It’s one thing when a motorist strikes a cyclist accidentally.
It’s something else when done with intention.
But I’ve heard of few things more despicable than this:
The driver not only drove into a Black Lives Matter protester on a bicycle intentionally; she made a point of expressing her hate.
The latest report says the cyclist’s injuries are not life-threatening. But he may have emotional scars that will take a long time to heal, if they ever do.
I am no lawyer, but I reckon that the woman should be charged, at the very least, with assault with a deadly weapon.
It’s something else when done with intention.
But I’ve heard of few things more despicable than this:
The driver not only drove into a Black Lives Matter protester on a bicycle intentionally; she made a point of expressing her hate.
The latest report says the cyclist’s injuries are not life-threatening. But he may have emotional scars that will take a long time to heal, if they ever do.
I am no lawyer, but I reckon that the woman should be charged, at the very least, with assault with a deadly weapon.
I'm not sure if my limited personal experiences parallel a broader societal trend, but I have experienced more aggression from automobile drivers recently. Perhaps it is a reaction to the increased number of cyclists "trespassing" on "their" roads. Last Sunday, while riding carefully along the edge of the Blue Ridge Parkway (which has no paved shoulder, let alone a bike lane), a driver attempted to pass me on a blind curve just as a motorist driving in the opposite direction appeared. The motorist passing me laid on his horn, swerved back into my lane just in time to avoid a head-on collision with the oncoming motorist, and missed hitting me by bare inches. But he wasn't done yet: he went about 50 yards further down the parkway, skidded to a stop in the middle of the road (partially over the double centerline), jumped out of his car, and tried to take a swipe at me while screaming obscenities as I rode by. An acquaintance that I previously worked with for many years happened to be following about 50 yards behind me on his bike, and witnessed the entire event, including obtaining the offender's license plate number.
ReplyDeleteA complaint has been filed with the VA state police and the National Park Service (as the BRP is within their jurisdiction), but despite having a witness the authorities refuse to take any action. Reckless endangerment is not considered an offense, apparently, if the target is a cyclist. If confronted with a similar circumstance in the future, after determining that the motorist isn't armed, I will likely administer justice as I see fit.
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ReplyDeleteRob--I've noticed what you've described. I think that here in New York (and perhaps in other cities), motorists' ire has been stoked by the installation of new bike lanes, and the closing of some streets to motor vehicles. Plus, I think here in NYC, motorists tend to be older and often use their vehicles to transport kids or stuff they need for their work as contractors or whatnot. Those folks, I think, see cyclists--many of whom are younger, childless and from out-of-town--as "privileged" and feel the city is catering to them.
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