Advocacy & Safety - Assaulted while riding

Topic subject may sound serious more then what really happenned to me today. Riding along 347 (aka Nesconset Hwy) eastbound near intersection of Lake Ave/Gibbs Pond rd. This is on Long Island and its not really a highway. Some !#(*@!!!hole threw a sleuth of tacos/pizza out the window directly hitting me. The guy caught a red light at the next intersection trying to make a left and I was able to caught up. I tried blocking him by standing in front of his car while trying to get someone to call 911. I thought I had his plate# memorized. Unfortunately the car behind him did not have a cellphone and the ******* managed to pull around me while I was busy trying to see if someone around me could dial 911.

Though I am not hurt other then a mere scrape on my ankle, but it certainly hurt my pride and made me quite discouraged about further riding my bike. It is an assault and a crime. People have known to be sent to jail for hurling drinks at other cars in road rage so this was not any different. I did go to the police precinct to file a police report. Unfortunately in my shocked state someone would do such a thing, I must have failed to remember the plate#. It was something EKR9399 but I was told that is a surrendered plate.

So the only thing I have is that the car was a brand new (or no more then a year or 2 old b/c it looked completely shiny without any noticeable scratch) dark green Jeep. It was driven by a young fit person around anywhere between 20-25. He probably lives somewhere in the st james/head of the harbor area by where he was turning. I'm not asking anyone to do anything as there is nothing to do. But if any remote chance you're in this area and have seen a new jeep in this color with similar plate number, let me know and I will file that report. I'm just really frustrated.

I have been tossed pennies at, yelled at, and more things tossed at that missed. This was the first time I actually caught up with the person that committed the crime and I'm ashame I failed to remember the plate number.

First of all, I am glad you are safe and relatively uninjured. Don't be too hard on yourself for not remembering a plate number. As you mentioned, this was a pretty shocking thing to happen and the human mind is notorious for forgetting things in stressful situations. At least you refused to be a victim and did what you could to hold the driver to account. I don't think I would step in front of an offending vehicle, however. If the driver has so much disregard for your safety by chucking stuff at you, he might not be all that deterred from clobbering you with 2 tons of plastic and steel.

Well, that beats my loaf of bread story...

Glad your ok thats what really matters anyway IMHO ! BUT thats why I NEVER leave home without my Blackberry phone it has video and picture capability ! I also keep a pencil and paper in my trunk bag NOT a pen they might leak .

Sooner or later that arse a get caught they always do !

I tried blocking him by standing in front of his car while trying to get someone to call 911.

I'm glad you're okay and admire your resolve, but IMO as a general rule, standing in front of a car during an altercation is not a good idea.

www.king5.com (http://www.king5.com/localnews/south/stories/NW_040709WAB-gas-thief-murder-LJ.b033ce98.html#) news excerpt:


Police: Drive off gas customer kills store owner

April 7, 2009

MOSSYROCK, Wash. – A Lakewood man is accused of running over a convenience store owner twice and killing her as she was trying to stop him from leaving without paying...

Investigators say 41-year-old John David Joel Angeline pumped about $34 of fuel into his pickup truck, and then got back inside the truck without paying.

The owner, 53-year-old Haeng Soon Yang, walked out, confronted Angeline and told him not to leave. Deputies say she even stepped in front of the truck and waved her arms, telling Angeline not to go.

“My sister said ‘Give me money,’” said Yang’s sister, Insun Kim.

Deputies say Angeline accelerated quickly, hitting Yang and knocking her down. He allegedly drove over the top of her legs, put the truck in reverse and drove over back over her, causing her to tumble under the vehicle.

Angeline then allegedly went forward again, dragging Yang to the exit of the parking lot. He then drove off, but stopped about a block away.

Yang, a married mother of two, died at the scene...

The police will also get on your case for escalating a confrontation.

So, did you break his nose?

And what sauce was on the taco?

This sounds awful . Can you post a google map link of the area. I would wait for half an hour every day at that same spot waiting for them to return. We are all creatures of habit, so drive the same routes most of the time..

