SFist: When Privileged White People Attack

Xenu

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:59:49 -0800

This has nothing to do with "bikes vs. cars." It's clearly a case of dickwad vs. dickwad. The mode of transit is irrelevant.

grouchothebestmarx

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:40:33 -0800

What's with that remark Chris Weekly?

SFBurke

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:38:52 -0800

This video is worthless and boring. Must have been a slow news day.

MHTH

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:03:13 -0800

Sure Zippy. Did you happen to read all the comments before you posted? Allow me to courteously call attention to two previous posts. vsgoliath letigre

mktgwhr

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:54:56 -0800

Racist.

zippy_monster

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:31:50 -0800

MHTH: easy, it's probably the fault of the bicycle.

Henrythoreau

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:29:46 -0800

When I ride, I hate the drivers who fail to give bikes room and the legitimate right of way. When I drive, I hate the bicyclists who run a stop sign and then flip me off when I get in the path. What we need are signs that read: "Sorry, I screwed up and you had the right of way" and make versions for those in the car and those on bike. We could all go a long way if we just said: I'm sorry and are you OK?"

fizzandpop

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:05:42 -0800

Oh, it's gone now

fizzandpop

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:02:47 -0800

And lo and behold, a banner appears at the top of the thread that reads: Meet Local Cyclists - fitness.singles.com. Brock is a media genius. Or I was behaviorly targetted by a fiendish piece of Google technology because I constantly troll loose trollops in bars and drug stores. The irony! The technology! The peasants will have to stop fighting in the streets now.

yesyes

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:54:46 -0800

@SanFranCitizen: Yes! It was! That dude was really really nasty, and I didn't even do anything to deserve it.

Angrybat

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:23:23 -0800

Any post involving bikes in SF is guaranteed to generate maximum comments. Well done, Brock.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:47:56 -0800

sexual tension. duh.

travin

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:47:46 -0800

Because they had nothing better to do?

bottombracket

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:45:41 -0800

"It doesn't matter whether they were getting out or trying to intentionally door a biker -- it's illegal for cars or cabs to discharge passengers in a bike lane." Agree, but that's not why I asked. I was wondering how things heated up into a scrap.

manys

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:29:39 -0800

Just slash a couple of the dolt's tires and get on with your ride.

ihartsf

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:06:55 -0800

@ bottombracket It doesn't matter whether they were getting out or trying to intentionally door a biker -- it's illegal for cars or cabs to discharge passengers in a bike lane. Re: Cyclists on the sidewalk Again, excluding designated, marked bikepaths, it is illegal to cycle on sidewalks in San Francisco. One of these days I am going to deliver a mighty Koko B Ware clothesline to a sidewalk cyclist.

letigre

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:35:10 -0800

No, it was yesterday around 715 on the Embarcadero going towards Fisherman's Wharf.

SanFranCitizen

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:32:16 -0800

yesyes - I think I saw that! Was it on Folsom street this afternoon? I was getting ready to go all SFist on his ass if he got out of his car.

icbalaam

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:28:21 -0800

Way to ruin our speculation and conjecture vsgoliath and letigre ! Then again, thanks for the clarification.

icbalaam

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:22:55 -0800

In light of recent events, like the father and his sons getting killed because of road rage, I've noticed I've become a lot calmer when I'm driving or walking around town. Though I still yell at MUNI drivers regardless because they get on my nerves.

letigre

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:22:32 -0800

I was one of those riders going out for a weekly ride. The driver was swerving 'pretending' that he was going to hit one of the riders. Then the passenger was opening and closing his door into the bike lane and then finally did knock him off his bike. Yes, the bicyclist lost it but so then would I if that had happened to me. I have almost been doored many times and just choose to educate the person rather than to clobber them. This, on the other hand, was done with maliciousness on the side of the driver and passenger. They were looking for a fight and out to hurt someone with their antics. After one scuffle, we went to leave and the guy kept on going after the cyclist physically and yelling out insults all the while grabbing his bottle as if he was going to swing with it. The whole situation was f**ckd up. We just wanted to have a ride on a beautiful day not get in a brawl our first 5 minutes out.

bottombracket

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:21:54 -0800

"the passenger of the SUV opened their door in front of a group of riders in the bike lane while the car was still in motion. " They opened the door like they were getting out of the car, or they opened the door like they wanted to door some cyclists?

bluecanary

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:14:08 -0800

Fizzandpop's reminder is what scares me. I always have the little fear in the back of my mind that some ass is going to pull out a shotgun a la the hicks in Easy Rider and just blast me. That fear unfortunately does not keep my mouth shut.

