DAY OF RAGE! Hit-n-Run
Thread started by
hockeyjockey at 12.3.09 - 2:34 pm
Reading the
LA Times comments.
And
LAist comments And
LA Streets blog comments it is apparent that there are people out there in cars just gunning for bicyclists. These hit and run incidents and the road rage doctor case seem to be the tip of the iceberg. We are in deep shit trouble, and if we don't stand up and push back...we will get literally get run over.
I'm angry at what I see as a "lynching" of bicyclists. Sure there are some bad apples in the bunch, but the majority are safe and courteous riders. Yet that isn't good enough. We are gonna get hit, regardless of how safe and courteous we are. They want us off the roads and out of their way. Well it ain't gonna happen. I propose a "Day of Rage" ride. To acknowledge all those that died, all those who are in hospital beds with severe head injuries, and those of us who have been hit and have scars that will remain on our bodies for the rest of our lives.
We should ride up and down a main boulevard. Ventura, Hollywood, Wilshire in Westwood, and slow down traffic. Tell drivers we are protesting the unsafe conditions for bicyclists on the road. We protest the blatant and blind hatred that some drivers have towards bicyclists. And we ride to remember those who were killed or disabled because of the hatred and reckless actions of drivers. Yeah it will piss off drivers, but what are they gonna do? Run us down? They're already doing that.
Sorry, maybe I rant too much. But I am pissed.
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Me too. How many times do we get asked, "What are you riding for?"
The answer is this. Our friends. Our lives. Yeah.
danya12.3.09 - 2:40 pm
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aahhh CRITICAL MASS
sexy12.3.09 - 2:43 pm
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I'm in. The problem is... how many times do we have to do this? Didn't we go to City Hall recently? Wearing Bike Day LA shirts? Wasn't LACM created to protest car culture?
imachynna12.3.09 - 2:44 pm
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all good things devolve into teenagers drinking in parking lots. i can totally understand why everyone wants to run cyclists over. stockholm syndrome much?
ruinedbyidiots responding to a
comment by imachynna
12.3.09 - 2:46 pm
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I've never seen a spaghetti Western with teenagers drinking in a parking lot.
Your logic is flawed.
Q.E.D.
BMFW responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
12.3.09 - 2:48 pm
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dont be mad because you got here late and its all that youre used to.
ruinedbyidiots responding to a
comment by BMFW
12.3.09 - 2:49 pm
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MIDNIGHT TEENS-DRINKING-IN-PARKING-LOTAZZ!
BINGE ON!
Joe Borfo12.3.09 - 2:51 pm
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I can understand why everyone wants to run over cyclists as well. It still isn't right, even if there is a lot of stupid people giving cyclists a bad rep, but in this scenario, perhaps it's time to create a NEW critical mass.
imachynna12.3.09 - 2:52 pm
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The original Days of Rage in Chicago '69 were less than a resounding success. In that light, you might reconsider the title.
Also, my air-conditioned friend Sexy says that there's already a ride like this. Have you looked into that?
PC12.3.09 - 2:52 pm
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MIDNIGHT-TEENS-TAKING-PEOPLE-FOR-40-MILE-RIDES-AZZ.
RIDE ON!!!
imachynna12.3.09 - 2:54 pm
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I like that idea, Chynna. But the execution?
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by imachynna
12.3.09 - 2:56 pm
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Q. After the war is over, what would you like to do?
A. In accordance with our tradition, I would like you to allow me to destroy myself.
Q. That is contrary to our ideas and we cannot allow that, but if there is anything else which you would like and which we have power to grant, we would like to do so.
A. I would like to have my hair cut.
ruinedbyidiots12.3.09 - 2:57 pm
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I would like to see a ride that will help educate people. Somewhat like the World Aids day ride. That ride was well organized and for a good cause. Everyone obeyed traffic laws and talked to motorists and pedestrians along the way to inform them of the cause.
A ride with no beer or weed but solidarity and information.
Foldie12.3.09 - 2:58 pm
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Right. We've got a topic here that's trying to organize something, trying to move past the negative connotations that MR has garnered with the LA populace, and you run straight for the flamethrower. Good on you.
Back to the topic at hand: if we really want to make in impact, we're going need more than just ridazz. LAFixed, maybe some cycling clubs, etc. When one rider goes down in this city, it affects all of us.
