahaha. And i have not been called that many names since my divorce... I Am Sofa King We Todd Did!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #10 November 5, 2009 And on the other side of the fence.... You cyclists: 1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? 2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? 3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Case in point: Running and rolling through red lights, right turns without stopping, etc. 4. Has common sense changed so much that playing in traffic has become a good idea these days? 5. And whatever happened to the cool sound of baseball cards in the spokes?My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,596 #11 November 5, 2009 Quote1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? Bikes don't mix with sidewalks. That's just silly. Bike paths should be used if available, but even then there are some that are so poorly designed that they actually make cycling more dangerous in the bizzare ways that they intersect with the roads. Quote2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? I don't. But I still have to use congested roads to get from where I live to the roads that I actually enjoy cycling. Quote3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Wierd question. Why do car drivers? Why does anyone? However, the that car drivers break, or the rude things they do on the road tend to be much, much more dangerous to others than the things cyclists do.Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy9o8 2 #12 November 5, 2009 I'm a bike rider and sympathetic with this issue; but on more than one occasion I've had to brake my car hard to avoid cyclists who blew through stop signs. And yes, I do believe cars need to share the road with bikes, and I'm very glad this guy was convicted. But by the same token, there are a few cyclists who not only use their fair share of the road, but aggressively block the cars. I've seen it, and I'm sure others have, too. Well, they can poke that bear in the nose if they feel so invulnerable. Last time I checked, being right and dead is still mainly dead. Point being: responsibility and attitude works both ways. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #13 November 5, 2009 I'll field some of these... ok all of them... Quote You cyclists: 1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? a side walk isn't designed for riding a bike it's designed for walking... and sometimes mulituse paths are layed out to facilitate commuting to and from work... besides I have a right and responsibility to share the road just as any automobile drivers... Quote 2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? first off who's to say I don't... but I live in an area where I need to take one or two busy roads to get to those "lightly" traveled back roads that are only sometimes safer to bike on then the "busy" roads... Quote 3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Case in point: Running and rolling through red lights, right turns without stopping, etc. The short answer is that I do obey all traffic signs and lights (that is unless the lights are not functional... as some of the time, although not most of the time any more, lights won't trigger if a bike in the lane... and in that case... a bicyclist is allowed to go through a red light... because it isn't functioning properly...) Oh and as a cyclist it kind of pisses me off when other cyclists don't adhere to the law Quote 4. Has common sense changed so much that playing in traffic has become a good idea these days? I don't PLAY in traffic... I do ride my bike in traffic... but I don't PLAY. Quote 5. And whatever happened to the cool sound of baseball cards in the spokes? this is a question of effeciency... frankly having cards in my spokes severly cuts down on my effeciency and I like to think I'm an efficient rider... edited to add besides most drivers wouldn't hear the sound anyhow over the radio anyhow... Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #14 November 5, 2009 Quote1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? In many cities, riding on the sidewalk is against the law. Bikers still do it, of course, but they are in the wrong to do so. Quote 2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? I'm actually glad they do - I feel like their lungs filter a bit of the air pollution. I wish I could get a few to ride behind my V-8 pickup. I would feel better about the damage I'm doing to the environment. Quote 3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Case in point: Running and rolling through red lights, right turns without stopping, etc. Bikers are terrible about this - no doubt. If they want to be treated with respect, and want to really "share the road", they need to obey the traffic laws, just like the rest of us.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #15 November 5, 2009 Quote Bikes don't mix with sidewalks. That's just silly. Bike paths should be used if available, but even then there are some that are so poorly designed that they actually make cycling more dangerous in the bizzare ways that they intersect with the roads. My bike is my primary form of transportation. I did ~130 miles worth of bicycle commuting last week. My preference for riding is (listed from most to least desirable) generally: bike path, sidewalk, bike lane, hard shoulder, in traffic lane with cars. In some states in the US, riding a bicycle on the sidewalk is a legal option. Cyclists must obey pedestrian laws and yield to other pedestrians. Personally, I prefer the prospect of a closing speed of ~20 mph with an oncoming runner than closing speeds of up to 40 mph or more from cars approaching from the rear. It's important to note that my bike is a single speed with a gain ratio of about 4.1, so I can't ride very fast with it, maybe ~12 mph sustained speeds. Riding a road bike that allowed much higher sustained speeds would change the order of my preferred places to ride, placing the sidewalk at or near the bottom of the list. As it is, I'm old and ride because I enjoy it, not because I want to see how quickly I can get from point A to point B. Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #16 November 5, 2009 Quote1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? I prefer the sidewalk when it is a legal option, exists, and doesn't have lots of low hanging branches or cars parked across it. Having said that, if I rode a bike that was designed for higher sustained speeds, I would avoid sidewalks. I prefer to ride where closing speeds with other vehicles in traffic are minimized. Quote2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? For me, it is in an attempt to reach those less-travelled roads. Quote3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Case in point: Running and rolling through red lights, right turns without stopping, etc. I tend to obey traffic laws. I only roll through stop signs if there is no other traffic. Even when I do, I slow down enough to check for cars first. I very occasionally run a red light, but only if I'm riding on the sidewalk and there is no traffic that I can disrupt. Quote4. Has common sense changed so much that playing in traffic has become a good idea these days? I don't like to ride in traffic, at least without a bike lane. Unfortunately, most US cities are not bicycle friendly on all of their streets, so those of us who prefer to ride have no other option other than riding in traffic at times. Quote5. And whatever happened to the cool sound of baseball cards in the spokes? I think it went out with tail fins on luxury cars.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 624 #17 November 5, 2009 Quote And on the other side of the fence.... You cyclists: 1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path or sidewalk on the side? 2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? 3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Case in point: Running and rolling through red lights, right turns without stopping, etc. 4. Has common sense changed so much that playing in traffic has become a good idea these days? 5. And whatever happened to the cool sound of baseball cards in the spokes? I live in quite a hilly area and there is not alot more frustrating irratating than being stuck at 5MPH with a lycra arse blocking the way There are a couple of guys who ride right on the crown of the road and block pretty much everyone causing severe congestion - luckily I am on a "proper" bike and can normally blow past them. The other hazard though is female cyclists - but I am not complaining about them, I just hope I don't drive/ride into someone else as a resultExperienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #18 November 5, 2009 It speaks volumes when cyclists have to defend themselves in a thread where 2 cyclists were assaulted by a car driver.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 624 #19 November 5, 2009 QuoteIt speaks volumes when cyclists have to defend themselves in a thread where 2 cyclists were assaulted by a car driver. yes sorry it was quite the hijack. It is inexcusible to assualt anyone. I do think that there are 2 sides to the argument though (not the article in question). I don't know anyone that cycles in the UK, but it is amazing amongst my biker friends how many think that they can ignore the rules of the road - and then go on to bitch loadly about "cagers". I would not have the balls to cycle on UK roads - cars are a real hazard.Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #20 November 5, 2009 On the flip side, I hope Bicyclist learn that single file, might avoid pissing people off in the first place! WHY do they need to be side by side, sometimes 4 abreast? Thats plan suidcidal! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #21 November 5, 2009 BTW, not saying the guy had a right to react, just saying problems can be avoided with a little common sense! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #22 November 5, 2009 >1. Why do you insist on riding in the road when there is a nice bike path >or sidewalk on the side? Cuz the law says to do so. >2. For recreational riding, why do you guys get out there in heavy >traffic sucking fumes when there are other, less-traveled roads to use? Cuz often there's only one good way to get where you are going. My usual weekend ride is a 20 mile loop that includes a few miles on Mira Mesa Blvd, which is a pretty major secondary road. Since it goes under a freeway there isn't much other choice there. (I guess I could try to run across the freeway, but that seems like an even worse idea.) >3. Why do you guys choose to obey some traffic laws and not others. Because there's really no reason to stop for a light when there is no other traffic for miles. (True in cars as well.) And when you're making a right from a bike lane to another bike lane, there's no reason to stop anyway. >4. Has common sense changed so much that playing in traffic has >become a good idea these days? Yep - for both cars and bikes. Lots of drivers like to play in traffic as well. On the plus side, not many bikers ride down the road with their cellphone plastered to their ear doing their makeup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #23 November 5, 2009 >I hope Bicyclist learn that single file, might avoid pissing people off in >the first place! True! And true for cars as well. If they rode single file in the middle lane, and bikers rode single file (or two abreast) in the right lane, a lot of these problems could be avoided. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #24 November 5, 2009 QuoteI hope Bicyclist learn that single file, Most jurisdiction allow two abreast. And most jurisdiction put the onus on the car driver to only pass if safe. Several jurisdiction allow cyclists to treat read lights as stops if there is no oncoming traffic, and stop signs as yields. Cyclist would be a lot safer if drivers knew the law.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #25 November 5, 2009 Bike lanes are there for a reason, get outrside of them is suicide, Common sense tell you , if you get in front of 2 thousand pounds, You Loose, (plus I doubt your "interpretation " (because that is all it is) of the Law, What kind of Idiot dares crowd cars , that are traveling at twice your speed? Do You need Laws to make you ride like you have a brain? Perhaps you do! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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