From the NY Post:A raging cyclist fed up with aggressive Manhattan drivers took matters into his own hands yesterday, jumping on the hood of a limo that clipped him and smashing in the windshield with his fists.
Bike messenger-gone-wild Perzeus Forte, 20, also ripped out the front passenger window, tore the shirt of driver Darr Mohammed, 49, and clocked him in the face during the savage road rage attack around 1 p.m., sources said.
Forte's rampage began while riding his bike up Sixth Avenue in Chelsea, where Mohammed grazed him around West 19th Street. The limo kept going until he got stopped by a red light at West 20th Street.
That's when Forte flipped out, ditching his wheels and sprinting 100 yards to the car. He leaped onto the hood while screaming, "I'm going to kill you! I'm going to kill you, motherf- - -er!" according to one witness.
Forte crushed the windshield with his two open palms while repeatedly shouting, "I'm going to kill you! Get out of the car!" the witness said.
The belligerent biker then jumped off the hood and grabbed the half-open driver's-side window, shaking it back and forth until it shattered, the witness said.
Forte allegedly socked Mohammed in his left eye and ripped the breast pocket of his blue dress shirt. Mohammed, who lives in Bayonne with his wife and daughter, suffered a black eye.
Even though Mohammed didn't want to press charges, Forte was arrested on charges of misdemeanor assault and harassment. He was given a desk appearance ticket to return to court at a later date.
A commenter on the NY Post's website said:
"This is wild. Believe it or not I witnessed this up close and personal. I was driving my car right next to them. This is exactly what happened. I will swear to it and would have no problem passing a lie detector test. I don't care where the cabby is from or the cyclist for that matter. The cyclist was weaving around the cars that were inching their way up sixth ave. The cabby stepped on the gas and at the same time the cyclist swung in front of him knocking him down. The cab driver did nothing wrong, the cyclist just popped in front of him. The cyclist proceded to the window of the cab and started pummeling the driver. The driver did just what any other driver would have done and tried to get out of there in a hurry. The cyclist chased him down, jumped on the hood of the car and started smashing his windshield with his bare hands! All the while screaming profanities and threatening the driver. This cyclist needs to be put away before he seriously hurts someone."
Quite predictably, the bike nuts are hailing this violent nutcase as a hero.
46 comments:
You mean car nuts who speed up when they see pedestrians walking on a greenlight when they run red lights every other block. How many hit and runs are on the news every night which this site has ignored but waiting for a cyclist every so often to blame.
Yes this guy was a dumb idiot who had run ins with bad cabbies before but even if you bike or walk cautiously your still dealing with car nut jobs running red lights almost every block, double parking, weaving in and out just like the biker, especially cab drivers and the police dont seem to care. Oh well makes for news every night for another hit and run of a pedestrian.
Have you gotten a ride in a cab recently and seen how atrociously they drive?
I have and wasnt sure if the seat belt would do any good.
No sympathy for cab drivers. I was rammed from behind at E. 14th and Fifth. No other cars around, he didn't have a green light - was thrown to the ground. And he pays a fine to the city, not to me.
At the hearing, a different driver showed up. Had no idea I took my umbrella and smashed the windshield when I could get up. Then cabbie split -didn't even see if I was alright. Broken ribs.
He could have gone around me even though he didn't have the right of way. Did it on purpose to be a jerk.
See the thing is this post is about a particular incident that had witnesses and quotes from those involved, not whether or not you have sympathy for cabbies or whether or not people in NYC drive like maniacs.
"See the thing is this post is about a particular incident that had witnesses and quotes from those involved, not whether or not you have sympathy for cabbies or whether or not people in NYC drive like maniacs."
See the thing is Crappy operates like Fox News and picks one statement from somebody he agrees with (because he hates people who ride bikes) and proclaims that as the truth.
"See the thing is Crappy operates like Fox News and picks one statement from somebody he agrees with (because he hates people who ride bikes) and proclaims that as the truth."
So where's the opposing statement?
The bike rider acted like an asshole weaving in an out of traffic. Personally I'd like to see license plates and registration for bike riders with enforcement. I'm talking about making bike riders accountable for their behavior (Just like motorists are)
Cabbies stop at red light more than cyclists - that's a fact. BTW _ I hate cabbies and I ride a bike.
