The Chainlink

First-of-its-kind Cyclist Anti-harassment Becomes Law in Los Angeles

The story

 

I would like to see this in Chicago.

 

The law basically admits that police aren't enforcing the laws that protect cyclists; so cyclists now have the facility to enforce them themselves with civil suits.

 

How can we get the ball rolling on this?

Views: 259

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

You can probably do most of that stuff anyway, it's just hard to prove anything that "almost" happened or verbal threats w/out a witness.

I've been contemplating an on bike camera.  No this stuff doesn't happen to me often.

 

I think passing a law like this would send the right message to drivers.  

 

The message many drivers understand now: the authorities don't care about cyclists; drivers, have at 'em.

This already exists in Illinois, effective January 1, 2011. 

http://lawyerjimfreeman.com/blog/2010/07/13/illinois-anti-bicycle-h...

Correct me if I'm wrong but it doesn't look like the Illinois law has the civil component that's in the LA law. If I'm reading correctly, the LA law allows a cyclist to sue in civil court. The DA or LAPD can still file criminal charges above and beyond the civil case. The Illinois law allows only for criminal charges. 

 

So the LA law allows a cyclist to hold the motorist accountable even if the authorities decline to write a ticket or file criminal charges. 

Steven Vance said:

This already exists in Illinois, effective January 1, 2011. 

http://lawyerjimfreeman.com/blog/2010/07/13/illinois-anti-bicycle-h...

I see that as the most important component and the reason for bringing this up.

 

It caught my eye after an encounter I had on Monday (more frustrating than anything)

Link to the thread

 

If I had had a helmet camera (which I've been contemplating) and this LA Law (no pun) existed here in Chicago; I could have possibly punished the driver in my encounter financially.



Rich S said:

 

So the LA law allows a cyclist to hold the motorist accountable even if the authorities decline to write a ticket or file criminal charges. 

Steven Vance said:

This already exists in Illinois, effective January 1, 2011. 

http://lawyerjimfreeman.com/blog/2010/07/13/illinois-anti-bicycle-h...

RSS

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service