http://laist.com/2008/07/07/road_rage_motorist_vs_cyclists_on_m.php >
OK,
This is an unfortunate event to be sure. Remember, we all experience something like this every so often on our rides.
So, next time you're assailed by a motorist while cyling down hill... YOU know, being yelled at, insulted, and nudged off the road by an some INSANE MOTORIST ~ Remember to always take a moment to remove one hand from the handlebar, and give the INSANE DRIVER the GESTURE he or she deserves!
NOT!
Please... The L.A. road rage incident proves once again! It's better to Kill a Crazy Motorist with Kindness. They may seem angry at you, but more than likely they are really just angry at the whole world!
The Popular get bent gesture, and expletive deleteds, or the spraying of the driver or his car with the contents or your water bottle, is certainly not the solution, as this terrible L.A. assault aptly proves.
I think if you asked the victims now, knowing what they know now, they would agee!
Riders, don't argue with a two ton vehicle, you will lose every time. No winning of $$ in a civil law suit is worth the pain & grief you would have sustained.
I wonder if one of our own North County Riders, gave such a gesture to the VAN driver that stopped along Deer Springs, which may have contributed to the motivation that caused the driver to exit his VAN and then knocked Kelly to the Ground?
Let Kelly know who you are so he can give thanks for the escalation of what was already a dangerous situation?
Be kind to the Maniac Drivers you encounter, they know not what they do, and they may end up doing what not to you!
Greg P-Shade.
This incident prompted a more general discussion of cyclists and motorists needing to "understand and be nice to each other", not to mention legal obligations of both sides and other implications, which is in this morning's LA Times http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bikes21-2008jul21,0,172344.story
After attending the Bicycle Regional Planning workshop in Carlsbad (same group is working on the LA Regional Bike Plan), it is clear that education on both sides is required.