If you count the anonymous commenter to the post article as a verified witness it makes the biker sound totally crazy but if you stick with what was reported by the post itself I'd believe the cabbie was at fault for the accident and the biker was displaying reasonable anger toward someone who nearly killed him.
It appears the post reporter and photographer were on site interviewing people in the immediate aftermath, so I would stick tith the verified version.
Not to take sides but cabbies and bikers on the same street are usually a dangerous combo. A lot of cabbies do drive like maniacs. But then again a lot of bikers never observe any rules of the road while riding in the street. It's amazing that there aren't more incidents like this one.
That biker must be wild in bed.
Not bad looking either.
Sorry, I'm with the "bike nut" too. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident and "clipping" a man is an accident.
He had a legal and moral obligation to stop, call police, have the man checked out and pay for any injuries.
Interesting. So in an "accident" where no one was injured and there was no property damage, the "victim" was justified in beating the shit out of the driver? What if the driver had been a woman or disabled?
We don't know if the bicycle was damaged in the accident, the cab sure was afteward.
What if the biker was a pregnant woman?
What if she wailed to the police that the cabby tried to kill her unborn child?
Who would have been arrested then?
...and the car nuts are wishing he'd gone under the wheels of the cab.
Idiocy on both sides. Unfortunately, there're more cars (and therefore, more idiots) who cause much more damage, death, and danger than bikers.
I don't drive and don't bike, but it's pretty obvious who the real problem is.
Cyclists & cabbies...the scourge of the streets!
If the two had beaten each other to a pulp...a double good riddance!
But as a pedestrian..I walk softly but carry a big (walking) stick (just in case I have to defend myself)!
No permit needed.
Here's where NYC can actually raise some honest money. There's no reason that bicyclists shouldn't be licensed. Most tend to weave in and out of traffic (just because they can)plus it's easier for them to make a "getaway" after they've knocked down pedestrians. Have seen it happen. The bicyclist laughed and made a vulgar gesture as he sped away. Had he been licensed he would've been traceable. As it was he was lost in a crowd of bicyclists. Drivers aren't the only people capable of "Hits and Runs."
Sometimes cab and limo drivers aren't at fault for hitting pedestrians(and bicyclists) Even walking on the sidewalk can be dangerous if someone comes to an abrupt halt while talking on a cellphone, texting, listening to their ipods, etc.
At least Mr. Mohammed was working and going about his business to support his family. The rage, assault and damage inflicted by the bicyclist seems to warrant more than a desk appearance ticket.
I'm totally against the idea of needing a license to ride a bicycle. The mere thought of having to obtain a license to go for a nice ride in the park? I hope that never happens.
I agree with the other commenters on this post: there are more maniacs and speed demons behind the steering wheel more than ever.
It's not safe as a cyclist or pedestrian. Hit and runs are the style of nyc streets.
A pregnant woman working as a messenger weaving in and out of traffic? And if they licensed pedicabs why not bicycles?
If it grazed him, the bike suffered no damage.
Unless you stop and check, you do not know how badly you hurt another. Furthermore, if a person is in pain and angry, the adrenaline may temporarily mask real injury.
And yes, Crappy, it is against the law to hit someone and leave, even if they are not to your taste or mine.
"Here's where NYC can actually raise some honest money. There's no reason that bicyclists shouldn't be licensed."
Oh come on, we are trying to get people out of their SUV's, this idea would just deter people from turning to cycling.
The same with raising the mass transit fares.
"I'm totally against the idea of needing a license to ride a bicycle. The mere thought of having to obtain a license to go for a nice ride in the park? I hope that never happens."
You're right - riding for pleasure should not require a license - but if you use a bike for commerical purposes - absolutely. Why not? It would make the streets and sidewalks safer - every messanger and food deleivery rider would have to wear a license plate on there outermost garment with big clear eay to read letters. Sounds reasonable to me.
More things like this need to happen more often.
Cabbies are a huge yellow, black, and chrome a-hole to navigate around while driving as they weave lane-to-lane and stop mid-street with no regard to traffic.