Damn, that sucks! I've had stuff thrown at me by passing motorists, though they've always missed. I don't what I'd do if they actually hit me and then I caught up to them. I would imagine a U-lock could bust a windshield and put some dents in a car if swung properly.

I don't know if it's worth it to you but maybe you could get hypnotized and help recall the license plate number. But I don't know if any police department would waste resources on a minor crime like that.

I would have dragged the scumbag out of his cage and b!tchslapped him into next week.... but that's just me and not a course of action I'd recommend to anyone else.

Often I carry a camera during my rides. Maybe it's a good idea to make them instantly available.

The problem is that you are a cyclist, not a person...sorry it sounds cynical, but that has been played out so many times.

Damn, that sucks! I've had stuff thrown at me by passing motorists, though they've always missed. I don't what I'd do if they actually hit me and then I caught up to them. I would imagine a U-lock could bust a windshield and put some dents in a car if swung properly.

I don't know if it's worth it to you but maybe you could get hypnotized and help recall the license plate number. But I don't know if any police department would waste resources on a minor crime like that.

I know you were being sarcastic when you said "minor" and there is a good chance the police would think so too. However, this princinct I went to said they will put out an arrest for the guy if I had the plate number. Its not a minor crime. If the police officer thought so, I'm sure I can make my case and change his mind. If I had lost my balance, I could've fallen in the way of traffic and the cars behind him may not be able to dodge me quick enough. I phrased it as being "assaulted" when I approached the officer. I mentioned the speed the guy was driving at and my speed. You simply do not attack someone while moving.

I carry a small camera in my handlebar bag...I also carry a small notebook and pen......

Glad you were not injured...

Topic subject may sound serious more then what really happenned to me today. Riding along 347 (aka Nesconset Hwy) eastbound near intersection of Lake Ave/Gibbs Pond rd.

I grew up on LI and used to live on 347. I once had a hard-boiled egg thrown at me while riding on 347; it hit me on the leg and hurt like hell.


I know you were being sarcastic when you said "minor" and there is a good chance the police would think so too. However, this princinct I went to said they will put out an arrest for the guy if I had the plate number. Its not a minor crime. If the police officer thought so, I'm sure I can make my case and change his mind. If I had lost my balance, I could've fallen in the way of traffic and the cars behind him may not be able to dodge me quick enough. I phrased it as being "assaulted" when I approached the officer. I mentioned the speed the guy was driving at and my speed. You simply do not attack someone while moving.

I can't find the case now but a woman here in the Carolinas was charged with attempted murder for throwing a drink into the open window of another driver during a road-rage incident. There was a lot of outcry against the charge as being excessive, but the DA on the case made the argument that distracting or injuring a driver at 55, 65 mph is extremely dangerous and could easily result in death. Sure, a cyclist isn't going that fast, but we all know just how dangerous it can be when something like this occurs on a bike. Besides the obvious risk of falling, what if the surprise made you veer into traffic?

Long Island sounds like a terrible place to ride. I've cycled more than 40,000 miles in Lansing and never had anything thrown at me.

Often I carry a camera during my rides. Maybe it's a good idea to make them instantly available.

This would have been invaluable.

Most of this thread seems to be needless macho man talk. Most of these guys wouldn't do ****, and would just get in trouble if the police did get involved.

I carry a small camera in my handlebar bag...I also carry a small notebook and pen......

Glad you were not injured...

I carry a small 9 millimeter automatic in my handlebar bag...along with a notebook and pen.

Long Island sounds like a terrible place to ride. I've cycled more than 40,000 miles in Lansing and never had anything thrown at me.

It is probably more a numbers things than anything else. In big cities you have a lot more cars passing you. I also find drivers are under a lot more stress. Also cyclists are very common and a nuisance in driver's minds. In my small city, I am kind of a novelty since there are so few commuters. Drivers get all excited when they see my 'christmas lights'. I doubt I would get the same reaction in a bigger city.

