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Range Rover Runs Over Bikers

I actually wound up stuck in the traffic jam caused by Sunday's incident. And I didn't know it until Tuesday. Traffic on the West Side Highway at that time of day on a Sunday is very unusual. But given the one biker's injuries and the wrecked bikes I'm sure that it took a while to clear the scene.

I've been watching the local NYC news reports pretty closely. I've got a motorcycle license, but haven't ridden in years. But I'm acutely aware of how people ride in the NYC area. "White-lining" is all too common because people think "Oh, I'm on a bike. I don't need to obey traffic laws by riding in a lane".

And I've seen plenty of these gangs on their rides. Intimidation is a big part of how they ride in packs. They totally disregard the traffic regs, and they show even greater disregard for other motorists.

I've seen the video numerous times. And the way the situation spiraled out of control is because of how the bikers were conducting themselves. I don't know if the reason why the bikers stopped traffic has been established. From what I've seen it looked like they were trying to shut down the West Side Highway so that they could race. During the chase you can see a few riders staked out at on & off ramps to assist in stopping traffic. But I've heard conflicting reports that one of the bikers was clipped by the mirror on the Rover, sparking a response. But one thing is clear. Once the bikers did that "brake check" and stopped traffic, mob mentality quickly took over. The driver of the Rover must have recognized that, which in turn spurred his own actions.

I'm glad to see that the NYPD is taking the investigation seriously. At least 3 people from the incident have been clearly identified as taking part in the attack. I think only 1 or 2 have been officially charged. The one assailant who bashed in the Rover's window with his helmet is now at an NYPD police precinct and is being questioned.

The more disturbing bit of information that's come to light today? As many as 5 NYPD officers may have been riding with this gang. The NYPD's Internal Affairs division is now investigating that, too.
 
I just love these freaking broad social generalizations and we complain about being "pigeon-holed" as bass players?

Thugs are thugs; riders are riders. Nostalgia? Pseudo-rebel? BS! I worked as a dealership Harley mechanic while getting my mechanical engineering degree from 1979 to 1986. Was riding before and since. If you have not lived it you do not have to right to stand outside and dump Harley riders in a basket that makes you feel better about yourself.


So, you are angry at what I said. Now, look at what you did.
 
I just love these freaking broad social generalizations and we complain about being "pigeon-holed" as bass players?

Thugs are thugs; riders are riders. Nostalgia? Pseudo-rebel? BS! I worked as a dealership Harley mechanic while getting my mechanical engineering degree from 1979 to 1986. Was riding before and since. If you have not lived it you do not have to right to stand outside and dump Harley riders in a basket that makes you feel better about yourself.

I'm not sure how many of these folks were Harley riders. I don't believe that ever came up.

I have seen some of the vids and these people were using their bikes to intimidate and threaten people. Also reports have it that many of the bikes were stolen.

If you were a real biker the last part would have created a different reaction.

When I rode it was as much to be alone as anything. I spent more than my share of time dodging cages. And I never understood the attraction of riding in large groups.

And I refuse to condone the violence that these people created out of thin air.
 
Bikers seem to be damning this group of asshats even more than anyone else, I don't think anyone is taking these guys as being representative of all bikers.

As always there are some misguided souls that tend to over identify and make life so interesting.

But yes, Biker are far more sane than many would believe.

The perps in this event have made life harder for anyone on two wheels.
 
It will be interesting to see what the investigation finds over the next few weeks vs. what we think we know now. For instance, what about the police officers involved? Why were they there and also wearing wolf's clothing? Were they infiltrating the gang for some legitimate police purposes, or was this just a off duty hobby - being a motothug? I think we are a little too surprised when we find out a cop is a criminal. They are just men, and no less likely to be criminals, bass players, or Miley Cyrus fans than the general population.
 
Here's a good collection of the reports that have come out about it: http://jalopnik.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-terrifying-suv-vs-1440131015

Basically group of bikers, most of them probably on at least unregistered bikes, had gathered to terrorize the area, and when they tried shutting down the highway got in the incident with the Range Rover. He ran, wound up apparently paralyzing one biker he ran over (still in induced coma) then they chased, and beat the hell out of him. Only a couple of the bikers have been caught, and RR driver hasn't been charged with anything so far.