the default attorney

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:12:56 -0800

I've never thought of this added advantage of wearing a bike helmet. I think this title would be more fitting on a video of a fight outside of a bar in the Marina on any given friday night. "Dude, when you got out of your MBA program, your golf swing totally sucked." "What did you say?" "You heard me bro"

travin

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:11:43 -0800

@yesyes yesyes, yep. as much as cyclists cap on drivers for being clueless, they're just as rude, clueless and dangerous to pedestrians. Cyclists are just pissed because they're the middle child. =0)

vsgoliath

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:10:14 -0800

OK, I was on this ride and will make it very clear what happened. As our group of about 23 riders headed up the Embarcadero, the passenger of the SUV opened their door in front of a group of riders in the bike lane while the car was still in motion. As the car came to a stop, one of our riders approached the car and said "that really isn't cool." The passenger said something to the effect of "get your hands off our car" and proceeded to open the door and physically confront the bicyclist. As you can see from the video, the bicyclist responded. As for onlookers egging him on? Quite the opposite. Most encouraged the passenger to get back into his friend's SUV and for the bicyclist to get back on the ride. Most of our riders got out of the bike lane and onto the sidewalk to not block traffic further while this was all happening. That's it.

Generic

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:06:00 -0800

i guess that makes me a jew.

fizzandpop

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:00:52 -0800

Behave children. There are people with guns out there. Cyclist/driver, who cares? They are not me so neither of them belongs on the road.

jimH

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:00:37 -0800

It's not illegal to ride a bike on some sidewalks. Like the one shown in the vid, for example.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:52:35 -0800

the protestants and catholics of our time, folks.

yesyes

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:49:21 -0800

Thanks for making my point, spysea. It's illegal to ride on sidewalks. Bikes are vehicles that are required to be operated in the road.

yesyes

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:47:31 -0800

I know little about teh context here, but I do want to say that drivers in SF almost always assume the biker is in the wrong, because there's so little knowledge of the law. If I'm doing everything legally, drivers get pissed that I'm slow or that I'm on the road at all. If I do things that are illegal but keep me safer or ease the flow of traffic, drivers get pissed that I'm an entitled biker asshole. A crazy dude in a Prius (SAN FRANCISCO DOES IRONY SO WELL) just blasted me because I was taking up the lane because the right lane was blocked. He would have been able to safely pass me in about 20 feet, when I would have moved back over, but it was killing him so much he had to pass across the double line and yell, "YOU'RE SO FUCKING STUPID, YOU WANNA GET YOURSELF KILLED, GO TELL YOUR KIDS YOU'RE GONNA DIE." Of course I yelled back--I ain't Gandhi-- but it's unsafe for bikers AND drivers to provoke cyclists,

spysea

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:44:06 -0800

Thats why I hold to the rule: run the kook over .... another brilliant ode to the freaks who think the SF roads are theirs! Ride on the sidewalk you idiots

coolcucumber

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:44:01 -0800

the funny part of this video is how all the decked out, helmeted bikers are standing around ON THE SIDEWALK...and as pointed out, it's not like they're waiting around to start up a critical mass ride...they're just doing what bad bikers (read: lol- privileged "whities"- regardless of skin color though really) generally do in this city... i'm sure the car people are just as douchey...i mean look at the vehicle for chrissake... on another note, i can't wait until the term "white" doesn't refer to skin color or ethnicity but to lameness and cluelessness, etc. and maybe the n word could become an acceptable antonym, equally free of color connotations. you know, the way white people try to use it. =D

bbrooks

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:43:43 -0800

Watching this video took valuable time away from looking at the American Apparel girls. - yes

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:40:55 -0800

not sure. but the word "bro" was thrown around a lot.

bottombracket

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:39:15 -0800

Let me guess, the passenger in the car sees people on bikes and yells "get off the road" or something. One of cyclists then says "fuck off" or something. The passenger they says "what did you say, you bitch-ass motherfucker?" or something. The cyclist then swats the sideview mirror or something and says "I said fuck you, asshole" ...or something. The car lurches to a halt and the passenger and the cyclist get into a scuffle. It doesn't take much to have things escalate into violence. Could all be avoided with common road courtesy, of course.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:34:15 -0800

totally. like women who fuel gang rapes (if Touch of Evil is correct, that is) or freak each other on dancefloors.

Chris Weekly

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:30:55 -0800

I hate hearing shrill female cyclist voices egging on violence in every one of these encounters that make it to video. Bitches need to shut it.

Angrybat

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:07:26 -0800

Watching this video took valuable time away from looking at the American Apparel girls.

Greg

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:05:25 -0800

wow tough bikers and drivers, getting into fights, and more bikers getting off on it, and so many smug comments on blogs! where were the cops when this happened to give all involved a nice dose of reality, and make everyone realize that acting like a douchebag in traffic is just asking for trouble. Bikers 0, Drivers 0, SF 0. Epic FAIL, kiddies.

turtle_276

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:05:14 -0800

Here is a fun article touching on two of SFist's favorite themes. 1. Bikes v. Cars 2. Portland, Oregon http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1215660313233830.xml&coll=7 Too bad there is no video.

