CycleGeek

Here's my story:

Basically I ride my bike 6.5 miles to work every day and ever since school started, several 16-year old girls have been making sport of pointing and laughing at me on my bike every day, really loud.

Today they did it for the eighth time and something snapped. I stopped the bike, ran them down, cornered them in a doorway, and started screaming obscenities about this being the last f**king time they yell at me on my bike.

I then climbed on my bike and continued to work. I didn't punch them, although the thought crossed my mind.

Not smart, but I think that I have a right to not be hassled for the next eight months.

My question is whether I could be prosecuted for this if their parents start to become illogical and vindictive.

wild animals

maybe you should find another route for the next few months. even if they don't call the police, they probably aren't going to share the road with you if you know what i mean.

geog_dash

Please tell me you're also 16 years old. If not, you need therapy. If it comes from a court appointed psychologist, that's fine with me.

mmerner

I think as long as didn't you didn't verbally threaten their lives your probably safe.

Banzai

There are few creatures on this planet as shrill, stupid, and flighty as teenage girls.

I would personally consider it an affront to my dignity if a bunch of teenage girls could actually get under my skin like that.

No, I don't think you've committed a crime unless you made threats along with the obscenities...but once you're done worrying about that, start thinking about why the pointless heckling of a bunch of vapid teeny-boppers bothered you so much.

And maybe it's just my ego, but when teenage girls giggle on my route, I usually conclude it's because they think I'm so darn cute in my Cookie Monster jersey. Of course, do thoughts like that make me a dirty old man?

Remember also the things that are most important in a teenage girl's brain; fashion, clothes, money, cars, boys, popularity, cute, money, clothes, boys, popularity, cool-factor...you get the point. Somehow your biking infringed on these VERY important life issues, which should make you proud. Rumor has it that eventually those girls will grow up, and may even grow brains with real priorities.

Now relax, and enjoy your ride!

rykoala

Dude. Not smart. Different route for sure. Avoid any further interaction with those youngsters. Hopefully you didn't threaten them. You probably scared the daylights out of them. Not cool. Kids are kids. Sometimes they aren't very nice, but that kind of behavior is what makes people scared. Just reading this makes me cringe. I hope you have the common sense to *never* do anything like that *again*.

wild animals

it sounds like a crime to me. if someone chased me, cornered me, and screamed at me, i'd call the police on them. especially if they'd come onto my property to do it.

either way my advice is "don't ever do that again."
edit: haha, jinx

Darold

New route. You won't have to see them again, and it will make your ride more enjoyable.

kylecrispin

Edit: Assault

hey I get up at 4:30 AM for work so gimmee a break here....

DogBoy

Actually, assault. Battery is physical contact. I also think its unlikely to bridge the boundary into assault unless specific threats where made.

jyossarian

While yelling at teenagers can be fun when they're being stupid, what you did sounds psychotic. Don't do it again.

wneumann

Dude... that's not how you pick up the ladies...

* jack *

If the thought of punching 16-yr old girls crossed your mind, you have some serious issues.

kennyd

IMHO, not the best way to be an ambassador for cycling. As a father of a teenager, I know that their priorities in life sometimes involve the mockery and degradation of their fellow man. I would take the high road - get a new route or simply just wave to them as you ride by. Not to mention that when these girls are driving and see you on the bike, they may not yield to you (or the poor cyclist who looks like you).

I-Like-To-Bike

You better hope you don't see them again.
Otherwise:
1. They will heckle you twice as much, AND
2. Have good reason to do it. AND
3. Next time you act that way they might identify you to the police , AND
4. You will be the goat, AND
5. Won't those girls really have something to laugh at then, AND
6 The girls will tell all their friends about the fool who goes ballistic over teasing, AND
7. They will seek you out to goad you into performing like a barking seal at the sight of a fish.

kjmillig

Actually the definitions and use of "assault" and "battery" vary from state to state. In some states what you did is "assault even if you never touched them and it was on public property. If you chased them onto school grounds it opens up other problems as well. Change your route and hope the police don't come looking for you. Good luck.

Lurker1999

I think you need a holiday from biking. I'd suggest taking a week off from bicycle commuting.

SaabFan

Not to mention how they'll treat every other cyclist they see dressed up in funny clothes. . .

squeakywheel

Instead of being psychotic, just smile and wave at them. Maybe even say goodmorning. Some cycling geek thinking he has new friends is not what they want. They'll just ignore you.

jonathan180iq

I totally agree. The few people that used to stare and make funny faces simply stopped paying attention to me once I threw out a few "How's it going?"s and a couple of "HEY!"s.

Actually, it's more like "HEeeyy!" and "HOws itgooonn.."

CycleGeek

I'd be happy to explain myself to a police officer (or better yet, these kids' parents) but frankly I'm rather surprised to see that you guys are suggesting that kids will be kids. Screaming at bikers is in *no* way acceptable behavior - and every time we tolerate it we give in to the gradual disintegration of society.

However, since there aren't nearly enough cops on the route, I've decided to take the consensus and change my route. No sense getting run over by these kids' parents/brothers.

ctoddrun

And somehow, chasing a bunch of kids, cornering them, and letting loose with a tirade doesn't contribute to the disintegration of society?

Sammyboy

It isn't acceptable, but what you did is actually worse.

chipcom 

Dude, you are wrapped way too tight.

* jack *

CycleGeek: "Officer, officer! Did you see that! Those highschool girls were ridiculing me!"

Police Officer: "Ridiculing? What do you mean?"

CycleGeek: "They were pointing at me! And LAUGHING!!!"

Police Officer: "Please move along, sir."