Assaulted by a Cyclist MOD WARNING post #44

Joshua5

I often see and hear of cyclists getting abused by motorists as they show up on their helmet cams. I wanted to share what happened to me this morning for constructive feedback.

I was driving with my pregnant partner and our toddler to the rotunda this morning across through Phisborough direction and right at the Witworth road where crossguns snooker club is a taxi was pulling out to turn right at the yellow box. I see this every morning as the nudge out to check the oncoming traffic.

Anyway a handful of cyclists where flying down the road while the cars where travelling at snail pace. They all seen the taxi coming across the yellow box for his right turn and just maneuvered around him as he was waiting for the all clear to turn.

Anyway this mad aul lad took exception to it and cycled directly to the taxi and was banging on the car panels as hard as he could. I was sitting directly facing it and the taxi man and his passengers where waving this looney off and drove away.

The crack pot then stood in the box as the taxi drove off, blocking me and the queue behind me still screaming and shouting. I beeped at him and singled to get a move on which he took exception to. I rolled down my window and say cop on ye idiot, move yer f'ing bike he's gone and you're holding up the road. The buses and all where beeping, a little bit like a nutter having a meltdown.

I ended up cutting around him because he was freaked and only got as far as that shopping centre traffic lights when I seen him cut across the road and bang on my window then. I rolled it down and he was leaning into my car. I told him to get the 'feck' of my car. He then looked in, seen the toddler and missus and actually gave me a box in the head. No joke or messing around, an actual box in the face. I jumped out of the car like a looney myself and he cycled as quick as he could off and I set chase on foot. The other half had to jump into the drivers seat.

Anyway he got away as my legs are what they once where. We've just finished in the hospital, my face isn't really swollen and I didn't call the gardai because number 1 we where in a rush and number two bikes don't have registrations. But now my tooth bridge which is cemented in has been disturbed, it's loose and feels like it's about to drop out. So obviously off to the dentist with me but it's defo as a result of this box he gave me although it didn't feel super hard.

What's happening in the world when people have outbursts like this. Granted I set chase on foot like a mad man but it was just the shock of getting the box. Would you bother reporting it, is there any point?

amcalester

Sounds like a pair of eejits.

easygoing39

I'm getting the popcorn ready!!

Joshua5

amcalester wrote: »

Sounds like a pair of eejits.

Good feedback

oldon

Sit and wait for him the next morning . Follow him to where he is going . Give the garda a call or return the unwanted gift he gave you.

jinkypolly

Joshua5 wrote: »

The crack pot then stood in the box as the taxi drove off, blocking me and the queue behind me still screaming and shouting. I beeped at him and singled to get a move on which he took exception to. I rolled down my window and say cop on ye idiot, move yer f'ing bike he's gone and you're holding up the road. The buses and all where beeping, a little bit like a nutter having a meltdown.


What's happening in the world when people have outbursts like this. Granted I set chase on foot like a mad man but it was just the shock of getting the box. Would you bother reporting it, is there any point?

You shouldn't have got involved with someone you thought was a crackpot. Going looking for confrontations is not a smart move.

amcalester

Joshua5 wrote: »

Good feedback

Why get involved? You said yourself you only got as far as the shopping centre traffic lights so how long was he really holding you up.

If someone is being an idiot on the road, stay back let them be and then when they've regained their senses proceed.

Beeping, shouting and cursing at someone who is obviously very riles up was a bit silly thing to do and was only going to exacerbate the situation.

So while the cyclist was being a dick, and shouldn't have punched you it could have been avoided by not getting involved.

ThisRegard

The fact the guy was on a bike is irrelevant, treat it the same as you would if you were assaulted by someone on foot.

Lumen

The normal advice given to cyclists who feel they've been wronged is to avoid escalation because you never know how loopy the other party is.

I guess the same applies here.

CINCLANTFLT

I sadly had something similar a few weeks ago... guy on a bike kicking a car and then standing in the middle of the junction in Douglas village shouting and roaring... he looked like an office worker in his 50's so not a usual nutter I was guessing...

Anyway when I and others beeped at him to move, he bangs on my window... I open it to tell him to stop... he says all motorists are pr@@cks, I am a bastard and my 7 YO daughter in the car is a c@@nt... I drove off at this point...

