The story was posted to the forums last night. Here’s an excerpt:
the Sellwood Bridge.]
“My wife was attacked this evening*, on the Sellwood Bridge, during her evening commute from work, for riding her bicycle.
…she was on the sidewalk. The runners mostly stopped to let her and another rider by, but one hit her as she rolled by slowly. She responded to him and the guy ran up behind her and drug her off of the bike and… slapped her across the face, knocking her mirror into the river.”
Follow-up posts reveal that the victim has not reported the incident to the police.
This situation brings up three concerns:
- The Sellwood Bridge is in dire need of help (I know, it’s coming, but not soon enough).
- We must show consideration of others when sharing multi-use paths. Remember this discussion?
- We must report incidents like this to the police. Statistics can be very important for advocating around various issues.
Come on folks, let’s model good behavior for our motorized friends! Aren’t we supposed to be the happy, friendly ones?
====
*UPDATE: This quote initially included a reference that the attack was by someone from the Red Lizard Running Club. Since I can’t confirm that accusation, I have deleted the reference. Also, I’m more interested in the issues this incident highlights than blame of who did what.
Thanks for reading.
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I guess the idiots for the Red Dragon running club did not get to read my passing article.
Or at least one of them..
So, above, it says she responded, then was attacked.
Though being attacked is in no way called for, I would like to know what she said in her response?
It must have been pretty bad to make the man hit her…
And why has she not reported this to the police?
They could have picked him up immediately.
I ask these questions, so others may learn from them.
Seems to be a lot of holes in this story….Things we are not being told…
Dabby (and others),
Please notice my update above.
Also, I feel the second half of the post is the important thing to focus on.
I think the attack details are less important the the big picture issues this brings up.
I’ve been yelled at by a runner for riding my bike on the Sellwood Bridge sidewalk. I came up behind him, slowed down to his running pace, staying about 10 feet behind, until we reached the end of the bridge and the sidewalk widened a little.
He then moved off to the side and let me pass. But as I passed him, he yelled, “When are you cyclists going to start following the rules?”
[There are signs on the Sellwood Bridge saying that cyclists should walk their bikes across the sidewalks–not ride them. No cyclist I have ever known follows this rule; we all ride the Sellwood Bridge.]
It’s true that as cyclists we should respect pedestrians and runners and give them the right of way on narrow & potentially dangerous sidewalks like this one. Nevertheless, most pedestrians and runners on the Sellwood Bridge sidewalk are willing to step to the side for one or two seconds and let a polite cyclist pass. This seems to be an unspoken agreement among most Sellwood Bridge users; if you’re on a bike, it’s OK to pass pedestrians/ runners as long as you do it safely and carefully–and don’t just blow past people without any warning or slowing down.
I guess some runners really resent having their training run interrupted to let a cyclist ride thru, especially when everyone knows what the signs say.
Looking back on my situation, I feel I should have stopped and talked to the runner who yelled at me and said, “Look, friend: We’re both annoyed by this narrow-sidewalk situation, and we probably can agree that this bridge needs some serious upgrades, includeing wider sidewalks on both sides of the bridge like we have on the Hawthorne Bridge. But until that happens, can’t we all just get along and give each other some slack?”
But I didn’t think that fast, and I just kept pedaling, basically ignoring the guy’s complaint.
Obviously that Red Lizard runner who attacked the cylist is a total jerk, and the cyclist didn’t deserve to be physically attacked.
But I also think we need to be aware that our actions can sometimes cause unpleasant reactions among others.
We need to be careful how we treat others out there: (a) because other people deserve as much respect and consideration as we do, and (b) we’re pretty vulnerable on our bikes when others get angry at us.
So you delete the reference to the running club from a quote that is not your own. A quote from someone who is relating exactly what happened to them. The supposed reason being that you can not confirm it.. Can you confirm any of the story? Why not delete the whole thing?
You left the quote alone in the forum. You then post an “update” that includes the information you deleted…
Am I the only one that thinks this makes no sense at all? The name of the club is still right there for anyone to see.
You also state that- “I’m more interested in the issues this incident highlights than blame of who did what.”
