OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) — There was a strong show of solidarity among cyclists in East Bay on Sunday, following a recent spate of targeted attacks. Bike advocates say some drivers intentionally try to hurt them on the streets. But the group refuses to be afraid.
“The more we are together, the stronger we are,” said Rollout Crew Bike Club member Truckie Evans.
East Bay cyclists rallied in solidarity on Sunday after some worrying attacks on cyclists. Lawyers say some of the crimes were captured on dashcam video, as cars attempt to run down cyclists on the street by opening their passenger doors.
“The why?’ question really torments me,” Ellie Mead said.
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Ellie Mead of Oakland went to hospital with bruises and a deep cut above her eye, after saying a driver ‘shut her down’ in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland on the 10th FEBRUARY. She thinks it was no accident.
“For me it was a silver car door opening and I’m on the ground, as they drove away I heard them laughing,” Mead said.
Defenders of the East Bay Bike Party club say about two dozen cyclists were targeted last week in Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville. Fourteen of them were hit and two were seriously injured.
“The fact that there are people intentionally hounding us for what they do is terrifying,” said cyclist Carter Lavin.
MORE: Video shows car intentionally ‘carrying’ Oakland cyclists in targeted attacks, group says
“It was very intentional. They came to our left, opened the door and hit me and the people in front of me,” said cyclist Rebecca Mirvish.
The Oakland Police Department said it was investigating one of the collisions and looking for witnesses.
Hundreds of cyclists showed their unity and strength on a group ride through Oakland.
“We’re going to come together and figure out how to hold everyone accountable,” Evans said.
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Proponents say the bike lanes offer no protection for cyclists on city streets. They say they need to be safer.
“For the city and the police, I see you creating these bike lanes, but where is the real bike safety,” Evans said.
For now, cyclists like Ellie just want to feel safe on the streets.
“I think it’s important for us cyclists, pedestrians or any of us who want to travel safely, it’s not the price to pay for riding a bike on a Friday night,” Mead said.
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