Crazy Video of Bikers vs SUV (1 Viewer)

[encaitar]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

The lawyer also said the assault case was trumped up, because Lien, who received stitches to his face, never had to be hospitalized.

What?

Yeah, I was confused at this too. Didn't have to be hospitalized? Did they do the stitches on site?

 

[jason12vb]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

 

[Clifford]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

 

[UOFI_316]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

“It is entirely reasonable to try and identify the driver after a motor-vehicle accident,” Watts said.

So chrome dome was just trying to figure out who was driving the RR. not trying to inflict any harm on him or his family? Got it.

 

[jason12vb]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

Do you have kids that play sports? Have you ever been part of a caravan that goes out to watch them play an away game or a regional tournament? How about going from wedding ceremony to the reception hall? How about going from a golf outting to get something to eat? Just had a group of middle aged friends do a wine tour...alert the authorities!

The obvious here that you speak of is the stereotyping and fear you have of someone just because they enjoy biking instead of sitting in a car and mindlessly driving your same-ol route while playing on your cell phone.

These riders here were ##### and out looking for trouble...suggesting that I, as a 35 year old college educated professional sitting at my cube with my 900 pound bike waiting to take me back to my suburban townhome to pick up my wife so we can go to the Jack Johnson concert tonight, might be gang affiliated just because I'm riding with other bikers is ridiculous.

 

[Clifford]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

“It is entirely reasonable to try and identify the driver after a motor-vehicle accident,” Watts said.

So chrome dome was just trying to figure out who was driving the RR. not trying to inflict any harm on him or his family? Got it.

I think this guy is just trying to make a name for himself by saying the most ridiculous #### he can think of. He's got a high-profile, completely unwinnable case and he's making the most of it.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

“It is entirely reasonable to try and identify the driver after a motor-vehicle accident,” Watts said.

So chrome dome was just trying to figure out who was driving the RR. not trying to inflict any harm on him or his family? Got it.

I think this guy is just trying to make a name for himself by saying the most ridiculous #### he can think of. He's got a high-profile, completely unwinnable case and he's making the most of it.

He should go full r-tard then and blame it on racial profiling. Say the biker was just standing his ground. Say "If the helmet don't fit, you must acquit." Pull out all of the stops. Maybe even file a counter-suit against the toddler in the car for being the aggressor.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

The driver should be allowed to beat the hell out of the undercover cop.

 

[Clifford]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

Do you have kids that play sports? Have you ever been part of a caravan that goes out to watch them play an away game or a regional tournament? How about going from wedding ceremony to the reception hall? How about going from a golf outting to get something to eat? Just had a group of middle aged friends do a wine tour...alert the authorities!

The obvious here that you speak of is the stereotyping and fear you have of someone just because they enjoy biking instead of sitting in a car and mindlessly driving your same-ol route while playing on your cell phone.

These riders here were ##### and out looking for trouble...suggesting that I, as a 35 year old college educated professional sitting at my cube with my 900 pound bike waiting to take me back to my suburban townhome to pick up my wife so we can go to the Jack Johnson concert tonight, might be gang affiliated just because I'm riding with other bikers is ridiculous.

I did not know and could not suggest

Your age

Your education level

Your employment status

Your job's work environment

The weight of your bike

Your dwelling location

Your style of dwelling

Your marital status

Your horrible taste in music (ok JK I kinda like him)

I agree that bikers deal with some stereotyping.

 

[Clifford]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

“It is entirely reasonable to try and identify the driver after a motor-vehicle accident,” Watts said.

So chrome dome was just trying to figure out who was driving the RR. not trying to inflict any harm on him or his family? Got it.

I think this guy is just trying to make a name for himself by saying the most ridiculous #### he can think of. He's got a high-profile, completely unwinnable case and he's making the most of it.

He should go full r-tard then and blame it on racial profiling. Say the biker was just standing his ground. Say "If the helmet don't fit, you must acquit." Pull out all of the stops. Maybe even file a counter-suit against the toddler in the car for being the aggressor.

Yeah, take it to trial and make his defendant put on the helmet...

 

[T Bell]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

The lawyer also said the assault case was trumped up, because Lien, who received stitches to his face, never had to be hospitalized.

What?

Yeah, I was confused at this too. Didn't have to be hospitalized? Did they do the stitches on site?

"Hospitalized" to me means admitted to the hospital, not just visiting the ER. That much I don't quibble with.

But to claim that an attack that results in wounds requiring stitches isn't an assault is absurd. Whether you're admitted to the hospital or not is irrelevant. You can have an assault that doesn't result in any injury requiring medical care.

