Not a Teachable Moment - The Chainlink2024-03-28T23:50:33Zhttps://thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=2211490%3ATopic%3A731032&feed=yes&xn_auth=noIf you're filing a police rep…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7331682013-07-25T22:13:52.042ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>If you're filing a police report <em>after the incident</em> - <span style="text-decoration: underline;">at the station</span>, not on the street - it's not worth as much as an on-scene report. When everyone has left the scene, and both parties are not at the station making a report, vital information is often lost, and police tend not to take the incident as seriously, especially if there are no witnesses and it's a "you said, they said" situation. If you can possibly get police to come…</p>
<p>If you're filing a police report <em>after the incident</em> - <span style="text-decoration: underline;">at the station</span>, not on the street - it's not worth as much as an on-scene report. When everyone has left the scene, and both parties are not at the station making a report, vital information is often lost, and police tend not to take the incident as seriously, especially if there are no witnesses and it's a "you said, they said" situation. If you can possibly get police to come to the scene, make a report there.<br/><br/>If there was a serious incident, it's still better to file a desk report than not have one at all, so that there is police documentation. However, if you've got at least one witness, you're <em>much</em> better off. <br/> <br/> <cite>Evan said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A733284&x=1#2211490Comment733284"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Would you say that to any crime victim? <br/> <br/> <cite>Anne Alt said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732971&x=1#2211490Comment732301"><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>If you file a police report and try to pursue this, I hope you've got witnesses who are willing to back you up.<br/><br/></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Apparently it doesn't count a…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7329712013-07-25T20:23:46.039ZAdam Hersteinhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AdamHerstein
<p>Apparently it doesn't count as assault if you're on a bike…<br></br> <br></br> <cite>Chris LaFrombois said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A733238&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment733238"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Actually, the police thought it was a silly situation when I told them a guy actually threatened to murder me. He literally said, "I'm going to murder you." He then told his…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Apparently it doesn't count as assault if you're on a bike…<br/> <br/> <cite>Chris LaFrombois said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A733238&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment733238"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Actually, the police thought it was a silly situation when I told them a guy actually threatened to murder me. He literally said, "I'm going to murder you." He then told his passenger to get "it" out of the glove compartment (I actually chuckled when the dude said that). These were two suits in an Audi.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It all started when he was honking like crazy and telling me to move over..when I was in the shared bike lane on Elston (by Kohls. I wasn't turning right so there was no reason for me to be in the right turn lane). I probably shouldn't have told him to "F*#* Off." But, quite frankly if you're an as*hole, I'll treat you the same, however, I've been trying to get better and remain calm in those situations. Yelling never helps.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Actually, the police thought…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7332382013-07-25T19:43:57.065ZChris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.)https://thechainlink.org/profile/ChrisLaFrombois
<p>Actually, the police thought it was a silly situation when I told them a guy actually threatened to murder me. He literally said, "I'm going to murder you." He then told his passenger to get "it" out of the glove compartment (I actually chuckled when the dude said that). These were two suits in an Audi.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It all started when he was honking like crazy and telling me to move over..when I was in the shared bike lane on Elston (by Kohls. I wasn't turning right so there was no reason…</p>
<p>Actually, the police thought it was a silly situation when I told them a guy actually threatened to murder me. He literally said, "I'm going to murder you." He then told his passenger to get "it" out of the glove compartment (I actually chuckled when the dude said that). These were two suits in an Audi.</p>
<p></p>
<p>It all started when he was honking like crazy and telling me to move over..when I was in the shared bike lane on Elston (by Kohls. I wasn't turning right so there was no reason for me to be in the right turn lane). I probably shouldn't have told him to "F*#* Off." But, quite frankly if you're an as*hole, I'll treat you the same, however, I've been trying to get better and remain calm in those situations. Yelling never helps.</p> Its not just cars, its lack o…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7332072013-07-25T16:38:06.241ZDavid Barishhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/DavidBarish
