Knocked down...again...

dd74 · 08-19-2009, 12:04 AM

This time in Griffith Park, early evening, where confused theater goers were trying to meander their way to the Greek Theater. An impatient black Honda Civic decided things weren't moving fast enough and while on her cell phone, the driver made a U-turn, the first half of which cut me off so that I ran promptly into her rear quarter panel, while during the second part of her U-turn she realized what she'd done and gunned it the **** away from the scene.

I'm fine, bike is too. I slightly bent the rear Mike Garcia hand-built rim by stepping on it while trying to keep from falling; hopefully the damage will true out.

This is the third time this year I've been knocked off the bike and some sort of damage has occurred. In all three cases, they were hit and run. Years ago, people used to show responsibility and stop. Not anymore.

To hell with L.A. and its drivers.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Glad you're OK. I took a rather big fall a few weeks ago on my blades. The passenger did actually get out of the car to see if I was OK. It's mostly kids not paying attention, owners that let their dogs wander across the path, letting the leash threaten to trip you or the larger ladies 3-4 wide, blocking the entire path.

look 171 · 08-19-2009, 01:06 AM

Sorry to hear that. Glad the bike is OK, ahh... I mean you. Even if you had a lic plate #, is your word against hers and the cops will not do anything even if you were hurt. Ask me how I know. It even happen to my 930 once with another pick up truck on the 2 fwy. I will start riding slowly again in the park starting next week. Hope to see you there.

Jeff

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

you may want to carry a sidearm

masraum · 08-19-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWebb

you may want to carry a sidearm

I was thinking something like

or possibly

You may still get knocked down, but every time they see the holes in their fender, they'll think "I won't do that again!!!" I bet they'll stop too.

dd74 · 08-19-2009, 10:31 AM

Some guys carry these...

If they hit a windshield correctly, the whole thing shatters. Guess it's better than rocks.

The Gaijin · 08-19-2009, 10:35 AM

Some camera in the neighborhood got that plane number. Have you filed a police report?

island911 · 08-19-2009, 10:36 AM

Ya know, those plugs can be used in this way that makes a motor run. ...which drives the wheel ...which gets you out of bad positions.

Seriously, Cyclists around here are wearing helmet cams.

varmint · 08-19-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Some guys carry these...

If they hit a windshield correctly, the whole thing shatters. Guess it's better than rocks.

never do an enemy a small hurt.

lot of traffic weirdness lately. the cagers are getting dumber.

stay safe.

dd74 · 08-19-2009, 11:51 AM

Yeah. I don't see how you guys on motorcycles do it. I see some guys tear-ass southbound on the 101 at about 50-60 mph through stopped traffic. That's crazed.

rammstein · 08-19-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

An impatient black Honda Civic decided things weren't moving fast enough

BlueSkyJaunte · 08-19-2009, 01:01 PM

Loud pipes save lives....eat more Mexican food.

Seriously, glad you're OK. I got sideswiped once (no damage, though I ended up laying on the sidewalk) and that was enough for me. It's one thing to have a twist-grip and 600 lbs. of metal that will take you out of a bad situation in a hurry. It's another to have the acceleration of a Trabant and a mere 20 additional lbs. to your overall mass.

Oh, and just the idea of lanesplitting scares the bejeezus out of me. I'd never do it.

john70t · 08-19-2009, 02:46 PM

Hit-and-run is criminal. Feel morally-confident in any and all further investigation and actions.
My condolences on your location.

bell · bell's Garage

I cannot believe that the cops would take a hit and run lightly, in ohio there would be a manhunt until the driver was found......

Don't take this the wrong way, but being you've been hit multiple times is there something you are doing wrong? Sure you have every right to be on the road too, but something's amiss here......how often are you in traffic? Everyday? Congested area? Maybe you need to change your route, the helmet cam is a good idea.....
You need to watch out for yourself, as no one else is obviously, stay safe

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Sorry about that, I hate to see that happen.... You should get a a helment cam, then you would have here tag on film....

WilsonTC · 03:47 PM

Angry Cyclists Strike Back!

From today's paper (love the part about the concealed weapon...I woulda shot as soon as the mo-fo grabbed my neck):

Cyclist Attacked Lexus Driver in Boca Raton, Police Say, Motorist Says Riders Kicked and Punched his Car

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

6:07 p.m. EDT, August 19, 2009

BOCA RATON - A 69-year-old Delray Beach man found out the perils of not doing enough for bicyclists to think he was sharing the road with them.

A group of angry cyclists confronted him last week, accusing him of passing them too closely on State Road A1A in Boca Raton.

