Comments on: L.A. road rage doctor gets five years

By: BAW

BAW — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 20:07:52 +0000

A cyclist's use of the road is based on his statutory, common law, and constitutional right to travel.

A motorist's use of the road is based on his being licensed to do so by the State.

Hence, a cyclist is not an equal user of the road with a motorist, he is a SUPERIOR one.

By: chuck shredder

chuck shredder — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:22:57 +0000

Hey Lee Baldwin, I specifically stated I was not defending this guy. What I said is he will punishment and is not getting off scott free. What are you debating with what I wrote? Please read what I wrote again. I get pissed off when the lynch mob calls for a guys head when punishment fits the crime. Seriously consider what would happen to your life if you were to spend 3 years in prison. You think that's nothing? I don't understand why you singled me out. All I ask is we don't instigate this any further. BTW just yesterday I was waiting at a light to get clearance to cross a busy intersection. In the other direction, here comes an older couple(60'sish-old enough to know better) and the proceed to blow thru the no walk sign, having to swerve to not hit other cars that had the clear right of way- a green light. Don't ever think we cyclists as a group are perfect. There are far too many who ruin it for those who do it the right way. I do understand why drivers can get annoyed with some of us. DONT BE ONE THE BAD ONES….. BE NICE AND POLITE

By: Lee Baldwin

Lee Baldwin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:53:59 +0000

MarkingMySpot sounds like the true description of “automoron” !!! Why do you not just say,”get on the sidewalk?” The California Vehicle Code makes each cyclist have the rights of the roadway. CA Vehicle Code 212202, should be read more closely by MarkingMySpot, as there are exceprtions to the code. ~ie:except when passing parked vehicles & we have the right to the road when there is not enough clearance for safe passage by a motor vehicle. Your statement,~”In Mandeville Canyon there is NO practicable right-hand curb. So do you know what that means…GET THE HECK OUT OF THE WAY” is threatening to every cyclist that has ever been. Please read the code and learn and KNOW it. Cyclists have rights. Rights to SAFE PASSAGE. RIGHTS of the ROAD when THERE IS NO RIGHT-HAND CURB or shoulder to ride on.

By: CPelkey

CPelkey — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:22:31 +0000

I would like to remind you, Spot, that the two victims in this case were travelling at close to the speed limit on the way down the canyon. Furthermore, even if the two cyclists were in violation of section 21202, it in no way amounts to the level of provocation to justify assault with a deadly weapon.

By: MarkingMySpot

MarkingMySpot — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:14:02 +0000

Of course any idiot could get behind the wheel. That is why we are required by law as drivers to carry insurance, pass a test, read a manual, and carry a license. Bicycle riders DO NOT NEED any of those things. THAT is my point. If an idiot is driving his car and crashes, their insurance pays..hmm...what a novel idea!! Personally, I feel a bicycle rider should be responsible for choosing a safe ride, if they choose a road which is inherently dangerous then they might have to pay the price.

I quote the CA Vehicle Code...CA Vehicle Code 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

In Mandeville Canyon there is NO practicable right-hand curb. So do you know what that means... GET THE HECK OUT OF THE WAY!!!

By: Lee Baldwin

Lee Baldwin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:18:02 +0000

Of course any idiot can get behind the wheel of a 2500 + lb. dealy weapon as well and drive without caring for the wellbeing of fellow road users, driving other cars or bicycles. They could even be a doctor such as Dr. Thompson. So, what could your point possibly be?

By: MarkingmySpot

MarkingmySpot — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:10:07 +0000

Also this is a good reminder to motorists to report every bicycle infraction that happens (which is about 85% of the time). However, that is not possible nor likely as bicycle riders do not have to carry insurance, or any type of license, or any type of riding instruction..any idiot can get on a bike, go out and have the same rules on the road as a car..how convenient for them!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:21:00 +0000

This is a PERFECT example of why bicycle riders should be responsible on the roads they choose to ride on. These bicycle riders were obviously instigating the Dr. in his car by flipping him off and yelling obscenities at him. Just because the good Dr. stopped short and THEY ran IN TO him does not make this his fault. But it does confirm what a travesty our justice system is for finding the Good Dr. guilty. Bicycle riders (if not in a designated bike lane) should be responsible for choosing appropriate places to ride and therefore inherintly be responsible for any incidents that arise from being negligent. I have researched many many bike paths and areas to ride bikes, and NONE of them list Mandeville Cayon as a place to ride. Believe me I adhere to the rules of the road, no matter how ridiculous, and I am a taxpayer so I am entitled to my opinion. I lived in Mandeville Canyon for many years and have seen how rude bike riders can be.
CA Vehicle Code 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. In Mandeville Canyon there is NO practicable right-hand curb. Make sense of that one.

