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Old 05-03-09, 08:21 AM
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B Rubble
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
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Originally Posted by rarebird
lol, that made me chuckles.

Thinking that we need a bill of rights, cause the one we have isn't sufficient?

Oh the suffering!, the humanity!, if only there was something we could do!?....LOLx50
Because the bicyclists bill of rights doesn't enumerate any additional rights for bicyclists. It just restates rights that bicyclists already have, or should have. Basically the same rights and privileges that car drivers have. So why are they demanding these rights? Obviously because they are not getting them, either from other drivers, or from the public servants charged with upholding the rights of citizens.

Using Right #3 (Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement.) as an example:
An educated law enforcement official won't give a bicyclist a ticket for making a left turn from a left turn lane. This has been a common incident in LA, forcing the bicyclist to either pay the fine or go to court at their expense to fight the ticket. Or also in Los Angeles, the enforcement of a bicycle license law that the chief of police, at the direction of the city council, has told his officers not to enforce. Are bicyclists asking for anything more than the police officer writing the ticket know the laws he is being directed to enforce? No.

Since the Cyclists bill of rights is posted under the creative commons copyright, here it is, appropriately sourced http://www.bikewriterscollective.com/:

CYCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS
WHEREAS, cyclists have the right to ride the streets of our communities and this right is formally articulated in the California Vehicle Code; and
WHEREAS, cyclists are considered to be the “indicator species” of a healthy community; and
WHEREAS, cyclists are both environmental and traffic congestion solutions; and
WHEREAS, cyclists are, first and foremost, people - with all of the rights and privileges that come from being members of this great society; and
NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE CYCLING COMMUNITY, do hereby claim the following rights:
1) Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear.
2) Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space.
3) Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement.
4) Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
5) Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements.
6) Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development and design that enable and support safe cycling.
7) Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling.
8) Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the organization and administration of our communities.
9) Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit with no limitations.
10) Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles.
11) Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property, and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment.
12) Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.
And further, we claim and assert these rights by taking to the streets and riding our bicycles, all in an expression of our inalienable right to ride!

“See you on the Streets!”

Last edited by B Rubble; 05-03-09 at 08:26 AM.
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