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?

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Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on September 28, 2011 at 5:57am
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.
Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on September 28, 2011 at 9:24am

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.

Permalink Reply by Steven Vance on September 28, 2011 at 6:56pm

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

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

Permalink Reply by Rich S on September 29, 2011 at 7:09am

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...

Permalink Reply by Scotto 6.8 on September 29, 2011 at 7:23am

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...

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