Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Advocacy & Safety
Reload this Page >

Having bottles thrown at you while you are cycling.

Notices
Advocacy & Safety Cyclists should expect and demand safe accommodation on every public road, just as do all other users. Discuss your bicycle advocacy and safety concerns here.

Having bottles thrown at you while you are cycling.

Old 08-03-08, 02:53 PM
  #26  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I am not sure of the legal implications in this case. Can yelling at someone be the same as having an object thrown that would cause bodily harm. I can be bruised near the face, or on the harm at having a bottle thrown at me and contacting, and a cop may respond, but being yelled at, a cop did nothing. Yet yelling in this case is still assault.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 02:57 PM
  #27  
L T X B O M P F A N S R
 
apricissimus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Malden, MA
Posts: 2,334

Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1641 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by Snowsurfer
I am not sure of the legal implications in this case. Can yelling at someone be the same as having an object thrown that would cause bodily harm. I can be bruised near the face, or on the harm at having a bottle thrown at me and contacting, and a cop may respond, but being yelled at, a cop did nothing. Yet yelling in this case is still assault.
Yelling is not assault. Yelling is yelling. I would never expect a police officer to take any action merely because I was yelled at.
apricissimus is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:01 PM
  #28  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I realize that someone throwing a bottle, and someone yelling are two types of people.
But don't some regions have it as verbal assault, more accurately, screaming next to someone's ear (the passenger doing this) enough so that it shocks the cyclist causing him to lose balance and crash.

Or screaming loud enough to cause pain in the ear. I have caught up to the driver's before and am not sure if I acted by screaming back would be in retaliation, or an education lesson, that they should not scream at a cyclist, because they could get caught up to. Would this be enough to prevent the same person from attacking another cyclist in the same way? I am trying to think on less selfish terms, and in consideration for other cyclists, newer ones, and young cyclists.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:02 PM
  #29  
Senior Member
 
bhop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,894

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I Pretend like it never happened and move on with my life.
bhop is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:03 PM
  #30  
-
 
seeker333's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,865

Bikes: yes!

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 282 Post(s)
Liked 38 Times in 36 Posts
You should ignore them and move on.
seeker333 is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:04 PM
  #31  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I guess my examples are a little extreme. And I am more concerned about the well-being of other cyclists. Myself, I am quite used to it, having a good deal of commuting experience. But it would anger me if a less experienced cyclist had this happen, and got seriously injured.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:05 PM
  #32  
Cycle Year Round
 
CB HI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 13,644
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1316 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 59 Posts
Originally Posted by apricissimus
Yelling is not assault. Yelling is yelling. I would never expect a police officer to take any action merely because I was yelled at.
Really, what if they yelled:
"Get off the f***ing road or next time I'm goin f***ing kill you!!!"
CB HI is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:07 PM
  #33  
Cycle Year Round
 
CB HI's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 13,644
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1316 Post(s)
Liked 92 Times in 59 Posts
Originally Posted by Snowsurfer
I realize that someone throwing a bottle, and someone yelling are two types of people.
But don't some regions have it as verbal assault, more accurately, screaming next to someone's ear (the passenger doing this) enough so that it shocks the cyclist causing him to lose balance and crash.
Assault is the threat of harm and can include yelling. Battery is actual physical contact.
CB HI is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:09 PM
  #34  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CB HI
Really, what if they yelled:
"Get off the f***ing road or next time I'm goin f***ing kill you!!!"
That actually changes the situation a bit. It is no longer just a form of verbal assault, but it becomes a death threat. I am not experienced enough in laws to tell you more, but that level is much worse than, "Get off the road, tard', or something like that." Say that was coupled with a bottle tossed at a person's face, it could probably be upgraded to attempted murder, with possible neurological damage resulting in death, and assault with a deadly weapon.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:10 PM
  #35  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by CB HI
Assault is the threat of harm and can include yelling. Battery is actual physical contact.
I see your point.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:12 PM
  #36  
L T X B O M P F A N S R
 
apricissimus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Malden, MA
Posts: 2,334

Bikes: Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi San Jose, Redline 925

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1641 Post(s)
Liked 5 Times in 2 Posts
Originally Posted by CB HI
Really, what if they yelled:
"Get off the f***ing road or next time I'm goin f***ing kill you!!!"
Well, if there was a credible threat, I might call the police. But that's rare, I think.

