Video shows fight between driver and cyclist in Vancouver

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      On Monday (January 27), I blogged and reported on an apparent road-rage incident involving a cyclist, a driver, and a bike lane in Vancouver. Bike courier Edward Hoey told the Georgia Straight that he went to the hospital on Friday (January 24) with a sprained shoulder, cuts, and ripped pants after getting into a violent altercation with a driver on Dunsmuir Street. Police said there is "insufficient evidence" for charges against either man.

      Now, a video has emerged showing the conclusion of the incident. Posted by Vancity Buzz, the YouTube clip depicts the driver parking his car in the bike lane and getting out. The driver repeatedly accuses Hoey of stealing his property (the cyclist had tossed some papers out of the car). "Give me my fucking shit back, fuck-face," he shouts.

      That's when things get violent. Hoey yells at the driver to "Stop it" as he is roughly taken down. Three men rush in and break up the fight.

      Watch the video for yourself:

      Update (12:28 p.m.): Hoey called the Straight today (January 28) to clarify that the two-way radio seen in the video is his—and not the driver's, as some online commenters have assumed.

      Comments

      67 Comments

      TS

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:07am

      Utterly insane. That the assailant was allowed to walk free, much less not even be charged, is a major embarrassment for the city and its police. If you think this is justified in any way, ask yourself what you think a society is.

      Anti-Spin

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:12am

      So it looks like the Straight was lied too. Edward Hoey did not tell the truth and misrepresented the events. It is obvious that the driver clearly requested Mr. Hoey to return his belongings and Hoey chose not to. I'm tired of the media spinning cyclists and drivers against each other. There needs to be accountability and I hope Mr. Hoey enjoys his 15 minutes of fame and as far as I'm concerned I will never use his services nor that of his friends for any business as he and his associates are proven liars.

      Steve Newton

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:22am

      looks to me like the enraged driver tried to run the guy's legs over at the beginning of the video!

      Bike thief

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:39am

      They biker stole from the driver. Driver had every right to use physical force to retrieve it. Video clearly shows the biker was in the wrong.

      just sayin'

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:47am

      not all drivers are like this.

      Steve Newton

      Jan 28, 2014 at 10:50am

      I like when the driver says "Now I got your fuckin' radio, dick!" But my favourite part is when he complains: "Get your fuckin' chokehold off me." Doesn't look like much of a chokehold. More like a hug from behind.

      Four wheels good

      Jan 28, 2014 at 11:05am

      You can see the driver's property strewn all over the sidewalk. No matter what may have ensued before the fight, the cyclist is clearly in the wrong. So many cyclists act like immature brats on our streets, scoffing at road rules and making it more dangerous for drivers. Grow up and get a life! It is not all about your bike.

      Bruce

      Jan 28, 2014 at 11:10am

      @"anti-spin"

      Are we watching the same video? Where does it show the cyclist was holding any "belongings" of the driver's? Or are you simply taking the word of the driver?

      Rhetoric

      Jan 28, 2014 at 11:22am

      Take away: there are justifiable reasons to use your car as a weapon. I should review the Drive Smart guide. Must've missed it.

      Sky

      Jan 28, 2014 at 11:22am

      The biker is a COURIER. If he has the guy's papers it means he was asked to pick them up. They can't just hand back papers randomly without proper documentation.

      Maybe if people learned to communicate properly instead of using physical force they would actually get somewhere.