 

[T Bell]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

“It is entirely reasonable to try and identify the driver after a motor-vehicle accident,” Watts said.

So chrome dome was just trying to figure out who was driving the RR. not trying to inflict any harm on him or his family? Got it.

Well, he was trying to get DNA evidence as part of his identification. You know, just to be sure.

 

[jason12vb]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

Do you have kids that play sports? Have you ever been part of a caravan that goes out to watch them play an away game or a regional tournament? How about going from wedding ceremony to the reception hall? How about going from a golf outting to get something to eat? Just had a group of middle aged friends do a wine tour...alert the authorities!

The obvious here that you speak of is the stereotyping and fear you have of someone just because they enjoy biking instead of sitting in a car and mindlessly driving your same-ol route while playing on your cell phone.

These riders here were ##### and out looking for trouble...suggesting that I, as a 35 year old college educated professional sitting at my cube with my 900 pound bike waiting to take me back to my suburban townhome to pick up my wife so we can go to the Jack Johnson concert tonight, might be gang affiliated just because I'm riding with other bikers is ridiculous.

I did not know and could not suggest

Your age

Your education level

Your employment status

Your job's work environment

The weight of your bike

Your dwelling location

Your style of dwelling

Your marital status

Your horrible taste in music (ok JK I kinda like him)

I agree that bikers deal with some stereotyping.

As long as you're willing to admit you're stereotyping here we're cool

 

[Clifford]

All I said was that cars don't often travel in packs of 15, and that we're ignoring the obvious. I don't think that qualifies. So not willing to admit that, guess we're not cool. Regardless I get your point and don't think we need new laws to deal with this.

Honestly, I think any "Stuntz" biker that doesn't want to end up getting Meezee'dTM will watch themselves a little more after this incident.

 

[BustedKnuckles]

All I said was that cars don't often travel in packs of 15, and that we're ignoring the obvious. I don't think that qualifies. So not willing to admit that, guess we're not cool. Regardless I get your point and don't think we need new laws to deal with this.

Honestly, I think any "Stuntz" biker that doesn't want to end up getting Meezee'dTM will watch themselves a little more after this incident.

How about a truckers convoy big buddy...you got your ears on?????

 

[parasaurolophus]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

Do you have kids that play sports? Have you ever been part of a caravan that goes out to watch them play an away game or a regional tournament? How about going from wedding ceremony to the reception hall? How about going from a golf outting to get something to eat? Just had a group of middle aged friends do a wine tour...alert the authorities!

The obvious here that you speak of is the stereotyping and fear you have of someone just because they enjoy biking instead of sitting in a car and mindlessly driving your same-ol route while playing on your cell phone.

These riders here were ##### and out looking for trouble...suggesting that I, as a 35 year old college educated professional sitting at my cube with my 900 pound bike waiting to take me back to my suburban townhome to pick up my wife so we can go to the Jack Johnson concert tonight, might be gang affiliated just because I'm riding with other bikers is ridiculous.

You know what the difference here is? They are going to a destination. The caravan isn't for the sake of a caravan.

I am not afraid of a stereotype. I simply hate when I am on a road and get stuck with tons of bikers all around. I hate their obnoxious radios, ridiculous "loud pipes save lives" myth exhausts, and the fact that they frequently ride practically on the center line because "there is no oil there" which makes it very difficult to give a pedestrian or biker any room on your side of the road.

Guess what? I hate cruisers and stupid street racer club drivers too. You may very well be one of the bikers that obey laws, have regular exhaust, and dont have a loud radio.

I don't support having to get a permit for these rides, but I do hate them and could certainly understand people supporting the need for a permit. Especially when you need a permit to hold a rally for world hunger in a local park.

 

[jason12vb]

All I said was that cars don't often travel in packs of 15, and that we're ignoring the obvious. I don't think that qualifies. So not willing to admit that, guess we're not cool. Regardless I get your point and don't think we need new laws to deal with this.

Honestly, I think any "Stuntz" biker that doesn't want to end up getting Meezee'dTM will watch themselves a little more after this incident.

Really...so even though you know absolutely nothing about me other than the fact that I ride a bike, you think I should be profiled as a gang member if I were to end up in a pack of bikes...and you're not willing to admit that your stereotyping?

Guess I might as well start feeling a little tougher the next time I go to my ALS Assocation volunteer work, weekly hiking/biking trail maintenance days, or fundraising volleyball tournament I'm running for the 5th time to help the local high school.

