Chris516

On Wednesday night, I was out biking and, driver threatened to run me down without any problem, the next time he sees' me.

I was 'taking the lane', within the language of, BOTH, the state statutes and, the state Drivers Manual. I did not do it out of ignorance or, bad judgment. I did it out of safety. I lights on my bike and, I wear a reflective windbreaker, along with my helmet.

The police say, they have to witness it, before they will do anything.

KevinmH9

He is probably all talk...No one in the right mind would be ignorant enough to put out a threat like that, though I could be wrong. When people get angry they say things, and of course in a act of killing someone, I strongly doubt he will do anything.

I really wouldn't worry too much, but I'd just keep a close eye over your shoulder just incase.

lilHinault

Some cars can go surprisingly fast in reverse when the driver has just looked down the barrel of a .45.

A little bird told me this!

Chris516

I don't take it lightly.

Eros

Beware the cyclist packing heat. Everyone should pack as far as I'm concerned.

A helmet cam may be just as effective as long as it was obvious.

KevinmH9

A tape recorder stashed in your helmet or in your bag or something, nothing like being caught on the act

lilHinault

Cell fone. Or hydrofluoric acid.

Brian

Didn't someone post a photo a while back of a bike with a rocket launcher attached?

oboeguy

The helmet cam is actually a reality. The NY Times had a review of a tiny flash-based (IIRC) video camera that had a break-out lens unit (attached by a cable) that you could strap to anything, including a bike helmet. I totally want one.

As for the OP, don't sweat it. That micro-weinered-dumba55 is probably all talk.

operator

And that is the problem, even if it is all talk.

digger

Nonsense, I was also threatened several years ago. Called the police, police paid a visit, he said he was sorry, had a bad day, etc.

The police should at least show up at his door and state someone had complained of death threats from him and also inform him of the potential charges and punishment for this criminal act.

Push the police to do it!

Digger

filtersweep

I make it a practice to memorize random cars' plate numbers while out riding- makes it easy to do when I actually NEED to...

Also, MN is now a conceal and carry state... providing you aren't already a felon

I wouldn't take it lightly either. How did he tell you this? MOre details please... time of day, type of road... did he stop? Passengers?

scarry

After 40 years of safe riding, I'd have to say that's dumb. Packing heat on a bike, give me a F-ing break.
Can I get my piece in Ti or carbon? Sheesh

Rex G

Yes, there are indeed "pieces" composed mostly of Ti; more common is a Scandium frame and Titanium cylinder, with most other parts made of Ti and the barrel liner made of stainless steel. This does not, of course, constitute advice to carry a weapon; just providing information. Defensive riding can start by varying one's route, if possible.

lala

A very good practice!

soda

Chris, could you explain in a bit more detail why you were in the middle of the road? What were your safety concerns?

Randymac

Chris, the cops didn't do anything because there's nothing to corroborate the incidence. However, it's called assault and in most places its a crime and you can press charges, even without a witness. A confrontation becomes assault at the moment you feel threatened. When he said he would run you down, meaning he would use his car, it became assault with a deadly weapon, a felony in every state. If you're up to it, ask the cops what if he had showed a weapon, like a hand gun or baseball bat? a car is no different.

Don Gwinn

Scarry, why is it dumb to carry a weapon? You wear a helmet, right? And your brakes work?

Well, there are threats to your safety out there that brakes and helmets won't stop, but a determined, armed individual can.

ehammarlund

Almost... an assault is usually where a reasonable person would fear imminent attack were they in your shoes. Note that it usually has to be 'imminent' which means saying 'i'll kill you someday you SOB" isn't technically assault.

Trying to hit someone is assault if you succeed in making them scared. (wierd factoid: under various statutes, scaring someone if they DON'T NOTICE isn't assault, including threatening them behind their back with a knife etc.) Trying to actually _hit_ someone will also be attempted homicide etc.

Trying to scare someone is also assault, so long as they're scared and a reasonable person would also be scared in their shoes.

Just FYI (slightly OT, but this comes up a lot): trying to scare someone, even by swerving close to them, is NOT 'attempted murder' or 'attempted homicide' as a general rule; the driver either needs to actually intend to injure, or be acting so recklessly (driving wrong way in a bike lane--that intent is assumed.

This is much more fun than studying for the bar exam.

catatonic

I had one of those ONCE...

the police did deal with it...all I wanted was an apology and them to understand my rights to the road.

I refuse to take any death threat as not serious...there are some word combinations that a person should never use unless they intend to do it.

Don Gwinn

ehammarlund, you're probably right about assault, but there are states where that would considered a "terroristic threat."

recursive

Go read some Helmet Head posts.

scarry

Sorry, but you and I just think differently. I'd like to do a survey of all the Bay Area bike clubs and find out how many are packing. But in my 40 years of riding, and meeting many, many cyclists, I've yet to find one packing.

You're viewpoint is a very small minority.

Big Tommy C

The bay area isn't exactly what I would call an accurate cross section of the rest of the country.

Also, just becuasse you didn't see a gun doesn't mean it wasn't there. Doesn't pay to advertise.

With the oncealed carry rstrictions relaxing aorund the country and more and more states allowing it, I expect it to be come more normal (and more socially accepted) behavior.

Also, they're good for German shepherds.

Tabor

I don't think that either Don nor I would think that using a firearm in this instance is wise, but I do carry one while I cycle (and all of the rest of the time, for that matter). The problem in the bay area is that no one is legally allowed to carry a firearm. Now, some people do carry illegally, but do you think they are going to tell you about it?