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Cyclist Attacked After Telling Driver To Get Out of Bike Lane (VIDEO)

By Evan F. Moore | March 3, 2016 3:24pm
 Colton Sodt (l.) was attacked by a motorist after telling him to stay out of the bike lane.
Colton Sodt (l.) was attacked by a motorist after telling him to stay out of the bike lane.
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Facebook/Colton Sodt

AUSTIN— Colton Sodt was riding his bike on Madison Street in Austin when he reminded a man in an SUV next to him about the rules of the road. 

"I said, 'you’re in the bike lane, bro,'" Sodt, 19, said. "Next thing I know, we're both yelling at each other. A few blocks up the street, he gets out of his car and starts hitting me." 

Sodt, of suburban Oak Park, said he was on his way to get his hair cut on Feb. 25 in the West Loop when the assault occurred. The incident was captured on his GoPro camera: 

"I didn't think he heard me," Sodt said. "He tried to run me off of the road."

In the video, Sodt is heard saying "I dare you to f--- with me," to a man in a white Infiniti SUV who speeds after the cyclist. The driver then gets out of the vehicle and charges at Sodt. 

Police confirmed that a cyclist was attacked at Madison Street and Lavergne Avenue, but said no arrests have been made in the incident. 

Sodt refused medical attention, but posted photos of his injuries on Facebook after the attack. He said his back was injured, but otherwise he's doing fine. 

Colton Sodt was attacked by a motorist after telling him to stay out of the bike lane. 

"There's not enough done to protect cyclists," Sodt said. "We often get the short end of the stick. The laws aren't enforced."

Sodt, who is studying criminal justice at Concordia University, told DNAinfo Chicago he wanted to become a Chicago Police officer. He said an incident like this makes him want to become a police officer even more. 

"With all the hate that's going on, I want to change people's perceptions about the police," Sodt said. "I want people to know that not all cops are bad."

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