BTW - The Jack Johnson show was the best of the 3 I've seen...but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was in a gorgeous 100 year old Italian Renaissance style thearter that seats less than 2,200 as opposed to an outdoor lawn seating venue that probably "seats" 40,000.

 

[Sinn Fein]

Let it go - if you are riding in a pack of bikes, and members of the pack are riding recklessly or disregarding traffic laws, then yes, you should be profiled as a gang member, and run over by a Range Rover.

Having said that, there are enough laws that prohibit reckless driving that we don't need to add to those laws - simply enforce the laws on the books.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Video the scooter riders didn't want you to see.

I think this has been posted like 5 times already

 

[T Bell]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

 

[jason12vb]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

Has anyone ever been part of a 15-car caravan?

There is a lot of ignoring the obvious here.

Do you have kids that play sports? Have you ever been part of a caravan that goes out to watch them play an away game or a regional tournament? How about going from wedding ceremony to the reception hall? How about going from a golf outting to get something to eat? Just had a group of middle aged friends do a wine tour...alert the authorities!

The obvious here that you speak of is the stereotyping and fear you have of someone just because they enjoy biking instead of sitting in a car and mindlessly driving your same-ol route while playing on your cell phone.

These riders here were ##### and out looking for trouble...suggesting that I, as a 35 year old college educated professional sitting at my cube with my 900 pound bike waiting to take me back to my suburban townhome to pick up my wife so we can go to the Jack Johnson concert tonight, might be gang affiliated just because I'm riding with other bikers is ridiculous.

You know what the difference here is? They are going to a destination. The caravan isn't for the sake of a caravan.

I am not afraid of a stereotype. I simply hate when I am on a road and get stuck with tons of bikers all around. I hate their obnoxious radios, ridiculous "loud pipes save lives" myth exhausts, and the fact that they frequently ride practically on the center line because "there is no oil there" which makes it very difficult to give a pedestrian or biker any room on your side of the road.

Guess what? I hate cruisers and stupid street racer club drivers too. You may very well be one of the bikers that obey laws, have regular exhaust, and dont have a loud radio.

I don't support having to get a permit for these rides, but I do hate them and could certainly understand people supporting the need for a permit. Especially when you need a permit to hold a rally for world hunger in a local park.

Why can't a group of bikes have a destination in mind?

So much anger, you sound like someone who could really use a nice lifestyle change like getting out on a bike and enjoying the world a bit. I've only been riding for 2 years, but man, it's changed my life. I can't think of many things better than getting on my bike and taking the long country way home to avoid the interstate after a stressful day of being an IT nerd.

I am in fact someone without a radio, who doesn't want a loud bike because I want to hear things around me and don't want to wake up my neighbors, that tries to blend into traffic and doesn't ride in the passing lane just because I'm a biker and it's safer over there. Hate me all you like, but I'm going to reach my destination with a smile on my face without getting in anyone's way while it sounds like you'll be on edge and gripping your wheel at the sight of anyone you think you hate....that sucks for you guy.

"and the fact that they frequently ride practically on the center line because "there is no oil there""

The reason safety classes teach this is not because of oil...

1) You are seen in people's side view mirrors and stick out more vs rear view mirrors and blending into cars behind you.

2) So on comming traffic can see if you if they're trying to pass someone and quickly try to dart out the second they are by the car in front of you,

3) So cars behind you don't try and jump into the place you're occupying.

Again, I'm by no means on the side of the NYC guys...I hope every one of them who even stopped on the road and was with anyone who got aggressive faces some major punishment.

 

[Lutherman2112]

Motorcycle lane position

 

[TheIronSheik]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

 

[Foosball God]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

I am too, but he wasn't a cop there imo, he was a part of the gang.

 

[parasaurolophus]

Why can't a group of bikes have a destination in mind?


So much anger, you sound like someone who could really use a nice lifestyle change like getting out on a bike and enjoying the world a bit. I've only been riding for 2 years, but man, it's changed my life. I can't think of many things better than getting on my bike and taking the long country way home to avoid the interstate after a stressful day of being an IT nerd.

I am in fact someone without a radio, who doesn't want a loud bike because I want to hear things around me and don't want to wake up my neighbors, that tries to blend into traffic and doesn't ride in the passing lane just because I'm a biker and it's safer over there. Hate me all you like, but I'm going to reach my destination with a smile on my face without getting in anyone's way while it sounds like you'll be on edge and gripping your wheel at the sight of anyone you think you hate....that sucks for you guy.

"and the fact that they frequently ride practically on the center line because "there is no oil there""

The reason safety classes teach this is not because of oil...

