Anti-Harassement Ordinance @ T-Committee Meeting
Thread started by
aurisha at 01.25.10 - 1:23 pm
Come out this Wednesday at 10am to the LA City Council Transportation Committee meeting where they will continue to discuss the anti-harassment ordinance.
When: Wednesday, January 27, 2009 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street, Room 1010
Los Angeles , CA 90012
The anti-harassment ordinance will be on the City Council agenda this coming Wednesday. This ordinance would prohibit and hold motorists accountable for the harassment of bicyclists in the City of Los Angeles.
Please go to LACBC blog to read the latest update from the Safety Committee Meeting where the anti-harassment ordinance was last discussed.
http://lacbc.wordpress.com/2010/01/13/anti-harassment-ordinance-held-up-in-public-safety-committee/
It is important that City Council hear from YOU, the cyclists and cyclist supporters.
See you all there!
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Damn, I would totally go to this if I could.
Those who can, GO!!!!
Joe Borfo01.25.10 - 2:07 pm
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Correction! This will be at the City Council Meeting at 10:00 am!
When: Wednesday, January 27, 2009 10:00 am
Where: Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street, Room 1010
Los Angeles , CA 90012
Testify for the need for this ordinance and bring in your personal stories!!
aurisha01.25.10 - 2:44 pm
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City Council Meeting will be held in ROOM #340
aurisha01.25.10 - 2:50 pm
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I am fully in favor of this kind of ordinance being passed into law, but I'm curious as to how it could be effectively enforced. It would be a shame to have the ordinance passed and see it make no difference on the street.
outerspace responding to a
comment by aurisha
01.25.10 - 2:53 pm
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Baby steps. Having such an ordinance will say volumes about the city's efforts towards becoming more bike friendly. It will effect the way people treat cyclists after time from stories in the media. Stories will emerge about car vs. cyclist confrontations and how the cyclists are now winning because of these new laws that WE have influenced the city to pass. Let's get on this.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by outerspace
01.25.10 - 3:02 pm
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When: Wednesday, January 27, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Where: Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring Street, Room ROOM 340
Los Angeles , CA 90012
Roadblock01.25.10 - 4:46 pm
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Right now it according to the CVC it is illegal to honk at an animal drawn carriage.
It is however not illegal to honk, annoy, harass, threaten, or yell at a cyclist.
this would not be my first legislative priority but i do think it's an important step towards making the streets safer.
I think we should definitely ask them about how such an ordinance can be effectively enforced. That is important too, as we have seen with the currently weak-ass hit and run laws.
I think passing this ordinance is an important first step. If it gets passed it will be interesting to see if it can be enforced.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by outerspace
01.25.10 - 6:44 pm
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I really wish I could go to this meeting. I think that more than anything this ordinance will show people that the city is starting to take this problem seriously. It will, unfortunately, be very difficult to enforce, but just the fact that it will be on the books says a lot. I think the best thing the city could do is use this as an opportunity to start a serious public service campaign to educate people about this law and the rights of cyclists. They do it for seatbelts, drunk drivers, construction zones, and everything else. There's no reason that this can't be done for cycling. I remember seeing a few bike safety things on buses a while back but they were pretty weak. This needs to be in the CA driver's handbook and also taught in driver's education.
Velocipede01.25.10 - 8:15 pm
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I have spent some time thinking about enforcement. I'm certain the ordinance could be enforced, but the only ones who can enforce any law are law officers. Unfortunately, an officer would have to satisfy all of the following criteria:
- knows the law
- witnesses an incident
- is not biased
- can be bothered with this right now
But I think the law could be useful anyway. If this ordinance (is an ordinance the same as law?) is passed, it will force the police to at least take reports on such incidents, right? Records can be accumulated for later use if the same vehicle is identified in further incidents.
outerspace01.25.10 - 10:17 pm
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There are very very important reasons for going
to this meeting.
First, we need to show Rosendahl's colleagues that when he does something for cyclists he will be supported. Rosendahl, I truly believe, is on our side. He's very open minded and he's doing things behind the scenes to help.