So I am a member of, oh let’s say the KKK. I assault a black woman. Would you be more interested in the social issues leading to this assault, or finding the perpetrator and bringing them to justice?
Who cares about the “issues” this incident highlights? What are they? Does anyone know? You do not lay them out for examination or debate. I usually like your stuff, but this is sloppy, sloppy journalism.
We should care about the violent assault that took place and the individual that perpetrated it.
Perhaps we should have a series of town hall style meetings to examine the underlying issues of…… BLAH BLAH BLAH!
“[W]hat she said in her response […] must have been pretty bad to make the man hit her.”
Dabby,
First you cite to your own “article” as the definitive word on “passing,” then you blame the victim, then you call the assailant an “idiot.”
Your posts are the incoherent ramblings of a fevered ego tainting the collective unconscious of Bikeportland.
Erin,
Thanks for your input. I can tell you’re concerned with my reporting.
I did not mean to minimize the seriousness of the attack.
I wanted to write the story, however I didn’t feel it was right for me to promote the claim that the attack was by a certain group, when I had no way to confirm that fact.
As for the issues. I thought my bullet points laid those out. Here they are again.
-The Sellwood bridge is inadequate for bikes.
-We need to report these things to the cops.
-We need to use more care in sharing our paths.
And yes, I never edit forum posts (unless they’re blatantly harmful or inappropriate).
I hope this comment clarifies some things for you.
Let me know if you still have issues or concerns.
Anonymous said: “No cyclist I have ever known follows this rule; we all ride the Sellwood Bridge”
Um, because he/she signed “anonymous,” I have no idea whether that poster has ever known me, but I walk my bike on the Sellwood Bridge sidewalk. Given the width of the sidewalk, the drop-off to the road bed, and the lightpole bases butting out every few feet, I think it is unwise, dangerous, and inconsiderate of other users not to.
I also avoid using the Sellwood Bridge as a crossing point as much as possible because I hate walking my bike.
Jonathan,
I thought the issues raised in the article were clear. But I also thought the deletion from the quote unwarranted because (a) it was a potentially relevant fact for people riding over the Sellwood Bridge and (b) I think it incorrect to believe that every assertion appearing in a quote is promoted by you simply because you include it in a story.
The group running across the bridge at the time of the incident was the Red Lizard Running Club. Identified to her by a woman who claimed to be the coordinator of the evening run. She was struck by the individual as she passed him and she responded by calling him an asshole.
When she arrived home she was hurt, angry, confused, and shaking like a leaf. I wanted her to call and report it but she just wanted it all to go away.
I entered this incident into the Forum because she didn’t want to call the police but wanted someone to know what happened. There was a combination of things that contributed to this altercation that needed to be outed so others are aware. I’m sure it could have been easily avoided had better judgement ruled.
There is also a “bikes on roadway” sign, but I’ve never seen a cyclist actually ride on the roadway. Perhaps this is obvious, but the roadway is extremely unsafe for cyclists because there is no space to effectively move to the right for automobiles and the automobiles travel at high speeds.
But I bet that if cyclists actually started riding on the roadway, and autos had to wait behind them the few extra seconds it would take to get across the bridge, two things would result: (1) more cyclists would get attacked/harassed, and (2) the new bridge would get built faster and with the appropriate lanes for cyclists.
In my passionate lust to retort I passed over your bullet points.
That said, I am not sure any of your bullet points relate to this incident. The rider may have said something rude. She may have looked like the assaulters abusive step mom. Perhaps she ran over his foot.
Point being, you don’t know, I don’t know, so why even bring it up? How about putting the focus on what actually happened and punishing the individual at fault? Why the leap to it being some great societal injustice? Perhaps he was just having a bad day? The conjecture is limitless and pointless.
And to reiterate, you were never promoting the claim that a certain group perpetrated the event. The accuser is alleging that a certain group was present. There is no need or possibile way to confirm this. Hence the term alleged and in the context of a quote from the individual involved. No need or reason to censor or edit.
