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THE HOSPITAL. 51-YEAR-OLD JAMES THOMPSON APPEARED IN COURT MONDAY, FACING A FELONY ASSAULT CHARGE. THE CRIMINAL CASE COMES AFTER POLICE SAY THOMPSON HAD AN ANGRY EXCHANGE WITH A BICYCLIST AND SPED IN FRONT OF HIM, THEN OPENED HIS DOOR, WHICH INJURED THE BICYCLIST. >> THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE, WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR ROADS, IN AND OUT OF TOWN, KELLOGG AND RIVERSIDE IS ONE OF THE MAIN WAYS. YOU CAN’T GET ON THE PARKWAY.YOU -- THE PARKWAY. YOU ARE LIMITED ON WHAT YOU CAN RIDE, EAST, WEST IN AND OUT OF TOWN. ALEXIS: THE BIKE RIDER WS TREATED FOR SERIOUS INJURIES AT THE HOSPITAL BUT HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED. ATTORNEY STEVE MAGAS SAYS HE SEES THESE CASES OFTEN. >> THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT CYCLISTS ARE AFRAID OF. ONE IS JUST CARELESS THE OTHER TYPE IS THE CRIMINAL AGGRESSIVE, INTIMIDATING DRIVER THAT IS MAD. ALEXIS: IN COURT, THE JUDGE DELAYED THOMPSON’S CASE UNTIL HE HAD MORE INFORMATION ON THE VICTIM. THE JUDGE SET BOND AT $10,000. >> DRIVERS, DON’T GET MAD. PEOPLE ARE RIDING THEIR BIKES AND HAVE A RIGHT TO RIDE THEIR BIKES. ALEXIS: MAGAS SAYS DRIVERS AND BICYCLISTS BOTH HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE >> THERE ARE STRATEGIES YOU CAN DO AS A CYCLIST TO MAKE YOUR SELF CONSPICUOUS, BE PREDICATABLE, FOLLOW THE LAW, DON’T DO STUPID STUFF. ALEXIS: THOMPSON’S NEXT COURT DATE

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A driver appeared in court Monday, charged in a road rage incident that left a bicyclist seriously hurt along Kellogg Avenue.James Thompson, 51, faces a felonious assault charge.The charge comes after police say Thompson sped in front of a bicyclist on Saturday then opened his door, causing the bicyclist to hit the door and fall to the ground. The bike rider was sent to the hospital with serious injuries.He was released.Attorney Steve Magas says he sees these cases often."There is a lot of people, when you are looking for roads, in and out of town, Kellogg and Riverside is one of the main ways. You can't get on the parkway. You are limited on what you can ride, east, west in and out of town," Magas said. "There are two types of people that cyclists are afraid of. One is just careless…The other type, is the criminal, aggressive intimidating driver that is made that you are out there or who is mad that you did something or you wouldn't get out of their way and now they are going to teach you a lesson."In court. the judge recalled Thompson's case until he had more information on the victim.Thompson's bond was set at $10,000"Drivers, don't get mad. People are riding their bikes and have a right to ride their bikes. We have a history in Ohio that dates back to 1880s," Magas said.Magas says drivers and bicyclists have a responsibility to keep each other safe."There are strategies you can do as a cyclist to make your self conspicuous, be predictable, follow the law, don't do stupid stuff," Magas said.Thompson will appear in court again on July 23.Meanwhile, bicyclists are fuming because police said this was no accident."We see aggressive driving, but not a whole lot. Most people are really decent," bicyclist Dan Pressler said.You can find Pressler, like many bicyclists, riding along the Ohio River Trail near Kellogg Avenue.It's a popular route, especially on nice days.But Cincinnati police arrested James Thompson, 51, after they said he used his vehicle to hurt a bicyclist on Kellogg Avenue near Wilmer on Saturday at about 12 p.m.Officers said the man on his bicycle passed Thompson, then Thompson passed the bicyclist.Investigators said the bicyclist "showed his finger" and then Thompson stopped his car and opened his door, causing the bicyclist to hit the door.Police said the bicyclist fell and was seriously hurt, requiring hospitalization.Attorney Steve Magas specializes in laws relating to bicyclists."There's two things. There's things where people are careless, dumb, stupid, they do, you know, they're not paying attention and something happens. Then, there's people who are mean, aggressive, they're mad," Magas said.He said there's an enhanced effort to educate people about bicyclists and the law.Magas also said many bike riders are now using cameras to protect themselves."It just makes me more cautious. It makes me more want to keep my eyes and ears open and try to share the road and use common sense when I can," Pressler said.