BMFW responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
12.3.09 - 3:02 pm
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The Days of Rage in Chicago 1969 was a riot organized by the radical Weathermen, using Molotov cocktails to destroy cars and businesses. That's why it didn't work.
This action seems more like a peaceful protest with a little civil disobedience and, as long as there is no destruction of property, it just might work.
urbanpedal12.3.09 - 3:09 pm
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The Days of Rage in Chicago 1969 was a riot organized by the radical Weathermen, using Molotov cocktails to destroy cars and businesses. That's why it didn't work.
Erm...well, yes, quite. I just thought I'd point out that the title has some historical baggage.
PC responding to a
comment by urbanpedal
12.3.09 - 3:16 pm
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Ah, how deftly you've taken this cause that is larger than our little subculture and made it seem petty and small by association. Bravo, sir. A most trollerific syllogism.
But come on, seriously. The people who are being hit, injured and killed for the most part have no exposure to the drinking-in-parking-lots bike culture, and neither do the people who are doing the hitting, injuring and killing. Midnight Ridazz is not nearly as important in the popular imagination as we (who are stuck in the middle of it all) might think.
nathansnider responding to a
comment by ruinedbyidiots
12.3.09 - 3:26 pm
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You're right, this needs to be an all city, all riders kind of event.'
A hit and run or a road rage situation affects everyone.
LA critical mass is unsuitable since it has no route and isn't suppose to really be organized.
sgrant responding to a
comment by BMFW
12.3.09 - 3:27 pm
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Intentionally plugging up traffic as an angry protest to road rage seems a little mis-guided to me.
The problems that we are facing have to do with systemic short-comings of the transportation design of the city and the failings of the government and popular culture to live of to the spirt of the law that gives people a right to ride a bike on a public road.
When people in cars are directing rage at cyclists it is usually because of a lack of understanding of the law and the bicyclists situation.
They are angry because they are on the road and they see an unnecessary impediment in front of them. They may get equally frustrated with a bus, granny, taxi, road work, debris, pothole etc. but there doesn't seem to be the kind of anger and aggression that people direct toward cyclists.
I know as a cyclist when I am out there the stress from physical threats really juices me up, i get angry, aggressive, and untrusting. Pretty much the opposite of how I try to live in my day to day interactions.
When people are frustrated out on the road they will take it out on each other.
I ve been agressed on by lots of pure assholes but i have also amplified many situations where a driver may have been stupid or inattentive and i lashed out at them
for putting me at risk and they got angry back as a self defense.
Rage Rage Rage
Yes we have a right to be angry.
I just don't think it should be directed in a blanket way to a random group of drivers
on a random street.
Certainly among them many riders (we have to be at least 5%-10% of the population.
After 15 years of crital mass and 6 years of midnight ridazz. I don't think a bike based traffic jam is the solution to getting people's attention about hit and runs, driver agression. And the failure of the law and the culture to create a safe, effective space, for cyclists.
trickmilla12.3.09 - 3:29 pm
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And as much as this resembles Critical Mass (protest ride, raising awareness, slowing traffic, etc.), there are lots of ways you could make it more targeted. Wear signs on your back that let people know exactly
what you're protesting for. Have flyers to pass out. Scour through all the angry, poorly-reasoned comments that people are leaving on blogs and try to craft a clear, concise argument that will speak to the people who are most angry about cyclists on the road. Try to find ways to make them less angry, or at the very least more considerate.
nathansnider12.3.09 - 3:30 pm
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only solution is for someone from Midnight Ridazz to hold public office and look out for our interests.
I nominate Borfo for president.
spiraldemon12.3.09 - 3:33 pm
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to simplify:
an all city ride raising awareness about hit and runs and road rage: yes! yes! yes!
a city wide traffic jam to let people know we are pissed off: not my thing.
trickmilla12.3.09 - 3:34 pm
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I understand your point. But even if we ride through traffic with 200 bicycles, legally staying in the right lanes and stopping at red lights, we will slow down traffic anyway.
nathanstrider has a good point too. Wear signs or pass out flyers showing support for our fallen brethren.
sgrant responding to a
comment by trickmilla
12.3.09 - 3:38 pm
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As President, I will ensure all ridazz will wear large emblazoned targets on their backs.
They will also carry around giant bright colored flags and posters that say - "My bike and lifestyle are not as valuable as your Lincoln Navigator and Yacht Club Membership."
