The altercation began when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) driven by motorist Alexian Lien came in contact with a group of motorcyclists in Lower Manhattan.[12] Lien, 33, is a Chinese American banker. His wife and two-year-old daughter were also in the vehicle heading to New Jersey to celebrate the couple's anniversary.[13] According to Lien, he dialed 911 after he saw several motorcycles run a red light and nearly hit a woman carrying a baby, but reached a New Jersey operator.[12] He said the bikers were "popping wheelies" and slapping the tops of cars as they drove past and one motorcyclist was maneuvering to block other vehicles to allow the bikes to pass. Lien said he was "annoyed" and kept driving past. Following the incident, authorities familiar with motorcycle groups around New York stated that it was a common practice for these groups to "take over the entire highway for the purpose of slowing it down to allow [other bikers] to race in front of them" to perform tricks and be free of other traffic