<p>Its not just cars, its lack of understanding. Many years ago a Morton Grove Cop gave a group of us a hard time about lining up leaving the right lane open for people to turn. He wanted us to be althe way to the right. Whenever this happens I will tell the driver, "OK, imagine that you want to make a right turn. I am sitting in front of you and you cannot go. I am in your way. That really makes no sense does it? By moving over to the left I am accommodating right turning drivers. The light…</p>
<p>Its not just cars, its lack of understanding. Many years ago a Morton Grove Cop gave a group of us a hard time about lining up leaving the right lane open for people to turn. He wanted us to be althe way to the right. Whenever this happens I will tell the driver, "OK, imagine that you want to make a right turn. I am sitting in front of you and you cannot go. I am in your way. That really makes no sense does it? By moving over to the left I am accommodating right turning drivers. The light is read and you are not going anywhere. So, why screw with drivers who want to make a legal right turn?" Also, when I have riders in a group I am leading all wait on the far right at a light I politely ask them to move over. I tell them its not fair to right turning drivers. </p>
<p></p>
<p>Telling drivers that you are in the legal right has some value. However, I think you get even more mileage out of telling them that you are doing something that is BETTER for drivers. Just maybe he scratches that salt and pepper head of his and realizes he isn't the only driver on the road.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Once you have the arrogance and confidence to know that you are right the fools really don't matter. You throw out advice and some of it sticks. Sometimes it falls to the road but at least it doesn't stay there. Also, given the original post it may well be that the encounter has nothing to do about bikes and cars but about whatever went wrong with his day and how he wants to take it out on the road. As long as he doesn't hit you its sometimes better to let the baby cry itself to sleep.</p> Cars turn ordinary people int…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7329432013-07-25T16:21:19.983ZAdam Hersteinhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/AdamHerstein
Cars turn ordinary people into fucking maniacs.
Cars turn ordinary people into fucking maniacs. Megan,
I've occasionally com…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7331102013-07-25T16:00:06.499ZDavid P.https://thechainlink.org/profile/DavidAPertuz
<p>Megan,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've occasionally come across on-the-edge people like the driver who yelled at you. I've developed the habit of ruthlessly ignoring people once they start ranting.</p>
<p>Megan,</p>
<p></p>
<p>I've occasionally come across on-the-edge people like the driver who yelled at you. I've developed the habit of ruthlessly ignoring people once they start ranting.</p> Okay, this post struck me bec…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-25:2211490:Comment:7330362013-07-25T15:44:12.041ZMeganhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/MeganPowell
<p>Okay, this post struck me because the exact same thing happened to me last month (around mid-June) at the light on westbound Cortland at Elston. Different car, however, and I didn't get the license number. I avoid the right turn lane at that intersection because, you know, I am in the way of the 2500-pounders who want to turn right on red. I looked back and this bald dude in a small four-door sedan, like a Honda or Toyota, is trying to get my attention. He asked me, "Are you turning left?" I…</p>
<p>Okay, this post struck me because the exact same thing happened to me last month (around mid-June) at the light on westbound Cortland at Elston. Different car, however, and I didn't get the license number. I avoid the right turn lane at that intersection because, you know, I am in the way of the 2500-pounders who want to turn right on red. I looked back and this bald dude in a small four-door sedan, like a Honda or Toyota, is trying to get my attention. He asked me, "Are you turning left?" I shook my head no, and then he went from zero to 1000, screaming at me "YOU SHOULD BE IN THIS [he points at right lane] LANE!" I tried to explain why I was where I was, but like the Uptown ranter above, he never stopped yelling at me up until the light changed. While he never threatened me directly, his manner was all-too threatening. So, there's more than one explosive driver out there. Be careful...</p> If you file a police report a…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-23:2211490:Comment:7323012013-07-23T11:39:52.018ZAnne Althttps://thechainlink.org/profile/Anne91
<p>If you file a police report and try to pursue this, I hope you've got witnesses who are willing to back you up.<br></br> <br></br> <cite>SlowCoachOnTheRoad said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732145&x=1#2211490Comment732298"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I agree with those who say the driver broke the law. You are on solid ground to press charges as there is a law against drivers who…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>If you file a police report and try to pursue this, I hope you've got witnesses who are willing to back you up.