Bicycleist

lafayette gregory · Jun 8, 2011

Sooo.... I ride a bike. No I do not wear spandex, tiny shoes, or a huge spaceage helmet. I ride alone and not two abreast.
I ALWAYS stay to the far right allowing room to pass. I have been forced of the road, spit at, had bottles thrown at me and have been knocked down by the oversized mirrors on Bubba's truck.
I see this as assualt. As a CCW carrier am I allowed to defend myself. If someone hits me with their car can I defend myself?

Dave29461 · Jun 8, 2011

I would think that if you saw them coming and they were deliberately trying to hit you and you couldn't take evasive action...a shot into or across their bow or brain might be appropriate.

Dave

Avtomat-Acolyte · Jun 8, 2011

If someone drives at you and throws something at you / spits at you / tries to strike you with their vehicle... and then they continue driving away from you...

What are you supposed to be defending yourself from?

Hint: After an assault has concluded, you are not defending yourself.

fordnut · Jun 8, 2011

I think it is a clear case of self-defence...Shoot the fools...

Of course, you must remember, I am not a Judge and Jury...

I used to carry small ballbearings in my pocket while riding my motorcycle...I would hurl them at A##holes...Of course, they work better when you are moving faster than the target...

Now, Of Course, that was years ago...I would never do that now....But, dropped in front of a moving car...they will take the radiator right out...Fun Fun Fun...

Steve

Frost · Jun 8, 2011

Well my best advice is to not shoot a gun at them.
A wrist rocket and a marble is another matter.

Dave29461 · Jun 8, 2011

We've had a couple of Bicyclist killed along old Hwy 52 in the last several years. Rationally, I have to agree with Avtomat-Acolyte. If the vehicle strikes you, the question of defending yourself is only viable if they turn around and come back to finish the job. The same would hold true for bottles bricks or mirrors. I've wondered how many Bicyclist see the one that gets them. Gut feeling, however, The Winner writes history.
Just a thought
Dave

Midnight Raver · Jun 9, 2011

I've been hit by two cars while on foot, a car and a truck while on a bicycle. It's a good thing that Bumbles bounce!

Seriously though, a lot of idiots do NOT pay any attention on the road. However, unless they are using dangerous projectiles or make multiple passes with their vehicles at you- brandishing or discharging your concealed weapon might be a very bad idea!

C_Carson · Jun 9, 2011

Midnight Raver said:
I've been hit by two cars while on foot, a car and a truck while on a bicycle. It's a good thing that Bumbles bounce!

:lol:

I agree; unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt in court that the driver had the intention to deliberately cause you harm, drawing/brandishing is only going to escalate things badly for you. Meet the threat with an equal level of force, and consider getting one of those gopro cams or something, so if you are repeatedly assaulted, you have incontrovertible evidence and justification for any necessary action.

Just my 0.02

Midnight Raver · Jun 10, 2011

Oh, one more thing:

If you can get their vehicle make and plate or have witnesses, it is REAL good. Not only can you get them for the original offenses, but hit & run/leaving the scene if an accident really lowers the boom on them in a MAJOR way!

Dirk Pitt · Jun 12, 2011

My dad is a big cyclist. Not to long ago when they were riding a couple guys in there group got hit by a drunk driver. One of his friends was in a coma for over a month and now has brain damage, another received relatively minor wounds only a few broken bones.

Though I suppose that's more of a drunk driver issue than self defense.