Bike Rumble Turns Hate Crime: A Quick Look at the Case

A man named Travis Bonn was caught on video using a hateful slur against a Black woman while riding his bike. The incident happened near a fast‑food spot on 44th Street SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The woman was just getting out of her car after work and was waiting to enter a one‑way street. She saw Bonn approaching with an air horn, shouting at her and calling her a racist slur. He even slapped her while the horn blared close to her phone. The woman recorded the whole thing on her phone. The clip shows Bonn saying, “let’s f—‑— go” and then calling her a “stupid n—‑—. ” He added that cops have a problem with Black people. After the confrontation, he rode away quickly. She later reported the incident to Wyoming police and gave them the video.Kent County prosecutors charged Bonn with a hate crime and misdemeanor assault. A judge in January found him guilty after a short bench trial. At his sentencing on February 18, the judge gave him two years of probation and said he could finish early after half that time. He will not serve more jail time for the hate crime. Bonn’s lawyer said he has no prior criminal record and has been going to counseling since the event. She called his behavior “very out of character” and said he feels remorseful. He thanked his lawyers and family in court but did not apologize directly to the victim. The woman was not present at sentencing and did not give an impact statement. The case highlights how a single moment can lead to serious legal consequences, especially when hate is involved. It also shows the importance of recording incidents and reporting them to authorities. The outcome may encourage others to stand up against hateful actions in public spaces.