They got him.
Police arrested the spandex-clad bike rider who assaulted a group of teens on a Maryland bike path.
The victims were putting up posters calling for the prosecution of killer cops when the man ripped them out of their hands, then rammed his bike into the young man filming it.
Anthony Brennan III faces three counts of second-degree assault after police searched his home and found what appeared to be the clothes he was allegedly wearing during the attack.
He was turned in by people in his own neighborhood, despite hiding his helmet under his porch and stashing his bike several blocks away in an attempt to hide his involvement.
Needless to say, he apologized profusely for his “abhorrent” behavior, saying he was “sick with remorse for the pain and fear” he caused.
But only after he was caught, of course.
And to top off his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, Brennan was fired from his job with a Pleasanton CA creative marketing job following his arrest.
Unfortunately, however, online efforts to identify the suspect led to at least three people being falsely accused, with threats against people who had nothing to do with the incident.
Something we saw here following the infamous Mandeville Canyon brake check, when online sleuths quickly posted the home address and phone number for Dr. Christopher Thompson, who was ultimately convicted for the assault.
Except it was the wrong Dr. Christopher Thompson, leading to threats against an innocent man.
Which should be a reminder to all of us to avoid pointing the finger without proof. And without being absolutely certain it’s the right person.
And don’t threaten anyone, even if you have the right person.
Just don’t.
Today’s photo from comes from David Drexler, who says that’s what the upscale Rapha bike store looks like following last week’s looting, noting the restaurant next door was firebombed.
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Police have arrested a hit-and-run bike rider who fled the scene after a head-on collision with two other riders on a San Jose bike path, which killed one of the two victims.
It’s the second fatal crash San Jose bike path crash in as many weeks.
It’s also yet another reminder that people on bicycles have the same obligation to stop after a crash as someone in a car.
And just like with a driver, what might not have been a crime becomes one the moment you leave without exchanging information.
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The fight for racial justice took to two wheels on Sunday, as hundreds of people turned out on bicycles for a ride through Leimert Park.
https://twitter.com/bRuc14/status/1269457396344033291
The LA Times offers a video report from the scene.
Then again, that wasn’t the only ride calling for justice in South LA on Sunday, with the Compton Cowboys taking their steeds to the streets.
And no, that’s not a bike club. Or a metaphor.
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The good news, there are no cars parked in this DTLA protected bike lane.
The bad news…
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This is who we share the roads with, protest edition.
A Seattle mother was shocked to be arrested for driving off after just “tapping” a group of bike cops with her car at a protest, injuring one officer; it probably didn’t help that she posted video of herself screaming “fuck the police” before the incident.
Then there’s the guy who smashed into a barricade on a Seattle street, and came out of his car swinging a gun around. Update: He did more than brandish his gun; he apparently shot a 27-year old man.
A New York driver forced his way through a group of bike-riding pedestrians, injuring one person.
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New York police arrested a criminal intent on committing mayhem at a Bronx protest.
Or maybe just a bike mechanic.
https://twitter.com/ShaneDPhillips/status/1269078212249653248
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Learn how to elevate black voices this Wednesday.
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The war on cars is a myth, but the war on bikes goes on.
A Florida man faces charges for hurling racial slurs at a black bike rider, then threatening him with a socket wrench and a hockey stick.
But sometimes, it’s the people on two wheels behaving badly.
An Eastvale bike rider faces an attempted murder charge after pulling out a gun out of a purse and shooting at a fleeing motorist, following an argument between them; no explanation of why he was riding with a purse.
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Local
Crosstown takes a look at the dramatic drop in LA traffic that made our streets a veritable paradise for bike riders and pedestrians, and the gradual uptick that’s making our streets more dangerous. You’ll also find your humble host quoted there, but you’ll have to read it to see what I said.
Jennifer Love Hewitt is sort of one of us, buying a Peloton to learn how to ride a bike without fear of falling off after a bad experience as a kid; she also has an adult tricycle, or maybe a bicycle with training wheels. Or both.
State
Roughly 1,000 people turned out for San Francisco’s Critical Mass ride Friday evening to honor George Floyd and call for police reform.
Sad news from Stockton, where a 54-year old bike riders was murdered by a hit-and-run driver.