That being said, you posted the name of the group a few lines below the article! It makes absolutely no sense to me…
dennis,
I must say that I like to see people who do uncivilized things like attack other people get hit hard by the giant figurative hammer of the law. It’s one of the reasons that I became an attorney. Please encourage your wife to teach this guy the lesson that you can’t strike others who call you names. You’d have thought he learned that back in the second grade, but sometimes…
If she is unwilling to report the incident, I’m unwilling to feel much sympathy.
“Obviously that Red Lizard runner who attacked the cylist is a total jerk, and the cyclist didn’t deserve to be physically attacked.”
It doesn’t matter if she “deserved” it or not – assault is a crime.
I’d rather not speculate on motivations, but rather focus on *actions*. It really doesn’t matter if the runner was a “total jerk”, or just an average guy having a bad day. He can be a jerk all he wants, as long as he confines his method of expression to something *legal*. This guy didn’t do that, he committed a felony. It’s NOT ok to hit someone. It’s not okay to kick them, or beat the crap out of them, or whatever. It’s bad. It’s illegal. We as cyclists, citizens, humans – should call out that behavior when we see it.
You can’t legislate thought – nor should you. People have the right to believe whatever they want, even (especially) if we think it’s stupid. We can, however legislate behavior, and that’s what’s at issue here. I have a big problem with the fact that whatever group this guy belonged to, the other members apparently didn’t intervene in any way.
The reason the name of the running club was deleted from the story is because whomever was responsible wasn’t with the running club. Believe me, I’ve checked with them, and no one with the club was there at the time. The reason the Red Lizard Running Club was even mentioned in the original post is because several members of the club stopped to assist the woman after the incident.
So, the story is that a cyclist gets attacked by an unknown runner. Then a group of runners who identify themselves as members of a running club come along, stop to help her, offer to walk her home, etc., and automatically the unknown runner is assumed to be part of the same group? Sounds like the Red Lizards are guilty by association – no good deed goes unpunished, eh?
I’ve run and biked across the Sellwood countless times. I’ve even run across the bridge many times with the Red Lizards. They may be a running and multi-sport club, but a good number of the members are bike commuters. I can assure you that no one in that group is capable of assaulting someone, especially someone who is just trying to get home after a long day at the office…
Attorneousssblahblahblah,
I referred to my own article yes, but in no way did I ever call it the definitive word on passing. I simply referred to it.
You might want to reread my comment. then reread it again.
You have made that up.
My opinions are just that.
MY OPINIONS.
Do not put words into my mouth!
Also, I asked what the victim said to him because we need to take all parts of an incident like this into reference.
I never put the blame on the victim, I mentioned it must have been something said that is fairly bad for her to be attacked.
Also, I called him an idiot.
Any man who ever hits a woman is an IDIOT! Actually, much worse than an idiot, but I chose that simple word.
This is not allowed, ever, in my book!
If I had seen this, I would have thrown him into the river, after he recieved the same slap he gave her.
No matter what she said to him, in no way is that allowed…
i ride on the bridge. that sidewalk is dangerous.
when i’m going up, i ride next to the rail, when i’m close to the speed of traffic, i take the lane, and cars wait, or pass completely in the oncoming lane.
ps- no one has yelled at me
While I am sure the Red Lizards did not condone or encourage the “attack”, I do know from my experience as a formerly competitive runner in this town that there are quite a few jerks in that club.
Younger competitive male runners seem to think of themselves as an oppressed class of people and are generally rather short tempered. They hate walkers because they are slow. They hate slow runners because they lack talent. They hate cyclists and triathletes because we are rich yuppies with expensive toys that lack the ability to run. Want a taste of what they are like? Go check out a site called http://www.letsrun.com. Frightening!
Dennis seems to have confirmed that the offender was a Red Lizard. The Lizard’s website says that they did have a training run at Oaks Bottom last night too.
This incident shouldn’t taint the Lizards, but then then also shouldn’t tolerate this behavior by any one of their members.
And not that punching a girl — or anyone — is ever OK, and while I can’t imagine an acceptable explanation for all this, but we’ve only heard one side of the story.
And by the way,
On the Sellwood bridge, the only safe place to ride your bike is on the roadway.
This is where I ride.
Hey Dabby.
Any person who hits another person is an idiot.
Stop being so sexist.
