Road Raging Fox News Writer Arrested for Dragging a Cyclist Through Central Park

[d.mcc]

From Treehuger:

You may have heard this one before--a cyclist goes biking in New York City. Cyclist gets cut off by a driver who's irritated by having to share the road with cyclists. Cyclist rides up to driver at next stop, positions himself in front of the vehicle and tells him to please observe the speed limit. Driver rams cyclist and drags him 200 feet through Central Park. Driver is a writer for Fox News.

Okay, so that last part isn't necessarily relevant to the story, but it's all true. And the fact that the road raging driver works for Fox News has helped the story make headlines all over New York and the ever-trusty blogosphere. And let's just say it paints drivers who hate on cyclists in a rather unflattering light. That's an understatement...

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009...gs-cyclist.php

[MoparDan]

One, I don't like Fox News.
Two, with all the Lance Armstrong wannabes down here, don't think it hasn't crossed my mind of turning most of them into road pizza when they insist in riding in the middle of a busy thoroughfare at 8am or 5pm.
Three, I do ride a bicycle at times but keep to the right as much as possible because I know what it's like to have some self-righteous clown clogging up the lane.
Sure, it'd be nice to share the road but too many of these bicyclists have no concept of traffic rules or basic courtesy; not to say that many drivers do. I used to give these guys the benefit of the doubt, but hardly anymore.
I'm off my soapbox now.

[ghettopalmetto]

One, I don't like Fox News.
Two, with all the Lance Armstrong wannabes down here, don't think it hasn't crossed my mind of turning most of them into road pizza when they insist in riding in the middle of a busy thoroughfare at 8am or 5pm.
Three, I do ride a bicycle at times but keep to the right as much as possible because I know what it's like to have some self-righteous clown clogging up the lane.
Sure, it'd be nice to share the road but too many of these bicyclists have no concept of traffic rules or basic courtesy; not to say that many drivers do. I used to give these guys the benefit of the doubt, but hardly anymore.
I'm off my soapbox now.

Since you're the expert on traffic laws and basic courtesy, then you know that bicyclists, as vehicle operators, are entitled to an entire lane of roadway.

[MoparDan]

Slower traffic keep to the right.

[ghettopalmetto]

Slower traffic keep to the right.

And those who are impatient, pass in the lane to the left.

[MoparDan]

And those who are impatient, pass in the lane to the left.

And those whom obstruct or prevent the free flow of traffic...?

If I ever make it up there I'm bringing along a few tennis rackets or ping pong paddles.

PS: I always say that if you're not suffering from road rage then you're probably causing it.

PPS: On a more serious level, if walking or running on a sidewalk & see a bicyclist approaching, I will move to the side to give them room to pass by. In neighborhoods, I slow down & if safe to do so, give wide berth to people on bikes, esp if kids are involved. We know how predictable children are.

[Johnnny5]

Since you're the expert on traffic laws and basic courtesy, then you know that bicyclists, as vehicle operators, are entitled to an entire lane of roadway.

Not exactly true. In Michigan cyclists have the right to share most roads with motor vehicles, but must ride as far to the right of the road as practical [[Unless maintaining the same speed as other traffic). One can and should get a ticket for impeding traffic on a bicycle if they insist on riding in the middle on the lane and blocking traffic.

[d.mcc]

One can and should get a ticket for impeding traffic on a bicycle if they insist on riding in the middle on the lane and blocking traffic.

Which is stupid...Road's aren't merely for Vehicular Traffic, and the same rules that apply to a motor vehicle should apply to bicycles. Slower moving traffic stays to the right, pass on the left if/when the opportunity presents itself.

[mjs]

Which is stupid...Road's aren't merely for Vehicular Traffic, and the same rules that apply to a motor vehicle should apply to bicycles. Slower moving traffic stays to the right, pass on the left if/when the opportunity presents itself.

Exactly their reasoning. Slow vehicles can also receive impeding tickets regardless of their lane of travel. Feel better?

[lilpup]

Not exactly true. In Michigan cyclists have the right to share most roads with motor vehicles, but must ride as far to the right of the road as practical [[Unless maintaining the same speed as other traffic). One can and should get a ticket for impeding traffic on a bicycle if they insist on riding in the middle on the lane and blocking traffic.

Wrong. There are no minimum speeds for surface streets.

Another bad thing about bike lanes is that they essentially serve as a right hand shoulder, collecting all the trash and loose gravel from the road, which makes it scary to use them [[falling on loose gravel into traffic is a particular fear of mine).

Downtown Ferndale has signs posted for bikes to be walked on sidewalks.

Ann Arbor recently started enforcing traffic laws on bike riders, pulling them over and ticketing them for infractions [[be sure to carry some ID).

[Johnnny5]

Wrong. There are no minimum speeds for surface streets.

.

The fact that there are no minimum speeds does not make any difference. If a vehicle or bicycle is moving at a speed which impedes the flow of traffic a ticket can be issued. Here's the section of the Michigan Vehicle Code where the issue is mentioned.

Sec. 660a.
A person operating a bicycle upon a highway or street at less than the existing speed of traffic shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except as follows:
[[a) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
[[b) When preparing to turn left.
[[c) When conditions make the right-hand edge of the road~way unsafe or reasonably unusable by bicycles, including, but not limited to, surface hazards, an uneven roadway surface, drain openings, debris, parked or moving vehicles or bicycles, pedestrians, animals, or other obstacles, or if the lane is too narrow to permit a vehicle to safely overtake and pass a bicycle.
[[d) When operating a bicycle in a lane in which the traffic is turning right but the individual intends to go straight through the intersection.
[[e) When operating a bicycle upon a 1-way highway or street that has 2 or more marked traffic lanes, in which case the individual may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.

