Police: Cyclist attacked driver

PORTLAND, Ore., July 10 (UPI) -- Police in Portland, Ore., have arrested a bicyclist accused of attacking a motorist who lectured the bike rider about failing to obey traffic signals.

Colin Yates, 47, who described himself as a 30-year bike advocate, said he was driving with his wife and two teenage children in the family's green Subaru Legacy when he saw a bicyclist ride straight through a stoplight, The (Portland) Oregonian reported Thursday.

Yates said he opened his window and lectured the bicyclist about obeying traffic signals, leading the "irritated and aggravated" cyclist to challenge him to a physical confrontation and attack the car with his bicycle.

The cyclist, identified as Steven McAtee, 31, then struck Yates several times with the bike after the motorist exited his car, police said. Yates said a passerby floored McAtee with a single punch and confusion ensued that police described as a symptom of the cultural clash between cyclists and motorists in the city.

Police said they received conflicting reports from witnesses, many of them also cyclists, who said Yates was the first to take the confrontation to the physical level. However, witnesses to the entire scene eventually came forward and McAtee, who was found to be drunk at the time of the conflict, was charged with third-degree assault, criminal mischief, driving under the influence of intoxicants and disorderly conduct