A few weeks earlier a Alfa type with a big red beard took exception to me beeping at him when cycling across my path as I drove out of a junction where I had the light... kicked my car, threatened to kill me and then said his bike was worth more than my "piece of sh@t" car

Lovely people cyclists!!!

Trekker09

It's an assault irregardless of him being a cyclist. I had a lad banging on my car window last week in Kilkenny as I honked him for having no lights or hi vis. It was dark and just wanted to let him know that I couldn't see him, especially with traffic coming towards me.

givyjoe

amcalester wrote: »

Sounds like a pair of eejits.

Get a grip will you. Cyclist looks into car, sees wife and child and boxes the driver? Perfectly understandable to get out in that case.

Lumen

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Lovely people cyclists!!!

Oh FFS.

ThisRegard

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Lovely people cyclists!!!

I had a car driver threaten me once, should I think everyone sitting in a car is an asshole (something I do a lot more these days than sitting on a saddle)?

1bryan

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Lovely people cyclists!!!

what other types of cyclists are there, other than 'people cyclists'?

yop

Great actions and language from adults around kids. The guy is an idiot but you engaged with him when you were on the way to the hospital with your wife and kid? If this guy hadn't a bike he'd still probably have hit you.

Anyway, there are idiots everywhere, on bike, buses, trains and cars. Engaging with them is the part to ignore.
Hope your pregnant wife and toddler aren't too shook.

CINCLANTFLT

Lumen wrote: »

Oh FFS.

I stand by what I say... SJWs calling my 7 YO a c@@nt? My experience is that it is cyclists doing this... no car drivers threatening me or abusing me...

terrydel

amcalester wrote: »

Why get involved? You said yourself you only got as far as the shopping centre traffic lights so how long was he really holding you up.

If someone is being an idiot on the road, stay back let them be and then when they've regained their senses proceed.

Beeping, shouting and cursing at someone who is obviously very riles up was a bit silly thing to do and was only going to exacerbate the situation.

So while the cyclist was being a dick, and shouldn't have punched you it could have been avoided by not getting involved.

Human beings are imperfect, easy to say don't get involved but when someone gets a punch in the face its a lot easier said than done.
Don't consider myself a hardman or a fighter of any sort, but I reckon I'd do the same had it happened to me. I wouldn't be proud of it but I'm not sure that I'd have any control over it.

CINCLANTFLT

ThisRegard wrote: »

I had a car driver threaten me once, should I think everyone sitting in a car is an asshole (something I do a lot more these days than sitting on a saddle)?

Big man... come over here and say that... as another cyclist roared at a car as he blocked the south mall one day...

Zillah

Aggressive idiot commits a crime - his mode of transport isn't really part of the equation. If it is any help, he probably follows the same route on a regular basis. As said you could try and spot him. What you do then is another question: follow and report, get a photo so you have something to show the guards.

You should have filed a report on the day and given a description. Do you have photos of any injuries at least?

givyjoe

Weepsie wrote: »

The OP did initiate the contact, still the guy on the bike is obviously an arsehole

Reasonable contact though, i.e. stop blocking the junction and everyone else behind me too.

ThisRegard

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

SJWs ........cyclists doing this... no car drivers threatening me or abusing me...

Cyclists are SJWs, you have that mentality? And you have been abused by other motorists, you just don't hear them as they do it from the safety of their vehicles.

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

Big man... come over here and say that... as another cyclist roared at a car as he blocked the south mall one day...

Do you know that most murderers use cars as a getaway vehicle. I don't feel comfortable conversing with you, you being likely to track me down and kill me and all that.

terrydel

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

I sadly had something similar a few weeks ago... guy on a bike kicking a car and then standing in the middle of the junction in Douglas village shouting and roaring... he looked like an office worker in his 50's so not a usual nutter I was guessing...

Anyway when I and others beeped at him to move, he bangs on my window... I open it to tell him to stop... he says all motorists are pr@@cks, I am a bastard and my 7 YO daughter in the car is a c@@nt... I drove off at this point...

