Motorist Shot and Charged in Houston
 

It's encouraging to see that in this case, Law Enforcement views the weaponization of a motor vehicle as a situation in which cyclists can use deadly force in self-defense.

https://abc13.com/driver-gets-shot-a...over/10859767/

Before anyone posts further, Bike Forums has a rule of no gun talk. If people want this thread to continue, leave guns out of the discussions. Let’s focus on Paul’s point that police supported the cyclist.

One of the few, if first, interactions between a cyclist and motor vehicle that ended with this result:
We tend to see "cyclist in hospital, condition unknown; driver OK."

The dangerously stupid motorist got what he asked for and will soon be in jail. The bicyclist is alive because he exercised his right to not live in a fantasy safe space.

Given what the police were supporting here, I don't see how this discussion can be about anything but carrying on bikes.

​​​​​​The posts are already insinuating that not carrying is living in a "fantasy safe space." I guess it's ok then if I say that carrying on a bike is living a dangerous cowboy fantasy life as long as I don't say the forbidden three letter word?

Okay. Would you like to continue the gun talk?

It's long overdue that the police finally sees aggressive driving as assault with a dangerous weapon.

Most of the time, if the cyclist had been injured or killed, there'd only be an investigation and the driver given a light fine.

This is like 'Did I just see them(Law Enforcement) do that(actually hold a motorist accountable for their behavior towards' a cyclist)?'. I wish a lot more of that happened. But Law Enforcement will just continue to make excuses. About why they did nothing about the motorist.
Ditto!!

That was what surprised me. I wish every bullying motorist would read the write up. It might make them realize that it might not be as simple as a 4000 pound auto against a 200 pound bike/rider combo.

I carry three metal water bottles. Any trouble, any motorist tries to intimidate me or bully me, I pull it out and give them a good look. Still trouble? I hold it in the ready position to throw. That almost always works because people are scared to get their vehicles damaged.

There was no surprise here. Texas doesn't tolerate stupidity. As I stated previously. The felon will go from the hospital then to jail. Here is a more thorough news report of the man in the dodge charger. The felon did hit a women with his car and was injured in the face and shoulder.

? :foo: I must have been reading about the recent activities of elected officials selected by the voters from a different Texas. Names could be provided in a P&R thread.

Thanks for the info. I hope to see more threads just like this one.

Don't Mess With Texas

My wife and I are moving to Texas in the next 3 1/2 years or so. :innocent:

I really wish every LEO and every citizen would have to take a bicycle law course. The level of ignorance in our society is inexcusable.

Serious question: how are we supposed to talk about an event that involves the forbidden three letter word without using the forbidden three letter word?

(Edit: I didn't know BF had a no forbidden three letter word rule.)

Your not allowed to. Only they are allowed to do this.

People who act out like this are already angry before they see someone on a bicycle. They take out there rage on who they believe poses no threat to them. Most of the time the perp doesn't make contact with there motor vehicle. Very few of these incidents are reported to the police, and very few of the reported incidents make the news. Texas appears to be solving some of these problems.

In California, throwing anything at a vehicle IS a Felony.
A group beside the road "unintentionally" threw and hit (dented) my vehicle as I was driving home.
Police were all over it and even fingerprinted the item thrown.

Not saying you shouldn't defend yourself, just that you should be aware your actions might be misconstrued.

YMMV - depending on your State laws

Barry

ARTICLE 1. Driving Offenses [23100 - 23135]

( Heading of Article 1 added by Stats. 1981, Ch. 940, Sec. 9. )

23110.

(a) Any person who throws any substance at a vehicle or any occupant thereof on a highway is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) Any person who with intent to do great bodily injury maliciously and willfully throws or projects any rock, brick, bottle, metal or other missile, or projects any other substance capable of doing serious bodily harm at such vehicle or occupant thereof is guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison.

Because bicycles are not considered a vehicle under the law in most states including California. You don't have the same protections. I would like to know what the penalty is for a motorist or their passengers throwing things that hit someone riding a bicycle.

Outcomes like this are either rare or under-reported. It's refreshing to see authorities siding with the cyclist.

I have a few examples from personal experience. It was snowing hard as I rode home. I was on a road with two lanes in each direction, traffic was light to moderate. To pass me would have been easy. There was no better way home, and the sidewalks had at least half a foot on them by then. I was controlling the lane as I always do there because there's no shoulder. A car got right behind me and began to honk. I pointed at the other lane. He tailed me and kept honking, so, as usual, I pulled out my metal water bottle and held it to the side, then finally in the ready position to throw. He passed me, got in front, then brake checked me, so I smashed out his rear window.

He really thought I would be the one in trouble. Nope. He would have been if I decided to press charges. I have other stories. The main point is, once somebody threatens you or weaponizes their vehicle, you can defend yourself. Especially if you provide ample warning. Feels so good to get instant revenge. I don't care whatsoever about metal, plastic, or glass.

Yeah, this is internet tough guy talk. You live in a country where people get road rage all the time, and a guy driving a car is going to be scared off and speed away after you claim to hurl a bottle at a window and shatter it? Even if you successfully broke his window, which is not impossible, but highly unlikely, and if instead of running you down in a fit of rage, he hung around, and the police were called...there's no evidence he weaponized his vehicle but there would have been ample evidence you assaulted him and caused property damage, if this neat story was true. Oh, and the bit about being an ambassador for other cyclists, thanks, its people like you that make non cyclists think we are all a-holes.

for me the bottom line is: Leave People Alone. period. full stop.