The worst things I've ever had yelled at me were:

"Get off the road, you f***ing d*****bag!"

and

"I hope you fall and die, you f***ing f***got!"

Real charming people.
apricissimus is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:12 PM
  #37  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by bhop
I Pretend like it never happened and move on with my life.
I see your point, most cases this is fine. But at the back of my mind, what if this person does it to others. Motorists need to be educated about harm to safety, and the rights to the road of cyclists. I don't get it sometimes, when most people step into an automobile and start the engine, their IQ drops. I don't say this to insult those, because I drive cars as well, it does affect me, but seemingly less, since I bike a lot too. I pay much more careful attention to the actions of others, and try to keep myself and others outside of my vehicle free from harm as well.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:13 PM
  #38  
Professional Fuss-Budget
 
Bacciagalupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,494
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Liked 24 Times in 14 Posts
If it's a positive comment (which is what I get, for whatever reason) then give 'em a friendly wave.

If they yell a negative comment, don't react.

It's childish for someone to yell at you; and equally childish to react in kind.

Technically a death threat might be some form of assault, but I expect it would be extremely difficult to get a cop to actually arrest someone in this situation, let alone have it go anywhere in court. If a dozen people watch a guy brandish a broken bottle at you and scream "I'm gonna kill you," that's different.

Best case scenario they would ignore any comments by you; absolute utter worst-case scenario, you will tick off an already unbalanced person who may attempt to assault you with your vehicle. And if that happens, bike vs car = you lose.
Bacciagalupe is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:14 PM
  #39  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by apricissimus
Well, if there was a credible threat, I might call the police. But that's rare, I think.

The worst things I've ever had yelled at me were:

"Get off the road, you f***ing d*****bag!"

and

"I hope you fall and die, you f***ing f***got!"

Real charming people.
Yeah, the IQ thing with motorists. That and also being in a cage that has speed, and a separation barrier, it makes some people feel invincible. Like if the person ever gave chase, the car could speed off (even run a red light), or the person could not reach the passengers inside the vehicle without causing damage to a window.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:15 PM
  #40  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bacciagalupe
And if that happens, bike vs car = you lose.
That is true. Like some member's sig: " Motorist makes a mistake, cyclist dies. Cyclist makes a mistake, cyclist dies."

Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:31 PM
  #41  
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
 
Tom Stormcrowe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,057

Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times in 17 Posts
I just merged the two threads on the same topic.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
Tom Stormcrowe is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 03:58 PM
  #42  
Senior Member
 
ken cummings's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: northern California
Posts: 5,603

Bikes: Bruce Gordon BLT, Cannondale parts bike, Ecodyne recumbent trike, Counterpoint Opus 2, miyata 1000

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I had a friend riding at night when he saw a truck coming at him in his rear view mirror. Someone was leaning out the window holding a baseball bat. Swing and a tap, not enough to knock him down, as he timed his ducking out of the way. When he called the Fountain Valley police in SoCal he got all sorts of action. The cops even had him drive around with them for a couple of hours looking for the perps. It seems the city police lieutenant had just been biking home and someone had nailed him good with some sort of club. They wanted those guys really badly.
ken cummings is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 05:50 PM
  #43  
Senior Member
 
bhop's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 1,894

Bikes: Bianchi Via Nirone 7, Jamis Sputnik

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
I just merged the two threads on the same topic.
How is a topic about "getting yelled at", and a topic about "bottles thrown at you" the same?

Now my previous answer isn't even relevant any more...

