Memorial Day Bike Ride ends with altercation between motorist and 2 cyclists
The North Florida Bicycle Club took action following a recent altercation following a group ride by sending the following message to club members:
As many of you already know, there was an incident at Monday’s Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) Kent Campus Memorial Day ride where two bicyclists were stabbed in an altercation with a motorist. Both cyclists were transported to the hospital, where one remains with serious injuries. Apparently, neither of the riders are NFBC members as neither were well known to members who were present. We ask that you join in prayers for the injured cyclists and offer wishes for a speedy recovery.
It is not our position to judge the circumstances of this incident. We all, however, need to be aware that we may have encounters with motorists on the road that could lead to tempers being lost and altercations escalating in severity and danger. We urge all members to conduct themselves appropriately on the road, asserting our rights to the use of the roads, but also to be respectful of motorists. While actions of motorists may adversely affect us as cyclists, either by accident or intentionally, we urge everyone to exercise restraint in reacting to such incidents. Should any incident result in an injury or altercation, please do not try to take matters into your own hands…dial 911 and allow law enforcement to appropriately handle the situation.
John M. McDowell, PE
2010 NFBC Ride Director
The NFBC is taking action with respect to leadership in riding skills, rules of the road and rider behavior. Unfortunately, we only are able to influence NFBC members. The two that were stabbed are not NFBC members and we do not know the behavior of the riders leading up to the confrontation. We are aware that cyclists are part of the problem, and we can do just so much to influence cyclists both in our club and have very little influence over non-club members. NFBC is being proactive with the City of Jacksonville to create an understanding for both cyclists and motorists of the rights and responsibilities of all parties.
Steven Davis said, “Tragedy is everyone’s first concern. Damage to organized cycling and the entire cycling economy is close behind in those concerns.”
Share this message with other club cyclists, as well as other organized groups. This problem is not unique to any particular area of Florida and the only way to get through to the worst offenders is to work with law enforcement to crack down on aggressive driving and behavior by cyclists and motorists We need to find ways to educate all users of the road to behave with courtesy and respect. This will take an enormous culture change.
I 100% agree that this type of behavior has got to stop. In Boca a group of cyclists physically pulled a driver out of his convertable car and smashed it up with sticks and rocks. They used the excuse that he “attacked” them with his car. I have seen posts that indicate that cyclists carry concealed guns for when they “believe” they are “attacked” by a car!
If somebody is in an accident it doesn’t help to attack the driver. Incidents like this only further the stereotype that pack riders are taken over by a “lawless” mob mentality. We need to take the upper road and turn the other cheek. Things like this cause the Legislature to pass laws like the mandatory bike lane.
I agree with frank. According to the newspaper, this group of cyclists were confronted. However, it usually takes both sides to bring the situation to the point of a stabbing. I pledge to take the high road. Frankly (no pun intended), I am sick of the “tough biker” posts too and agree with Laura:
While actions of motorists may adversely affect us as cyclists, either by accident or intentionally, we urge everyone to exercise restraint in reacting to such incidents. Should any incident result in an injury or altercation, please do not try to take matters into your own hands…dial 911 and allow law enforcement to appropriately handle the situation.
Good points Steve. It’s a reminder for all road users to treat each other with respect and courtesy.
And educating and changing the attitudes of all roadusers will be a huge task.
How come the cyclists are being cited first in every sentence relating to cyclist-vs.-motorist understanding? e.g., “…crack down on aggressive driving and behavior by CYCLISTS and motorists.”
Besides the fact that the incident cited is a blatant example of dangerous motorists at their worst, it’s a well known fact that the overwhelming majority of altercations of this kind are started by irate motorists, not cyclists. If this wasn’t the case, cyclists would not have to resort to advocacy channels as much as needed, at present.