Cyclist assaulted, injured by driver
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
Taylor said he plans to take legal actions as soon as police find the suspect.
"I am pressing charges because that was really uncalled for," he said. "We have to go pick him out of a photo lineup and then see what happens."
Once the suspect is selected from the photo lineup, campus police can assist Taylor in prosecuting him, said Bruce Harber, director of police services at The U of M.
"We've got to get the guy identified and get a warrant," he said. "We gather all the information, and then the judge has to read the warrant and make sure a crime has been committed."
The assault was not the first case of animosity toward cyclists on campus.
Scott Wilson, senior finance major at The U of M, said he relies on his bicycle to get to and from campus - sometimes a dangerous ride.
"I've had people throw bottles at me on Southern Avenue while leaving school," he said. "I almost caught one and threw it back at them once."
Wilson said motorists are oblivious to bikers' rights on the road because they don't understand the laws and think bicyclists should be on the sidewalks.
"People in this city don't understand that bikers have every right to be in the street," he said. "That's why we get lights to put on our bikes, so people will know we're there."
While some students expressed frustration with Memphis drivers, others said the cyclists were a nuisance.
Jasmine Hines, Egyptian archaeology major, said bikers riding in the street slow her down and make her late for class.
"They need to stay off the road and ride on the sidewalk," she said. "It's really annoying."
Keitra Jones, sophomore communications major who is employed in police services, said she dislikes having to slow down for bicyclists and wishes they would stay off the street for their own safety.
"It gets annoying when you're trying to go to class, and you can't run them over," she said. "You can't pass them if there's somebody in the other lane. It's terrible."
"I am pressing charges because that was really uncalled for," he said. "We have to go pick him out of a photo lineup and then see what happens."
Once the suspect is selected from the photo lineup, campus police can assist Taylor in prosecuting him, said Bruce Harber, director of police services at The U of M.
"We've got to get the guy identified and get a warrant," he said. "We gather all the information, and then the judge has to read the warrant and make sure a crime has been committed."
The assault was not the first case of animosity toward cyclists on campus.
Scott Wilson, senior finance major at The U of M, said he relies on his bicycle to get to and from campus - sometimes a dangerous ride.
"I've had people throw bottles at me on Southern Avenue while leaving school," he said. "I almost caught one and threw it back at them once."
Wilson said motorists are oblivious to bikers' rights on the road because they don't understand the laws and think bicyclists should be on the sidewalks.
"People in this city don't understand that bikers have every right to be in the street," he said. "That's why we get lights to put on our bikes, so people will know we're there."
While some students expressed frustration with Memphis drivers, others said the cyclists were a nuisance.
Jasmine Hines, Egyptian archaeology major, said bikers riding in the street slow her down and make her late for class.
"They need to stay off the road and ride on the sidewalk," she said. "It's really annoying."
Keitra Jones, sophomore communications major who is employed in police services, said she dislikes having to slow down for bicyclists and wishes they would stay off the street for their own safety.
"It gets annoying when you're trying to go to class, and you can't run them over," she said. "You can't pass them if there's somebody in the other lane. It's terrible."