[vetalalumni]

... with all the Lance Armstrong wannabes down here, don't think it hasn't crossed my mind of turning most of them into road pizza when they insist in riding in the middle of a busy thoroughfare at 8am or 5pm.

Please don't hit them MoparDan.

Couple of weeks ago the wife and I were on a 25 mph residential street with 1 way traffic in each direction and both curbs were completely filled with cars. We came upon a painted cyclist who would not let us pass. So I patiently trailed him by about 20 feet [[approximately 2 car lengths) waiting until we reached a wide intersection where I could pass with care. At the intersection he began yelling at me to "get off his ass" repeatedly. I was so surprised I busted out laughing out loud. The indignant tone and emphasis he used when he said "get off my ass" was similar to the tone many a man has heard from a disinterested woman at a bar.

[Blarf]

These cyclists need to ride on the sidewalks if sidewalks exist.

Than they need to realize they are NOT Lance Armstrong.

[Maof]

I have been wondering about this for some time. Every Thursday, there are a group of 15 or more cyclist that meet up at the parking lot on Masonic and Jefferson. It is annoying that they ride in a "pack" as oppose to riding behind each other. If your driving behind them in the right lane and are not able to pass them on the left, your stuck. They seem to follow some sort of "rules" such as stopping at red light, but I'll be damned, if there is no traffic, they will continue right through it I just don't get what's wrong with the sidewalks. I find it to be a hazard and them a target for road rage.

[East Detroit]

Whenever I ride my bike, I see these people in cars who come into my lane on 4 lane roads as if we're supposed to share a lane. I don't see why they don't all drive on the sidewalk.

[rb336]

These cyclists need to ride on the sidewalks if sidewalks exist.

Than they need to realize they are NOT Lance Armstrong.

read the laws, blarf. it is illegal to ride bikes on the sidewalks. Roads are for cars and bikes.

[Johnnny5]

These cyclists need to ride on the sidewalks if sidewalks exist.

Than they need to realize they are NOT Lance Armstrong.

Riding on the sidewalks is a great way to get run over .

[MoparDan]

Please don't hit them MoparDan.

Couple of weeks ago the wife and I were on a 25 mph residential street with 1 way traffic in each direction and both curbs were completely filled with cars. We came upon a painted cyclist who would not let us pass. So I patiently trailed him by about 20 feet [[approximately 2 car lengths) waiting until we reached a wide intersection where I could pass with care. At the intersection he began yelling at me to "get off his ass" repeatedly. I was so surprised I busted out laughing out loud. The indignant tone and emphasis he used when he said "get off my ass" was similar to the tone many a man has heard from a disinterested woman at a bar.

LOL I guess the guy was PMSing.
I'm willing to bet he tailgates other bicyclists in his car though.
Like I wrote, it's crossed my mind but I haven't done it. Yet.

[3WC]

The thing that would make this story more interesting, and a lot funnier, is if the cyclist works for NBC News.

[ccbatson]

Hitler was an avid fan of Gustav Mahler's music....are all people that like the same music Nazi's?

Are all people associated with Fox News perpetrators of vehicular assault of cyclists then?

[Detroitej72]

Hitler was an avid fan of Gustav Mahler's music....are all people that like the same music Nazi's?

Are all people associated with Fox News perpetrators of vehicular assault of cyclists then?

Felling a little defensive? Or just seeking attention?

Nobody here was even paying attention to that insignificant detail after the initial posting until you felt the need to bring it up.

[DetroitDad]

I will not miss suburbia when it is gone.

The road was made for people, not cars!

This is what happens when you get into excessive car culture, where your auto is viewed as nothing more than an extension of your personality and self, and not what it is, a large piece of machinery that serves no other purpose than that of transportation.

[ccbatson]

I bring it up [[the implication that conservatives are somehow guilty, not the individual alone) because it is in the thread title...it is misleading propaganda typical of liberals. It should not stand without being scrutinized as I did.

[MoparDan]

Earlier I drove myself, the wife & youngest daughter to the gym to work out. Sure enough, there's an Armstrong wannabe forcing everyone to go around him during rush hour; despite a perfectly good 4ft wide sidewalk with not a soul in sight on it. I immediately thought about this thread as made sure I didn't sideswipe another vehicle as we went by.
It was sooooo tempting to give him a Goodyear tattoo.

[DetroitDad]

Earlier I drove myself, the wife & youngest daughter to the gym to work out. Sure enough, there's an Armstrong wannabe forcing everyone to go around him during rush hour; despite a perfectly good 4ft wide sidewalk with not a soul in sight on it. I immediately thought about this thread as made sure I didn't sideswipe another vehicle as we went by.
It was sooooo tempting to give him a Goodyear tattoo.

Isn't it actually dangerous to pedestrians, not to mention illegal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk?

I've heard stories of people being stopped by police for ridding on the sidewalk, although they pretty much just got a slap on the wrist with the threat of getting their bike taken away. The problem is, that you get honked at and practically get ran of the road when you ride in the street. Generally, I agree that the proper way to respond to those contemplating giving out "Goodyear tattoos" by banging on their hoods or doors, just to take these yahoos down a few notches. The driver will usually not do anything but be pissed that you disgraced what they view as a massive extension of themselves that they have a God given authority over the public roads with. If they do do something, they tend to get out to confront you, in which case you just peddle away.

How about they show a little more courtesy on the road, and realize that they have no God given right to the public roadway, and that they are not better than anyone or invisible once their inside their planet destroying living room on wheels [[SUV).