Meanwhile, bike messengers terrorize corners, menace crosswalks as the fly through red lights, and taunt career jaywalkers like me into clearing a path for them.
I say: clear Park Ave from public access on a Saturday and only allow the two groups access, have them duke it out for the crown of "NYC's Biggest Street Douches". You can set up a "street fair" along a stretch for extra fun.
"A pregnant woman working as a messenger weaving in and out of traffic?"
The only "witness" who said he was weaving in and out of traffic was an anonymous commenter on the post website who purported he witnessed the incedent.
No matter the merits of this arguement, its the Tower People that move into our community and dont give a shit for anything but their own agenda - abetted by our politicans who divert our taxes to build these towers in the first place.
Note how we get dozens of stupid comments here on the godliness of their bikes, while the previous thread, of a community of Dutch Kills getting abused, get at best their distained indifference.
Assholes all.
The messengers support important industries in NYC that provide many high paying jobs. They are ferrying time sensitive legal documents around town for signature all day and night.
If we bear down on them with strict enforcement we will reduce our competiveness and disadvantage ourselves in retaining those jobs.
They will move to Hong Kong where there are no laws and human life means nothing.
The only one saying it was a hit and run is the cyclist. The driver didn't even get a ticket for his supposed offense.
"Forte's rampage began while riding his bike up Sixth Avenue in Chelsea, where Mohammed grazed him around West 19th Street."
I see here that he writer of the article reports as fact that Mohammed grazed Forte and did not stop until he was forced to by a red light. Presumably the writer interviewed the numerous eyewitnesses.
They will move to Hong Kong where there are no laws and human life means nothing.
Question: How will these messengers commute to NYC every day from Hong Kong? The Hong Kong to NYC flight over the polar regions takes 16 hours. By the time the bike messengers arrive in NYC from Hong Kong, it will be time to go back home.
Bikeeekl seet hurt afta 16 hours.
Inspector Chan Ka-kui...
I think the idea was the wall street jobs would move to Hong Kong, not the messengers, the New York bike messengers would likely stay here and join the growing ranks of the unemployed.
"If we bear down on them with strict enforcement we will reduce our competiveness and disadvantage ourselves in retaining those jobs"
There's no reason the bike messenger business cannot be run legally (and safely). A lawyer waiting a few extra minutes (or even hours) for his contract is a small price to pay for safer streets.
I deal with messengers in my business all the time. Many of them smell like marijuana when they get off their bikes. Just my own experience, of course.
What if the driver had been a woman or disabled?
Interesting! Now were bringing up the disabled?
Whens the last time you reported on the many bike riders hit by horrid drivers which 75 percent of them who had hit a bike rider or had any sympathy for the white bikes placed where someone had been mowed down. Why do cars drive like homicidal idiots and speed up at intersections with pedestrians walking across with still ten feet before there on the sidewalk.
Again your talking about bike couriers in Manhattan and painting a broad picture of cyclists who hate cause you have an agenda.
Note how we get dozens of stupid comments here on the godliness of their bikes, while the previous thread, of a community of Dutch Kills getting abused, get at best their distained indifference.
Assholes all.
So they comment that is OFF topic is left up? What the hell is this guy talking about. I read that Dutch kills article previously like maybe others and have nothing to do with the "attack of the tower people". Have you read the many other articles on other sites saying the same about Dutch Kills? I have and people also dont post on here except for a few when theres a story about cats needing saving or similar stories.
Godliness of their bikes is the most dumb thing ive read since the NY post comment section recently.
I bike, wear a helmet, have lights, and dont run lights which is the case to of may other bikers I know and talk to.
I the other hand I cant say the same for the SUV drivers or any other various bad Queens driver which can be spotted every few minutes.
Again your talking about bike couriers in Manhattan and painting a broad picture of cyclists you hate cause you have an agenda.
I see here that he writer of the article reports as fact that Mohammed grazed Forte and did not stop until he was forced to by a red light. Presumably the writer interviewed the numerous eyewitnesses.
Oh of course not because it was the NY Post tabloid which does not correct its numerous mistakes like O'Reilly and his lies. One witness for the last block?