Why I say so far of course, is because the family of the biker who took the brunt of the running over has now "hired" "renouned" "lawyer" Gloria Allred

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/201...v-hires-celebrity-attorney-gloria-allred?lite

:rolleyes: Oh boy. Let the circus begin. Great links, thanks. It shows this same gang harassing another car in the middle of an intersection in one of the videos. The driver in that situation handled it properly. Just sat in his car until they went away, which is ideally and legally what the driver of the Range Rover should have done until the police came.

I understand this situation was a bit more heated though because there was an accident. I think what the driver did was legally wrong, but I don't think he should be penalized due to the extenuating circumstances of the bikers behavior.

Seeing people ride like that and trying to take over the streets is a depressing thing to watch. Hopefully they all eventually get either run over or put in jail. Sucks to say it, but I think it would be just.
 
Re: Superbikes blowing Harleys away on performance- try to remember that they're built for different purposes- the Superbikes are made for speed/handling and the Harleys are made for touring. Dump the clutch at idle on one of each and see which one stalls. Doesn't mean the Harley is better, just produces more torque.

Both of them will stall, probably with a jump and then fall over. Your argument is invalid.

The more disturbing bit of information that's come to light today? As many as 5 NYPD officers may have been riding with this gang. The NYPD's Internal Affairs division is now investigating that, too.

Oh man, you're telling me that the largest police organization in the US has criminals in it's ranks?? Naw....

Bikers seem to be damning this group of asshats even more than anyone else, I don't think anyone is taking these guys as being representative of all bikers.

Hell Yes. When I was in the military you might as well have painted a Scarlet Letter on your helmet when you were riding on base. And even in the regular world, I don't go too long between incidents of ignorant people trying to give me a new job being a racing stripe on their car; getting trash-talked by somebody who's never ridden a day in their life, or have some EMT, Paramedic, or Nurse come up to me while I'm getting ready to go do battle with these dope-smoking hippies and tell me stories about all the yutzes they've had to sponge off the highway.

And now I've got these fools putting themselves in the headlines and making everyone on two wheels look like a freakin' criminal waiting to ransack your car, kill your baby, and raise your taxes. Thanks, morans...

It will be interesting to see what the investigation finds over the next few weeks vs. what we think we know now. For instance, what about the police officers involved? Why were they there and also wearing wolf's clothing? Were they infiltrating the gang for some legitimate police purposes, or was this just a off duty hobby - being a motothug? I think we are a little too surprised when we find out a cop is a criminal. They are just men, and no less likely to be criminals, bass players, or Miley Cyrus fans than the general population.

Unacceptable. There is no excuse for anyone to be a Miley Cyrus fan.

Peace,
Greg
 
Originally Posted by ShoeManiac

The more disturbing bit of information that's come to light today? As many as 5 NYPD officers may have been riding with this gang. The NYPD's Internal Affairs division is now investigating that, too.


Oh man, you're telling me that the largest police organization in the US has criminals in it's ranks?? Naw....

Way to set the bar low.

Further reports indicate that as many as 5 NYPD officers were among the riders on this rally. And 1 particular NYPD officer may have been on the scene when the driver of the Rover was pulled from his car and beaten.

Why is this so egregious? This wasn't some off-duty cop who was witness to someone getting beat up in a dark corner of some nightclub. This was an assault in broad daylight in plain view of numerous witnesses. There's talk of this one officer being undercover and avoiding involvement tin an attempt to keep from blowing his cover. But that doesn't excuse the fact that it took this officer 3 days to report their presence at this assault.
 
Here is the point.

If they were being so lawful and respectful, they should have called police when the car ran over the idiot and let the law take care of it, not run the guy down and beat him.

They are scum that think the public must endure their stupid sport on public roadways. Save it for the parking lots you scuzz buttheads and obey traffic laws and this wouldn't have happened. If the poor family man gets any repercussions, I for one will be even more incensed.
 

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