[*BCM*] Response to Vehicular Assault? (was: Open letter ...)

[Rob Arnold]

Coupled with Anne's suggestions should be a concerted effort by MassBike, as
the face of legitimacy for cycling advocacy, to continue educating police
about the needs of cyclists in these situations. Often, I've been in
disputes with drivers and found the police immediately sided with the
driver. I think a host of factors contribute to that bias, but I don't know
anybody's doing anything to eliminate it. Here's an opportunity for MassBike
to prove it does more than host fundraisers for itself.

On Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 2:22 PM, Anne Wolfe <goannego at gmail.com> wrote:

> So you think the best way to change that is not involve the police?
>
> The more often the police are consulted and involved, the more bike issues
> get on their radar.   If you're particularly lucky, you'll get a cop that
> actually patrols on a bike at which point you're well away.
>
> And note, the second you called to someone to get the police, your attack
> stopped.  That, above all else, was your first priority, your own personal
> safety.  That alone was reason to call the cops.  Turning around and lamping
> the guy one with a cycle lock would have just escalated the situation.
>
> You can bet your last dollar that if a cyclist attacks a driver, the police
> are going to get involved.  Make sure the alternative happens every single
> time that is reversed. And again, photos and video are some of your best
> friends here.
>
> Nothing will work every time, from either side.  But consistency has
> remarkable powers.  You can adopt the "if at first you don't succeed, try
> try again" approach or the "if at first you don't succeed skydiving is not
> for you" approach, but if you actually WANT something to change, you're
> better off with the former.  Apathy and writing things off never solved
> anything.
>
> 2008/7/30 Dionne, James <jdionne at sleepmed.md>
>
> Hi,
>>
>> New to this group and I'm sure I'll see you all at the next ride.
>>
>> Forget about the police. I was assaulted by a driver that cut me off and
>> we got into a verbal match. He then grabbed me by the throat. When I
>> called to a witness to call the cops he promptly let go and screwed out
>> of the area. I was able to get the license plate. The witness just
>> strolled away.
>>
>> I called the Lynnfield police and they dispatched a cruiser. I explained
>> the situation to the officer and he said there was nothing he could do
>> as I was not hurt (is that how it works in a domestic assault?). then he
>> start questioning me about the road I was on, him stating that it was
>> restricted to bicycles (a bunch of bull). Anyways I made a report to the
>> registry requesting a hearing. I also contacted Mass Bike and was told
>> that a representative would accompany me to the hearing (they never
>> showed). The hearing person was an ex-cop and clearly anti-bicycle and
>> seemed disturbed that I don't drive and that I cycle everywhere I go.
>>
>> Motorist are given the benefit of doubt whenever it comes to a
>> bicyclist. We are a cancer on the roads. I have given up any hope of
>> this changing. I am tired of the crap we as cyclist have to deal with on
>> the roads.
>>
>> Got hit in January by a guy leaving dunkin donuts who claimed he didn't
>> see me. I had the right of way, my bike totaled. What happened to him?
>> Nothing.
>>
>> OK, enough of my rant. Sorry if I didn't make much sense.
>>
>> JD
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
>> [mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
>> Jym Dyer
>> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 1:46 PM
>> To: Boston CM
>> Subject: [*BCM*] Response to Vehicular Assault? (was: Open letter ...)
>>
>> > And how should one behave when say... an aggressive
>> > motorcycle is trying to bob and weave their way through
>> > the mass on charles street near the gardens?
>>
>> =v= I've been wondering about this for a while.  What's the best
>> way to stop a motorist in the process of committing vehicular
>> assault?  The car is running, it may have already hit someone,
>> it may be about to hit someone, what do you do?  The goal is
>> to stop the assault and, ideally, not be arrested for doing so
>> (or, if arrested, not convicted).
>>
>> =v= I've followed a few of these incidents over the years (not
>> all of them involving Critical Mass), and Seattle's follows an
>> all too typical pattern:  those who damaged a precious, precious
>> car are thrown in jail, but the vehicular assaulter isn't even
>> charged with anything.  Some judges and juries follow the lead
>> of the cops here, and despite evidence of self-defense (or the
>> defense of others), are more upset about damage to cars than
>> bodily harm to bicyclists.
>>
>> =v= Actually harming the driver is worse, of course.  Trying to
>> wrestle the keys away would seem to be the most direct approach,
>> but is arguably assault and battery.  (Getting anywhere near the
>> driver at all is something like a mortal sin.)
>>
>> =v= So, what's the right thing to do?  Have Eddie Murphy shove
>> potatoes up the exhaust pipe?
>>    <_Jym_>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Boston Critical Mass mailing list
>> list at bostoncriticalmass.org
>> http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
>> To unsubscribe email list-unsubscribe at bostoncriticalmass.org
>> _______________________________________________
>> Boston Critical Mass mailing list
>> list at bostoncriticalmass.org
>> http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
>> To unsubscribe email list-unsubscribe at bostoncriticalmass.org
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Anne M. Wolfe, LL.M.
> Mobile: ( 07805) 456901
> "If Happy Fun Ball begins to smoke, get away immediately. Seek shelter and
> cover head. Please do not taunt Happy Fun Ball."
>
> _______________________________________________
> Boston Critical Mass mailing list
> list at bostoncriticalmass.org
> http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
> To unsubscribe email list-unsubscribe at bostoncriticalmass.org
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.bostoncoop.net/pipermail/bostoncriticalmass/attachments/20080730/282ebae2/attachment.htm