This week’s videos highlight the struggle between good and evil all cyclists struggle with every day on the mean streets of America.
The first has been making the rounds this week after it was posted then removed then re-posted and removed again on YouTube. Better watch it quick before it gets removed from Vimeo.
Bike Thief vs Street Justis from triple on Vimeo.
Apparently, the helmeted gentleman was a known bike thief in the NYC bike messenger community and these guys were exacting a little street justice when they caught him breaking a lock with tools. (Hey, I’m just surprised someone actually stopped him.) Now, we’ve all been there and few things feel as bad as when a bike you love gets stolen, but beating someone over an object steps over the line. Beating someone over denial of health care benefits because you have a pre-existing conditions, yes. A bike, no. I’d say video taping yourself assaulting another person ranks right up there with yelling “You lie!” at the President when he’s addressing a joint session of Congress in levels of stupidity. Of course, you can go a long way towards avoiding this temptation by locking your bike properly by following our guide or watching this great StreetFilms video.
Lest you think all cyclists have gone over to the dark side, rest assure there are those putting positive, if not slightly Freddish vibes into the universe. A Portland non-profit is putting together a series of videos to educate cyclist on good cycling etiquette. Here’s their first video on stopping to help cyclists with a mechanical.
I always check on a cyclist by the side of the road to make sure everything is OK. I’ve experienced some roadies who will do this for fellow roadies but not someone in a t-shirt and flip-flops. Let’s all pass it forward by avoiding the race face and helping out any cyclist in trouble. Be safe out there!
on Sep 11th, 2009 at 11:15 am
One of the beaters was the owner of the bike being stolen, it would seem — which would explain why the bike thief was stopped.
As for beating someone over the theft of an object, well, many will not agree. From what I see, it was a pretty mild beating. And certainly, if arrested and convicted of bike theft, the penalties will stay with him far longer than those of a few punches thrown his way (though this video might haunt him for a while too.) (And this all assumes that the police actually come and arrest the guy, and he’s actually convicted.)
On the other hand, it’s hard to claim self defense when the guy’s obviously trying to get away. And filming yourself hitting the guy seems to be a great way to set yourself up for assault and battery charges — especially when the video doesn’t record him trying to steal your bike (not that that would have made it legally OK, but it would help convince people that you’re not hassling some innocent guy.)
on Sep 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
I dunno. I think there are things to fight over, but a bicycle (or any object) is not one of them. Would have been better to corner the guy and hold him there until the police got there.
on Sep 11th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
That thief wouldn’t have got off so easy if I caught him trying to steal my bike. But then who knows what might have happened when the camera was turned off and pulled behind the building.
on Sep 14th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
I can’t really see filming myself beating some dude as a career move.
on Oct 13th, 2009 at 1:09 am
The guy deserved exactly what he got and more. Anybody who says he doesn’t deserve a kicking for stealing an object is a soft, wet sponge. OK he doesn’t deserve to have his life taken away but a good slap (which is all he got) can do him no harm. There’s only two things people understand in this life and that’s MONEY and PAIN.