On June 2nd, at approximately 7:00 PM, Portland cyclist Vivek Jeevan found himself in a startling and terrifying situation while participating in the Bike Summer festival.
As part of a group of around 30 cyclists enjoying the festivities, the incident occurred when Jeevan and another rider were situated towards the back of the pack, moving north on Northeast 7th Avenue, nearing the intersection at NE Holladay.
While riding, the group was approached by two aggressive drivers, one of whom intentionally collided with Jeevan, shocking him and leaving him traumatized.
Days after the incident, Jeevan reported that he struggled to return to cycling, grappling with the fear stemming from the encounter.
A dedicated cycling advocate, Jeevan serves as the bicycle education coordinator for BikeLoud PDX and is a certified bike riding instructor, providing private lessons and bicycle education through his business, Portland Bicycle School.
In light of the impact of this experience, Jeevan documented his account, shedding light on the disturbing nature of the incident.
He described the atmosphere leading up to the physical confrontation, noting how spirits were high as the event was part of the second day of Pedalpalooza, following the previous night’s Kickoff Ride.
Just minutes into the ride, while maintaining pace with Lynn, a friend he was riding alongside, they began to feel the pressure of the gathering momentum as the ride progressed at an unusually fast speed.
As the group stretched out, Jeevan moved into the bike lane behind Lynn as the first aggressive driver passed them, temporarily increasing his concern as the driver revved his engine aggressively near fellow cyclists ahead.
Conversing with Lynn, who was falling behind, he suggested they quit the ride and promised to find a safer spot to get off the road at the next intersection.
However, just moments later, a second aggressive driver approached, honking and yelling comments laced with hostility towards cyclists.
“Get out of the way, you bicyclists think you own the road!” he yelled as they neared the intersection at Holladay Street.
With only seconds to react, Jeevan was preoccupied with ensuring Lynn’s safety and planning their exit onto the sidewalk.
He thought for a moment about ignoring the angry driver, reasoning they would be able to clear the intersection imminently amid the usual chaos of Portland’s streets.
Despite his attempt to remain calm, the situation escalated when the second driver suddenly lurched forward, deliberately striking Jeevan.
The crash was immediate and intense, causing the vehicle’s side mirror to collapse against Jeevan’s shoulder.
In the aftermath, they reached the traffic light at 7th and Holladay, where the driver, rather than stopping, chose to run the red light, prompting Jeevan to pursue him while yelling for assistance.
“Hit and run!” he cried out, determined to document the incident and get help.
The driver parked at a nearby spot, at which point Jeevan called 911 to report the collision.
As the driver emerged from his vehicle, Jeevan described him as volatile and agitated, making accusations and waving his arms.
Fortunately, a nearby security guard intervened, positioning himself between the two following the driver’s aggressive outburst.
Jeevan noted that the driver’s appearance suggested possible substance abuse issues, characterized by erratic behavior and incoherent statements.
“Why did you call 911? You’re making a big deal out of nothing!” the driver yelled as he attempted to justify his behavior.
The completed 911 call prompted the arrival of two officers mere minutes later.
One officer stood back quietly while Officer Kyle Williams took charge of the situation.
He separated the two parties and methodically interviewed them one at a time, initially asking Jeevan for his identification and then inquiring about the details of the incident.
When Jeevan explained that he was part of a larger cycling group and had momentarily moved into the traffic lane out of necessity, Officer Williams appeared satisfied, at least for a moment.
However, the dynamic shifted dramatically when he assigned blame, stating that the mere presence of Jeevan in the car lane had caused the incident, revealing a troubling bias against cyclists.
“You caused this because you were in the car lane,” Officer Williams stated, referencing a law that Jeevan is passionate about and has actively worked to amend.
Incredibly, the law that Williams cited does allow cyclists to leave the bike lane under certain circumstances, and Jeevan felt his knowledge about traffic safety was dismissed by the officer.
Feeling constrained to convey his experience succinctly under pressure, Jeevan managed to assert, “I’m a traffic instructor. I teach traffic skills, and I know my rights,” hoping to clarify the details of the law.
But his protest went unacknowledged, brushed aside without consideration.
Williams absorbed the driver’s frantic narrative next, with Jeevan overhearing him instruct the driver to calm down amidst continued yelling.
Upon concluding both interviews, Officer Williams dictated the outcome: he would not hold the driver accountable but rather treated both parties as equally at fault.
Jeevan felt a sense of disbelief wash over him as he was handed his ID along with Williams’ business card, feeling as though his credibility had been undermined.
“There’s nothing criminal that happened,” the officer concluded, implying that the incident had been a miscommunication rather than an act of aggression.
Frustrated and feeling marginalized, Jeevan left the scene, noticing pain in his leg, perhaps resulting from the impact or the stress of the altercation.
Engaging the support of a lawyer, Jeevan is now deliberating over his next steps in seeking legal recourse following the incident.
This encounter sheds light on the broader issues surrounding cyclist safety in Portland and raises critical questions about how law enforcement officials address instances of vehicular violence.
Jeevan, known for his cautious biking and advocacy work, represents the appalling reality many Portlanders face when riding in a city that struggles with aggressive drivers.
The incident highlights the inadequacies within the system, emphasizing the need for a cultural shift around cycling in Portland—not just regarding infrastructure but also how authorities respond to violence against cyclists.
As reported, this situation is a frustrating example of the challenges faced by cycling advocates and enthusiasts, resonating with the larger community of cyclists who fear for their safety on the road.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the urgency needed to foster a pro-cycling culture that takes such incidents seriously and proves to cyclists that their safety matters.
Jeevan’s hope is that sharing his experience will inspire change and help build awareness about the risks cyclists face while navigating the dynamic streets of Portland.
He expresses gratitude for having the opportunity to share his story and looks forward to rejoining the cycling community in the near future, despite the trauma he’s endured.
image source from：https://bikeportland.org/2025/06/17/portland-man-hit-intentionally-by-driver-on-pedalpalooza-ride-shares-his-story-395016
