Comment over bike light ignites attack

The Capital Times  —  12/02/2008 12:29 pm

A bicyclist who became irate at another bicyclist for saying he should get a light on his bike followed the man home, grabbed him by the head, twisted him to the ground and then kneed him in the ribs before pedaling away, police said.

The alleged battery took place last Wednesday at about 6:30 p.m. on South Shore Drive along the Monona Bay shoreline.

Madison police said the 51-year-old victim complained of head and rib pain but was not transported to a hospital.

The incident started when the victim was riding his bike and someone came up from behind, also on a bike.

"The person notified him he would be passing on the left," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. "The victim moved over, and a man and woman passed him, with the victim saying 'get a light.'"

The male biker apparently asked the victim what he said, and he repeated himself.

"The two yelled loudly at the victim to mind his own business, and he said the male even tried to run him off the road," DeSpain said.

The two apparently followed the victim to his house near Lakeside Street.

"The conversation continued about lights," DeSpain said. "The female told the victim he seemed to have plenty of lights and asked for one, so the victim handed one over and didn't feel threatened."

The male biker had other ideas.

"He was still upset over the original comment about getting a light, so he proceeded to clamp his hands around the victim's head, twisting him to the ground and kneeing him in the ribs," DeSpain said. "The last he saw of the two they were pedaling down South Shore Drive."

The male suspect was described as 6' tall, wearing a dark-colored jacket and riding a Trek Time Trial bike with front-style handlebars, while the female bicyclist was 5'4" tall, riding an Orbea Road bicycle, orange in color at the front.

The Capital Times  —  12/02/2008 12:29 pm