1) You are seen in people's side view mirrors and stick out more vs rear view mirrors and blending into cars behind you.

2) So on comming traffic can see if you if they're trying to pass someone and quickly try to dart out the second they are by the car in front of you,

3) So cars behind you don't try and jump into the place you're occupying.

Again, I'm by no means on the side of the NYC guys...I hope every one of them who even stopped on the road and was with anyone who got aggressive faces some major punishment.

Tons of riders say they avoid the center because of grease and oil. Your same safety class would tell you that if you see an oncoming car and an oncoming bicycle that you should move over to the center because it is safer as you know the car is going to have to move around the bicycle.

Instead you get the guys that have perpetuated the myth of "the grease strip" and refuse to move over even an inch.

http://www.mctourguide.com/lane-positioning/

The center of the road is often described by some as “the grease strip” and that it should be avoided at all times. Except for very particular circumstances, this is not true. Unfortunately the statement malignes what can be the safest place to be.

If what you say is true above, then I have zero hate for you. I live just a few minutes from the harley plant and I can tell you for certain everyday(weather permitting) I see several motorcyclists driving like morons, blasting radios, and being obnoxiously loud. It would appear your only flaw with riding a motorcycle is defending the people who drive this way and attempting to paint disliking this behavior as somehow bad. Nobody should support behavior like that. It is a pretty stupid way to drive. Whether in a car or a motorcycle or on a bicycle.

 

[T Bell]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

It sure seems like, in hindsight, he waited until Wednesday to tell his superiors about being present because he wanted to see what evidence would be available that might implicate him. By Wednesday I guess it became clear there was photo/video of the final beating which he was present for, and so he came forward.

 

[Cyclones]

All I said was that cars don't often travel in packs of 15, and that we're ignoring the obvious. I don't think that qualifies. So not willing to admit that, guess we're not cool. Regardless I get your point and don't think we need new laws to deal with this.

Honestly, I think any "Stuntz" biker that doesn't want to end up getting Meezee'dTM will watch themselves a little more after this incident.

Really...so even though you know absolutely nothing about me other than the fact that I ride a bike, you think I should be profiled as a gang member if I were to end up in a pack of bikes...and you're not willing to admit that your stereotyping?

Guess I might as well start feeling a little tougher the next time I go to my ALS Assocation volunteer work, weekly hiking/biking trail maintenance days, or fundraising volleyball tournament I'm running for the 5th time to help the local high school.

BTW - The Jack Johnson show was the best of the 3 I've seen...but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was in a gorgeous 100 year old Italian Renaissance style thearter that seats less than 2,200 as opposed to an outdoor lawn seating venue that probably "seats" 40,000.

You should have taken the opportunity to mow Jack Johnson down with an SUV while in that intimate setting. God I hate that guy.

 

[Fat Nick]

One biker called for cool heads to prevail.

"We are not here to blame anyone, we are not here to point any fingers," Albert Elkerson said. "The true question is how could we have avoided what happened last Sunday, and what can we do to prevent that."

I'd say the easiest thing is for bike gangs to obey the laws, not act like they own the road, don't brake check vehicles, don't surround people and start destroying the vehicle that they are in, and don't pull people out of their car and beat them.

I think a possible solution here is to make it illegal for motorcycles over a certain number to ride together. i.e. No more than 15 motorcycles may ride together at any given time, UNLESS you apply for a "group ride" permit and have a police escort for your ride. Consider it like the Pennsylvania brothel law that basically makes it illegal for X number of unrelated women to cohabitate because it would be considered a brothel. Basically consider 15 or more bikers riding together without a permit to be a gang, and somehow illegal.

Now the issue is that there will still be those who do it anyway, and given these guys' disregard for highway laws in general, it probably wouldn't have stopped them anyway, but at least they would have something to charge them on.

Im sorry, what?

This has got to be shtick, just wow.

Why? I mean, you've got to get a permit to take an oversized load down a major highway because it can be disruptive to traffic. If a pack of 100 bikers expects to be able to drive down the highway and not be divided by cars, why shouldn't they have to get a permit too? There's very little about long lines of bikes driving in a pack that is safe, and even less when then bikers are acting like they own the road. I'm just suggesting you make the line between legit, safe group rides and ad-hoc packs like this a little more clear.

Maybe you read the initial quote differently than I did, but I took it as one of the bikers asking the question in a rhetorical way...like what could the bikers have done to avoid the incident from escalating to the point that it did. I don't think he was asking for more strict laws...he was asking his fellow bikers if what they were doing was asking for something to happen.