Dabby,
If you didn’t mean to imply that your article was the definitive word on passing or that the victim was to blame, then I guess you’re just a poor writer.
Sorry, Jonathan, I’m with Erin.
There’s a danger in “reporting” alleged behavior as reported third hand. You probably could had left this as a forum post.
I really feel you failed to do your due dilegence and tried to pass along an unsubstantiated story as “news”.
What proof do you have, beyond the forum post, that any of this happened? What makes any of this rise above hearsay or gossip?
If indeed something did happen and it is not connected to the group that has been named in your reporting (both before and after your ‘edit’), what is your liability to this group?
I feel that if you want to report, you should, to coin a phrase, follow some of the basic journalistic rules of the road.
I also feel this was sloppy reporting at best and rumormongering to further an agenda at worst.
Oh, and if I may, dudes, if there’s a sign that says walk your bike, walk your freaking bike. Blatantly disrgarding traffic directives just makes bikes more vulnerable to critisism.
_DA
I’m not blaming someone who is clearly a victim here, and I know this will elicit groans, but the other option is to ride the Sellwood Bridge as cyclists are supposed to: in the vehicle lane (as the signs on the approaches to the bridge suggest).
Why don’t many cyclists take the lane on the Sellwood Bridge? Because motorists get pissed at you and it seems like a deathwish. In fact, it’s kind of like being a pedestrian on that narrow sidewalk with bikes whizzing past.
Really Dabby as I re-read your last post it is quite ridiculous.
You want to assault a man because he assaulted a woman. You are advocating an eye for an eye, by returning the slap. Then a punitive assault by throwing him over the river.
Why not just call the police and have him arrested? Why the rush to be judge and jury yourself?
Because it was a woman being attacked and you are her big macho saviour? As a female and a feminist, I find your tone and words to be laughable.
As well as childish to the extreme. We do not need your rooster like strutting thank you very much. Equality. Learn it, love it, live it.
What makes this even more revolting, is the fact that it was a physical assault/retalliation on a woman by a man. If this is an accurate portrayal of the event, I would hope the other runners present would feel a bit sickened by what they were a witness to, and maybe take some internal action of their own. Or at the very least, on their clubs behalf. Like, take away some miles from his frequent runners log.
A. O. said,
“There is also a “bikes on roadway” sign, but I’ve never seen a cyclist actually ride on the roadway.”
Me again – I have ridden my bike on that roadway a few times headed east, just to test how awful it might be. I rode like hell and I prayed the whole time. That said, when I did so I was treated with extreme courtesy by the cars behind me. Of course, because I was riding like hell and because traffic over that bridge is always so clogged, I was usually going as fast as they were anyway 🙂
And thanks for the “idiot” comment. That really added a fresh perspective to the issue that I hadn’t considered. Very enlightening.
The Red Lizard club’s President just posted this to their forum:
“A woman claims to have been assaulted by a member of our club last night on the Sellwood Bridge. A couple club members did stop to assist her soon after the incident, but sadly, the alleged attack is being linked to the club. Since the club has been named in the bike forums, I wanted to make this statement in a public forum:
– we have no reason at this time to suspect a club member was involved
– we will happily cooperate with any investigation (if there is one)
– if a club member was involved and found liable, appropriate action will be taken
– any inquiries or feedback should be directed to Torrey: torrey@redlizardrunning.com”
I’d like to commend them for reacting so quickly, and hope that if anything comes of this that they follow through on it.
Here’s an “indefensible position”: I think perhaps it was a mistake for a pair of cylists to attempt to ride through a group of runners on a group run on that sidewalk.
Here’s an analogy: Suppose you were a car driver and you drove up beind a large group of cyclists in front of you on a narrow road with not much shoulder. Would you say to yourself: “I’m going faster than these guys. I have just as much right to the road as they do. I’m going to drive right through this group and out the other side, and they are just going to have to get the hell out of my way.”
Well, that’s basically what the two cyclists did when they tried to pass through a group of runners on the Sellwood Bridge sidewalk. The cyclists felt that since they were going faster, they had the right to ride through a slower group of runners in front of them, even though that sidewalk is narrrow and potentially dangerous if you get bumped off the sidewalk into the car lanes.
