Regardless of the cyclists actions, the driver assaulted someone with a deadly weapon. Banging on a window with a hand does not justify hitting someone with a ton of steel.

UPDATE - Both charges against driver dropped. Look for Magistrate to issue warrants against bicyclist Jonathan Brown.

UPDATE - Both charges against driver dropped. Look for Magistrate to issue warrants against bicyclist Jonathan Brown.

We live in an increasingly busy road network. Cyclists and drivers need to obey all laws. But they don't. Drivers text, use smartphones, check email, do makeup and all sorts of crazy insane things. They also blow through red lights (an average of every 8th car my corner), stop signs (60% in my neighborhood) and speed (98% on my street). The roads are often used by commuters of all kinds, not just for recreation, and hence drivers and cyclists need to use them, and it's not against the law for a cyclist to do so. Like I said, everyone needs to obey the laws, and start getting along - no one user group "owns" the road.

"they build skate parks why not outdoor bike arenas or something similar that is large enough to cover a large quantity of riders"

Because the outdoor bike arenas don't go anywhere. Most people on bikes, particularly during rush hours, are traveling somewhere, not just out for a fun ride or exercise.

Good points; great posting making strong common sense remarks. I agree in that it all has to be shared but we experience and time have shown that we have arrogance and lack of consideration on both parts. The driver, right or wrong, should have exercised common sense and ignored that pounding and kept moving. He did not have to confront the cyclist by using his vehicle or confront the cyclist at all. He well could have caused more serious injury; possibly even death. It is not worth it.

Are you kidding me?

"'Have you noticed how many motorists are talking on the phone and texting and eating and drinking and applying makeup and reading the newspaper and holding pets in their lap as they drive?"

Yes....but the solution to that problem isn't "bikes get off the road", it's "drivers follow the law". Sheesh.

Also, there are LOTS of cyclists who follow the law. A majority, I'd actually argue. But you only notice what stands out (human nature). I think a lot of drivers (not all but a lot) just plain old don't like sharing the road. They think it's their road. So anything that's annoying to the driver (cyclist taking full lane) is automatically "illegal", even if it's not.

Also, the right to the road is not a "right" it is actually a right. Unless otherwise posted (interstates etc), bikes are allowed on any road. Get used to it and get over it, or risk losing your privilege for driving (which is actually a privilege granted by the state in the form of a liscense, not a right).

To Joe Cool: Thanks for response. I appreciated your comments and agree totally. This is not from the driver's point of view, but this confrontation did not need to happen. The biker may have been angry, but pounding on the car was not justified and only served to escalate a problem. As I tell my kids on occassion, it is better to be be the bigger person.

Aggressor or not (and I think most on here have agreed to cyclist was the aggressor or at least could've avoided escalating the situation), when does two wrongs make a right? No matter how aggressive someone may be, whether biker or driver, when does it become okay to strike someone or something with a vehicle? From what we know, the driver was not in a position to need to be using self defense -- verbally abused maybe, vehicle struck by cyclists hand yes -- but the car hit the bike in the rear tire, doesn't sound like the situation was escalating to "self defense" levels, not even close.

Sounds like one, or both, parties in this were aggressive and had chances to back off the situation. But that does not excuse striking a 20-pound bicycle from behind with one ton of steel. Cyclists can (and are) charged in many collisions with vehicles, but in this case the driver was well out of line in their response to the initial contact (whether justified or not).

It's disgusting that the cyclist/driver debate has gotten to a point where people try to justify striking a cyclist with a car. Nothing the cyclist could have done, short of having a firearm, would justify using a car as a battering ram.

It's not against the law to alert the driver that he's not obeying the law and endangering other road users he's passing. The law in Virginia requires drivers to pass with sufficient safe space - and currently in Virginia that's at least 2 feet (see http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-839) If a cyclist can easily put their hand on the window of a car, that car is easily closer than two feet. If the driver intentionally hits the cyclist, that's not self defense (and an argument wouldn't hold up in court), that's aggression meant to harm another person - which is why the driver is arrested. It's a pretty open an shut case - you can't use your car to hit other people.

