curb hash

I always wear a helmet but I have been wearing Nashbar clear safety style glasses ever since I was shot by a paintball gun a few years ago. The direct confrontation thing will never work for me because I am too thin and pale to intimidate anyone no matter how pissed I am after getting hit by a beer can or hearing a bottle shatter after it whistled past me. I keep my cell phone on in affluent areas and carry pepper spray for some chance of escape in gangbanger neighborhoods.

Years ago I read about someone here carrying a lightweight, cheap disposable camera not to have any real chance of catching a perp's plate but to deter them with paranoia when they see a camera flash.

bragi

A carload of dumbass high school kids who throw fast food leftovers at you doesn't quite qualify as evil in my opinion. Yes, the kids were obnoxious little ****s. No, they are not evil. And they definitely don't deserve to be shot or otherwise assaulted. And you can't blame the police for not doiing anything in this instance; compared to other issues, a lycra-clad guy complaining about a used McDonald's bag hitting him in the head isn't a very high priority...

whitecat

Yeah, just keep excusing stupid behavior that can get others killed. That is a nice train of thought to follow. In case you didn't notice, yes, I am being sarcastic. Throwing anything at a rider is similar to dropping a concrete brick in front of the windshield of the car at speed - both can have lethal consequences. Unbelievable how some people can't seem to grasp the concept of cause and effect. More so, if you ride a bike yourself. At least you should know how something unexpected can throw you off balance, and how dangerous that can be in traffic.

heywood

yea, the police officers really should investigate any possible breach of the law. I'm sure they use some discretion as to the severity of the crime based on how busy they are and when they can assign someone to investigate but they are paid by us to uphold the laws. Someone throwing something at someone else is 'assault', possibly assault & battary and that's a serious crime.

Like to know how fast something happens if some kids throw a McDonalds bag at a bicycle cop???

electrik

Police do charge when you have good evidence.
I don't really agree with banging on the van's side though.

whitecat

Banging on the side is the least offensive thing the cyclist could do, given that the idiot in the van was endangering his life with his reckless and intentional display of lack of driving skills. He's lucky it ain't Texas, as he would probably get shot first, and have questions asked later, especially after throwing that bottle. I really do not agree with idiots endangering our lives on the road

mihernan

"OW SH-- What the F--- Oh, I guess it's not so bad then..."

dahut

Seriously, you gotta be selective about what you ask for. Get hit with a Bud Light bottle at 50 mph and you'll look forward to a stale Big Mac, or a few pennies. Trust me.