SUV Driver Rams Cyclist, Flees, Then Gets Off With Citation
In another case of Critical Mass road rage, the driver of a white SUV received nothing but a citation after ramming a cyclist during Washington, D.C.’s ride last night, according to witness accounts.
After the hit-and-run, bicyclists took off after the SUV, which tried to escape on the wrong side of the road. Police arrived shortly, and instead of arresting the driver, detained a cyclist who aggressively pursued the vehicle.
>>See also: Cop Who Shoved Cyclist Fired by NYPD, Faces 4 Year Sentence
After first hitting the cyclist, the driver and the victim exchanged words before he took off down the wrong side of the road. A couple blocks later, the driver tried to pull a U-turn but crashed into a planter box on the sidewalk, where the cyclists caught up with him.
When the SUV started to move again, they surrounded the it and opened its doors. One person, who was later detained, entered the vehicle in an attempt to shut off the engine, a witness said.
The cyclist who was hit was not injured, but his bike was severely damaged. Unfortunately the hit was not captured on video, but someone recorded audio of the aftermath:
Critical Mass, a gathering of bicyclists in protest of fossil-fuel-based transportation, occurs in hundreds of cities across the world and is typically held on fridays.
The information in this post comes from an witness account and audio recording posted on DC’s IndyMedia website. The police nor the driver have issued any statements.
Critical Mass is a vigilante group that is hostile to drivers of automobiles.
I’d flee if I hit one of them as well, as it could quickly turn into a mob scene.
THIS is why it’s good to carry concealed.
a bike rider myself, i find that bike riders in general are a-holish.. they practically mow down pedestrians walking on sidewalks (when they can’t brave the streets), blow through stop signs/red lights/etc.. and take over traffic lanes just for spite, like they f’ing own the place. f’em. they bring it on themselves and they need to be doored more often.
You’re clearly not a city bike rider, “bike rider.” There are retards biking on sidewalks, granted, and they should bike on the road in most cases. But then you say that they take over traffic lanes “just for spite.” Where should they go, if they can’t be on the sidewalk, and shouldn’t take over a lane? Most city streets don’t have adequate bicycling lanes. And to say “f’em” and hope that they get doored? F— you. Getting doored can often lead to catastrophic injuries and it’s pretty ridiculous for you to wish that upon anyone.
I can only hope that the first poster here is joking, he would flee after hitting a cyclist then if caught, pull a gun? WTF is wrong with you?
This ‘article’ shows only one side of the story and that too without any proof whatsoever other than an audio clip. Get the police official statement at least and then maybe, just maybe that ‘just a citation’ would make sense.
Kostas,
I clearly state that this is based off of a first-hand account from one side, and that the other side’s story isn’t available yet. If you hear anything else, please let me know and I will update the blog post. In the meantime, I will keep an eye out as well because I too would love to know more about this story.
-Alex
I won’t go so far as to say the biker may have deserved, however, the Critical Mass participants are hardly cyclists. They are the rudest, most ignorant group of bikers I have ever encountered. I was very happy with the APD finally started ticketing them for running red lights/stop signs. It’s these sorts of people that give cyclists a bad name/reputation.
Real cyclists never ride on the sidewalk. And to the first poster, you do not deserve to concealed carry if you are threatening people like that. Weapons are for responsible people who would stop and deal with the situation, not hit someone, drive off, then threaten to shoot them.
I am much more aggressive than other cyclists, and if you hit my friend and drove away, you should expect me to chase you down, at the very least. Drivers need to take responsibility for their actions, when you hit someone, stop, give your insurance info in case they are injured, make sure they are alright, call an ambulance if needed. You’re in a multi ton metal box, it is necessary for you to be responsible.
And yes, I see that this article only has the side of the cyclists, but I have seen this situation countless times.
The Swerving Public is a negligent group that is hostile to riding of bicycles.
I’d flee if I hit one of them as well, as it could quickly turn into a mob scene.
THIS is why it’s good to carry concealed.
Critical massers are a-holes. They deserve whatever they get. If you want to share the road, share it, follow the traffic laws, and I’ll follow the traffic laws. you want to take over the road and act like arrogant jerks, don’t act surprised when someone runs you over. I’ve more than once seen them get violent here in Chicago. Breaking windows with chains and u-locks. If I feel threatened by critical massers, won’t hesitate to drive through a crowd of them.