Commuting - Just got hit by a couple drunk guys

Leaving a friend's place and turned onto a semi busy (but empty now) street. I hear a horn from a car WAY behind me. No big deal, I'm in the bike lane and there is no traffic. I have to turn left so I move all the way to the turn lane and then hear the horn again and an engine revving big time. This time it's really close behind me. These 2 drunk guys and a chick buzz, and clip me. I'm about at the light and fall. Not hurt, but really pissed. I grab my phone b/c I was leaving a party that had a cop friend of mine at it. Low and behold the 2 guys in the car jump out and start REALLY physically threatening me. Lots of tattos, rough hispanic guys. Eventually I talk my way out of the situation. I'm probably helped that a good number of folks have stopped and we're at a semi-busy intersection. A few folks who had stopped called the cops (and reported their license plate). So, the other cops come about 10 minutes later. I can tell that they really don't want to be there as I'm sure there are a lot worse things in the city that happen. That is, no one is injured and nothing has been stolen. Anyway, I ask them if they are going to really be able to do anything with, or without a report. They were sympathetic, but pretty much said that if they don't get them for DUI, there's not much that's gonna happen. Sucks. I'm pissed and too fired up to sleep tonight.

I'm glad you're not hurt. But the car did hit you, right? Did the cops make a report?

I asked the if it was really gonna do anything. They pretty much said it wasn't unless they got them tonight. I was a bit shaken up and pissed off and wanted to get home as it was about 2 blocks away. So no dice on that.

Being shaken up is totally understandable. You still can have them make a report, and I would, especially since you have the drivers plate number.

Leaving a friend's place and turned onto a semi busy (but empty now) street. I hear a horn from a car WAY behind me. No big deal, I'm in the bike lane and there is no traffic. I have to turn left so I move all the way to the turn lane and then hear the horn again and an engine revving big time. This time it's really close behind me. These 2 drunk guys and a chick buzz, and clip me. I'm about at the light and fall. Not hurt, but really pissed. I grab my phone b/c I was leaving a party that had a cop friend of mine at it. Low and behold the 2 guys in the car jump out and start REALLY physically threatening me. Lots of tattos, rough hispanic guys. Eventually I talk my way out of the situation. I'm probably helped that a good number of folks have stopped and we're at a semi-busy intersection. A few folks who had stopped called the cops (and reported their license plate). So, the other cops come about 10 minutes later. I can tell that they really don't want to be there as I'm sure there are a lot worse things in the city that happen. That is, no one is injured and nothing has been stolen. Anyway, I ask them if they are going to really be able to do anything with, or without a report. They were sympathetic, but pretty much said that if they don't get them for DUI, there's not much that's gonna happen. Sucks. I'm pissed and too fired up to sleep tonight.


I say file a report and sue the Feces out of them!:notamused:

its a hit and run, it doesnt matter if you are hurt or not. they are legally obligated to stay there until the cops show up. if they dont, they are breaking the law. dont ever let cops talk you out of a police report, mostly they just dont want to be bothered by you or the paper work. file a police report any time you have an incident with a car no matter what!

ive heard may stories about cops here in NYC refusing to file reports for bikers. one incidence the person was "doored" and they told him it was his fault. the guy had almost totalled his very expensive bike and they just let the driver go with no report. meaning that legally it never happened. we have a very specific law here stating that the driver is at fault for "dooring" and would be legally responsible for all damages. a lot of cops just dont know that and dont care. always file a report!!!!

I say file a report and sue the Feces out of them!:notamused:

Feces is probably an apt description of these guys' worldly possessions.

I think, when someone has been victimized by getting knocked offa their bike by a gang of idiots in a motor vehicle, the range of emotions and coming down off an andrenaline high takes some of the legal fight out of them. By the time the police have rendered their lackluster response the victim probably just wants to go home and be with familiar people, thankful they still have their health.

You'd think this would've been a felony and an aggressive police response would be required, not optional.

