Advocacy & Safety - LAB instructor found not guilty

League of American Bicyclists certified instructor Dwight Tovey was cited earlier this year for riding on the road while commuting home from work. At the time this incident was discussed in the Advocacy & Safety (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=510421) and Commuting (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=510562) forums. Last week Dwight had his date in court and was found not guilty. An account of the proceedings can be found here (http://www.biketreasurevalley.org/node/391).

League of American Bicyclists certified instructor Dwight Tovey was cited earlier this year for riding on the road while commuting home from work. At the time this incident was discussed in the Advocacy & Safety (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=510421) and Commuting (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=510562) forums. Last week Dwight had his date in court and was found not guilty. An account of the proceedings can be found here (http://www.biketreasurevalley.org/node/391).

Awesome. But what a hassle. So I guess you gotta be certified bike safety expert to get a Not Guilty against police testimony. I am surprised the cop even showed up for court. That is impressive as well.

I think this stands out as a shining example that people, and not even those that enforce the laws, do not know the law, as it pertains to cyclists' rights to use the road.

As much as some here on BF may think that "the laws are well known" time and time again we have clear evidence to the contrary.

Perhaps, beyond educating the Sheriffs, something can be done to educate the driving public too.

well done on the part of the cyclist! Literally had his day in court and handled it beautifully.:thumb:

While a hassle for Mr. Tovey, his good work in educating the officer and, more importantly, the judge, could go along way toward keeping similar problems from happening in the future.

As much as some here on BF may think that "the laws are well known

Who thinks this? :-)

Most motorists barely know the specific rules that pertain only to them, much less laws that pertain to cyclists.

I find our boys in blue only slightly more well informed...

i think LCI's would serve their fellow cyclists MUCH BETTER if they'd work on educating all the motorists and local Law enforcement about bicyclists versus them trying to force feed bike ed down bicyclists' throats.

maybe they could become Licensed to teach all motorists about bicyclists- LTTAMABs.

in that their fellow cyclists would be served.

As much as some here on BF may think that "the laws are well known

Who thinks this? :-)

Most motorists barely know the specific rules that pertain only to them, much less laws that pertain to cyclists.

I find our boys in blue only slightly more well informed...

Some staunch vehicular cyclists have stated the "well known" comments.

i think LCI's would serve their fellow cyclists MUCH BETTER if they'd work on educating all the motorists and local Law enforcement about bicyclists versus them trying to force feed bike ed down bicyclists' throats.

maybe they could become Licensed to teach all motorists about bicyclists- LTTAMABs.

in that their fellow cyclists would be served.

Um, they offer that.


MOTORIST EDUCATION
A 3-hour classroom session, this course can be easily added to a driver's education curriculum, such as diversion training for reckless drivers or a course designed local bus drivers. Directed towards motorists in general, topics covered include roadway positioning of cyclists, traffic and hand signals, principles of right-of-way and left and right turn problems. Materials include Share the Road literature for bicyclists and motorists as well as other fact sheets.

They also offer:
Traffic Skills 101
Traffic Skills 102
Commuting
Kids I
Kids II

But all these courses are strictly voluntary. No one has to attend and learn anything who doesn't want to. Although from what I see on the road, most people who ride could use the Traffic Skills 101.

Um, they offer that.



They also offer:
Traffic Skills 101
Traffic Skills 102
Commuting
Kids I
Kids II

But all these courses are strictly voluntary. No one has to attend and learn anything who doesn't want to. Although from what I see on the road, most people who ride could use the Traffic Skills 101.

Not only are such classes voluntary, one must actively seek them... there is so little (if any) advertisement, one might think LAB classes are a CIA secret.

Personally, I would avoid bicycle riding during rush-hour. And if there were cars backed up behind me, I would move aside to let them go by.

But I applaud your efforts, and I congratulate you for winning this legal battle.

Personally, I would avoid bicycle riding during rush-hour.

Not exactly an option to those who ride to and from work.

Personally, I would avoid bicycle riding during rush-hour. And if there were cars backed up behind me, I would move aside to let them go by.

I second Doohickie's remark, and I'd also add that on some roads if you did this it'd take you an hour to go a few miles.

Personally, I would avoid bicycle riding during rush-hour. And if there were cars backed up behind me, I would move aside to let them go by.


Not exactly an option to those who ride to and from work.

I third it. Certainly not a comment that would be made by someone committed to relying on human-powered transportation.

Not only are such classes voluntary, one must actively seek them... there is so little (if any) advertisement, one might think LAB classes are a CIA secret.

Here in Seattle, Traffic Skills is broken down into component modules and taught under other names by the Cascade Bike Club. I think they do a pretty good job with it.

That said, I'd be curious where/how you would suggest that Traffic Skills classes should be marketed.

Full disclosure: I just finally got around to becoming LCI.