As far as your proposed solution...as a rider of a touring bike I take a little offense to your suggestion that I need to have a police escort just because I'm a bike rider with some friends. Why is that any different than 15 cars? 15 bikes is by no means an abnormally large number here in the Midwest...especially this time of year with the colors changing and thoughts of bikes being put away for the winter start creeping into reality.

I know there have been some posts since this one, but I'll catch up when work slows down. Just wanted to comment here.

The intent of my suggestion wasn't based on what the biker said or anything...it was just a thought. The number of bikers was just an arbitrary number. Make it more or less depending on the road/state, whatever. The police escort I honestly saw the OTHER way...much in the way a flag truck for an oversized load makes sure the oversized load can change lanes and get to where he needs to go, and that there isn't any funny business (by a car, by a bike, by whatever.)

As for your comment on why is it different than 15 cars...I think the obvious answer was shown in this incident. Because 15 cars don't typically have the maneuverability to surround another driver at the drop of a hat. Because 15 cars don't run the risk of getting run over by another car. Because I've never seen a line of 15 cars driving aggressively like these bikers. I'm not suggesting this law in any way shape or form to punish anyone. I'm well aware that 99.9% of bikers are just like you. Law abiding, average folk. I'm just saying that when a large group of bikes gets together to ride peacefully, there are certain implications on general traffic flow, and certain dangers above and beyond normal circumstances. I think even as a peaceful biker you have to see that. I know I've been on the highway where a group ride is cruising in the left lane (or right, whatever). They're not doing anything wrong, but the fact that they occupy a lane for a long stretch can cause traffic issues, which leads to short tempers, which can lead to issues. That's my logic here. It's not to punish anyone out for a ride with buddies. It's just acknowledging that just because 1 bike can go out for a ride doesn't mean that there aren't concerns with 100 bikes out for a ride.

 

[shadyridr]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

shocking

 

[East Coast Bias]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

shocking

The undercover officer has been arrested.

 

[jason12vb]

The intent of my suggestion wasn't based on what the biker said or anything...it was just a thought. The number of bikers was just an arbitrary number. Make it more or less depending on the road/state, whatever. The police escort I honestly saw the OTHER way...much in the way a flag truck for an oversized load makes sure the oversized load can change lanes and get to where he needs to go, and that there isn't any funny business (by a car, by a bike, by whatever.)

As for your comment on why is it different than 15 cars...I think the obvious answer was shown in this incident. Because 15 cars don't typically have the maneuverability to surround another driver at the drop of a hat. Because 15 cars don't run the risk of getting run over by another car. Because I've never seen a line of 15 cars driving aggressively like these bikers. I'm not suggesting this law in any way shape or form to punish anyone. I'm well aware that 99.9% of bikers are just like you. Law abiding, average folk. I'm just saying that when a large group of bikes gets together to ride peacefully, there are certain implications on general traffic flow, and certain dangers above and beyond normal circumstances. I think even as a peaceful biker you have to see that. I know I've been on the highway where a group ride is cruising in the left lane (or right, whatever). They're not doing anything wrong, but the fact that they occupy a lane for a long stretch can cause traffic issues, which leads to short tempers, which can lead to issues. That's my logic here. It's not to punish anyone out for a ride with buddies. It's just acknowledging that just because 1 bike can go out for a ride doesn't mean that there aren't concerns with 100 bikes out for a ride.

Ha, think you're going to the opposite extreme there...99.9%...no way are there only 1 in 1000 that are "bad seeds".

I don't deny there are a lot of dik-weeds out there on bikes of all kinds and way more seem to primarily be concerned with looking and sounding cool than they are about safety and not proving the stereotypes to be wrong.

This thread seems to be suggesting though that there might be a lot of people enraged by the site of a bike, casting judgement on all of us...and not seeing that much of the bike culture is changing. The number of bikes on the road these days seems to be going up, especially with people like me...middle-aged, educated professionals with long range bikes (quiet exhaust, cruise control, windshield, bags/trunk, etc) that save money on gas that open up the country to vacation options that may not have existed previously. Bikes are cheap to own and maintain, cheap to ensure, get car-pool exceptions, easy to find parking...they just make good financial sense for some folks and there are millions of people out there riding for those reasons and couldn't care less about being loud or wanting to look tougher than we are.

I don't think I would have handled the NYC incident any differently than RangeRoverGuy did...dumb-### bikers piss me off too, but I know too many quality people on bikes of all kinds to get pissed at someone just because of the type of bike they are on.

