gji555

Wow. So we've been dating for a year and a half (I'm 26) and I just found out that my girlfriend's dad intentionally 'tapped' a cyclist. She didn't tell me sooner because she knows I ride a bike and would get upset. As expected, I went ape-sht.

"He didn't get hurt. He didn't even fall over. He's only done it once." -her

"There is no such thing as 'tap' when it comes to car vs. bike. Its not just that the other person was on a bike, its that intentionally hitting ANY HUMAN BEING whether cycling, pogo-sticking, or riding a horse drawn carriage downtown, is absolutely wrong and border line insane. This is above and beyond the me-mentality of many car drivers because he actually acted on his own frustrations/ignorance. My sister's boss got killed on his morning commute by a drugged up alcoholic. I've been grazed. I've met several people who have been hit." -me

That was last night. Today, I couldn't help but stewing on it all day. So I canceled on a planned beach trip this weekend. (A 4-day trip I considered bringing the bike on.) I'm afraid that no matter how hard I try not to, I would have to confront her dad. I can't imagine not saying anything. This would not be the time or the place for a traffic rules and moral discussion. I don't want to create a confrontation but can't fight the need to stand up for the person he hit and other people outside of cars. GF can't understand how this is a big deal for me and is quite upset. She also didn't mention he had any remorse and implied that it was funny.


Am I over reacting? What would you do? Happy Easter??

JesseDuncan

Give him a tap with a different deadly weapon, say, a shotgun or an axe, and see how he reacts. Bust that scene out at dinner time, and see if people gloss it over for you later like your girlfriend did for him.

electrik

Tell him you found out and that it disgusts you and that you respect him a lot less.

What more do you have to say... you either say that or shutup and prepare to hear more of his grand stories of bullying and abuse at the Easter table.

skye

Actually, it all depends on only two things: (1) Is she hot, and (2) does she, you know, *cough*, yeah. That.

If it's yes to both, wait 6 months, enjoy the time together, then whack pops in the weenie and move on to the next.

If no to either, tell the old man what he's worth and move on to the next.

dedhed

Define "tapped" first. Both stopped at a light and rolled into his wheel? moving down the road and tapped him from behind? Reached out the window and tapped with his hand?

DX-MAN

Cancel thoughts of a future with her. She's not worth it. It's obvious the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree.

randya

Puhlease, there's a million hot chicks that want it, you should drop this one like a hot potato, but not before telling her dad what's what

Bikepacker67

But before he drops her, he should "make a video".
And send it to dear ol' Dad.

Title it:

TFS Jake

See post 10.

TFS Jake

OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OMGOMGOMG

I can guarantee that this will be the most EPIC thing on this site.

Possible sub titile could read : "She didn't get hurt. She didn't even fall over. She's only done it once" -me

gji555

It was definitely his car hitting a person on a bike and not a hand out the window. She did not know, or choose to offer, much else for details. (Perhaps overwhelmed by my reaction.) So I don't know what direction he came from. I did not think to ask about the speed as my initial reaction would be that any speed would be dangerous. However, I suppose that 'rolling onto his wheel' while dangerous and illegal, (and likely resulting in a cleated bumper), would be different than trading paint on a high speed turn.

gji555

lol!

bhop

That sucks. I don't think I could confront him again after that if I were in that situation. Being a NC native, i'm not surprised that they think it's funny, judging from a lot people's attitudes there regarding anything different from them or their beliefs. I'd probably avoid him as long as possible, maybe eventually trying to enlighten him about how what he did was wrong and hopefully teach him to value human life a little more.

I'm all for the video btw..

xray1978

I would make up a story at the Easter table and say "Yeah I was on my bike today and some prick tapped me on my bike, if I would have had a gun I would have shot him for using a deadly weapon against me." Then just wait and see where it goes. Be sure to have fun with it.

Digital_Cowboy

+1

sudo bike

Actually, I like this idea if you tone it down a bit. Like "Oh yeah, I got some jerk a fine and jailtime the other day for tapping me with his car...". Or somesuch.

nal13

I want to know what the biker did to get "tapped."

mustang1

I like post 14 and 16.

But you cant blame your gf for her dad's actions. Show her a few stories of cyclists being injured/killed on the road, I think she'll come round to understanding what the 'big deal' is.

Metzinger

Find an inflammatory anti-bike bumper-sticker and put it on his car. Make sure you get it on there really well.
Replace as necessary.

CommuterRun

Get his license plate number, a description of the car and the date that it happened. Call the cops. Let them take it from there. Nothing may come of it, but on the other hand they might be looking for him. If the GF protests tell her, "It didn't hurt him."

apricissimus 

Could have been nothing more than having the audacity to ride in the street. It enrages some people.

Regardless, hitting someone with your car is not acceptable.

Cyclaholic

Set up hidden camera(s), get chummy with him, maybe some alcohol, and get him talking... make out like 'tapping' a cyclist is hilarious and encourage him to tell all. Get him on video bragging in minute detail about how he tapped a cyclist and how he and his whole family think it's so funny.

Post the video along with every personal detail about him including full name, address, employer's details, work address, phone numbers, email addresses, to every cycling website and blog everywhere, even on youtube. Make him famous.

Let the radical/fringe element of the cycling subculture take care of the rest, they'll have a juicy target and he'll get to know what it's really like to get 'tapped' - a win win..... and lose the daughter, she's no different to him. The thought of hooking up with a chick with that attitude makes me want to puke, I couldn't care less if she's the hottest thing on legs and puts out like a jackrabbit, I'd still kick it to the curb.

sudo bike

I agree to a point. She didn't do it, so it's not fair to blame her. But if she can't see why it's such a big deal... man, it would sure make me at least give a second thought to the person I'm with.

But I also don't know exactly what her reaction was or how serious a relationship it is. But hey, we all make mistakes and are stupid sometimes. If she's able to understand why it's such a big deal, I wouldn't lose all hope. Depending on circumstances it could still be worth the good ol' college try. It's about how we recognize and deal with our mistakes, not how we make them.

chandltp

+1

Really, I'd find out what the story was from the horse's (or donkey) mouth. Just do it in such a situation where you're prepared to leave if the answer is unacceptable.

chipcom 

Make a point of telling her father that you are tapping his daughter...repeatedly.