Bicyclist shoots driver!

[BadgerGirl]

I found this story in the Milwaukee Journal:

SATURDAY, Sept. 22, 2007, 9:22 a.m.
By Mary Zahn

Cyclist shoots motorist after collision
A 28-year-old-man was shot in the right shoulder by a bicyclist, after his car nearly collided with the bicycle, police said Saturday.

According to police:

The man was driving east on W. Burnham St. and the bicyclist south on S. 11th St. about 10:45 p.m Friday when there was a near collision. The man stopped his car to check on the bicyclist who had fallen to the pavement. At that point, the bicyclist stood up and fired three shots at the driver of the car, hitting him once.

The driver then drove to the house of a friend, who took him to the hospital where he was treated and released. The bicyclist was being sought by police on Saturday. No further details were available.

[BikeDutchess]

Wow, and I thought flipping off motorists was bad!

[Tri Girl]

How strange! Somehow I doubt he was a "cyclist." I'm sure he was an ordinary thug riding a (probably stolen) bike. I don't know many cyclists who pack heat (although the thought HAS crossed my mind once or twice when I'm buzzed by a car ).

[Chile Pepper]

Yeah--how heavy is a gun? We shave grams off our bikes, only to add on some heavy metal?

[Flybye]

Don't be so sure about him just being a thug. On cyclingforums, there is a whole thread with hundreds of replies about who does and doesn't carry firearms while they ride....
ah, the fresh air, the sunshine, the smell of gunpowder.....
I believe the thread is "how many of you carry firearms while you ride?"
How fitting a name for such a thread.

[East Hill]

There are a LOT of people who carry firearms whilst cycling. It does appear to be something that mainly men do, but I am certain that at least one or two women on this very forum carry arms (not me, though) when riding a bike. Considering that the response "Carry a gun" is always one of the first when someone asks "How do I feel safer when riding through X neighbourhood?", it's NOT just thug behaviour.

East Hill

[bmccasland]

Yeah--how heavy is a gun? We shave grams off our bikes, only to add on some heavy metal?

Ever handle a Glok? (spelling?) The bullets are what actually weighs something. I wouldn't want my 38 special bouncing around in my back pocket -that would leave a bruise. Avoidance works for me or putting pedal to the metal - and skidaddle out of there.

I'm all for pounding fists into the hood of the offending car, shooting is too extreme. When I was taught to shoot, I was told that you have decided that your life is in serious danger, and the other guy's life is forefit. But then a whole bunch of folks aren't taught to shoot by responsible instructors.

I don't want to start something on gun ownership or shootings - that is a touchy subject. I ride the levee, next to some bad neighborhoods, and have seen some shady looking folks on bikes. I just try to get back to the office (and secure parking) before dark when I ride after work.

[Thorn]

Living in said city, I can say that the neighborhood in question is...uh....tough. I'm not a gun advocate, but if I had to ride in that neighborhood at night...????

Many a year ago I did ride just outside that neighborhood at night. I worked second shift and commuted by bicycle. I had a strict route I would follow, sticking only to main roads....even got pulled over by a cop--he thought I'd stopped 1/2-way through an intersection (it had a large median island) because I'd seen his car (yeah, right--it is night time--all you see are headlights). When he found I was female and I explained that the middle of the intersection was the safest place to stop, he let me go (although he thought I was nuts--it was winter)

The cyclist could have been real, but in that neighborhood...the odds are not. Since the driver stopped, we could assume he was honest....now there are a few drivers in the area I *wish* would meet up with the gun packing cyclist....sigh....but things like this only make it harder for us cyclists....