Second. Even if this ordinance can't be enforced it doesn't matter, it is a message more than it is a law. It will get some news headlines an it will get out into the public.
So let's get down there Ridazz. Do what you can to be seen. We need this. We need it all.
We've got the attention of the media, the LAPD and the city council. Things are looking up in 2010.
Roadblock01.26.10 - 8:49 am
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im going because im tired of being afraid to ride my bike.
tortuga_veloce01.26.10 - 9:17 am
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if i kick this cold, i'll be there.
this will be awesome.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by tortuga_veloce
01.26.10 - 10:22 am
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I'm working on getting out of work for this.
Dress up and work on your 2 minute speeches.
Have it come from a citizen's point of view, not just a cyclist's.
Joe Borfo01.26.10 - 1:33 pm
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Wake up, write that speech and get on down there!
mr rollers01.27.10 - 8:32 am
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I got a lengthy write up from this morning. http://la.streetsblog.org/2010/01/27/bookmark-this-link-updates-on-anti-harassment-law-and-speed-limits-at-this-link/
daymen01.27.10 - 12:02 pm
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Thanks for the report. I wasn't able to make it down there this morning, but I sent an e-mail in support of the ordinance to my Councilmember (Garcetti).
mr rollers responding to a
comment by daymen
01.27.10 - 12:20 pm
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Racked by giult for having to miss the meeting i penned the following note to my council member:
Councilmember Labonge,
I am writing you about the Anti-Harassment ordinance that was
discussed today at City Council.
I would have like to have been there to offer a first hand account as
a community member, but unfortunately I was unable to attend.
I have been living in District 4 for 10 years and for the last 4
years I have increasingly used a bicycle to transport myself to work,
shopping errands, and social engagements.
I have been amazed how much it has improved my experience of living
in the city. For instance, running errands, and visiting businesses
in Los Feliz Village is MUCH easier without having to worry about
dealing with very scarce parking around there.
Unfortunately, In the short time i have been a regular cyclist I have
experienced countless incidents of harassment.
I have been passed aggressively, been honked at, shouted at, cursed
at, threatened, had things thrown at me, and been forced off the road.
Every single cyclist I know had had these experiences in direct
proportion to how far and how often they ride a bike.
Much of this aggression is due frustration; caused by planning and
infrastructure that has simply failed to take the co-existence of
bikes and cars in to consideration.
However, I have also had plenty of experiences of harassment while
using bike lanes and posted bike routes.
I believe that passing an anti-harassment ordinance is one small step
toward making the road a less dangerous and less hostile environment
for cyclists.
I like how our city its shaping up with the increased use of bicycles
over the past few years.
But it can't be up to cyclists alone. We need the support of our
local government to help continue to make LA more sustainable.
Ignorant, rude, aggressive, and dangerous drivers, keep people off of
their bikes, and push many cyclists to ride on the sidewalk, where
statistically, it is much more dangerous to ride. Many drivers act the
way they do because they believe a bicycle has no place on a city
street. With your help we can change that.
Thanks for taking the time to look into this issue.
I hope we can count on your support toward making Los Angeles greener
and more sustainable by making it safer and more friendly for
cyclists on the road.
best,
- Patrick Miller
5409 Russell Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
trickmilla responding to a
comment by daymen
01.27.10 - 12:25 pm
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Good letter, Patrick. Since we're sharing here's mine:
My name is Stephen Roullier; I live in Echo Park. I get around Los Angeles in a variety of ways: I ride a bike, I walk, I use public transportation, I drive a car.
One of my simple personal goals every year is to put more miles on my bike than on my car. At the risk of sounding self-righteous, I’d like to think that my doing so makes Los Angeles just a slightly better place.
When I tell people that I ride a bike, their common and predictable reaction is, “Isn’t that dangerous?”
The danger they perceive has very little to do with things like potholes or other inanimate objects – it has to do everything to do with the behavior of human beings at the controls of potentially deadly weapons that exhibit blindness, ignorance, indifference or outright hostility to the users of any other form of transportation, including the bicycle.
Like most of my fellow cyclists, I have suffered at the hands of distracted and angry motorists. Yet I continue to ride a bicycle – because it works, I believe in it and I enjoy it.