The news was just as bad from Sonoma, as a man was killed when his racing bike was knocked off the road by a hit-and-run driver.
National
Fuji Bicycles has responded to the protests by suspending sales of police bikes in the US, after police brandished bicycles as shields, weapons and crowd control devices. Meanwhile, Trek is taking heat for failing to take similar action.
Gear Patrol offers tips on how to buy a used bicycle online.
Maybe you should cut back on the long-distance riding if you’re trying to get pregnant; a new study shows high levels of exercise can result in miscarriages in early pregnancy.
A new study shows aerobic exercise — like bicycling — is your best bet for avoiding dementia.
Bike shops have had to adapt on the fly to a new way of doing business during the pandemic, even as demand for bikes has gone through the roof.
Kindhearted police and firefighters in Kansas City, Kansas surprised a nine-year old boy with a new bicycle after his was destroyed when an out of control driver plowed into his bedroom. Probably didn’t do his bedroom much good, either.
Over 700 Michigan bike riders turned out to support victims of police brutality.
A Massachusetts website recommends bikes and accessories for all kinds of riders. But hardly the “best,” despite the headline.
A Niagara Falls man lost his bike when he tried to stop a man from pissing on the sidewalk, and the other man pulled a knife on him and stole his bicycle.
The NYPD has been even more out of control than usual this past week, including arresting a bicycle delivery rider for violating the city’s curfew, even though delivery riders are considered essential workers and he was making deliveries at the time.
Yes, Spike Lee really is one of us, joining in on an NYC protest on his bike.
A New Jersey letter writer say put your damn mask on, already.
A bike rider was killed in Pennsylvania when a speeding, unlicensed driver blew through two stop signs and slammed into him.
A Charleston SC bike shop owner struggled to save a stash of vintage 1970s bicycles from looters and arson, even as they emptied out his retail storefront.
International
Former UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva is one of us, crediting his bike helmet with saving his life when he was hit by a driver while riding his bike; it was his second serious bike crash in four years.
No bias here. A Toronto car columnist says leaders should stop paying attention to what he alleges is the small bike lobby, and pay more attention to the “huge” car crowd. Which is the best way to ensure that traffic congestion, smog and climate change will keep getting worse.
Our neighbors to the north get it. Canada is installing bike lanes across the country on an urgent basis to accommodate commuters afraid to take public transit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A British fashion site recommends the best bikes, whether you’re commuting, running errands or exercising. And want to look good doing it.
Tragic news from the UK, where two men are likely to face a murder charge for beating another man to death on a public street, after an argument over a bicycle.
Bikes are really booming in Great Britain, where bicycle use shot up 300% during the coronavirus lockdown. Which may be why most Londoners support making the city’s temporary bike lanes permanent.
Lisbon, Portugal has unveiled a three million euro plan — the equivalent of $3.39 million — to increase bicycling, including nearly doubling the amount of bike paths over the next year, and offering incentives up to $564 to buy a bicycle.
Bicyclists are heroes in Kyrgyzstan, delivering desperately needed insulin to to diabetic patients in the country’s capital.
They get it. A New Delhi TV station says getting more people on bicycles can prevent a post-coronavirus lockdown traffic congestion crisis.
A single bicycle has helped four generations of a single Indian family get around for the past 70 years.
A Philippine city will now require bikes to be registered before they can be ridden, and will strongly recommend liability insurance.
Avanti has recalled their Corso and Giro models in Australia due to defective seat clamp bolts; no word on whether that recall extends to models sold in the US.
Competitive Cycling
If all those protests have inspired you to support greater diversity in cycling, you can start with a fundraiser for LA’s elite Legion of Los Angeles cycling team, which was founded by US track, road and crit champ Justin Williams to bring more people of color into the sport; the crowdfunding campaign has already topped the $50,000 goal, raising more than $52,000 in just two days.
Speaking of Williams, he has some suggestions on how to rethink cycling kits to make it easier for fans to follow their favorite teams and riders.
Finally…
Don’t throw your bike at horses, police or otherwise. Then again, don’t throw your bike, period.
And here’s your chance to own Peter Sagan’s papal bike.
Or better yet, just buy it for me.
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Be safe, and stay healthy. And wear a mask, already.
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