Range Rover / motorcycle group altercation (NY State)

[Billy Thunder]

Crazy chase and assault after mishap on the interstate.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201193274928183

[fast1]

   Guys like that give guys like us a bad name!!

[Dennis]

I read most of the comments on the video on the link.  All critical of the motorcyclists.   I did not want to post any response on their webpage, but I was reflecting that both sides could easily be blamed.  The video captures what happened fairly well, but not completely; the motorcyclist, after appearing to have words with the Range Rover, brakes hard in front of the Range Rover which obviously hits him.  A few moments later you see the Range Rover accelerating over the crashed motorcycle and making a run for it.  You do not see what happens after the bike crashes and before the Range Rover bolts, but the caption says "According to police, the bikers started to damage the vehicle after the driver accidentally hit a motorcyclist."  You cannot actually see them damaging the Range Rover, but assume he was at least intimidated and fearful.  With that perspective the motorcyclists look like a bunch of hooligans who, as some comments suggested, would have been shot if this occurred in Texas.

Now imagine if the video started with just the Range Rover driving over the crashed bike and making a run for it.  The perception changes.  The driver of the Range Rover looks like a complete jerk.   If I was on one of the bikes, and I only saw that part, I would probably have been in the group chasing the Range Rover down (although I wouldn't have started smashing his window out with my helmet).   You don't run from a traffic mishap by crashing through a group of motorcycles, disregarding the lives, limbs and property of brethren motorcyclist. 

I wonder if this video is posted elsewhere with comments that the Range Rover driver deserved what he got, or if the reaction is universally all negative towards the motorcyclists.   Its hard to imagine that the video was originally posted by a participant who thought "Boy we were a bunch of jerks."  More likely, it was originally posted as "Look what this jerk cage driver did and he got owned."

What I think is most scary is the mob mentality that happened.  There is no way all those riders saw what happened, but they sure took up the vigilante cause in a hurry.

No wonder the middle east is in flames.

Peace & Grease, Dennis

[Billy Thunder]

Update - http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/03/bikers-suv-chase-videotape-new-york-motorcyclists/2915111/

[Qball]

I agree with Denis on the fact we dont know what actually happened but..... Crashing over and through the bikes and people?  I see as a pretty big admission of guilt.  If the "gang" of bikers were beating on the vehicle and threatining him prior to the incident, the man is likely justified for speeding away and trying to protect his family.  If on the other hand the guy was being a jerk then hit the motorcyclist I would probably side with the motorcyclists.
If I were out riding with the club, which would apear to many as a "gang".  And some one were to hit another member of the club.  I would hope the entire group riding would stop.  Now assuming (I hope correctly) that the two parties (cyclist and SUV driver) were having a non violent confrentation and the driver sped off, crushing one of my fellow club members.  I would likely give chase also.  Since the driver was fleeing the scene of a now serious accident (at this point is on purpose, not accident)  I would likely smash is side window and remove him from his vehicle until authorities showed up.  At this point he would likely fight back and due to adrenaline would likely get roughed up.

I am not saying that violence is the correct source of action.  All I am stating is that I can deffinitely see how this could have gone down.  Maybe I too judge people by the way they look and vehicles they drive.  Which is hypocritical, especially seeings as a biker I have fought stereotypes for so many years.  No matter what actually happened in this case, I am glad it has opened our dialouge and has us thinking and talking about this.  I hope that other groups are also giving this case some thought.  I am proud to have you all as biker brotheren! The well thought out and reasoned discussions that we often have show the complexity and diversity in the club.  We are more than our steads and all of you are the reason that the PGVMC is a fantastic club.

[PeggySue]

I wonder what made this driver 'out for an anniversary drive' think that just clipping a motorcycle didn't count as a collision... which I believe you're supposed to stop for. Leaving the scene of an accident, and then RUNNING OVER another person with a child in the vehicle doesn't seem like very responsible behaviour to me. But then, seeing the video showing some pretty sketchy 'pack riding', I am wondering if the SUV was trying to split the pack and overtake traffic, or if the bikes were passing the SUV, riding the center lines and such, not giving him room to maneuver. Still, I feel we aren't getting, nor will we get, the whole story from this ensuing media circus. There's always a spin involved... it will be interesting to see how this pans out, and if any other witnesses come forward, providing  independent information on what led up to this tragedy.

[Billy Thunder]

This reportedly happened as a group of organized motorcyclists were traveling to an unauthorized stunting event, with the intent to display in Times Square. Clearly, the motorcyclist tries to slow, or stop the SUV, then the initial contact occurs. First reports indicated the motorcyclists tried to stop the SUV for 'calling the cops' about their antics. Also, the video shows angry riders surrounding the SUV. Reports say they were aggressive, pounding on the vehicle, causing the SUV driver to fear for his and his family's safety, which resulted in the driver bolting. Unfortunately a rider who had gone in to assist the downed motorcyclist was run over at that point. He was seriously injured. The chase begins there.
 

[fast1]

  Hmmmm... lets see-50 to 1 odds---I probably would have done the same thing. As a father your number one priority is protecting your family. Probably would have encouraged them instead of calling the cops though. This video is ALL over the web and makes us  look bad. Joe citizen is not likely to differentiate between young guys on sport bikes and old dudes on clunkers. CHEERS.

[Billy Thunder]

Some of the things that can be learned from this:
 1. Don't try to stop a larger vehicle with a motorcycle.
 2. If a mishap occurs while riding in a pack, understand that other drivers may or will be intimidated if surrounded by a 'bike gang'.

 I believe the fellow who smashed the window is one of those arrested. The SUV driver has not been charged... the authorities must have agreed the threat of violence was real enough to warrant the flight of the SUV. I'm SURE you would not have to be in Texas for a shooting to have occurred when the SUV window was broken. If the police decided the flight (even running over someone) was warranted, then the subsequent efforts to defend oneself would also have been justified.

 3. Don't approach a driver with threats or gestures that could be considered violent. Even in Canada it could be fatal.

 Anything I may have missed? Please discuss...

[Billy Thunder]

  At least five off duty police officers were riding with the motorcyclists at the time of the incident.
 As a side note; NYPD officers are required to carry a sidearm when off duty.
  http://weaselzippers.us/2013/10/04/report-5-off-duty-new-york-city-police-officers-among-bikers-in-suv-beating/

 Here is clips from last years "block party" - caution explicit language for those who are sensitive to such. (No wonder there was a conflict with motorists - something was bound to happen at this rate).  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=holywood+stuntz+gang&docid=4727828165035561&mid=333654480A254F597D64333654480A254F597D64&view=detail&FORM=VIRE2#view=detail&mid=333654480A254F597D64333654480A254F597D64

[fast1]

  I went to my friend Kenny's funeral today. Died on his birthday so he was exactly 54. For the record it was a wet shitty, cold ride. He would have done it in a heart beat. "Crazy Kenny" used to ride his B.S.A. chopper all year. Remember seeing him riding to the Mac hotel in January. Anyone who has lived here a long time probably saw his red and white panhead parked behind the "Bus" in all kinds of weather. It caused me to reflect on the crazy shit shit we used to do. I won't tell any stories on the grounds it may incriminate me and others, although there was that time Newf got second in the wet T-shirt contest. Even though we would have been considered hard core bikers then in all our old school fun and frivolity we never did stupid shit like that. Makes we wonder what the hell is going on in this world. PEACE and CHEERS.

[madmac74]

 Thats REALLY Impressive