If someone yells at you, get over it, move on with your life..
If someone throws a bottle at you, try to get the plate # and call the cops

two totally different topics IMO..
bhop is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 05:53 PM
  #44  
im not a newbie
 
Whilesryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: redlands california
Posts: 39

Bikes: Nishiki fixed gear conversion, BCA old as **** custom mountain bike thing

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
if someone throws a bottle at me i throw it back its happend before.
Whilesryan is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 06:06 PM
  #45  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Whilesryan
if someone throws a bottle at me i throw it back its happend before.
I see your tit-for-tat, eye-for-an-eye, point of view, but the thing is, the motorist could report you to the cops, and claim you are the cause of the problems, and chances are good that the cop will believe the motorist in many jurisdictions.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 06:18 PM
  #46  
Senior Member
 
trackhub's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Watching all of you on O.B.I.T.
Posts: 2,023

Bikes: Bridgestone RB-1. Nicely restored

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 13 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 6 Posts
Oh yes, in 30-plus of riding, I have had stuff thrown at me. This includes:

Half-empty beer bottles. two occasions, both missed. Both tossed by college aged males from passenger window. Gee, mom and dad must be so proud....

McDonald's garbage. Glanced off my helmet, landed on sidewalk with a "Splat!" noise. Cleaned helmet later.

Dunkin Donuts Coffee. Flung from a cup by a passenger. There was a headwind. The coffee made a beautiful arc, and splashed all over the rear window and right rear quarter of the car. It was kind of a beautiful thing, really. The perpetrator of this looked like a total moron.

Eggs, one occasion. One struck me on the left leg. Stung like hell. Caused some minor cuts. Called local PD, a motorcycle officer was dispatched and met me at the scene, right near Brandeis University. He did take a report, including a vehicle description, (very junky looking Ford ) but said that without a plate number, there was little to be done.

Great country we have, isn't it? People can afford to buy food, and throw it at someone they just don't like, for whatever reason. One can only wonder what people in countries where starvation is common would think of this. And of course, where does all this hate come from? Does this happen in Holland, Belgium, or Germany?


"What were you doing riding at night?" Yep, that's about right.
trackhub is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 06:18 PM
  #47  
im not a newbie
 
Whilesryan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: redlands california
Posts: 39

Bikes: Nishiki fixed gear conversion, BCA old as **** custom mountain bike thing

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
yeah thats true but when it happend to me these idiots almost ran me and my friend over three times and where throwing full bottles of gatoraide at us.
Whilesryan is offline  
Old 08-03-08, 10:18 PM
  #48  
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 29
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
items thrown at me

About a year ago (2007-08-05) , I finished a 75 km ride and I was rolling into the area close to my neighborhood. I had eggs tossed at me and one hit my helmet. I turned on my bright light and sped up. I got a partial tag and vehicle description. I rode home and called the police. They took the description and stopped by my house. They asked me if I wanted to press charges. I said yes. The office said they had the people pulled over. Apparently the people who egged me were egging houses along the way.

The were caught driving recklessly and were charged with assault for hitting me. They also were charged with numerous counts of vandalism.

I was sent a letter from the county about my statement and how they should be punished (the criminals were under 18). I wrote in my impact statement that I was not interested in any restitution, but I would be interested in seeing that they had a chance to investigate and research bicycle and vehicle safety. I also stated that I felt those responsible should have their driving privileges suspended.

I could have played the injured card, but instead I asked that they learn from their mistakes. Unfortunately I think their parents were forced to take the financial hit for all of the fines.
Linus_S is offline  
Old 08-04-08, 12:44 AM
  #49  
Senior Member
 
Snowsurfer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 270
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Linus_S
Unfortunately I think their parents were forced to take the financial hit for all of the fines.
That's okay. When the parents take the hit...the types of parents that would raise such children would likely take out their frustrations from the financial hit on their children.
Snowsurfer is offline  
Old 08-04-08, 01:06 AM
  #50  
Senior Member
 
filtersweep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Memorize the plates, find someone who works at the DMV (or post them to craigslist), and locate the perpetrator.
filtersweep is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.