Cyclists have a lot riding on L.A. driver's trial

[steven johnson]

Here appears to be a case of road rage gone amok. Can you deliberately injure cycilists who piss you off? The jury will decide.

For the last three weeks, the assault trial of Dr. Christopher Thompson has drawn the attention of cyclists nationwide but has especially galvanized the swelling ranks of Los Angeles' tight-knit cycling community, whose members have long felt like second-class citizens in a city in love with its cars.

The case is being tried at a time when more people are turning to two wheels for commuting and recreation. Cyclists are asserting their rights as never before. In Los Angeles, advocates are pushing for more bike lanes and other road improvements, a cyclists' bill of rights and more protection from police.

Thompson, 60, is battling serious criminal charges, including mayhem, reckless driving causing injury and assault with a deadly weapon -- his car.

Prosecutors accuse the doctor of deliberately slamming on his brakes in front of the cyclists. Thompson insists that he never intended to hurt anyone and that the crash was a terrible accident.

Cyclists have a lot riding on L.A. driver's trial

[taterguy]

1. If deliberately injuring cyclists is wrong then I don't want to be right

God I hate spandex.

[hlthe2b]

2. damn... your response is just despiccable.

:eyes:

[taterguy]

3. So is your inabilty to detect sarcasm

[hlthe2b]

9. NO ONE here thought you were being sarcastic...

THAT should tell you something... something I'd find personally depressing. You just might try the sarcasm emoticon.

[taterguy]

10. Exchanges on message boards don't depress me

Sorry

[johnroshan]

12. SarcMark

Its appalling to see that nobody seems to get sarcastic remarks nowadays.

[ThomThom]

4. Did you forget the sarcastic smiley if not you need serious help

like the guy on trial if found guilty. I hope you were just trying to be funny. Cyclists like me take this sort of thing very seriously, our lives depend on sane people driving cars. Bicycles are vehicles too, riders pay taxes a deserve to have their legal rights upheld. Share the roads!

[taterguy]

5. I didn't forget it. I just chose not to use it

I just assumed that everyone on this site was sick of hearing me talk about cycling.

I forgot that there are some new people here

[gristy]

6. I've been here for 7 years. I've never heard you talk about cycling

In fact, I've never even noticed you. What, you like potatoes? You use sarcasm without a :sarcasm: thingy, and your comment - if taken on face value - is despicable but not unknown in this country or even on DU, and you get upset when you get called on it?

[taterguy]

8. My ego's a little bruised finding out that not everyone reads every post I make here

Otherwise I'm cool.

Too rainy to go for a bike ride today though.

That's kind of a drag.

[Don Caballero]

7. This comment is disgusting

As a bike commuter who follows the rules of the road I assume drivers will do the same. If my life is not worth as not as much as yours just say it. Your bigoted behavior is transparent.

[SkankWhisperer]

11. Awesomely Arrogant Replies from Bikers

My rights! My rights! My rights!
You have the right to ride in the park or on bike paths, not on my city streets. I will not yield or give you any slack whatsoever because you have the complete lack of judgment to put your life at risk.
I worked as a paramedic while going through law school, and had to scrape a dozen bike riders off the pavement into body bags. Their cute little spandex costumes offered little protection versus the asphalt.
Finally, I still drive 2 tons of Detroit steel while cyclists pedal about upon 65 pounds of composite. Do the math yourself.