The first thing that came to mind in reading the account, was that somehow, if possible, the bikers should have broken away from the driver, realizing he was a dangerous nut. Playing high speed tag with a lunatic is risky business.
One thing that I noticed in California was that pedesrians get the right of way and cagers were very conscientious in giving up the right of way. This was instituted in the 50s as far as I am aware Why can't bikers get the same consideration? We are just as vunerable.