Bob T.:

Please convey my gratitude to Dwight and Mark. They really did their homework and made a thorough and impressive presentation to the court. They have made the Treasure Valley roads just a little bit more cycling-friendly for the rest of us. Good job.

Full disclosure: I just finally got around to becoming LCI.

my condolences. your going to suffer from extreme door-zone paranoia and artificially construct a 'bike ghetto' when you see bike lanes regardless of their quality.

commuter run- didjya notice I said "educate ALL the motorists and law enforcement....."

the LCI's should work, lobby, ride their bikes to state legislatures and demand ALL MOTORISTS get bike-ed training.

i think if they offered the bike classes free of charge at many public events, perhaps.....

training other people to be LCIs seems to be the perpetuation of the species. they even get grants to train other LCIs because in some places NOBODY IS INTERESTED IN THE DAMN CLASSES ANYWAYS.

I recall a recent spate of LCI instructors being made out of beginner cyclists in some midwest state- after their 'certification', some STILL expressed concerns about being able to ride busy roads.

hilarious. yeah, those are the ringers you want other cyclists learning from. maybe they can show the motorists how tentative most cyclists are about riding in traffic? ;)

awesome !

i think LCI's would serve their fellow cyclists MUCH BETTER if they'd work on educating all the motorists and local Law enforcement about bicyclists versus them trying to force feed bike ed down bicyclists' throats.

maybe they could become Licensed to teach all motorists about bicyclists-

As a matter of fact, we are... The Smart Cycling curriculum contains a module that used to be called "Motorists" and was recently re-branded as "Share the Road."

Problem is, it's as hard or harder to get motorists to attend these things as it is to get cyclists (unless it's used as a traffic diversion class and the judge tells 'em they gotta go there or pay a heftier fine).

Tom

...like I said, you'd serve your fellow bicyclists better if you lobbied to get ALL the motorists educated.

voluntary classes for motorists sharing the road with bicyclists? pffft..... an albatross.

my condolences. your going to suffer from extreme door-zone paranoia and artificially construct a 'bike ghetto' when you see bike lanes regardless of their quality.

Beck, while your constant hyperbole may be mildly entertaining....

I've been a bicycle commuter since the mid 80s - crash free, I might add. I attribute part of this crash free run to the fact that I choose not to ride in door zone bike lanes that you think are acceptable...

But, by all means, keep that strawman factory running double shifts...

...like I said, you'd serve your fellow bicyclists better if you lobbied to get ALL the motorists educated.

voluntary classes for motorists sharing the road with bicyclists? pffft..... an albatross.Why don't you get off your butt and do the teaching of all motorist.

Please show us YOUR motorist education program for Seattle that reaches ALL motorist.

It's sad that you have to be THAT prepared for the trial in order to get away with something that's LEGAL. Pathetic.

commuter run- didjya notice I said "educate ALL the motorists and law enforcement....."

the LCI's should work, lobby, ride their bikes to state legislatures and demand ALL MOTORISTS get bike-ed training.

So what are you doing to accomplish this?

Other than whining about what you think somebody else should be doing, I mean.

This was a fine thread until the usual suspects found it and commenced their compulsive comparison of penis length.

Gentlemen, we really don't care whose is bigger. Trust me on that.

...like I said, you'd serve your fellow bicyclists better if you lobbied to get ALL the motorists educated...rather than trying to force feed bike ed down bicyclists' throats.


Voluntary classes for motorists sharing the road with bicyclists? pffft..... an albatross.

I mashed together your two quotes in order to pose this question; Are you for or against the force-feeding of bike ed?

I don't get the "less than normal speed of traffic" clause. Aren't bicycles traffic? And isn't the speed at which bicycles travel normal for a bicycle?

I second Doohickie's remark, and I'd also add that on some roads if you did this it'd take you an hour to go a few miles.

The law says slower-moving traffic is supposed to pull over so as not to inconvenience other traffic too much. And since convenience is the whole point of that law, pulling over also shouldn't inconvenience the slower-moving traffic too much.

So if pulling over just as soon as traffic starts backing up means taking an hour to go just a few miles, to me it would be entirely reasonable to wait until traffic backs up a little more before pulling over so it doesn't inconvenience me too much. Because we all have to share the road, poorly designed though it may be.

Well done Mr. Tovey, and thank you.

It seems that a lot of police officers like to use the "you can go to court, but it will be my word against yours" bit. This statement is, of course, designed to intimidate you. This case proves that you do indeed have your chance to be heard in court. Police officers must also realize that they too, are in court, before a judge, and they must answer your questions, in a respectful manner.

Always helps to know your local cycling laws.

i don't get the "less than normal speed of traffic" clause. Aren't bicycles traffic? And isn't the speed at which bicycles travel normal for a bicycle?

:d

i don't get the "less than normal speed of traffic" clause. Aren't bicycles traffic? And isn't the speed at which bicycles travel normal for a bicycle?

yeah, but does everyone else get it? :D