It’s not surprising that at least one of the runners got alarmed and annoyed by that behavior.
I’m not saying we should “blame the victim” for the attack. I’m just saying that for us cyclists to better understand this situation and why it happened, we also need to look at it from the other person’s point of view.
PS to Cecil: I didn’t mean to post anonymously; in my haste I just forgot to fill in my name, and you’re right: I don’t think we’ve met.
As for walking your bike on the Sellwood Bridge sidewalk, you seem to be the exception to the rule. I ride across that bridge 3-4 times a week, and virtually all of the other cyclists I encounter on the bridge ride their bikes across it, too.
Runner, pedestrian, or another cyclist, assault is assault.
I have run with the Lizards on many occassion and have been met with respect and courtesy.
I don’t want to see any comments condemning the Red Lizards as all jerks otherwise we get no where trying to share resources that we all fight for like traffic calming, paths, lanes and pedestrian safety measures.
If we get into this shouting match, then any group that I regularly socialize with will have jerks…PUMP, Shift, OBRA, Red Lizards, PWTC.
I’m sharing the road. What are you doing?
-Tomas
True Erin,
Anyone who hits anyone is an idiot.
Here a man hit a woman.
That was all I was referencing.
Chivalry is not dead. I was raised well, by loving parents.
I am not in the slightest bit sexist, by the way.
In fact, I am as far from that as is possible.
I cannot believe you would even type that.
You obviously do not know me in the slightest.
And Attor…
It would be pompous for me to believe that my article is the definitive word on passing.
I wrote my perspective on an issue.
It is up to the reader to decide whether it would be the definitive word.
Judging from the comments I recieved, this may just be the case.
But, as a poor writer (literally, you had that right, no one pays me to write anything), I know that you cannot please all of the people, all of the time.
You appear to be one of those people.
DK
Now you are at it too! Why is it more revolting that it was a man against a woman?
All violence is revolting. Tall people against short. Lesbian against lesbian. One legged christian fundamentalists against hermaphroditic paratroopers. The act is the problem, not the type of hoo-haa that the aggressor has.
All violence has the issue of power discrepancy. Two equals rarely assault one another due to the whole mutually assured distruction thing.
Violence is the problem, not the gender of whomever is involved.
…and Dabby, “the incoherent ramblings of a fevered ego tainting the collective unconscious of Bikeportland” has a really nice ring to it. I think you should thank A_O and run with it.
Ride your bike on the road, or walk your bike on the sidewalk. That’s the rule, period, not just on the Sellwood Bridge.
As for an assault, it probably should’ve been reported, but as she was riding on the sidewalk, she might be cited as well. It’s like a drug dealer calling the cops because he’s been robbed. You know, but less so.
Anyway. The Sellwood Bridge is stressful. Cars don’t like it because it’s too narrow. Bikers don’t like it because you’re either walking your steed or hammering like hell so you don’t get run over, and pedestrians/runners don’t like the fact that they’re on the bottom rung.
People must chill.
Attornatus_Oregonensis:
I’ve ridden across the bridge in the traffic lane. Not comfortable for sure, but easier for me than riding or walking on that sidewalk.
Dabby, you may not be sexist but your words certainly are.
You are back pedalling now. Your original post clearly shows that you feel it is worse for a man to assault a woman than another man.
That is a sexist point of view.
Just as bad for a large man to assault a smaller man. Happens all the time, though no moral outrage.
Sexist way of thinking. Think about it instead of being so quick to try and defend your fragile ego.
If women are more in need of protecting due to simply being women, how are we equal?
I am done with these stupid comments.
I am being attacked by a self proclaimed feminist, for having high qualities instilled in me by my loving mother.
I am being attacked by a “attorney”, for not proclaiming my own writing to be the definitive word.
I have nothing more to say.
Argue amongst yourselves.
OK, enough of the war mongering. This was a simple mistake by two people who though they were right. It doesn’t condone either. Let’s all try to do something people seem not able to do and let it go, learn from others mistakes, and not let it happen again.