Around here two drunks and a plate to ID them along with you confirming their faces would be at least enough to get the driver's license suspended for a few months. And given that they threatened you an assault charge as well.

Two drunks riding around is an accident looking for a place to happen. If not you then what about the next cyclist or pedestrian they hit and hurt far more badly or even kill.

Feces is probably an apt description of these guys' worldly possessions.

I think, when someone has been victimized by getting knocked offa their bike by a gang of idiots in a motor vehicle, the range of emotions and coming down off an andrenaline high takes some of the legal fight out of them. By the time the police have rendered their lackluster response the victim probably just wants to go home and be with familiar people, thankful they still have their health.

You'd think this would've been a felony and an aggressive police response would be required, not optional.

this is exactly why people dont file reports. theyre shook up, confused, and distraught from the situation.....which makes it totally understandable that you wouldnt make the right decisions or know what they are. but you really just need to have that thought in the back of your head..."that guy on the forum said to always file a report no matter what!"....just do it. i carry the bike laws in my backpack which is good here because when the cops make stuff up off the top of their heads, you can show them exactly what your rights are, in writing.......

also i recently had a friend who had a non bike related incident where the police refused to file a report. he called the precinct and told them what happened and they immediatly sent another officer out to file the report. sometimes you really have to fight for your rights.....

Wait a second. You knew that there was an aggressive driver behind you and you still positioned yourself in front of them? Sometimes it's just better to slow down and let the idiots pass you.....

Cops won't file a report, semi-tough guys and drunk but no way to get results...

You need a cleaner.

edit: glad your okay and just pissed. adrenaline is a tough chunk when you want sleep.

Wait a second. You knew that there was an aggressive driver behind you and you still positioned yourself in front of them? Sometimes it's just better to slow down and let the idiots pass you.....

How many drinks did have OP have?

Wait a second. You knew that there was an aggressive driver behind you and you still positioned yourself in front of them? Sometimes it's just better to slow down and let the idiots pass you.....

"Sometimes" being the operative word.

Over the years I've had a few run ins with drunk drivers, so much so, I take it as just another traffic hazard in the Xmas/New Year period. Feels pointless reporting it to the Police, you end up sat around and miserable for hours, after having a near death experience, and they don't apparently do anything apart from continually ask what did you do to provoke the incident... err riding a bike on my own? Duh.

I've found that such drivers like to keep behind until you slow, and then they sharply cut in front, if you're quick on the brakes and lucky they just block the cycle path. So most times it's best to keep the same speed and when you see an exit, hopefully too narrow for them to take, then take it right at the last moment. Some place in Denmark the are these "Sound Walls", earth works by the sides of roads to protect the houses from road noise. Some places they have pedestrian tunnels, you can nip in there, or with a little speed just climb them, and the drunks car will bog down. Many times when a car is seen crashed in one of these walls you can see the bicycle tracks in the ground as well...

Don't for one moment think that heavy traffic protects you. I've only had such experiences on heavy trafficked dead-straight well-lit roads. You're normally safer from drunk drivers on the back twisty roads.

Around here two drunks and a plate to ID them along with you confirming their faces would be at least enough to get the driver's license suspended for a few months. And given that they threatened you an assault charge as well.

Two drunks riding around is an accident looking for a place to happen. If not you then what about the next cyclist or pedestrian they hit and hurt far more badly or even kill.

Around here they probably don't even have a license to begin with. Police seem not to care about too much anymore. I had someone side swipe on of my work trucks, we got the tag number, called police and reported it, saw the same vehicle later in the day in a parking lot, called police again. There response was "do you have insurance?" "Report it to them" WTF?

Aaron:)

Wow. That SUCKS. You're lucky they weren't in the mood to put the boots to you. Also lucky you had witnesses and were able to control and defuse the situation.

In certain parts of the country, those men would likely have been shot----and it would have been a good shoot.