<br/> <br/> <cite>SlowCoachOnTheRoad said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732145&x=1#2211490Comment732298"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I agree with those who say the driver broke the law. You are on solid ground to press charges as there is a law against drivers who verbally abuse or harass bikers - and of course as he threatened you that adds more weight to your case. Of course I would be careful if you fear the driver will actually take you on depending on his propensity for actual violence beyond the verbal - in which case at the very least I would take down his plate number and then take that to the police station with the time of day and address the incident occurred. One could, if not fearing violent reprisal, say in a very crowded location with witnesses and/or fellow bikers around, tell the driver that you intend to press charges and plan to call the police and so would like him to stay put until the police come to mediate the dispute and that if he leaves that will not look good as attempts to flee from a citizen's arrest are illegal. I can't promise a positive outcome, but I do know there are laws against drivers abusing bikers verbally. Who knows more about those, and whether my advice is sound or what is better to do under the circumstances? I have never had to do this so I am just informing you what I would attempt if I felt abused and unsafe and brave enough to take on a driver.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> Do you think anyone would rea…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-23:2211490:Comment:7321452013-07-23T04:00:56.625Zh' Zerocatshttps://thechainlink.org/profile/H3N3
<p><a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/SUV-Drives-Into-Crowd-at-NE-Philly-Club-8-Injured--216284391.html" target="_blank">Do you think anyone would really try to use their vehicle as a weapon?</a><br></br> <br></br> <cite>Evan said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732298&x=1#2211490Comment732095"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Thanks for that info/link! I did not know about…</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/SUV-Drives-Into-Crowd-at-NE-Philly-Club-8-Injured--216284391.html" target="_blank">Do you think anyone would really try to use their vehicle as a weapon?</a><br/> <br/> <cite>Evan said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=2&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732298&x=1#2211490Comment732095"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>Thanks for that info/link! I did not know about that! If you can stand it I'd say file the complaint and mention that statute.<br/> <br/> <cite>Bruce said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?page=1&commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A732030&x=1#2211490Comment732030"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I think it's important to work on establishing precendents and a history of incidents and complaints arising therefrom. Please see the following, regarding a law signed by Governor Quinn in 2011:</p>
<p></p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://lawyerjimfreeman.com/blog/2010/07/13/illinois-anti-bicycle-harassment-law">http://lawyerjimfreeman.com/blog/2010/07/13/illinois-anti-bicycle-h...</a></p>
<p> <br/>As far as I understand, the law makes it a crime to intimidate cyclists with threats.</p>
<p>I 'm not a lawyer but I think that we could eventually file a class action suit against the CPD for failing to enforce laws such as this after we establish a clear history of abuse and failure to enforce the law.</p>
<p>Again, I'm far from being a legal expert. </p>
<p><br/> <cite>Will G - 10mi said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment?commentId=2211490%3AComment%3A731751&xg_source=msg_com_forum#2211490Comment732017"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>I'm kinda with Bruce on this one about filing a police report. I'm fairly certain he threatened you with a deadly weapon, which I think in IL is aggravated assault.</p>
<p></p>
<p>But I'm kinda not with Bruce because we all know that the police would just laugh in your face.<br/> <br/> <cite>Bruce said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/not-a-teachable-moment#2211490Comment731732"><div><div class="xg_user_generated"><p>File a police report. He broke the law.</p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote> I agree with those who say th…tag:thechainlink.org,2013-07-23:2211490:Comment:7322982013-07-23T03:14:56.166ZSlowCoachOnTheRoadhttps://thechainlink.org/profile/SlowCoachOnTheRoad
<p>I agree with those who say the driver broke the law. You are on solid ground to press charges as there is a law against drivers who verbally abuse or harass bikers - and of course as he threatened you that adds more weight to your case. Of course I would be careful if you fear the driver will actually take you on depending on his propensity for actual violence beyond the verbal - in which case at the very least I would take down his plate number and then take that to the police station…</p>
<p>I agree with those who say the driver broke the law. You are on solid ground to press charges as there is a law against drivers who verbally abuse or harass bikers - and of course as he threatened you that adds more weight to your case. Of course I would be careful if you fear the driver will actually take you on depending on his propensity for actual violence beyond the verbal - in which case at the very least I would take down his plate number and then take that to the police station with the time of day and address the incident occurred. One could, if not fearing violent reprisal, say in a very crowded location with witnesses and/or fellow bikers around, tell the driver that you intend to press charges and plan to call the police and so would like him to stay put until the police come to mediate the dispute and that if he leaves that will not look good as attempts to flee from a citizen's arrest are illegal. I can't promise a positive outcome, but I do know there are laws against drivers abusing bikers verbally. Who knows more about those, and whether my advice is sound or what is better to do under the circumstances? I have never had to do this so I am just informing you what I would attempt if I felt abused and unsafe and brave enough to take on a driver.</p>