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 near a fast‑food spot on 44th Street SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. The woman was just getting out of her car after work and waiting to enter a one‑way street when Bonn approached 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 entire confrontation 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 supplied them with the video.

Kent County prosecutors charged Bonn with a hate crime and misdemeanor assault. A judge in January found him guilty after a brief bench trial. At his sentencing on February 18, the judge gave him two years of probation and noted that he could finish early after half that time. He will not serve additional jail time for the hate crime.

Bonn’s lawyer stated he has no prior criminal record and has been attending counseling since the event. She described his behavior as “very out of character” and noted he feels remorseful. He thanked his lawyers and family in court but did not apologize directly to the victim, who 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 underscores the importance of recording incidents and reporting them to authorities—an outcome that may encourage others to stand up against hateful actions in public spaces.