I willing to venture that ever rider on these boards has had something tossed at them. It means you are part of the club :)
Im confused tho, was it tacos and pizza, or a pizza taco?

But seriously, carry a celphone, and don't let it discourage you from riding.

I live on Long Island, thanks for the heads-up about the green jeep.

Nesconsett Highway? Only driven on it once, would not try riding my bike on it.


I have been carrying a notepad and a pen, to write down plate numbers.

About six or seven years ago, I called 911 and reported a plate number. The Officer said "Can you call back in five minutes?" I waited five minutes and called back. The Officer was very thankful and said, "the perp was the subject of a high speed chase in Suffolk County, they called Nassau, but the call went to the third precinct, Thanks to you, we got him!"
This was the Old Brookville Police that nailed the driver, after he left Suffolk and went into Nassau.

I know you were being sarcastic when you said "minor" and there is a good chance the police would think so too. However, this princinct I went to said they will put out an arrest for the guy if I had the plate number. Its not a minor crime. If the police officer thought so, I'm sure I can make my case and change his mind. If I had lost my balance, I could've fallen in the way of traffic and the cars behind him may not be able to dodge me quick enough. I phrased it as being "assaulted" when I approached the officer. I mentioned the speed the guy was driving at and my speed. You simply do not attack someone while moving.

For sure, there's nothing minor about it. As cyclists we are vulnerable when we're out on the road. I would hope that the guy who threw the garbage at you did not have malicious intentions, and the police might feel the same way and think that it was not an attempt to cause you severe injury. But the fact of the matter is that what he did was very dangerous and could one day get someone killed. He probably did it impulsively without thinking of the consequences. Either way the police need to treat this very seriously, but my concern is that they won't be too interested in pursuing this. That's why sometimes I advocate vigilante justice. Personally I would not have hesitated to deface his car with whatever weapon I could find. But then again that could make things worse.

I have had a lot of success memorizing license plates. Every time I wanted to do so, I have remembered it all the way home, sometimes this means remembering it for hours. Just repeat it over and over to yourself. And often the cops can use the last digits and a car description to find the car.

When I was younger I had a water balloon hurled at me from the window of a speeding, oncoming Jeep. Sure, a water balloon sounds pretty harmless but anything travelling more than 70 km/h is pretty destructive. It hit me in the chest, knocked me off my bike and winded the hell out of me, leaving a nasty bruise for weeks.
Unfortunately, by the time I caught my breath enough to look up, the @$$holes were long gone. I have no doubt that if I'd caught the balloon just a bit higher it would have broken my nose, at least.

Be safe out there.

BLACK BIKE, was that a joke about the 9mm or not, the only reason that it may not appear to be a joke is because your avatar looks like (you?) as a police officer, therefore you may own a 9mm.

For some reason, I have been riding for the past few years, but have never had much thrown at me, more just yells and honks, but tonight 3 different people threw cigarettes out their window as they passed me. It seemed very intentional, but they must have slightly bad timing because they all landed a few feet ahead of me. They were probably all just pissed because I put a planet bike superflash on my bike tonight.

BLACK BIKE, was that a joke about the 9mm or not, the only reason that it may not appear to be a joke is because your avatar looks like (you?) as a police officer, therefore you may own a 9mm.

Yeah that's what I thought.

So you can only carry one if you are a cop?:rolleyes:

That is not exactly what I was implying, but not too man cyclists carry guns.

Sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident. If only motorists realized the foolishness of their actions. Glad that you are ok.

I've never had a motorist deliberatly aim to kill me with her car. Since it is difficult to ride with a gun at the ready, I doubt that I could use it in time to not be gulty of some crime.

That is not exactly what I was implying, but not too man cyclists carry guns.

Gotcha. I retract the :rolleyes:

Have you guys seen the thread in commuting? Someone took a baseball bat to one of the forum members. Ended up with stitches.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=529404

So you can only carry one if you are a cop?:rolleyes:

No but he looks like a cop in his picture. :p

Terrible--my empathies.