According to Boca Raton police, one cyclist reached into the car, grabbed Miles Barish and threatened to beat him while other cyclists punched and kicked his 2008 Lexus convertible.

The cyclist, Thomas McDonald, 50, of Lighthouse Point, was arrested and charged with simple assault and battery on a person older than 65. He also was charged with burglary.

McDonald could not be reached to comment, despite attempts by phone.

"I didn't even know it was coming," Barish said of the cyclists' reaction.

He was heading to dinner on A1A with his convertible top down Aug. 13 when he came upon a group of cyclists riding in front of him. They were taking up the entire lane, he said. He tapped his horn a couple of times to let them know he was passing, Barish said.

He said he went into the opposite lane, passed the group and then stopped for the traffic light at Palmetto Park Road. That's when he felt someone grab his neck from behind, he said.

"He said I came too close to him and I could have injured him," Barish said. "I didn't clip anybody. They surrounded my car. They walked on the hood of my car. They kicked in the doors."

Some witnesses, according to a police report, said Barish hit one of the bicycles as he was passing the group of cyclists.

McDonald told police he never touched Barish and was trying to calm everyone down. He said Barish hit him on the jaw.

Bob Sabin, president of the Boca Raton Bicycle Club, said drivers often pass cyclists too closely, sometimes clipping them with their side-view mirrors without the driver realizing it.

"People usually don't do it intentionally," said Sabin, who doesn't know McDonald or the group he rides with. "They come a lot closer a lot of the time."

When that happens or when a car suddenly cuts off a cyclist, "you feel like someone is trying to kill you," he said. "I know I've gotten hot under the collar when that happens."

But attacking motorists isn't the answer, he added.

And the bicyclists might not have been following the rules of the road. Barish told police about 30 cyclists were taking an entire lane. According to state law, it's illegal to for cyclists to obstruct traffic by riding more than two abreast.

West Palm Beach cyclist Raphael Clemente said he used to participate in the twice-weekly group ride involved in the Aug. 13 dispute. But he stopped because of the hostility between cyclists and motorists resulting from the cyclists' rude behavior, he said.

"It increases the level of friction when cyclists act like that," he said.

Barish said his car has about $4,000 damage, with dents and scratches on parts of it, including the hood and trunk. Even a speaker was torn out, he said.

He said he isn't angry about the incident and thinks the cyclists were lucky. Barish, who has a permit to carry a concealed weapon, was carrying a gun that day.

"In another minute or so I was going to take out my gun and take a couple of them out," he said. "I don't think the whole road belongs to them."

dd74 · 08-19-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bell

I cannot believe that the cops would take a hit and run lightly, in ohio there would be a manhunt until the driver was found......

Don't take this the wrong way, but being you've been hit multiple times is there something you are doing wrong? Sure you have every right to be on the road too, but something's amiss here......how often are you in traffic? Everyday? Congested area? Maybe you need to change your route, the helmet cam is a good idea.....
You need to watch out for yourself, as no one else is obviously, stay safe

Well, cops are rare in L.A. these days. For a population of over 35,000 people in Studio City, there are only two patrol cars assigned to the area, which is about 20 square miles. So if you're hit on your bike, your best bet for assistance is a good Samaritan.

Am I doing something wrong? Clearly I am. I'm riding a bike.

Change my route? May as well change my god damned state (which increasingly comes as not a bad idea).

Schumi · 08-19-2009, 05:53 PM

Come to Missouri. Awesome place for road biking.

Tour of Missouri is coming through here, probably past my house, here in a few weeks. Lots of big names, I can't wait. Last year was excellent.

I need to get back into cycling. My ass is out of shape.

varmint · 08-19-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Yeah. I don't see how you guys on motorcycles do it. I see some guys tear-ass southbound on the 101 at about 50-60 mph through stopped traffic. That's crazed.

i am a mean vengeful person by nature. and see idiot behavior from motorists almost daily. but on the bike i'm simply moving too fast. by the time i get arm out and finger extended i'm already ten cars ahead.

just no time for road rage on my part.

bicycles amaze me. all the vulnerability of a bike. none of the speed.

artplumber · 07:47 PM

Then Florida story is a lot like the "events" in SF. Big groups of cyclists obstruct traffic and beat up on folks if they don't bow to the mob.

Sadly, this sounds a lot like the thread with the pack of dogs killing the elderly couple.

EDIT: And I have had a car turn left in front of me, and lost my bike/had a visit to ER complete with neck protection and stitches, crutches etc. But the single bicyclist is a lot different than a group. Visibility (or being noticed at least) is the big deal.