Cyclists assaulted by driver at Lincoln & Leavitt this morning

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gKeklowDS8&feature=youtu.be

My friend was riding down Lawrence this morning on his way to work, stopped in the bike lane.  Behind him was a green Mercedes, also in the bike lane.  Another cyclist was beside the Mercedes, and the car was edging him out, trying to get ahead of other cars so it could be the first in line when the light changed. The car pushed the first cyclist into the curb, and the bicyclist responded by yelling at the driver.  My friend turned to see what was going on, and as the car kept pushing the second cyclist, yelled to draw his attention to the fact that the car was about to run down the cyclist.  The driver kept going, so the second cyclist thumped on the car to get the driver’s attention. The driver gunned the car through the red light, speeding down the street about a hundred yards before jumping out in front of an auto shop at Lawrence and Leavitt.  The driver then ran toward the second cyclist and punched him in the head and ran back to his car to drive away.  The second cyclist went to the car while my friend scrambled to get his phone out to get a picture of the car’s plates.  The second cyclist grabbed the driver’s side window to prevent him from leaving, and the window shattered as he tried to drive off.  The Mercedes once again stopped and the man jumped out of the car while the second cyclist dropped his bike on the curb.  The driver attacked the man, ripping off his helmet and punching him.  My friend grabbed the driver to stop the beatdown and also got punched. This happened in front of the Lincoln Square Service auto shop.

The best part - workers at the auto shop (you can see them briefly in the movie) were standing around watching like it was their morning entertainment and wouldn’t help until my friend screamed at them to call 911. After reviewing my friend’s cell phone vid, the police put out an assault warrant for the driver (they said they know who he is).

Stay away from the driver: Older pea green Mercedes, driver’s side window now missing.

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Permalink Reply by Dean Bekken on July 10, 2015 at 7:57am
This is why my U-lock is on the handlebars. Damn.
Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 10, 2015 at 8:06am

Pretty awful story and video. Hope the police capture the driver quickly.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on July 10, 2015 at 8:15am

I just bought a helmet cam, and am not sure it was worth it.  But after seeing this video, it seems like a good thing to have.

If the driver never exited his car and threw a punch, I wonder if the police would have any interest in tracking him down.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on July 10, 2015 at 10:11am

I can't imagine they would. Exactly why Chicago needs a law that would enable cyclists to pursue aggressive drivers via civil court system. 

http://la.streetsblog.org/2011/09/27/first-of-its-kind-cyclist-anti...

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on July 10, 2015 at 10:25am

Agree. 

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on July 11, 2015 at 2:55am

Absolutely.

Permalink Reply by Waymond Smith on July 14, 2015 at 11:51am

I just got me a gopro; not for this purpose in mind (angry drivers), however I will wear it ready to record incidents like this.

Permalink Reply by Fergie on July 10, 2015 at 8:25am

h

I will recommend he talk to Jim.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 10, 2015 at 10:13am
Oh, MY ! What more do we cyclists have to tolerate from these types of evil law breaking drivers? Do we have to go back to the days of carrying defensive weapons because we fear for OUR lives from these maniacs? Really, what good is a camera half of the time, if you include the final result from law enforcement?
Permalink Reply by Ruby Red on July 19, 2015 at 2:03pm

Yes. I ride with a variety of weapons nearly all the time, both medium-range and short-range. After the machete attack in Humboldt last year, I decided that was enough. 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on July 19, 2015 at 2:36pm
Hey Ruby ! Yeah, the machete attack happened a few doors down the alley from our west town place. What I found out later, that these guys were loitering around in front in the early am, chopping at tree stumps and also sliced through a lower hanging plastic street light case. The damage still remains. It's scary that their plan was to attack a cyclist.I've always been leary around the hood in the early am cause I think that they never caught these guys. Protect yourself and ride safe. WTBG !
Permalink Reply by Ruby Red on July 19, 2015 at 3:56pm

Yeah. And after watching that video I've decided to be more consistent about wearing a helmet… if not to protect my head from the pavement, from assholes who want to get into fist-fights. 

Also contemplating body armor like motorcyclists wear under their jackets.

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