Driver overreacts
 

Not sure if this has been posted. Pretty crazy

Watch: Cyclist chased, attacked after complaining of driver in bike lane - Chicago Tribune

Hmm... I'm not blaming the cyclist for getting angry, but the first real rule of fight club (despite the movie) is "Don't let your mouth write a check that your butt can't cash."

If you can't defend yourself, don't escalate an already crappy situation with empty threats or standing in front of an attacker. Just document the incident and pass it along to law enforcement.

Probably not a bad idea for cyclists to learn some basic self defense techniques, which contrary to most YouTube tutorials *don't* involve striking back or grappling. If you're in striking or grappling range you've already lost the most basic part of self defense -- distance. The first and most basic self defense is to move your feet and body out of harm's way. Put your bike between you and an attacker -- human or animal. If that fails, get behind a car, trash can, any barrier. Some attackers will quickly lose interest or tire if they have to run and chase you. If you make an honest effort to avoid a physical confrontation it'll look better for you in a complaint to law enforcement.

Would have been interesting to post that in this thread: Your insurance against bully drivers = wear a visible camera.


Clearly the camera didn't help him avoid this incident. In fact, one wonders if wearing the camera made the cyclist bolder than he would have otherwise been.

On the other hand, the license plate can mostly be made out in the early part of the video so it may lead to the police to the driver.

I ride by cars stopped in bike lanes on a regular basis. I just sigh to myself and ride past, - though I suppose it's not out of the realm of possibility that I'd say something. I'd probably leave out the "bro". I'd definitely not taunt the driver of a car that was chasing me and again I wonder if he thought that somehow the camera was going to protect him.

Saying "I dare you to f*ck with me." is not going to de-escalate many situations. Maybe he thought acting tough was going to get the driver to back down. It didn't.

Drivers do make you angry when ride your bike but a few things to always remember:

1. The quote above.
2. A vehicle will always have the advantage over a bike. Doesn't do much good if the driver gets angry enough to run you down with his/her vehicle.
3. People hide weapons in vehicles ie:clubs/knives/guns/crossbow (yes that has happened twice here in Mass car to car though).
4. Doesn't do you any good if your right laying in a hospital bed somewhere.
5. The quote above.

I think that the cyclist was attacked after challenging the driver, not for complaining. Granted the driver was chasing him down and harassing him by repeatedly blocking the cyclist but that's not the attack. He was making a point, similar to the "car always wins" point above.

My motto is "Don't engage the crazies". That works regardless of whether you can beat him in a fight, or in a court, or on the road. Once identified, don't engage.

I hate to say this, but I have yelled far worse at people in cars on the road and in the bike lane. Probably not a good idea with road rage and all, but it happens. I have hit people's cars as well, on purpose, when they cut me off, don't see me, etc. I have done that while riding in Chicago to be honest. There has been no chance of them catching me however. Not in traffic, and not when I am on a bike.

I believe I watched the whole video and would like to comment on your comment. You are correct. However one point of Contention. It isn't distance, it's distance control. There is a lot the rider could've done to prevent this from escalating. Number one is is go back against traffic when the car initially stopped. But the rider was not wrong in pointing out the fact it was a bike lane. The driver is at Fault here and for getting angry. The driver needs anger management.
Once any confrontation has started, running is as vital as you suggested, however when engaged in a physical fight, Distance control is being out of range from a disabling blow or too close to allow a disabling blow. In either case it would definitely Involve Striking and Grappling.
+1 on "Don't engage the crazies".

The driver should be arrested. That said this happened in Austin, a high crime neighborhood. Probably not wise to call attention to yourself pedaling through.

Or wise to call and angry dude chasing you a bit ch

That cyclist was an idiot and completely brought that upon himself. Just ride past and get on with your day. That's what we ask motorists to do (don't get all pissed, just slow down and pass safely and get on with your day), so that's what we need to do, as well.

This was not the cyclists fault. It doesn't matter what someone says, attacking them for it is never justified.

Remember that your bike is a weapon. I'd like to see "Bro" get around my lifted front wheel and get a punch in before taking a steel fork upside of the head.

No, the cyclist was not at fault nor was the attacker justified. But he still escalated the situation by taunting the guy. You can't go around taunting someone who is already pissed at you and expect nothing to happen. Use some damn common sense.

Stupid to taunt the driver but it is also time to get that driver arrested.

Probably a better shield than a weapon. Either way it's pretty unwieldy and easy for an attacker to get ahold of. A U-lock's much better but at the same time might escalate things. Better just to remove yourself from the situation if possible.

and that car was not the only one in the bike lane, wutz the biker gonna do lecture them all. the camera does empower ppl and wrongly so. the biker never should have stopped

Yeah, there was a truck parked there too, but maybe the driver wasn't in it. Can't really say for sure if the biker would have said something had he not been wearing the camera but I can see it making some people bolder than they otherwise would be.