 

[Fat Nick]

The intent of my suggestion wasn't based on what the biker said or anything...it was just a thought. The number of bikers was just an arbitrary number. Make it more or less depending on the road/state, whatever. The police escort I honestly saw the OTHER way...much in the way a flag truck for an oversized load makes sure the oversized load can change lanes and get to where he needs to go, and that there isn't any funny business (by a car, by a bike, by whatever.)

As for your comment on why is it different than 15 cars...I think the obvious answer was shown in this incident. Because 15 cars don't typically have the maneuverability to surround another driver at the drop of a hat. Because 15 cars don't run the risk of getting run over by another car. Because I've never seen a line of 15 cars driving aggressively like these bikers. I'm not suggesting this law in any way shape or form to punish anyone. I'm well aware that 99.9% of bikers are just like you. Law abiding, average folk. I'm just saying that when a large group of bikes gets together to ride peacefully, there are certain implications on general traffic flow, and certain dangers above and beyond normal circumstances. I think even as a peaceful biker you have to see that. I know I've been on the highway where a group ride is cruising in the left lane (or right, whatever). They're not doing anything wrong, but the fact that they occupy a lane for a long stretch can cause traffic issues, which leads to short tempers, which can lead to issues. That's my logic here. It's not to punish anyone out for a ride with buddies. It's just acknowledging that just because 1 bike can go out for a ride doesn't mean that there aren't concerns with 100 bikes out for a ride.

Ha, think you're going to the opposite extreme there...99.9%...no way are there only 1 in 1000 that are "bad seeds".

I don't deny there are a lot of dik-weeds out there on bikes of all kinds and way more seem to primarily be concerned with looking and sounding cool than they are about safety and not proving the stereotypes to be wrong.

This thread seems to be suggesting though that there might be a lot of people enraged by the site of a bike, casting judgement on all of us...and not seeing that much of the bike culture is changing. The number of bikes on the road these days seems to be going up, especially with people like me...middle-aged, educated professionals with long range bikes (quiet exhaust, cruise control, windshield, bags/trunk, etc) that save money on gas that open up the country to vacation options that may not have existed previously. Bikes are cheap to own and maintain, cheap to ensure, get car-pool exceptions, easy to find parking...they just make good financial sense for some folks and there are millions of people out there riding for those reasons and couldn't care less about being loud or wanting to look tougher than we are.

I don't think I would have handled the NYC incident any differently than RangeRoverGuy did...dumb-### bikers piss me off too, but I know too many quality people on bikes of all kinds to get pissed at someone just because of the type of bike they are on.

I completely understand the non-image pro's of bikes. My best buddy has a Kawasaki cruiser. He rides simply because he enjoys it. The Kawasaki is a lot cheaper than a Harley, and as long as it has 2 wheels, he's happy with it. Not too loud either. Frankly, I considered getting a bike at one point. The main reason I chose not to is simply safety. I consider myself a hyper-aware driver, but I'm aware many others aren't. I'm also a bit of a speed freak, and I know I could kill MYSELF just as easily.

With that said, to your point bolded above, I wouldn't say that a single bike enrages me (maybe others have indicated as such), but I will say that I get nervous and a little tense when riding in traffic around a bike. Especially when I'm behind him, or when it's a lot of stop-and-go and the biker is changing lanes. It's simply a matter of me having to be aware of something smaller and different than a car. Something I'm not used to. It's not in my normal driving check-list. I set my mirrors so there are no blind spots...for cars. But a bike can hide. Their ability to change speeds so quickly also makes you need to be doubly aware. So I wouldn't say that, personally, a single bike enrages me, but I don't exactly like riding around them, but they have a right to the road too. Packs of bikes can go different ways. I've been in heavy traffic caused by an unbroken line of bikes. I've been very irritated at some of them. Others don't bother me. It's all about the situation, and I acknowledge that often the cause is the line of bikes coupled with somebody in a car unwilling to pass and unwilling to move over themselves. I guess that's my issue with pack riding...I figure if I'm mad (and am relatively normal and level headed), there are a lot more crazy people out there who might be escalated here.

I'll be curious to see if any "non-hoodlum" biker groups make a statement about this incident. It's sad that the visibility is on these "bad" groups. That's probably a big part of public perception too.

 

[jason12vb]

I don't disagree with anything you say there...driving near bikes be it singular or multiple does require more attention and even good riders that blend into traffic can have an effect on traffic patterns around them just because others tense up and change their driving habits because of their presence.

 

[Otis]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

Seems like a fine upstanding citizen.

Will someone please cage this animal permanently?

 

[Rayderr]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

Seems like a fine upstanding citizen.