A few weeks earlier a Alfa type with a big red beard took exception to me beeping at him when cycling across my path as I drove out of a junction where I had the light... kicked my car, threatened to kill me and then said his bike was worth more than my "piece of sh@t" car

Lovely people cyclists!!!

I had a guy say that about someone's car on this year's MB160. I told him he was an embarrassment and gives cyclists a bad name.

amcalester

givyjoe wrote: »

Get a grip will you. Cyclist looks into car, sees wife and child and boxes the driver? Perfectly understandable to get out in that case.

But even before that the OP was aggravating the situation by beeping, shouting and cursing at the cyclist who was obviously not going to react well to this.

So again, the cyclist was a dick but this could all have been avoided by the OP ignoring him and moving on once the cyclist had finished his tantrum.

I'm not trying to excuse the cyclist's behaviour here, but we're all accountable for our own actions and here the OP could have acted differently.

DanDublin1982

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

I stand by what I say... SJWs calling my 7 YO a c@@nt? My experience is that it is cyclists doing this... no car drivers threatening me or abusing me...

Maybe you just can't hear the car drivers doing it.

Not defending that guys actions but the reality is he did it because he is a c**t not because hes a cyclist.

Atlantic Dawn

Never roll your window down and never get out of your car when altercations like this happen, first rules of avoiding road rage attack.

amcalester

terrydel wrote: »

Human beings are imperfect, easy to say don't get involved but when someone gets a punch in the face its a lot easier said than done.
Don't consider myself a hardman or a fighter of any sort, but I reckon I'd do the same had it happened to me. I wouldn't be proud of it but I'm not sure that I'd have any control over it.

The OP got involved before the punch was thrown by beeping, cursing and shouting at the cyclist.

Had he ignored him, then no punch would have been thrown.

CINCLANTFLT

ThisRegard wrote: »

Cyclists are SJWs, you have that mentality? And you have been abused by other motorists, you just don't hear them as they do it from the safety of their vehicles.



Do you know that most murderers use cars as a getaway vehicle. I don't feel comfortable conversing with you, you being likely to track me down and kill me and all that.

And I am out of here... cycling echo chamber...

ThisRegard

CINCLANTFLT wrote: »

And I am out of here... cycling echo chamber...

What echo chamber? The issue is that you realise you don't actually have a proper argument at all and you're just going the usual route of these things by generalising people based on a particular mode of transport they happen to be using at the time,

coolbeans

ThisRegard wrote: »

What echo chamber? Is the issue that you realise you don't actually have a proper argument at all?

Remember now, it's all about how the OP 'feels', not what actually happened. Logic and facts don't apply when lazy generalisations are so much more useful.

PaulieC

fyp

Assaulted by a Cyclist person on a bike

givyjoe

amcalester wrote: »

The OP got involved before the punch was thrown by beeping, cursing and shouting at the cyclist.

Had he ignored him, then no punch would have been thrown.

Yeah, completely his own fault.

Joshua5

amcalester wrote: »

But even before that the OP was aggravating the situation by beeping, shouting and cursing at the cyclist who was obviously not going to react well to this.

So again, the cyclist was a dick but this could all have been avoided by the OP ignoring him and moving on once the cyclist had finished his tantrum.

I'm not trying to excuse the cyclist's behaviour here, but we're all accountable for our own actions and here the OP could have acted differently.

Just to add to a few of the comments, it only happened this morning so I'm just wondering if it's even worth reporting. Like I just don't see the garda taking it seriously so it might be a waste of my time.

Secondly, the only thing I did to engage him was beep and wave my hand to signal to move on. He was freaking thats why I rolled down the window and started to say cop on. He was blocking the entire road having a wobbler.

I did drive off then and he cycled down and came across lanes to my driver side to confront and attack me. While I wasn't nice because he was banging my car and hanging into my window he was out of order with the sucker punch.

I probably shouldn't have took chase on foot, in hindsight I should have just let him hit me in the fact, bang my car, and be abusive towards me for asking him to move himself. God forbid you'd tell someone to cop on when they are being a jerk.

OldBean

Joshua5 wrote: »

a little bit like a nutter having a meltdown.

Regardless of how he was making his way about, he probably was a nutter. OR just an asshole.

...I didn't call the gardai because...

No, you were assaulted. You should have rang the Gardai.