By: Flagrante Delicto

Flagrante Delicto — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:51:00 +0000

In France the condemned were placed on a cartwheel with their limbs stretched out along the spokes over two sturdy wooden beams. The wheel was made to revolve slowly, and a large hammer or an iron bar was then applied to the limb over the gap between the beams, breaking the bones. This process was repeated several times per limb. Sometimes it was ‘mercifully’ ordered that the executioner should strike the criminal on the chest and stomach, blows known as coups de grâce (French: “blows of mercy”), which caused fatal injuries. Without those, the broken man could last hours and even days.

By: Denis

Denis — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 04:10:00 +0000

It’s a shame that the SOB got off so easy.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:40:01 +0000

When drunk drivers get three-year sentence for killing someone, you think five years for inflicting harm to cyclists, which they had fully recovered from, is not enough? Criminal justice system seriously needs to rethink the sentencing guidelines for drunk driving killers. This doctor is an evil asshole and he got what he deserved. I think the punishment in this case is just, he is nearly bankrupt (and probably fully bankrupt after the civil suit), will most likely get his license revoked, not to mention the damage he's incurred on his reputation and credibility as a human being.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:36:00 +0000

Great!

Justice must prevail especially with this terror accident that really could lead to death.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:51:00 +0000

after having a gun pulled on me 5 years ago I carry my camera (cell phone) and a sharpie all the time. 5 years isn’t nearly enough. He’ll be out in two. Hello civil court. Take everything he’s got boys.

By: Lee Baldwin

Lee Baldwin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:18:00 +0000

to chuck shredder – Hey Chuck, the Doctor went to medical school, so I he can read and understand every action can and will have consequences. He and only he took his life’s work and threw it down the drain for a couple of minutes worth of revenge. Consequences. -Hopefully the consequences of all this banter will be that drivers will know there may be consequences if they decide to threaten pedrestrians or cyclists with thier 4000 pound weapon.

By: Wyoroadie

Wyoroadie — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:24:00 +0000

Well-deserved time behind bars for a cyclist-hating maniac.

By: oldmanonabicycle

oldmanonabicycle — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:12:00 +0000

We all know that this “physician” is just one of thousands (maybe millions) of drivers who are emotionally retarded and do not believe that there is anything wrong with harrassing bicyclists with a large metal box on wheels.

By: Wayde Tardif

Wayde Tardif — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:54:00 +0000

So much for open commentary . . . Removal of comments? It seems to me that the comments were popular and prompted further discussion. Come on Velonews . . .

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:46:00 +0000

I am a former competitive bicyclist – who had ridden up and down this road in past, many, many times. I have experienced many drivers who believe they “own” the road. Both bicyclists and drivers should obey all laws, but this doctor’s driving is typical for the area, LA and many places anound the US, based my experience from my 20 years of riding.

He is lucky to only get 5 years. He was willing to use his car to kill the cyclists, he got off lightly. If he got the full 10 years in jail and died, that’s the price anyone would have to pay for taking a car (1000′s of pounds of moving metal) and using it as a weapon against people on bikes (people with only clothing, a bicycle and a helmet – which probably saved their lives…), is not an “even” match.

I can only hope that any driver who shares the road with people, bicyclists and and pedestrians – wake up and learn that we do need to “share” the road. We all pay taxes, we all deserve to be able to use it as together and responsibly. Period.

By: NateH

NateH — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:34:00 +0000

That’s knee-slapping hilarious! You should write for a sit com!
True comedic talent there.

So easily you disguise the fact you are obviously intimately related to that man. (dr does not apply)
I dare you, whoever you are, to ride a bicycle down any busy street in any city in america.
I bet you havent ridden one since you were coddled by holier than though (your words and your poor spelling) parents on a col-de-sac, and spent the rest of your life behind the wheel of a SUV.

He directed his vehicle at people with intent to harm. No question.
Assault. No matter if he is annoyed by spandex.
And… as we are taught in driver’s ed in any repectible course, Pedestrian, Equestrian, and Cycle powered vehicles ALWAYS have the right of way.
There were even laws in the early 1900′s that are still on the books that a motor vehicle has to pull to the side of the road and cover the vehicle so as not to spook a horse.

This is the key, also learned in Driver’s ed. Driving a Car is a Privilege, Not a Right.

Enjoy our ride??? We have been trying. Against all odds.
Enjoy your Giant SUV Oblivious Latte Drinking Trip to Crate and Barrel.

We are dodging texting and IM-ing drivers on the roads that should be safe for EVERYONE to get from point A to point B.

By: John Forrest Tomlinson

John Forrest Tomlinson — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:29:00 +0000

Nice troll.

Cyclist getting in your way (say by riding two abreast) when you have the right of way is obnoxious. Suggesting that if you hit them it’s somehow their responsibility is nonsense. You go around and call the cops on them to ticket them.

But how about this – sign your name here so that if you do hit a cyclist we have a nice record of your attitude. That will be useful in court.

Thx