Near crash
 

Took me a while to post this but last week was my first physical encounter with a car since 84. I was doing about 17mph in a bike lane slightly ahead of a small Chevy Blazer to my left crossing a 3 lane road. When I entered the first lane I heard the Blazer accelarate hard, but by the time he passed me I was in the second lane and going into the 3rd when he turned right into that third lane. My bike and I hit the side of the Blazer where his side mirror was hooking my arm which dragged me and the bike around the turn with him. The bikes rear end skidded sideways into the rear of the vehicle with a bang. The driver then proceeds to accelarate faster up to 40mph!!! I was fighting for control of the bike fearing it was going to slip under the vehicle, so I struggled to stay connected to the Chevys mirror and stay upright and still try to figure out if the bike was yet rideable and yelling at him to stop! He takes me about a 10th of a mile down the road before he suddenly slows down causing another problem with holding on and keeping the bike upright. At about 5 MPH I jerked away from his truck and as soon as that happened he accelarated away giving me the international sign language for @*$#you!!

I went to a gas station to call the cops and check myself and the bike out and too my surprise there was no damage to me or the bike!!!! Unfortunately I was only able to get the first 4 numbers of the license plate and the cop said they could no do anything unless they had all the numbers.

Wow was that luck or something else? whatever you want to call it, I'm grateful! :)

OMG!!! What a bastard! I would be sure to watch out for that car if this is a normal road you ride, you might see him again! He deserves to go to jail! There is absolutely no excuse for something like that!

Are you sure this was not part of a movie stunt?

":angel: :angel: :angel: "

I bet you were pretty shaken-up. That sounds extremely scary and it's too bad that scum got away without being charged with vehicular assault plus hit-&-run :irritated

The cop gave you a load of bull! That's assault with a deadly weapon, at the very least! 4 numbers on a license plate plus the make and model of the vehicle is more than enough for a detective to find a suspect. Hell, give me access to a DMV computer and I could probably do it in a week or two!

I'd re-visit the police, and get a lawyer. People who intentionally endanger people like that on the road probably already have a history, and will most likely perform a similar act on another random victim in the near future. And I say this as a pedestrian, bicyclist, and a motorist!

Have to agree with Beats Walking. You are one lucky rider but the driver that nearly killed you should go down. If he'd been frightened and apologetic - groovy - but this moronic turnip needs some serious karma exacted upon his aura. Try once more with Mr. "I don't need the paper work today" Policeman and see how you go.
Then again if you see him regularly on your commute forget I said anything - revenge can hurt.

They should be able to track him down with the first 4 numbers. His car would have some markings or scratches from the altercation. You know the model and colour. How many cars could there be that have the same 4 numbers make, model and colour?:crash: Don't the cops like to investigate crime.

Good thing you are okay.

CHEERS.

Mark

Totally. I used to (briefly) work in law enforcement. Situations where a vehicle was used as a weapon against an officer were justified for emptying your weapon into the driver's head.

It's not much different for a cyclist. Accelerating while you're hooked on the mirror has one purpose... serious injury. I'd be revisiting the police to speak to a shift commander. If that doesn't get action then send letters to the mayor, police board and your largest newspaper.

Agree 100%. It was deliberate, make no bones about it. Personally I'd be thinking about finding another police station and reporting not only the terrorist driver, but also the cop who failed to take action about it.

Maybe you guys are right; glad I posted this because this goofballs act has been on my mind for since it happened. Not so much that it was scary or that now I'm scared, because after 30+ years of riding this wasn't nothing; but its been on my mind due to the total disregard that individual had for me. So I will contact the police and see what can be done.

thanks guys

I agree!! Froze, follow up with that.. please. Keep us posted. :smile:

Not only is it assault with a deadly weapon, but I would consider this fleeing the scene of an accident (hit & run). That the cop didn't bother to track this guy down is an outrage.