I've been assaulted by phk-tards in glorious gas guzzlers over the years but none hit&run and none as scary as the linked Surly rider in Chicago(!) I've lost my teeth & gathered scars through endo-crashes by myself!:thumb: I am glad you were not run over and wouldn't recommend going head to head with a car and today's sh*t-heads.
Having been a msgr and avid city bomber, I've considered self defense measures for when/if sh*t hits the fan and I'm still conscious & functional. I've practiced 'plate & make/model' recognition drills, as well as considered feigning more serious 'hit & run' injury to drum up action on my behalf. Prudent behavior to avoid further insult/injury is paramount, but letting 'em get away will only leave you feeling cheated & maligned. Best bet is hi-tech: a pen-size helmet cam mounted. I'll be doing it in the near future; hopefully more for adventure video than post-crash/crime 'black box'...

Earliest unforgettable run in was with a would-be teen mugger who rode up alongside me on a BMX w/ a fake smile; then grabbed the handlebars on my then, brand new, first 'bought-with-my-own-p/t paycheck' 10-spd and demanded I "Get off!" I was 16 and had the bike 3 days. I stood my ground and after a few seconds of panic, felt raging fury build up inside--I think my face must have peeled back and revealed a flaming skull, to quote Bill Cosby. The guy backed off, but gave my wheel a departing kick which forced a $15 wheel truing. I walked 4-1/2 mi. to that bike shop for the work, only to see the b*stard had followed me from a safe distance and was grinning. That cemented in me a vengeful hatred for all opportunistic, bully b*stards and fueled my own belief that if you cannot be reasoned or reconciled with over wrong-doing, you deserve 'cause & effect' according to the laws of nature/causality.
I have yet to see a bear, lion or wolf give their cubs 'time-outs' for bad behavior or slap fellow pack members on the paw for persistant deviant behavior. Marauding predators and hyenas should be hunted to extinction.


As in 'war'(which unfortunately, urban cycling often is), you do have options, if the "Me-109's' don't paste you on the first pass..." especially if you can 'zoom-n-boom' with any remaining momentum/distance. I've gotten water cups & cigarettes flicked at me; a huge, scornful truck driver grabbed me by the neck as if to threaten worse after dooring me near W.50St. & Brdwy! Weighing only 163 lbs vs. his ~240, I backed down long enough to walk away, locate a discarded bottle and fling it explosively into his cab and ride off down a one-way street:thumb:

2 Lower Manhtn teens made a game of throwing trash at passing bladers & bikers in rush hour traffic in the Village, ~6th Ave & W.3rd by the WashgtSqr basketball courts. I saw this happening seconds before I rolled through the 'kill-zone' and thusly got nailed with food box or something. Of course, all other surrounding NY'rs, even the other 'targets' just kept going. I was fed up after a weak day of mssg'ng & mechanicals, so I rode to a stop & confronted them. They just mouthed off and started hurling more trash & taunting. I put my bike down and cornered one but the other made a move towards my bike. I sensed a 'no win', especially if they trashed my bike and no one else on the busy street was speaking up or supporting. I told 'em off about being considerate to commuters in traffic and the dangers, but they backed off, cursing while still throwing trash at me(they were about 12).
Generally I'm mild mannered but fed up w/being sh*t on a daily basis, especially by kids(who based on clothing & appearance came from Lower West Side yuppy homes), I thought better and watched them walk off side-by-side as 'chums' down a street towards the Hudson. I rode 1 block away, turned and went another 2 down, locked-up and waited. Sure enough, they walked past me, backs turned and I stood ~6ft behind them. I had actually funnelled quite a bit of rage into the whole incident(with visions of crying kids & bloody noses!)...and I have to admit I stood silent and didn't do a thing as they continued on none the wiser. Something about them stopping their 'game' after the initial confrontation and that I was putting anger into the situation from other issues; I told God this was the last time I was backing down from a righteous 'kill'(yeah, I let a certain 'deity' hold sway in my life back then,too.)

