Bike Forums - LA City Council Approves Bicycle Bill of Rights

http://laist.com/2008/12/09/city_cou...cycle_bill.php
Excerpt from the LAist":

"The city today officially adopted the Cyclists' Bicycle Bill of Rights, a twelve-point document affirming the rights that cyclists already have, but don't necessarily receive from government in addition to other basic rights that will help the city become more sustainable.

But what can a bill or rights do? It's not an ordinance or a change to the city charter? There's no law to enforce. Why have it? To cyclists, it's an affirmation. For non-cyclists, it's an education tool.

Cyclists' Bill of Rights co-author, activist and occasional LAist contributor Stephen Box, says their next step is to have it included "as written, as ridden" in the bicycle master plan the Department of Transportation is currently developing.

"The culture of the car has to change," Councilman Bill Rosendahl said at today's meeting. Rosendahl helped lead the charge on this motion after the Mandeville Canyon incident in his district where alleged road rage sent two bicyclists to the hospital."

http://www.bikewriterscollective.com/index.html
The Cyclists Bill of Rights reads as follows:

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!