The Los Angeles Times: L.A. to study ways to protect bicyclists, considers ’bill of rights’
January 28, 2010 | 7:37 am
L.A. city officials are vowing to look at ways to protect bicyclists on city streets.
Cyclists have been demanding more attention from government around the country, saying they have the right to share the road with cars.
The bike rights campaign has been galvanized by the case of an L.A. doctor convicted a few weeks ago of purposely hitting bikers in Brentwood.
More people are turning to two wheels for commuting and recreation. Cyclists are asserting their rights as never before. In Los Angeles, advocates are pushing for more bike lanes and other road improvements, a cyclists’ bill of rights and more protection from police.
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted to study ways to protect cyclists.
“There are anti-harassment laws protecting us in the workplace, but cyclists don’t have the same protections when they are on the road,” said Aurisha Smolarski, communications director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, told the Daily Breeze. “Los Angeles has a chance to make sure we have the protections and the equal rights to use the roads.”
Among the ideas being consider: creating bike sharing lanes in certain areas, improving training for police and creating a cyclist “Bill of Rights.”
–Shelby Grad