For the guy in Chicago who took a bat to the face, I can only say 'situational awareness', stay sober and consider these 2 for any last resort, desperate close encounters:
A convenient pocket holding a large, capped syringe or water pistol(colourful plastic, of course)full of ammonia and/or drain cleanser.

Or,

a neatly folded $20 with a box cutter blade firmly taped to the underside--greed can buy you precious seconds to aim for that face/wrist in self defense.

What a waste of tacos and pizza- that is a hilarious combo to get hit with.
I have to admit I would have become violent were I in your situation.

BLACK BIKE, was that a joke about the 9mm or not, the only reason that it may not appear to be a joke is because your avatar looks like (you?) as a police officer, therefore you may own a 9mm.


No, it wasn't a joke.

Topic subject may sound serious more then what really happenned to me today. Riding along 347 (aka Nesconset Hwy) eastbound near intersection of Lake Ave/Gibbs Pond rd. This is on Long Island and its not really a highway. Some !#(*@!!!hole threw a sleuth of tacos/pizza out the window directly hitting me. The guy caught a red light at the next intersection trying to make a left and I was able to caught up. I tried blocking him by standing in front of his car while trying to get someone to call 911. I thought I had his plate# memorized. Unfortunately the car behind him did not have a cellphone and the ******* managed to pull around me while I was busy trying to see if someone around me could dial 911.

Though I am not hurt other then a mere scrape on my ankle, but it certainly hurt my pride and made me quite discouraged about further riding my bike. It is an assault and a crime. People have known to be sent to jail for hurling drinks at other cars in road rage so this was not any different. I did go to the police precinct to file a police report. Unfortunately in my shocked state someone would do such a thing, I must have failed to remember the plate#. It was something EKR9399 but I was told that is a surrendered plate.

So the only thing I have is that the car was a brand new (or no more then a year or 2 old b/c it looked completely shiny without any noticeable scratch) dark green Jeep. It was driven by a young fit person around anywhere between 20-25. He probably lives somewhere in the st james/head of the harbor area by where he was turning. I'm not asking anyone to do anything as there is nothing to do. But if any remote chance you're in this area and have seen a new jeep in this color with similar plate number, let me know and I will file that report. I'm just really frustrated.

I have been tossed pennies at, yelled at, and more things tossed at that missed. This was the first time I actually caught up with the person that committed the crime and I'm ashame I failed to remember the plate number.

SHEEESH!!!! What waste food. Regardless of the food, I am glad, you are alright.

I know what I would do.

This sounds awful . Can you post a google map link of the area. I would wait for half an hour every day at that same spot waiting for them to return. We are all creatures of habit, so drive the same routes most of the time..

seriously? your ganna waste an hour of your life every day sitting and waiting for some jerkoff to drive by? if i were you i would have kicked the **** out of the side door and ridden down a side street as fast as possible...vigilante justice is the best kind when people are throwing **** at you on a bike

You might want to get your own cellphone so you can make your own 911 calls. Also most cellphones have a camera so you can snap a pic of the license plate. I have mine where I can easily reach it with one hand and use it without having to dig it out and without needing to stop biking.

You might want to get your own cellphone so you can make your own 911 calls. Also most cellphones have a camera so you can snap a pic of the license plate. I have mine where I can easily reach it with one hand and use it without having to dig it out and without needing to stop biking.

Keep in mind that when seconds count, the police are still minutes away. Have a back-up plan.

Who eats tacos ... and pizza ... at the same meal?

No wonder the driver was troubled.

Keep in mind that when seconds count, the police are still minutes away. Have a back-up plan.


Ha, yeah I have a backup plan too. It's called let me introduce my foot to their ass.

Who eats tacos ... and pizza ... at the same meal?

No wonder the driver was troubled.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2733203861_f78151ec0f.jpg?v=0

Getting any action out of the cops around these parts, as concerns run ins between cyclists and cars, is damn near impossible.

As far as the cops are concerned, cyclists are separated into two groups:


Nice bike, cycling clothes & helmet = ****

X-mart bike, street clothes = DUI or Mexican or both


In either case, your life has zero value, and will get no help from them.