SFJoe

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:38:53 -0800

Hmmm, a douchebag in an SUV and a douchebag on a bike. In a duchebag v. douchebag fight, we are all winners.

bluecanary

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:14:01 -0800

Judging from my own experience riding on the EMbarcadero, the SUV likely got too close and scared/pissed the bike rider off. I've had it happen countless times. Always with some asshole driving a giant vehicle and always completely unconcerned that he almost mowed someone down. I haven't fought anyone over it because seriously, what 200 pound chucklehead from the suburbs is going to get out of his mammoth machine and punch out a small woman with a big, nasty, angry mouth? They're stupid. They aren't that stupid. Generally.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:13:56 -0800

totally. also, because some sort of magical context warrants a fistfight in the street? yeah, no. while it's thoroughly enjoyable, it's wrong. no matter what your liberal arts professors told you.

travin

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:12:43 -0800

MHTH, by your description of the power imbalance (due to weight ratio, of all things) you give away your bias in favor of cyclists - just a tad disingenuous - and an indication you're seeking to find fault with the automobile. As this video shows, both car and bike operator are equally capable of being utter idiots. Yeah, more context could be helpful but it's not necessary and certainly not worth name-calling and online ranting. Perhaps the reason you're so reactive is that you are one of the fighters in the video?

bbrooks

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:12:35 -0800

I think its a funny video. What drives(haha) cyclists to fight a driver? They weren't fighting over a parking spot. There is your context. Keep up the good work Brock!

icbalaam

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:11:15 -0800

Context? Yeah right. What's the fun in knowing what exactly happened? This blog is built on speculation and conjecture! So get to it fellow readers.

hillarys_quivering_lip

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:05:37 -0800

what - you are exactly right. in fact, I believe it is what this great country was founded upon. KICKING ASS!

sf_bikebike

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:05:27 -0800

nothing worse than a dude fighting with a bike helmet on. Looks like a retard. Im all for riding bikes, but most cyclists are just as clueless as SUV drivers.

what

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:01:11 -0800

I don't see what's so wrong with a good round of fisticuffs now and then.

SanFranCitizen

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:00:53 -0800

Heh. When Privileged SFist Editors Attack!

MHTH

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:57:37 -0800

No Brock, actually you are wrong. Context is everything in this video. Ever had a car nearly brush you in a crosswalk? Ever had a pedestrian run in front of you in the middle of a block while driving? Both situations could lead to a heated confrontation. Does it matter what precipitates the confrontation? Yes. This post is beyond lame. The title of the video does say "When cars and bikes share more than the road". So yes, it is about bikes and cars. And there is a very literal power imbalance in any confrontation between a 20 pound human powered bicycle and a several thousand pound vehicle. Both of which supposedly have equal rights to the road. The title of the video implies a cyclist vs car driver theme. And it's what you are propagating by posting with no additional context. Grow up and think about something other than just upping your page view counts. Or do you want to unapologetically admit that's what you are doing? If you want to make a commentary about pointless street fighting, don't frame it as a bikes versus cars confrontation.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:53:53 -0800

"I like that it has Current TV cred." word. current has gotten so much better over the past year. highly recommend.

bbrooks

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:49:53 -0800

I like that it has Current TV cred. As good as Bum Fight. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKh2RG0NaG0 Stop White on White Crime!

travin

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:49:09 -0800

Brock, of course a close-reading is necessary. Because if we can at all decipher an implication to the driver's fault, which is inevitable no matter the circumstances, it's time well spent. No?

travin

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:40:39 -0800

Seems some folks forgot they're no longer in junior high school.

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:40:16 -0800

context? hahaha. it's a video of people getting into a fistfight. there's your context. really, it's not necessary to do a pointless close-reading anytime a bike is involved.

RollingJ415

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:39:44 -0800

WTF? A little context would be great. I bike and I think any bicyclist who gets in a fight with a motorist out of anger--anyone who fights out of anger and not out of self-defense, is making a huge, potentially fatal mistake. This clip has really pissed me off. If you're curious as to why I think this way, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Gong

Brock Keeling

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:38:38 -0800

SanFranCitizen, you're a shill for critical mass and trustifarians of the bay area. of course you think it's lame.

MHTH

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:37:45 -0800

Brock- can you give us any context to this video? I see a bike on the ground IN A BIKE LANE near a several thousand pound vehicle. What assumptions have you made about the events prior to the camera rolling?

SanFranCitizen

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:35:58 -0800

Yay. More fuel for the cyclists vs. drivers crap. A useless video with no background on what happened or what's going on. Lame post.

rubylovesnorman

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:31:43 -0800

I can hate both, right?