Sure the cyclist was dumb but Ive seen drivers get out and attack each other too in Queens just two months ago.
Anonymous said: "There's no reason the bike messenger business cannot be run legally (and safely). A lawyer waiting a few extra minutes (or even hours) for his contract is a small price to pay for safer streets."
They most likely get paid by the delivery - not daily or weekly.
Anonymous said: "I the other hand I cant say the same for the SUV drivers or any other various bad Queens driver which can be spotted every few minutes."
TOTALLY agree.
I love the fact that anytime a cyclist is caught doing something wrong, the predictable response is "Well, drivers are reckless more often!"
It's quite hilarious and predictable.
"Well, drivers are reckless more often!"
"Tu quoque" - ("You, too" or "You, also") is a Latin term that describes a kind of logical fallacy. A tu quoque argument attempts to discredit the opponent's position by asserting his failure to act consistently in accordance with that position; it attempts to show that a criticism or objection applies equally to the person making it. It is considered an ad hominem argument, since it focuses on the party itself, rather than its positions.
LICENSE THOSE BIKERS!
AND "F.U." ALL WHO DON'T AGREE!
BIKE MESSENGERS, IN PARTICULAR, ARE A MENACE TO THE PUBLIC!
AND REMOVE SOME OF THOSE HAZARDOUS, STUPID BIKE LANES ON ALREADY NARROW STREETS.
Its quite predictable that Queens Crap will say some ignorant crap about bike lanes taking money away for hospitals.
You have to be kidding? Once you drivers stop generalizing all bike commuters the same that are not like the bike couriers that would be refreshing and sharing a road with a bike lane is done in crowded cities like London and Chicago so stop acting like it was invented here cause it was last on the globe if you look carefully.
Slow down, drive the speed limit, and assume all bike commuters are the same.
Fixed gear riders with no brakes are disliked by other bike commuters cause they are the ones who run lights. Bike couriers are idiots and fixed gear bikes are not like road bikes with brakes and gears. Also ask those delivery guys to go the right direction or stop at lights which also have nothing to do with bike commuters.
Some large guy in an SUV backed into me almost in Astoria two months ago when he was backing out into the street when traffic had a green light. I went around him carefully at 5 miles an hour saying watch out and he asks where my brakes are assuming Im a fixed gear rider and I had to point out my brake levers. He just went quiet then was honked at for causing traffic to stop the light changed red. Self absorbed big guy in his large car oblivious to whats around him.
Slow down, drive the speed limit, and assume all and dont bike commuters are the same. Maybe do a weekly post on all the people hit by drivers? Nah you wont.
But that would be impossible and you can predict there will be sweeping generalizations on here as usual and ignoring the facts of hypocrite's on the right that are talking out of both sides of their... when looking at their party's illegalities.
AND "F.U." ALL WHO DON'T AGREE!
Now theres some civilized discourse.
Ask the city to have the bike couriers have licenses. Now dont go have a heart attack OK BUDDY IN ALL CAPS.
Slow down, drive the speed limit, and dont assume all bike commuters are the same to correct my sentence. Bike commuters dont assume other bike riders are the same but know that Fixed gear riders\ slash most couriers are reckless idiots.
Id love to put up a camera or watch with someone who is on the opposing side to see how many cars run lights at any intersection.
Wow, thanks to all the recent anonymouses for proving my point about the knee-jerk reaction of bicyclists to defend other bicyclists and blame motorists for everything. Streetsblog features photos of smashed up cars on a regular basis, so I don't feel the need to do something like that. I also am not sure what this has to do with "the right" and "their party", but thanks for the laugh. I guess if blaming motorists for this guy's hissy fit isn't satisfying enough, you can always just throw Republicans in for good measure.
Why is it so hard to admit that what this guy did was a crime, was not justified and that he deserves punishment for it?
Yes no one is saying the guy was right. He was an idiot but try biking in Manhattan and see how dangerous it is for bike commuters with the cabs especially. And Yes bike couriers are reckless and no one disagrees.
http://www.ny1.com/5-manhattan-news-content/top_stories/117156/opening-arguments-to-begin-in-officer-assault-trial
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