Will someone please cage this animal permanently?

He's only been arrested 22 times. He can still be rehabilitated.

 

[Otis]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Loses his job? I hope he goes to prison.

Typical of a NYC cop in my experience. So many are the biggest morons, racists, and animals that Long Island, NJ, and Staten Island can drudge up. Glad this guy has a gun and is protecting us.

 

[Otis]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

I am too, but he wasn't a cop there imo, he was a part of the gang.

Lol at you guys talking like this is a close call.

I don't care if he's the pope, if he participated in that, he should be in prison. Actually, worse -- he's given a gun, and power, and trusted to protect people. It's arguably 10 times worse for him to be doing this.

Hold yourself at LEAST to a higher standard than "common violent criminal," ahole.

Awful. And sad.

 

[Foosball God]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

I am too, but he wasn't a cop there imo, he was a part of the gang.

Lol at you guys talking like this is a close call.

I don't care if he's the pope, if he participated in that, he should be in prison. Actually, worse -- he's given a gun, and power, and trusted to protect people. It's arguably 10 times worse for him to be doing this.

Hold yourself at LEAST to a higher standard than "common violent criminal," ahole.

Awful. And sad.

You seem to have missed my point. I'm saying he was just another gang thug there and should be treated the same way the justice system would treat any of the other PoS that were involved.

 

[Clifford]

All I said was that cars don't often travel in packs of 15, and that we're ignoring the obvious. I don't think that qualifies. So not willing to admit that, guess we're not cool. Regardless I get your point and don't think we need new laws to deal with this.

Honestly, I think any "Stuntz" biker that doesn't want to end up getting Meezee'dTM will watch themselves a little more after this incident.

Really...so even though you know absolutely nothing about me other than the fact that I ride a bike, you think I should be profiled as a gang member if I were to end up in a pack of bikes...and you're not willing to admit that your stereotyping?

Guess I might as well start feeling a little tougher the next time I go to my ALS Assocation volunteer work, weekly hiking/biking trail maintenance days, or fundraising volleyball tournament I'm running for the 5th time to help the local high school.

BTW - The Jack Johnson show was the best of the 3 I've seen...but I think it had more to do with the fact that it was in a gorgeous 100 year old Italian Renaissance style thearter that seats less than 2,200 as opposed to an outdoor lawn seating venue that probably "seats" 40,000.

Glad you liked the show. I think you're doing just a little bit of assuming here.

 

[Otis]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

I am too, but he wasn't a cop there imo, he was a part of the gang.

Lol at you guys talking like this is a close call.

I don't care if he's the pope, if he participated in that, he should be in prison. Actually, worse -- he's given a gun, and power, and trusted to protect people. It's arguably 10 times worse for him to be doing this.

Hold yourself at LEAST to a higher standard than "common violent criminal," ahole.

Awful. And sad.

You seem to have missed my point. I'm saying he was just another gang thug there and should be treated the same way the justice system would treat any of the other PoS that were involved.

I'm saying he should be treated worse.

 

[East Coast Bias]

I'm sure some lawyer will get him off.

 

[TheIronSheik]

Looks like the cop was not an innocent bystander but an active participant:

http://nypost.com/2013/10/07/bike-cop-joined-in-on-suv-beatdown-video-reveals/

Idiot. Hope he loses his job.

Agreed. I'm usually on the side of the cops. But this guy is a tool and deserves to lose his job, at the least.

I am too, but he wasn't a cop there imo, he was a part of the gang.

Lol at you guys talking like this is a close call.

I don't care if he's the pope, if he participated in that, he should be in prison. Actually, worse -- he's given a gun, and power, and trusted to protect people. It's arguably 10 times worse for him to be doing this.

Hold yourself at LEAST to a higher standard than "common violent criminal," ahole.

Awful. And sad.

Who was saying it was a close call? This guy is scum. And I said that in my post. I think not eating lunch is really affecting your ability to comprehend words.

 

[Fat Nick]

Chrome Dome in custody

http://nypost.com/2013/10/06/cops-bust-silver-helmet-biker-who-assaulted-family/

Seems like a fine upstanding citizen.

Will someone please cage this animal permanently?

He's only been arrested 22 times. He can still be rehabilitated.

Chance was busted and hit with gun and drug raps and faced more than 25 years’ prison.

In retrospect, It's almost shocking that this didn't end worse for Lein. I'd be curious what the average rap sheet looks like for your typical Hollywood Stuntz rider.

 

[jhib]

I saw a letter to the editor in our local paper today which was basically a copy/paste version of this one suggested by the AMA a couple of days ago. It seems like it's showing up all over the place.