There is not enough room for a bicycle and car to travel side by side in the same lane on Maple Ave. and somehow maintain a minimum 2 foot separation. And how do we know the driver was passing the car? Maybe the cyclist was doing the passing. Cyclists often pass cars in the same lane, weave thru lines of cars, or ride to the front of the lines at stop lights. I see it all the time. How many times have u seen a bike pass a line of cars to get to the front at a traffic light, sometimes between the rows, and than ride thru against the light when there is an opening. Or from the curb take off across the intersection in front of a car trying to turn. Motorcycles and cars can't do that.., yet bikers think it's their "right". Sharing the road w/ cyclists is the law were told, flaunting the laws and rules is not. Do cyclists have to pass a written and rode test, pay for and carry a license, purchase insurance to use the rode?? Do they need to have working turn signals, front headlights, a legal horn, etc.?? Do they get, and pay for yearly safety inspections? These are all things drivers and motorcyclists are required to do "by law" because its for all our safety. If cyclists have the right by law to use the roads, why are they not subject to the same requirements? If its a right, why not let roller bladders, foot powered scooters and skate boarders use the roads? Are they really that much different??

" There is not enough room for a bicycle and car to travel side by side in the same lane on Maple Ave. and somehow maintain a minimum 2 foot separation. "

There's no law that says bicycles and cars must use the same lane. Like anything in front of a driver, if it's going slower, you pass them, and in this case, there's a lane to the left which is appropriate for drivers to use.

" Cyclists often pass cars in the same lane, weave thru lines of cars, or ride to the front of the lines at stop lights. I see it all the time. How many times have u seen a bike pass a line of cars to get to the front at a traffic light, sometimes between the rows, and than ride thru against the light when there is an opening. "

There is no law in VA that says a motorcyclist or bicycle can't pass a car in the same lane. Is it safe? I'd say no. Drivers often pass cars recklessly, weaving through lanes and cutting off other drivers, running red lights, rolling through stop signs, texting, talking on the phone, and speeding. I see it all the time. How many times have you seen a driver or motorcyclist break the law? Constantly. Should everyone - drivers, motorcyclists, and cyclists obey the law? Absolutely. Should there be more enforcement? Absolutely.

" Do cyclists have to pass a written and rode test, pay for and carry a license, purchase insurance to use the rode?? "

Many drivers unlawfully drive on the roads without insurance (which is why most of us have insurance to cover other drivers that don't - it's usually included in your plan). Many drivers still drive on the road even with suspended licenses or no licenses. I bet less than 50% of drivers couldn't answer this question: What is the state speed limit law in business zones? That question and many others like it are on the state road test, and I bet you if you asked most people to take the test without preparation they'd get a surprising number of answers wrong. Should cyclists know what the rules of the road are, and follow them? Absolutely. Drivers should as well.

" Do they need to have working turn signals, front headlights, a legal horn, etc.?? "

Cyclists are required to use hand signals when turning. Drivers are required to be able to recognize those hand signals - that's law. Drivers are required to put their hand outside their window and use hand signals in the event your turn signals don't work. Most states require cyclists to use headlights and rear reflectors or lights during darkness hours. Different states have different rules about horns. Horns are mostly useless - when I drive half the time the idiot driver who's about to change lanes into me without looking can't hear my car horn because his window is up and his stereo is blasting.

" Do they get, and pay for yearly safety inspections? "
Many cars and trucks don't pass inspection - and many states don't require you to pass inspection for up to 2 years. So a car or truck could be completely unsafe and yet still be on the road for 2 years.

" If its a right, why not let roller bladders, foot powered scooters and skate boarders use the roads? Are they really that much different?? "

All of these road users have the right to use the road. Should they? Most of them would probably say it's not safe. Should everyone - drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, skate boarders, scooter users, pedestrians - everyone - should we all just get along, follow the rules, be mindful of each other, be patient, share the road, and not endanger the safety of others? Absolutely.