Cyclist Hit on Natchez Trace, Driver Speaks Out

It's hard to watch but the video has been everywhere. It makes me wonder what would have happened if the cyclist's friend didn't happen to be recording when it occurred. Even though there are signs stating the cyclists can take the road, people are blaming the cyclist for being too far over to the left. 

Here's the driver's POV of what happened. I must admit, after watching this I don't know that I buy anything he is saying - he completely denies what he told the police about someone "throwing a bike at his car". Yes, like all cyclists have money to throw around and just chuck a nice, carbon road bike at a passing vehicle for giggles.

http://www.newschannel5.com/news/natchez-trace-driver-responds-to-v...

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Permalink Reply by curt(is) locke on July 13, 2017 at 7:44am

He didn't see the cyclist and the cop feared for his life. The standard defense. If he, in fact, "didn't see him", why was he driving so far over the yellow line??

I don't find any of this particularly useful -- the video nor the painfully predictable YouTube commentary. "Maybe" the video will make a difference in court, but I would not hold my breathe.

Personally, for what's it's worth, I am not about to start sporting a GoPro in order to "protect" myself. I don't buy into this thinking, but I know I am an outlier as I prefer not to Strava my ride either. I don't ride to create more digital "data" (although I DO informally track my miles with a pen in a diary which I share on the Chainlink and I post some select images from my rides on Flickr.)

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 13, 2017 at 8:03am

Thanks for sharing your perspective Curtis. 

I hear you. It took me a long time to get on board. I did start doing Strava for one reason - I read something about how Strava shares the data with cities for bike lane planning. I don't know if it's used but it made me think it'd worth trying to track my miles around town to share. 

Ok, so one more reason is National Bike Challenge. The Chainlink's group is doing really well and while I am more of an around-town cyclist now, I upload my miles to help the team out. 

I hope the video does work in the cyclist's favor. Maybe optimistic of me but they did manage to hold a driver accountable before this on Natchez Trace so I am hoping this one will stick too. I don't think he did himself any favors with his credibility by changing his story.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 13, 2017 at 8:13am
http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/drivers-are-crazy?x=1&...

Adding this from an earlier discussion on the 'drivers are crazy' thread.
Permalink Reply by Patrick McBriarty on July 13, 2017 at 2:38pm

I posted this to Facebook and a friend of mine responded with the following comment:

"The guy driving the SUV WAS a dean at a prestigious private prep high school around Nashville. He is also a complete and total ass."

So there you go--I trust her opinion.

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