While the proposed ordinance won’t make Los Angeles a utopia overnight, it does send a clear message that re-enforces the legitimate rights of cyclists as fellow users of our roads and is a step in the right direction. I urge you to support it.
mr rollers responding to a
comment by trickmilla
01.27.10 - 12:35 pm
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From daymen's article -
Rosendahl wrapped up the discussion with a crowd pleasing closing statement. "The culture of the car is going to end now! The purpose of this ordinance is to protect cyclists in a way that they haven't been protected before. The LAPD hasn't been part of the solution, but sometimes has been part of the problem. We're going to pass an ordinance that isn't going to be challenged and protects cyclists."
Joe Borfo01.27.10 - 12:44 pm
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I think this is important. It will make a difference if this passes.
Why ignore it's importance? Makes no sense to me.
Joe Borfo01.27.10 - 1:54 pm
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One of the next steps is to gather input from cyclists in order that the Ordinance can be as comprehensive as possible. Rosendahl has asked LACBC to help gather all types of harassment from motorists that cyclists and pedestrians face on a daily basis. Please email me even the most minor types of harassment.
We will be collecting all of your input and passing it onto LADOT, Rosendahl, the City Attorneys Office and all other parties involved.
Email input to: aurisha@la-bike.org
This is exciting and thank you all for helping make this happen!
aurisha01.27.10 - 2:05 pm
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I think we need to see what the actual ordinance looks like before we either celebrate or write it off. The process outlined by Rosendahl was impressive. Two years ago, when I first started Streetsblog, it was unthinkable that a member of the City Council would place the blame for the bad relationship between LAPD and a cyclist at the feet of the police but both Rosendahl and Reyes did today. I think Garcetti was actually annoyed that he was outflanked on the left.
daymen01.27.10 - 2:28 pm
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I am fond of making these red city hall guest pass sticker dealies into spoke cards. Especially for occasions like today's. The real kind.
tivu01.27.10 - 2:57 pm
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You are right Daymen, it has not happened yet, but i is finally moving forward with much support from some of our City Coucilmembers, which is a big step.
aurisha responding to a
comment by daymen
01.27.10 - 3:47 pm
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It's the kind of momentum we need. Think inertia. We need to keep this moving forward.
Garcetti is promising for Sharrows in the spring... Is this only for his district?
How can we get Mowery fired?
And how can we get Labonge to stay on topic?
Joe Borfo01.27.10 - 3:54 pm
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And how can we get Labonge to stay on topic?
Maybe we should all agree to ignore him like the rest of the city council does. He's like Zuma Dog, but less entertaining and more disruptive.
seriously though, this was a great day for cyclists. Let's all keep attending these meetings whenever we can. i know i can't be there as much as i'd like, but it makes a difference to see everyone coming out at least some of the time.
the next meeting with chief beck is really going to be important so i hope i see a lot of you there.
oodlesofpoodles
responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
01.27.10 - 10:39 pm
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I missed today's meeting due to a high fever, sore throat, etc (also missed Barchopz, just so you know I'm legitimately sick...), but I'm writing a letter to Aurisha and my Councilmember (as soon as I find out who it is...).
Out of curiosity, are there any preparations you have to take care of before going to this kind of thing? Paperwork or anything? Can you just show up and be allowed in?
outerspace01.28.10 - 3:06 am
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Found out my Councilman is Greig Smith. I will send him a letter. Man, these districts sure are shaped weird. Imagine that...
Anyway, I have decided to send a letter to the Councilmembers of every district in which I ride, which is quite a few.
For anyone else who is curious to know who their Councilmember is:
http://www.lacity.org/YourGovernment/CityCouncil/index.htm
Site contains a link to a district map, and links to district boundary maps for each representative (if it looks like you live near the boundary of two districts and you aren't sure which is right).
outerspace01.28.10 - 3:18 am
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do one of these < / i > (without the spaces)
those annoying italics go away.
Oh but if it twas so easy to eliminate douche-bag motor vehicle operators.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by outerspace
01.28.10 - 5:39 am
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@trick: I put one in there, must have been a few nested or something?
