Harlan Head shows the shattered windshield of his minivan. He says cyclists caused the damage and also the broke the door.
Jason Meggs, a Critical Mass organizer, filmed part of Friday's altercation.
Posted on 05/15/2007 4:30:46 PM PDT by SmithL
A Friday clash between a Berkeley minivan and Critical Mass bicyclists continued to generate conflict Monday as the van driver said the bicyclists placed bicycles under his front tire during the violent melee.
"A certain number of the bicyclists were prepared to do this with malice aforethought," said Harlan Head, 70, driver of the Chevrolet minivan. "They shoved bicycles under the car and attempted several other things."
Critical Mass organizer Jason Meggs, 38, who filmed part of the incident (see video) on his digital camera, called Head's accusation "outrageously ridiculous."
"It's really, really, really not true," said Meggs, a UC Berkeley graduate student in public health and in urban planning who filmed part of the confrontation on his digital camera. "It's really a great leap of faith that anyone would have that kind of conspiracy theory."
Police said two witnesses reported seeing riders throw their bikes in front of the van.
The incident happened around 8 p.m. Friday, when about 30 bicyclists were riding south on The Alameda and collided with Head, who with his wife, Marilyn, was driving west on Monterey Avenue to visit their disabled daughter across town.
Police have not determined who had the right of way at the intersection.
The cyclists said Head shouted, "I'm sick of you people," and attempted to run them over.
Head said the cyclists surrounded his van, tried to knock it over, broke the windshield wiper, kicked in the windshield, broke the door and stuck bicycles under his tire.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Jason Meggs, a Critical Mass organizer, filmed part of Friday's altercation.
When you have to use the word "really" 3 times, your lying your ass of!
“Fer shure!”
Whomever lifted up that van and placed their bike under the tire of the van must be a very strong person.
Someone in the mob yelled: “Somebody’s under the car”. No one was under the car. Meanwhile, people are pounding on the car (with a handicapped tag) — the old guy looks confused and terrified. Many people would have floored the accelerator, to get to safety.
It was a set-up. Meggs by his own admission didn't see the start.
These “critical mass” people work at provoking encounters all over the country....then they get their wish..and...
VOILA....they become the victimized....!!!
It’s hard to believe that the peace loving radicals of Berkeley could ever get violent about anything. This is a man bites dog story.
Man, those people are animals. “Agree with us, OR ELSE!”
What SCUM...!!!
I wonder how “cute” they’d figure they were if one of the old couple suddenly went into fibrillation or worse...???
They are ALL guilty of assault from what I saw...they had NO “right” to pull open those old folks’ car doors or pound on their vehicle. I’m 58 and I think I would have had a hard time containing my PTSD long enough NOT to run over the lot of them. They DID purposely leave their bikes in the path of the vehicle..it is PLAINLY visible at the beginning of the video.
All the false accusations are at the very LEAST intimidation and verbal assault. Those KIDS were crying because of the the multi-hue-haired LOSERS shouting at the top of their lungs. I think the old guy kept his cool admirably under fire.
You might ALSO note in the beginning of the taped presentation that the bicyclists were in ALL lanes of traffic.
What if an emergency vehicle had to help someone who really WAS under a car...???
What about the “turn only” signs on the ground that the lot of them just rode over, ignoring the LAW...???
That little video does WAY more to indict the hippy-freak-LOSERS than it does to incriminate the old couple. At WORST they owe somebody a bike...and even THAT looks shaky. That’s one jury I’d LOVE to be on.
The guy is a 38 year old graduate student? He must be like one of those “students” that seized the embassy in Tehran.
“It’s hard to believe that the peace loving radicals of Berkeley could ever get violent about anything. This is a man bites dog story.”
They acted like a pack of WILD DOGS, you meant...right...???
Every weekend that is half way nice, they come out in their VW’s and Volvo’s with their cutesy little bike racks and terrorize the locals who have to drive the roads to get to work, to get the kids to activities, etc.
They will at some point get someone killed or injured trying to avoid the arrogant twits.
Why don’t these people ever throw their bikes under a 4x4 with an eight-inch lift, or an H-1 Hummer? I wish they would.
Critical Mass bicyclists are basically terrorist on Bikes. These environmental loons need to be arrested.
Maybe you could exercise a little patience the next time you come upon a cyclist on the road. If your trip is delayed by 10 seconds so you can safely pass, it's truly not that big a deal.
You apparently don't like it, but bikes are considered vehicles and are entitled to the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles -- that said, I know cyclists don't always follow the rules of the road, particularly at intersections.
They will at some point get someone killed or injured trying to avoid the arrogant twits.
Interesting. "They" or "twits" could very well apply to aggressive drivers, although I don't think that was what you meant.
Finally, I don't agree with the means Critical Mass uses to get out their message. I doubt many people even know what their purpose is. From my reading and experience, it usually devolves into an uncalled-for, unorganized, and rude rolling instigation of motorists. This motley group in Berkeley needs to be held accountable for their outrageous actions.
Okay, pond scum, GAME ON!!!
How about we get local grading and paving contractors in the S.F. Bay Area to organize their own "Critical Mass"?
WITH STEAMROLLERS!!!
"Hey! Spandex Boy! Chuck yer 'Specialized' in front of THIS!!"
“The guy is a 38 year old graduate student?”
“But, mom...I HAVE a job. I’m a STUDENT.”
Nobody seems to be buying what you’re selling on FR.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.