His bicycle wasn't the cause of your encounter, the guy was. As you said yourself, every other cyclist on the road was doing just fine. He'd likely have done the same if he was a pedestrian, motorist, motorcyclist or truck driver.

*Request to change thread title to 'Assaulted by a Nutter'.

PaulieC

Joshua5 wrote: »

I probably shouldn't have took chase on foot, in hindsight I should have just let him hit me in the fact, bang my car, and be abusive towards me for asking him to move himself. God forbid you'd tell someone to cop on when they are being a jerk.

In fairness, you had your pregnant wife and toddler in your car, why would you invite hassle like that ?

h2005

You did nothing wrong. Report this guy he needs to be punished for this.

Joshua5

PaulieC wrote: »

In fairness, you had your pregnant wife and toddler in your car, why would you invite hassle like that ?

He gave me a box in the face while I sat in my car. He went out of his way to confront me for beeping and waving him on while he was blocking the road having a rant. It was a split second decision, when someone hits you you react.

coolbeans

Joshua5 wrote: »

Just to add to a few of the comments, it only happened this morning so I'm just wondering if it's even worth reporting. Like I just don't see the garda taking it seriously so it might be a waste of my time.

Secondly, the only thing I did to engage him was beep and wave my hand to signal to move on. He was freaking thats why I rolled down the window and started to say cop on. He was blocking the entire road having a wobbler.

I did drive off then and he cycled down and came across lanes to my driver side to confront and attack me. While I wasn't nice because he was banging my car and hanging into my window he was out of order with the sucker punch.

I probably shouldn't have took chase on foot, in hindsight I should have just let him hit me in the fact, bang my car, and be abusive towards me for asking him to move himself. God forbid you'd tell someone to cop on when they are being a jerk.

The guy was being a prick, there's no doubt about that. The issue we have on here is because one cyclist does something bad a load of idiots hop on all cyclists and apply the "a blight on all their houses" rule. I give you for example George Hook. It's a logical fallacy and makes no sense and results in needless and dangerous hostility toward all cyclists, most of whom are normal human beings.
I wish the OP a speedy recovery.

amcalester

Joshua5 wrote: »

Just to add to a few of the comments, it only happened this morning so I'm just wondering if it's even worth reporting. Like I just don't see the garda taking it seriously so it might be a waste of my time.

Secondly, the only thing I did to engage him was beep and wave my hand to signal to move on. He was freaking thats why I rolled down the window and started to say cop on. He was blocking the entire road having a wobbler.

I did drive off then and he cycled down and came across lanes to my driver side to confront and attack me. While I wasn't nice because he was banging my car and hanging into my window he was out of order with the sucker punch.

I probably shouldn't have took chase on foot, in hindsight I should have just let him hit me in the fact, bang my car, and be abusive towards me for asking him to move himself. God forbid you'd tell someone to cop on when they are being a jerk.

If you did report he probably cycles that route everyday at more or less the same time so if you a description the guards may be able to follow up. I know if I did anything similar on my route the guards wouldn't have much difficulty picking me out.

It appears he was looking for a fight for whatever reason, and when the taxi driver didn't engage and you did he diverted his attention to you. I'm not saying that you deserved to be assaulted, of course you didn't, but it could have been avoided.

Report it, and hopefully the guards will be able to track him down and charge him.

But, honest question, if a motorist had gotten out of his car and was shouting and roaring in the middle of the road would you have beeped at him?

I wouldn't.

CramCycle

MOD VOICE: The next person to generalise any group on this thread gets a straight red card and a permanent ban from this forum.
Simples

• All pedestrians are not the same
• All cyclists are not the same
• All motorists are not the same

Anyone saying different can rant somewhere else with their nonsense

PaulieC

Joshua5 wrote: »

He gave me a box in the face while I sat in my car. He went out of his way to confront me for beeping and waving him on while he was blocking the road having a rant. It was a split second decision, when someone hits you you react.

I've been there and know how you feel at that moment and long ago probably would have reacted the same way, but you have to remember that it's not just you now. Taking this to a far-fetched conclusion, but what if you had've caught up with him and he hit you again and knocked you out or worse, fatally assaulted you ?

