LA Road Rage Trial - Guilty!!

Oh, my!

http://velonews.com/article/99800/dr-thompson-is-found-guilty-of-al...

I am very interested in seeing what sentence Dr. Thompson receives. I am just as interested in seeing how this is treated in the more mainstream media.

Wow.

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Permalink Reply by mike w. on November 2, 2009 at 6:11pm
i read a few of the other articles on the VeloNews site. i had to quit after reading about other incidents of car vs. bike where the drivers were clearly at fault but not cited, and where juries acquitted or merely slapped the wrists of such drivers.

i hate to be reminded as to just how vulnerable we are out there. It puts me into a very dark frame of mind, especially when i know that in just a couple of hours i'll be back on the road in the predawn dark, watching my which way my shadow moves in the shine of oncoming headlights behind me...
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on November 2, 2009 at 7:02pm
I think I'd be pleased to see his driver's license revoked for life.
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on November 2, 2009 at 8:07pm
Under this punishment, he might at some point in time find himself riding a bicycle with hostile traffic on that very same stretch of road. Probably the most poetic justice possible.

M.A.R.K. said:
That's how I see it.. Jail time is not gonna do or solve anything for incidents like these. Revoking driving privileges is a much more suitable response IMO. But then again, the more I look at offenses like this amongst others it seems like we have moved into a spectrum where driving is more of a right vs. a privilege. well, if you can afford it at least..

Joe TV said:
I think I'd be pleased to see his driver's license revoked for life.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on November 3, 2009 at 1:44am
I think that license revocation would be a good start. I hope that he does some jail time, although it's likely to be less than he deserves for the viciousness of his crime.
Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on November 3, 2009 at 2:56am
Clark said:
I think you're dreaming. Did you see the pro-driver article in USA Today last week? I think the vast majority of Americans agree with USA Today on this

Yeah. Everytime I see an online article in non-cycling media, there invariably are plenty of comments about renegade cyclists needing to be punished. I am truly expecting people to believe the cyclists in this instance brought Thompson's wrath upon themselves.

Look at the comments posted in this pretty vaniilla piece posted in the Sun-Times yesterday (and the subject of another discussion on Chainlink): http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1859088,CST-NWS-ride02.....

There's a lot of anger out there toward cyclists. Misguided, maybe, but still there.
Permalink Reply by joe on November 3, 2009 at 3:45am
shoot them all.
Permalink Reply by Ryan L on November 3, 2009 at 6:32am
"Thompson's lawyer had argued that the cyclists were belligerent and may have fallen because of the inherent instability of bicycles. He suggested that in any case the incident was accidental, not criminal."

"inherent instability of bicycles", Wow, I really hate how some people try to justify being an asshole!
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on November 3, 2009 at 8:00am
I'm guessing towards the direction of who's more of a poopyhead.

"Cyclists are poopyheads!"
"No, motorists are poopyheads!"

I love online "debate".

Clark said:
It is the most commented (693) upon article on the USAToday website...guess which way the preponderance of comments are headed?
Clark said:
I think you're dreaming. Did you see the pro-driver article in USA Today last week? I think the vast majority of Americans agree with USA Today on this:
....For a decade, urban bicyclists have become more brash. In some cities, groups such as Critical Mass...tied traffic in knots, delaying commuters rides' home by minutes or hours. They are hardly tactics that will win sympathy from drivers.....cyclists have become emboldened to take over the road. That is, instead of riding to the right or on the shoulder, some are now riding in the center of the lane[!]...
Permalink Reply by Rachel on November 3, 2009 at 12:00pm
Agreed on the stupid drug laws - alot of people do more time for pot than for violent crimes.

I usually protect myself from exposure to mainstream news sources except for NPR, so I had NO IDEA there was so much PROMOTION of hatred toward cyclists. That is depressing!

The Velo article portrayed the jury as sympathetic, with one jurer feeling faint at the horrible injury. It disgusts me that Thompson BRAGGED about his assault/attempted murder, but that brag was also the rope he used to hang himself - yeah!

I guess the Californians who showed up to rally for the bikers helped things along. Hey let's start a Chainlink Group for people who want to be informed of local rallies called to help victims here in similar situations! What should we call it?
Permalink Reply by Bert Travis on November 3, 2009 at 5:18pm
As much as I see points made of just revoke, not punish so......some of these drivers are taking the lives of fellow cyclist and making it dangerous for us to do what we love, and that's ride. These roads are ours too. Heck I pay thousands of dollars in road use taxes to drive my semi truck. Do I own the road? No.
Whether it's jail time, loss of driving privileges or loss of property, there needs to be consequences and accountability for people to act responsibly. What about Tyler Farar's dad
my 2.5 cents
Permalink Reply by Joe TV on November 4, 2009 at 5:53am
Sounds like a great idea. I'm game.

Clark said:
Rachel said:
....Hey let's start a Chainlink Group for people who want to be informed of local rallies called to help victims here in similar situations! What should we call it?

How about....The GhostBikers? We could show up in the court chambers where irresponsible drivers are being tried, wearing full biking gear with just a hint of clown-white greasepaint on our faces, and just sit and stare at the judge, defendant and jury. I'm available any day....you just let me know when and where.
Permalink Reply by Jason Figler on November 4, 2009 at 9:00am
Read the article in the LA Times which seemed pretty favorable toward the cyclists, citing the good Dr.'s prior run ins. How ironic the dude is an ER doctor huh?

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cyclist3-2009nov03,0,761131...

I ride to work and have to go through the south west loop to get to my office. And right or wrong, here is how I handle the typical angry motorist, and I've found it to be pretty effective.

First, too often four-wheelers would not want to speak with me or get the last word and take off. I ride pretty fast and aggressively and most of us know, you CANNOT outrun a bike in the loop. Ergo, I will catch them...get in front of the car, and park my bike on their front bumper to prevent their departure until I'm "done with them."

Then I will engage them in a chat, and unless particularly egregious I start out with honey and then move to vinegar if they're assholes. But I do often get the feeling that motorists are not at all happy with us and at least a few times a year someone will "use their vehicle as a weapon." Or at the very least drive in a threatening manner. This frosts me and will get an immediate response.

Also, I just got this "tip" from a motorcycle friend, he puts screws in the toes of his shoes. And when presented with a need to "get even" he will drag his foot across the car's paint. Sounds effective, but then the burden of knowledge sets in for me. I.E., "then this car will rust, or need to be painted, that will use resources, and pollute, et cetera".

It's complicated to say the least.

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