Dot Com
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by spiraldemon
12.3.09 - 3:41 pm
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Flyers, names/dates/locations of incidents, signs on your back reading any or all of those things...have the flyers read those things also...
sinaphile responding to a
comment by nathansnider
12.3.09 - 3:44 pm
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i bike parade will inevitable have some impact on traffic.
this can be greatly mitigated based on the spirt of the ride.
a relatively small ride intent on creating traffic will create more traffic and frustration than a ride 5 times its size if it is ridden with the intent of minimizing traffic conflicts.
directing out anger at our fellow citizens, intentionally fucking with people in cars because they are people in cars does nothing to help us.
channeling our anger to change the culture, reaching out to people as human beings and trying to educate them and hear them does help us.
c
trickmilla responding to a
comment by sgrant
12.3.09 - 3:53 pm
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it would be cool if everyone wraps themselves up in bandages :)
Volta12.3.09 - 4:00 pm
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Education!! I think if you make people *want* to know why you're riding (ie pinning/emblazoning a name/date to the back of your shirt in large enough font to read) AND offer info (flyers), there is a good chance to make a difference or at least seriously educate people and let them know, if nothing else, that we have a voice and aren't willing to be silent about what is happening. I think that is a crucial aspect. They'll ask, no? And then learn more...being productive with your anger is better for everyone. BE ANGRY, yes, but let's CHANNEL THAT ANGER!!!
sinaphile responding to a
comment by trickmilla
12.3.09 - 4:11 pm
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One thing that could also work is adding a "vehicles other than four-wheelers" segment for DMV written tests.
This section would contain questions and answers aimed at instructing how drivers should act when riding with bicycles in the street, how to properly pass semi's and other slow-moving behemoths on the freeway, and also how to not impede the path of an oncoming emergency vehicle.
All other license classes apart from Class-C(regular, average Joe license) seem to put a greater emphasis on knowing your surroundings and how to handle yourself in a tight spot.
bentstrider12.3.09 - 4:36 pm
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Good fucking point. Come to city council on Dec 9th, 'strider, to make this point. Bring your battle armor too.
Rosendahl To Host Bicycle Town Hall at Upcoming Transportation Committee Meeting
When: Wednesday, December 9, 2009 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street, Room 1010
Los Angeles , CA 90012
Los Angeles City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl invites
the public to attend an upcoming meeting of the Transportation Committee that will focus its agenda exclusively on cycling issues.
Items on the agenda will include:
● An update from the Planning Department and DOT on outreach efforts relative to the Draft Bicycle Master Plan
● Report from LAPD on bicycle incidents and conflicts between bicyclists and motorists
● The Sharrows pilot program
● A bicycle sharing program for the City of Los Angeles
● Bicyclist anti-harassment ordinance
● Revisions to the Zoning Code that would increase and refine bicycle parking requirements for new development
The public is encouraged to attend and participate in the discussion of these important issues. Please join in the conversation and help us shape a cycling friendly future for the City of Los Angeles.
See you all there!
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by bentstrider
12.3.09 - 4:40 pm
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They'll probably look at me strange when I mention Hesperia as my residence.
Who cares, most of them probably own homes in Wrightwood anyway!!!
bentstrider responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
12.3.09 - 4:45 pm
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I suggested routing everyone in continuous law-abiding loops around L.A. City Hall, the new LAPD headquarters, the criminal courthouse, the DMV Legal Affairs office on 4th Street, State Senator Gil Cedillo's office on Olive, State Assembylman John Perez' office on 4th Street and the Governator's field office on Spring Street.
Let's push for the addition of automatic suspension of driving privileges for a hit and run conviction, just like they do for the drunk driving laws under the Cal. Vehicle Code.
DJwheels12.3.09 - 5:00 pm
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i like it!
perhaps we should go in drag as bureaucrats, politicians, and lawyerin' types.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by DJwheels
12.3.09 - 5:16 pm
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DJ Wheels,
i also think we should fight for penalty add ons for hit and runs that involve car v ped and car v cyclist.
AND they need to reclassify "serious injury" as it pertains to bike accidents. many bike v. car accidents result in life long physical harm even if no bones are broken.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by DJwheels
12.3.09 - 5:22 pm
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Didn't truckers legally tie up traffic downtown during a protest.
I like it. Sounds like that could work.
urbanpedal responding to a
comment by DJwheels
12.3.09 - 5:22 pm
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There were a few demonstrations in regards to Diesel-fuel price hikes and the "Clean-Air" regs in '08.