Danjamin1

There has to be another forum more appropriate for this thread, it definitely doesn't belong in the cycling forum.

Joshua5

coolbeans wrote: »

The guy was being a prick, there's no doubt about that. The issue we have on here is because one cyclist does something bad a load of idiots hop on all cyclists and apply the "a blight on all their houses" rule. I give you for example George Hook. It's a logical fallacy and makes no sense and results in needless and dangerous hostility toward all cyclists, most of whom are normal human beings.
I wish the OP a speedy recovery.

I didn't mean to offend anyone saying cyclist. I was just putting context around the story. The tooth will be cemented back in tonight and the hospital visit with herself indicated it's a BOY!

I guess I just wanted to hear if people think I should report it. Herself says I should because the guy was a nutter but I'm not as bothered because it just involves effort and I don't think the garda will have the resources or even bother to investigate. How are they going to arrest him? That I suppose is the reason I say cyclist, how can you point one out when there is no reg of anything for that matter.

punisher5112

Op contact garda or go into local station and report it. Try and remember time and if there were any busses in the area as CCTV could be got but that has to be done within 3 days or footage is gone.

Also any bank or shop CCTV so do it fast.

mooeire

Had a similar situation last year, driver on the M50 kept switching lanes and it annoyed me. I ended up infront of him on the slip road and slowed down to annoy him, he then over took me and i gave him the finger as he went by, he then drove into me on purpose. got out and few words said then he drove off. reported to guards but heard no more about it.

Was a big wake up call for me how quickly things can escalate, if id just ignored what happened would not have ended in a confrontation. Its just not worth the aggro

Planet X

Trekker09 wrote: »

It's an assault irregardless of him being a cyclist. I had a lad banging on my car window last week in Kilkenny as I honked him for having no lights or hi vis. It was dark and just wanted to let him know that I couldn't see him, especially with traffic coming towards me.

You couldn't see him?
How do you know
who you were "honking" at then?

Ah, probably a Ninja cyclerist.

Joshua5

Weepsie wrote: »

Of course report it. People get assaulted all the time unfortunately. Out on the street, going about their business. People don't carry a reg on their backs. If only to get it on the record, but give the full story including your part. You may see him again and be able to get a pic of him or more detail. Likely nothing will happen, but it should still be reported.

I just rang the station closest to me to report it but they said I need to go into the local station where the incident happened. It's out of my way and on the basis that it's likely nothing will happen I'm not sure if I'm that bothered.

punisher5112

Joshua5 wrote: »

I just rang the station closest to me to report it but they said I need to go into the local station where the incident happened. It's out of my way and on the basis that it's likely nothing will happen I'm not sure if I'm that bothered.

That's wrong for starters but you are better going in to it. As they would be better to deal with that area.

magicbastarder

mooeire wrote: »

I ended up infront of him on the slip road and slowed down to annoy him, he then over took me and i gave him the finger as he went by, he then drove into me on purpose. got out and few words said then he drove off. reported to guards but heard no more about it.

did you tell the gardai that you'd deliberately slowed down to annoy him?

Red Kev

Op, you should report it. At the very least you'll get your teeth paid for and the cyclist might learn to calm his behaviour down.

If it happened outside Phibsboro Shopping Centre then there's plenty of CCTV coverage there, you could try asking the shops or the shopping centre, not sure if they'll give it to you or not. The Dublin Bus might also have CCTV on it, some of them have it installed now. Dublin City Council also have CCTV in that area as well.

At the very least ask them to hold onto the footage, maybe use a solicitor to request that they store it rather than deleting it or recording over it.

Mountjoy is the nearest Garda station. If you get no success from the desk officer ask politely to see the duty sergeant to get things moved on a bit. Follow up on any progress after a couple of days.

People like yer man tend to be aggressive no matter what they are up to, he may have mental issues, more likely he's just somebody on a short fuse. I'd follow it up anyway.


Best of luck with the baby BTW !

ted1

Trekker09 wrote: »

It's an assault irregardless of him being a cyclist. I had a lad banging on my car window last week in Kilkenny as I honked him for having no lights or hi vis. It was dark and just wanted to let him know that I couldn't see him, especially with traffic coming towards me.

You clearly did see him...