Attempted assault by van passenger in Tooting

Delicious karma

It was a grey transit van. I've checked the registration plate and it checks out.
It was the passenger leaning out of the window who grabbed me. He couldn't really get hold of me, I'm not even sure he was trying. He just took hold of me gave me a good shake and then they accelerated away. All of it took seconds. I was very shaken.
I know there's been a lot of talk upthread about catching up to the driver and doing them harm. In this situation they had a clear road ahead of them and plenty of time to get away.
I stopped, wrote the details down on the back of my hand and then rode up to the other cyclist. My hands were shaking so much I couldn't put my gloves back on at first.
I'll let you know if I hear anything more about this in the next few days.

Delicious karma

Nice, I love that video. Looks like he may have actually died too.

Glad you're OK.

Hope the dude in that video is actually OK now!

The kid in the video survived.

....but half of his jaw is missing and he's totally blind, Oooops!

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-accessories/2009-kimber-pepperblaster-5838.52.1.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_content=217313719&utm_campaign=Introducing+Kimber+PepperBlaster+Pepper+Spray+_+djhdz&utm_term=Kimber

you have a witness, right? so what's wrong with filing a police report?

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-accessories/2009-kimber-pepperblaster-5838.52.1.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_content=217313719&utm_campaign=Introducing+Kimber+PepperBlaster+Pepper+Spray+_+djhdz&utm_term=Kimber

That is friggin awesome right there. If only the old girl still lived in the states, I'd 'import' a few (they're probably illegal here).

Bulk order?

Should've pulled the prick out the window, just grab his arm and hang on, when he's got a broken arm that'll learn him :D

....but half of his jaw is missing and he's totally blind, Oooops!

As far as I remember, he needed corrective surgery on his nose and jaw but is now living a normal (though wiser) life. Obviously you can't take too much pleasure in seeing a 14 yo in a car accident, but given that the cyclist was travelling pretty slowly, that's the impact he would have suffered if the car door had hit him as intended.

Load of tossers out there, some van occupant tried it with me before Christmas?
Had a run in with a Travis Perkins drive this morning, when I fronted him, he said I was in the middle of the road, yes, I was, I had passed another cyclist, then swerved to avoid a pot hole!
He then started to lurch forward aggressively and nearly took my under the wheels! Reported him
to the company for dangerous driving, got a call back the lot.

Alex, whats the reg of the fucker, or at least part reg, so I can look out (and avoid) this twunt

It was a grey transit van. I've checked the registration plate and it checks out.
It was the passenger leaning out of the window who grabbed me. He couldn't really get hold of me, I'm not even sure he was trying. He just took hold of me gave me a good shake and then they accelerated away. All of it took seconds. I was very shaken.
I know there's been a lot of talk upthread about catching up to the driver and doing them harm. In this situation they had a clear road ahead of them and plenty of time to get away.
I stopped, wrote the details down on the back of my hand and then rode up to the other cyclist. My hands were shaking so much I couldn't put my gloves back on at first.
I'll let you know if I hear anything more about this in the next few days.

clefty - avoid all transit vans.

I try clive but I'm sure they actively hunt me.

I have had quite a few cigarettes flicked at me from passing vans. I like to think that it was accidental as they maybe didn't realise I was there. Perhaps it's deliberate on occasion though

I have had quite a few cigarettes flicked at me from passing vans. I like to think that it was accidental as they maybe didn't realise I was there. Perhaps it's deliberate on occasion though

Happened to me this morning, bounced off my jacket up into (well nearly) my face. Pretty sure it was an accident though.

throwing fag ends out of cars is especially dangerous for 2 wheelers - it could go in a bikers helmet causing a crash.

I've had various bit thrown, puddles deliberately sped through, verbal abuse, intentionally dangerous driving. Almost all of them have been from nause up Enfield kids in souped up fiat puntos with plastic spoilers and halfords paintjobs.

In order to hopefully show i'm not a twunt when i'm driving my truck i hereby relinquish its details for those who would wish to report me/know who i am if i were to fuck up on the road.

Truck: Mitsubushi Canter - White arb spec model - Large white box on the back, toolbox between cab hi-vis yellow/red highway maintanence chevrons on the tailgate. reg XXXX 6MUW(nearly brand new)
Livery: 'Ashmore Arboricultural Services' logo of a tree with oranges. Livery is on all sides of the truck with 2 phone numbers, email and website.
Towing: Large orange 'Timberwolf 190DH' woodchipper. With the exhaust shoot not attached.
Other: Ladders strapped to roof
Based: Nr Highbury quadrant N5
Works: Islington, Highgate, Hamstead. Sometimes Hackney
If you see us around say hi, we're a lovely bunch!

The reason i'm doing this is so that i'm accountable. No-one else drives the truck other than me and i'd hate to think that if i were to piss someone off on here that i couldn't be contacted. I also don't want all vannists to be tarred with the same brush as some of us at least know the score on the roads. You also have to look at things from our perspective: we drive massive things around very tight roads and sometimes people can appear and suprise you(mostly peds not bikes)
That said i've had suicidal cyclists trying to ride between the back of my truck and front of the chipper. Darwin will sort them out.
Also, i've bollocked my crew for chucking fag ends out the window. It doesn't happen anymore. Otherwise they'll have to walk.

I Really hope this mug gets taken to court as its straight up assault, nothing less. Arm yourselves, ride defensively, do what ever you've got to do to stay safe. I'd never heard of this 'game' before and it sounds utterly deplorable to me.
Stay safe.

edmundo

Quality mate. I live in Canonbury and will wave if I see you.

I firmly believe that I am a better driver now that I cycle regularly as I take more care of cyclists. I also cycle more attentively to drivers' likely moves as I drive as well and have done for 33 years. All drivers should ride bikes and all cyclists should learn to drive.

+1

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-accessories/2009-kimber-pepperblaster-5838.52.1.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=Email+marketing+software&utm_content=217313719&utm_campaign=Introducing+Kimber+PepperBlaster+Pepper+Spray+_+djhdz&utm_term=Kimber

Ive got some mace & a stun gun, theres been so many times when I needed them but im scared to carry in case I get stop and searched which is so common these days with police & cyclists.

edmundro - people shouldn't be smoking whilst in the works van anyway.

Do appreciate you being upfront and also a good driver.