In the end, those drivers either sold their trucks and became company drivers with a bigger company, found another job, or moved their operations out of state.
Yeah, but push the majority of truckers to the breaking point and you'll begin to see a slight slow-down in freight to certain areas.
If it isn't pollution concerns, then it's the 70cars/55trucks speed limit, the parking prohibitions in certain places, or shit dispatchers disregarding HOS regs.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by urbanpedal
12.3.09 - 5:27 pm
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go in DRAG as bureaucrats, politicians and lawyerin' types???
Never thought I'd hear that. I dig it.
DJwheels responding to a
comment by trickmilla
12.3.09 - 5:33 pm
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TL:DR - http://www.labikeplan.org/
It might not be as much fun as drinking beer in parking lots, but the City of Los Angeles IS actually working on a City Wide Bike Plan and they want your input.
It could use a lot of improvement, which is why it's kind of important that people who actually care about the cycling infrastructure of Los Angeles (e.g. US), take the time to go to the meetings and send our comments to the city.
You can get the plan and info here - http://www.labikeplan.org/
It's a big ugly PDF, but it's not that hard to deal with.
LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.
They're taking comments until Jan. 8th.
http://www.labikeplan.org/
JB12.3.09 - 5:33 pm
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Perhaps they should do like they do for all the unlicensed firearms and have all unlicensed and DUI'd drivers turn their cars into a "cash4cars" program.
Unlike the ca$h4clunkers scam they pulled a few months back, this program will be aimed at keeping the steering wheels of heavy vehicles out of the hands of those that aren't meant to be using them in the first place.
bentstrider12.3.09 - 6:29 pm
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I'll teach your grandmother to suck eggs!
imachynna responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
12.3.09 - 8:16 pm
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Was going west this morning on Venice on my commute to work. Now, it was Friday morning, which meant that everyone's goddamn trash/recycling containers were out in the bike lane, forcing me to take the street. As I was head back into the bike lane after a long stretch on the road, I was bumped from behind by a car. Now, I'm a big guy, so this just made me lose control for a bit, something I might have been able to recover from in normal circumstances. Unfortunately, I was unable to straighten myself out before I slammed into a recycling container, sending me falling on to my hand and speakerpack. Luckily, all I got were a sore hand, various scrapes and bruises (THANK YOU HELMET), and a busted right speaker.
No, the car did not stop. No, no one stopped to see if I was ok. No, I did not get the car's description or license plate number. All I got was a resolve to fight tooth-and-fucking-nail for cyclist rights in LA.
Am I angry? Hell yes. I'll fight. I'll get thrown in jail for our rights if need be. This is bullshit, and it needs to stop.
BMFW12.4.09 - 8:33 pm
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Am I angry? Hell yes. I'll fight. I'll get thrown in jail for our rights if need be. This is bullshit, and it needs to stop.
damned skippy.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by BMFW
12.4.09 - 8:40 pm
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My theory is that road rage and drivers who are not courteous in general,
is due to the idea they have that they will remain anonymous in this big city.
If motorist knew that they would be held accountable, I am sure the behavior
pattern would change.
Question is ?
Who will hold them accountable ?
Law Enforcement, the DMV, Insurance companies ?
To bad vigilante justice is unaccepted
If motorist knew they would suffer the wrath of physical punishment
most would not risk there behavior.
Until then most of them look at cyclist as easy victims
That's why when you catch one of these muther#%!ers
SHOW NO MERCY
Dedicated818 responding to a
comment by bentstrider
12.4.09 - 10:37 pm
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What ever you decide to to do. Remember the saying "whats in a name"
WHATS IN A NAME? EVERYTHING.
When they did the first Hollywood Ridazz "Riot on the Sunset Strip"
It alarmed law enforcement to the point that they create a multi-jurisdictional task force to patrol Hollywood to look out for the riot that was going to happen on the Sunset Strip.
The task force consisted of LAPD LASD, and CHP (I don't know if the FBI was involved also??) I know the other three agency took the name very seriously.
sexy12.4.09 - 10:53 pm
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piss off drivers to protest pissed off drivers?
you lost me
brittany12.4.09 - 11:03 pm
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sexy's right. The name of this event is very important.
Likewise for the overall attitude of the event.
As was said earlier, we need to educate. We need to create more driver awareness of the laws, of bike rider rights, and of the issues and dangers we face daily through driver ignorance and animosity.
