Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Bicycle harassment ordinance passes unanimously

From the Missourian

COLUMBIA — A bicyclist harassment ordinance passed unanimously at the City Council meeting Monday after nearly an hour and a half of debate.

The ordinance makes harassment of bicyclists — including throwing objects, verbal assault and other offenses — a misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or one year of jail time, the council said.

After the lengthy testimony from citizens and discussion by the council, the ordinance passed with plans to amend it at the July 20 City Council meeting. At that time, the ordinance will be expanded to include other types of pedestrian traffic.

The delay in a decision was due to debate over who should be covered under the harassment ordinance. Some council members felt the ordinance should be more broad and encompass other types of pedestrian traffic, while others thought protecting bicyclists was important now and the rest could be added later.

Many in the bicycling community showed up to voice their feelings about the ordinance. Twenty individuals, some with children in tow, lined up to wait for their turn at the microphone. All 20 supported the ordinance.


Read more here

10 comments:

clintpatty said...

awesome!
we need to get this here

Bello Velo said...

agreed!!!! I wonder what the stats are for drivers who have been ticketed by police for harassing cyclists as opposed to cyclist being ticketed or harassed by police? maybe a useless LCI could tell me:)

the milkman said...

Two things.
1 - Yeah this is great, about time, we need it here, why not? Whathaveyou.

2 - I think here in Alabama at this moment in time, anyone hit with a fine that large or spending a year in the clink for harassing a cyclist will spend every waking hour of his/her remaining life wanting to kill every cyclist he/she see's.

I don't know, it's just a thought. Probably paranoid and overblown.

Do I have a point?

clintpatty said...

They don't hate their Camaro after getting a $700 reckless driving ticket in it.

Bello Velo said...

Contact your council person. this will never make the table if you don't ask for it.

I contacted Bill Kling and Mark Russell.

1 person is a crackpot 10 is a movement. Stop talking and start typing.


Post your updates here and let us know.

the milkman said...

“If you’ve ever been in a subcompact car and had a semi get on your back bumper and blow the horn, that’s what it was like,” ordinance supporter Steve Epstein said of being tailed by frustrated motorists.

This is a good way of putting it. A way that everyone on our council will understand.

I want to propose 6-12 months of COMMUNITY SERVICE in addition to a $250.-$1,000. fine and avoid sending people to jail for harassment. This is from someone who HAS BEEN harassed. I just don't want to help validate how the city has already wasted tax dollars and abet the current Huntsville default proxy handle "jail-city".

I'm willing to protest under these conditions, or something similar. I think this will be a more effective punishment for those who coat my shoulders with burrito's.

clintpatty said...

yay fine or community service option for first offense, then both for a 2nd and license revoked for a 3rd

the milkman said...

That sounds good. Perhaps imposing jail time for a 3rd offense in addition to revoking the license? That seems altogether reasonable.

Unknown said...

hmm glad I got people talking

Peter said...

Hey, did any of you read the comments from Andrea Ratkovic on this article and then look at the reports about her injuries? Very sad story.