So I wrote a letter to my Councilman that looked like this:
Councilman Smith,
My name is (real name), and I live in your District (District 12) in the San Fernando Valley. I am an avid cyclist and am still holding true in 2010 to my 2009 New Year's Resolution to "be the change I want to see in the world" by riding my bicycle as often as possible in lieu of driving. Not only is this a fun and healthy alternative to driving, it offers legitimate benefits to the community and to the planet as well. Cycling instead of driving reduces road congestion and is almost entirely a renewable form of transportation.
Unfortunately, the real reason I'm writing you today is because despite the benefits, the all-consuming "car culture" of our city makes cycling a very dangerous activity. However, I have heard some very encouraging news lately from my friends in the cycling community. Although I was unable to attend due to illness, I am told that yesterday's (Wednesday, January 27) City Council meeting addressed some of the problems facing the cycling community in Los Angeles.
As a victim of harassment on the streets myself, including harassment by civilians, the CHP, and the LAPD, I fully and wholeheartedly support the anti-harassment ordinance that has been proposed to protect cyclists on the road, and associated education programs. I am also strongly in favor of the project to install "sharrows" (officially marked lanes for bicycles and motor vehicles to share). I am very, very pleased with the progress that has been made so far on the subject of cyclist safety, and I encourage you to stay behind the effort to continue making improvements to this area of the system.
I thank you sincerely for the work you have done for our community and am looking forward to helping promote and enjoy the cycling lifestyle in Los Angeles! If there is any other information that I can provide you with that may help, or anything I can do, please do not hesitate to ask!
--
my name
my contact info
Then I wrote similar versions to Councilmen in other Districts I ride in.
Then I wrote one to Councilman Krekorian with this nice little tidbit thrown in for spiciness, since he is going back on his own ordinance to keep speed limits under control:
Incidentally, as the topic was under debate at the same meeting, it has come to my attention that there are efforts being made to increase speed limits for the benefit of commuters passing through small neighborhoods. Especially on roads without bike lanes, this is extremely dangerous for cyclists. Furthermore, in addition to being profoundly counterintuitive, questionable studies indicating that higher speeds reduce traffic accidents only take quantity, rather than severity, of accidents into account, and even these studies blame drivers who obey the speed limit for "getting in the way" of those who are speeding (breaking the law). Instead of blaming law-abiding citizens for acknowledging the posted speed limit, an emphasis on safety and enforcement should trump a concern over the number of accidents (provided that an appropriate study could even be conducted in the areas concerned). Also consider that the reason traffic fatalities are down in recent years is that the technology involved in vehicle safety mechanisms has improved many times over, not that speed limits have been slowly rising across the nation, including within the City of Los Angeles.
It is offensive to a cyclist who is concerned with his safety and the safety of his cycling friends and family on the road that the Council would consider increasing speed limits on already-dangerous roads. If the studies are accurate and speed limits are to be continually increased until motorists begin to regulate their own speeds based on their own comfort behind the wheel, I must agree with Councilman Koretz's comment that speed limits are useless, arbitrary constructs, and I suggest that all speeding tickets should be made by officers "prima facie" based on their perception of the safety of a given situation. Coming at this late stage to the conclusion that higher speed limits save lives would also serve as a quiet admission that artificially low speed limits have been used for decades as a form of taxation against randomly selected motorists, since studies on the relationship between speed and quantity of collisions are nothing new.
Hope he has as much fun reading it as I did writing it!
outerspace01.28.10 - 3:02 pm
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I just want to say Iain and his girl did an outstanding job at the city council meeting. great speeches guys.
Roadblock01.28.10 - 9:42 pm
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Dang, this thread dropped like a rock. Bumpizzle!
Because I found this today:
New York Vehicle & Traffic Law
Section 1146. Drivers to exercise due care.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, pedestrian or domestic animal upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.
I guess it's not technically an anti-harassment ordinance, but I still would like a similar law in LA / CA / the world.
outerspace02.2.10 - 3:16 pm
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-->
Ridazz Roulette!