You know, the level of venom in some of these posts is just ridiculous. Take a freakin chill pill, get the chip off of your shoulder, pick your battles with a bit more discretion, and prove yourself to be more eager to build alliances than make enemies.
Frick and Frack! Sheesh.
Here is my 2 cents:
I don’t frequent the Sellwood Bridge but I have crossed many times over the years.
I have walked my bike as the sign says; this not only takes a LONG time but when walking a bike you occupy twice the space either a pedestrian or cyclist would occupy. It makes little sense.
I have ridden on the sidewalk. Though because this is not suggested in the official signage I do two things – pull over and stop for oncoming traffic and slow to the speed of the same-way traffic. This works but often elicits abusive comments from pedestrians/joggers.
I have ridden the roadway. This ultimately is how I prefer to cross the Sellwood Bridge. I do not dawdle and I do not address the cars that may honk. The automibile/truck traffic speed has not normally been that much faster on the occasions I have crossed.
As for the offense, regardless of her response, it should be reported. Witnesses should have have assisted as well. Ultimately, it is a lousy crossing for the amount and types of traffic that occurs there and it is every users responsibility to act accordingly until the improvements are made.
I think this kind of behavior by an adult is shameful, heck I wouldn’t tolerate a child behaving this way. It doesn’t matter if the violence is Runner on Cyclist, Driver on pedestrian, or Tri-cyclist on Pogo-stick rider. Violence is unacceptable, period!
I think there are too many people ready to prove they are in the “right” in situations like this. Sometimes it’s easy to lose perspective.
I feel sad for the person who was assaulted, but I feel worse for the person who felt it was justified to SLAP another simply because they wanted to cross a bridge.
This is worse than middle school…..
Stick to the issue. An act of violence against another human being. That is all.
(I just hope I don’t get flamed by a middle school-er now……)
I am a biker and runner and have run across the sellwood bridge many times with no problems. If I am going downhill I have no problem moving off to the side for a second while a biker passes. However if I am going uphill and the biker is going downhill I expect the biker to stop for me. This has always happened in my experience. I have never had a biker pass me from behind but as I run I look over my shoulder a few times to stay aware of any bikers coming up from behind. I have seen several bikers just on the road instead of trying to ride on that narrow walkway. The bridge definitely sucks to run or bike across but when you have to do it just a little common courtesy goes a long way.
There was a very interesting article by Daniel Goleman in the NY Times the other day about the psychological and neurological aspects of flaming in on-line discussion forums, and why many (if not most) folks find it all too easy to communicate certain ideas via e-mail that they would never in a million years say to someone’s face. Today’s thread makes me want to go back and read it again 🙂
And Carl,
You may just be on to something there…
Should someone else proclaim me to be something Dabby?
Did your mother instill all these nasty words and attitudes in you as well? I bet she would be real proud of you slapping someone and throwing them over a bridge. Insulting others, way to go son! My mom would think you are an “idiot” to use your words.
I thought you were done here?
Dennis?
Dennis?
How is dragging someone from their bike and slapping them a mistake? And a simple mistake no less?
Ooops sorry my bad! Didn’t mean to slap you upside the head… Just a simple mistake, you understand!
Sheesh.
Can’t we all just sit in a circle on the rug and drink our juice boxes?
This sucks, and is the sort of thing that happens when we try to make do with substandard, unsafe facilities.
When I cross the Sellwood, I take the lane.
While I definitely hurry and feel some pressure, I find that it’s usually ok. It’s pretty much defined by one person — the driver of the car behind me. If that driver gives me plenty of space, doesn’t honk, etc. I find that the crossing isn’t so bad. If, on the other hand, the driver tailgates me or tries to pass, I feel completely threatened.
The BTA’s surveys of regional cyclists affirmed that fixing the Sellwood Bridge is the single most frequently mentioned project on people’s wish lists.
We’re going to be bringing it up with Congressional people when we go to DC in March, and continue to check in with electeds at all levels. I suggest you do the same, as it will take all our resources to fund a fix (Multnomah County, Clackamas County, Metro, City, state legislature, congress).
discussion officially disintegrated.
(nice juice box comment though, that cracked me up, uh-huh.)