To Whom It May Concern:

As a responsible motorcyclist and a concerned citizen, I am writing about the incident that occurred in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 29, involving an SUV driver and some motorcyclists.

I am troubled by the serious injuries caused by the SUV driver and by the actions of some motorcyclists who apparently decided to take the law into their own hands. Some in the media have reported the facts but others are sensationalizing the story. I urge you to report this incident factually and objectively.

I ride responsibly and do my best to represent motorcycling in a positive light. Those of us who ride support rider education and often raise funds for charitable causes in our community. The safety of all road users, especially motorcyclists, is of the utmost concern to me and I do not support actions by any road users that violate the law.

Each year, the American Motorcyclist Association sanctions hundreds of well-organized recreational events. At these events, law-abiding motorcyclists gather to enjoy camaraderie and spend their tourist dollars in host cities and surrounding communities.

One unfortunate event of this kind, reported frequently by national and local media, can create a false image of all motorcyclists by the general public.

Motorcycling has become an enjoyable mainstream activity and almost everyone today has a family member or friend who rides. The actions of the motorcyclists portrayed in the video of the encounter in New York City do not represent me, my friends, or the vast majority of the 27 million motorcyclists in America.

I bolded the part that stood out to me since it basically tainted what was otherwise a message I appreciated.

The statement ignores the wrongdoing of the motorcyclists before the SUV drives off by saying the driver was the cause of the injuries (not the motorcyclists who started it all) and then by implying that the only thing those motorcyclists did wrong was in response to what the driver did. They didn't take the law into their own hands; they obviously never cared about the law in the first place and walked all over it from the beginning.

 

[Norman Paperman]

We could solve this whole issue if states just eliminated helmet laws. Self-selection is a wonderful thing.

 

[Rayderr]

I saw a letter to the editor in our local paper today which was basically a copy/paste version of this one suggested by the AMA a couple of days ago. It seems like it's showing up all over the place.

To Whom It May Concern:

As a responsible motorcyclist and a concerned citizen, I am writing about the incident that occurred in New York City on Sunday, Sept. 29, involving an SUV driver and some motorcyclists.

I am troubled by the serious injuries caused by the SUV driver and by the actions of some motorcyclists who apparently decided to take the law into their own hands. Some in the media have reported the facts but others are sensationalizing the story. I urge you to report this incident factually and objectively.

I ride responsibly and do my best to represent motorcycling in a positive light. Those of us who ride support rider education and often raise funds for charitable causes in our community. The safety of all road users, especially motorcyclists, is of the utmost concern to me and I do not support actions by any road users that violate the law.

Each year, the American Motorcyclist Association sanctions hundreds of well-organized recreational events. At these events, law-abiding motorcyclists gather to enjoy camaraderie and spend their tourist dollars in host cities and surrounding communities.

One unfortunate event of this kind, reported frequently by national and local media, can create a false image of all motorcyclists by the general public.

Motorcycling has become an enjoyable mainstream activity and almost everyone today has a family member or friend who rides. The actions of the motorcyclists portrayed in the video of the encounter in New York City do not represent me, my friends, or the vast majority of the 27 million motorcyclists in America.

I bolded the part that stood out to me since it basically tainted what was otherwise a message I appreciated.

The statement ignores the wrongdoing of the motorcyclists before the SUV drives off by saying the driver was the cause of the injuries (not the motorcyclists who started it all) and then by implying that the only thing those motorcyclists did wrong was in response to what the driver did. They didn't take the law into their own hands; they obviously never cared about the law in the first place and walked all over it from the beginning.

I don't think he's saying the SUV driver took the law into his own hands. Rather that he was concerned that bikers were seriously injured because the bikers took the law into their own hands.

Oh, and the AMA Hall of Fame (yes, there is one) is like 3 minutes from my house.

 

[Fennis]

I'm sure some lawyer will get him off.

The wives of FBG lawyers strongly disagree.

 

[jhib]

"I am troubled by the serious injuries caused by the SUV driver and by the the actions of some motorcyclists who apparently decided to take the law into their own hands."

Is he troubled by both the injuries and the actions of the motorcyclists, or is he troubled by the injuries that were caused by both the SUV driver and the actions of the motorcyclists? I read it the first way.

 

[GregR]

Has there been any clarification anywhere of what led to the incident before the video starts up? I recall one article mentioned there had been some kind of issue when the SUV had tried to merge on the highway, which was presumably then what led to the motorcycle break checking the guy. Have the full details of that, or whatever else might have caused it initially, been given?