We also must strive to gain driver support, understanding, and sympathy for our plight.
What we can't afford with an event of the magnitude I hope this will have, is to give further cause for resentment.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating we stop all acts of civil disobedience. I believe acts of civil disobedience are necessary to some extent to test (and push) boundaries, and to protect ourselves from the shackles of acquiescent complacency. But I am saying that, given our common goals, this event is not the place for them.
Manny responding to a
comment by sexy
12.5.09 - 12:37 am
reply
This motorists vs. cyclists thing is bullshit. We are all just people trying to get somewhere. If you choose to ride a bike when most people drive, you have to understand that life isn't fair. It doesn't matter what rights you have when a car weighs 2500 pounds and a bike weighs 25. I've given up trying to figure out why some people are rude to cyclists. It's just part of riding like flats and potholes. Be courteous to everyone on the road and don't take up more space than you need, people really appreciate that. These recent incidents are unfortunate but very few motorists are really out to get cyclists. On a recent ride I made it over 95 miles before someone was even a little hostile. When you ride you have to completely give up the road rage mentality because it's such an unfair fight. Please don't have a bike protest and slow down traffic. That's the worst thing you could do to solve this problem. I hope I get people driving so damn mad that they go get a bicycle.
Velocipede12.5.09 - 1:17 am
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can I get Ah-Men?
sexy responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.5.09 - 1:33 am
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200 bicycles riding down any street is going to slow down traffic, even if that isn't the intent. So how else does a group go out and protest. Prop 8 protesters took over entire boulevards and marched from Westwood to West Hollywood. Should bicyclists just not ride? Is that an effective means to protest? How else do you attract attention to the plight of bicyclists.
Another bicyclists was chased down by a driver on La Brea two days ago and sandwiched between the car and a truck. The driver fled, the bicyclists was injured.
If we do nothing, this shit will continue.
sgrant responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.5.09 - 1:47 am
reply
I'll admit that the frustration has somewhat calmed as I continue to use the same route each time.
One thing I hate though are the few cars that easily pass me on the left, then the n00bs who were just behind the last car that passed and are now stuck behind me like they're too chickenshit to go around.
The way I see it, if there are more than two lanes going each direction, use what you need and leave the rest behind!!!
The Cracker Jack box is not a substitute for the DMV handbook!!!!
bentstrider responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.5.09 - 7:11 am
reply
Getting pissed off will only get drivers more pissed off at us. This is called road rage. It is the same impulse that is felt by the drivers we're damning. The only difference is our seat is a little more uncomfortable and we're not armed with a 2 ton weapon.
Hate and Rage will NOT fix anything.
indigis12.5.09 - 8:22 am
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"Sorry, maybe I rant too much. But I am pissed. "
That is exactly what people on websites do, they rant. Unless they are signing their first and last name to the comment they post, consider it nothing more than noise. 99% of those commenters would miserably fail the "Why don't you come over here and say it to my face" Test.
alexdc12.5.09 - 8:44 am
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If your gonna go through with a D.O.R. do it through face book inviting MR family only. Keep the actual info of any MR threads, to catch the LAPD as unprepared.
ran12.5.09 - 9:17 am
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Face Book... snort!
FBI responding to a
comment by ran
12.5.09 - 11:52 am
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"Please don't have a bike protest and slow down traffic. That's the worst thing you could do to solve this problem."
Okie dokie, then. What would you suggest then? A few rounds of kumbaya on random street corners and crossing our fingers that *someday* the nice people will see us as humans too and stop the hit'n'run crap? Unless I am SORELY mistaken, most of the ideas discussed here were really going towards a productive solution of protest, not towards furthering a destructive sense of road rage or Us vs. Them mentality as much as LET'S CHANGE THIS SHIT, NOW. We're sick & tired & DONE.
sinaphile responding to a
comment by Velocipede
12.5.09 - 4:13 pm
reply
I have to agree, something must be done. And I think we should be pissed off, but instead of killing or maiming people like the car drivers, we are going to ride on the streets in angry protest. I see nothing wrong with that. You are right, the Prop 8 protester were damn angry, and they took over the streets. Why are bicyclists allowed to die or be seriously injured then we are told not to get angry or take over the streets? I say Bullshit!
urbanpedal responding to a
comment by sgrant
12.5.09 - 4:41 pm
reply
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Ridazz Roulette!
