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.
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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.
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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.
It does not matter if the story is from one side or not. Some people during critical mass have been known to get out of hand and get aggressive at cars but I know for a fact that I can be peacefully biking to my destination and have had many cars try to run me off roads, bridges and so on. Ive had people yell horrible things at me, throw things at me, and drive through water just to get me wet. So I would not be shocked at the driver of the SUV. Even if the rider was starting something, in no way does it give the drive the right to hit the person. He could have killed him.
As for all of you that are talking trash, you are the reason for U lock justice. Don’t talk trash and expect us to sit back peacefully.
You for you’re ignorance and bastardness deserve whatever you get towards your own violence towards riders.
I am a cyclist and think that Crital Mass is a load and a bad view of cyclists. Cyclists have every right to be on the road as autos, and should obey laws as well. I don’t start trouble with cars, but when they do with me, I retaliate for sure. I’ve kicked in the grilles and lights of many automobiles.