[*BCM*] MassBike To Blame For Biker Harassment

[David Hammond]

I agree with you that transportation laws must be changed to favor
bicycles/tricycles over cars/trucks/etc.  But bikes and trikes must BECOME
the dominant form of individual vehicle on the public roads, in order to
slow global warming and cope with the chaos of peak oil, and so I believe it
is critically important to establish in the public mind, ASAP, that pedaled
vehicles are the same as fossil-fueled vehicles, in the eyes of the law. The
statutory changes I envision include:

*  Elimination of "Obstructing the Flow of Traffic" ordinances, which are
used almost exclusively against cyclists out here in the 'burbs - cyclists
Must be allowed to take the lane at any and all times;

*  Elevating road rage incidents to "assault with a deadly weapon" status;

*  Facilitating "full-cost-reimbursement" bicycle insurance at affordable
rates (my bike is too expensive to replace for me to forgo insurance);

*  Free bike registration as a further deterrent to theft;

*  Defining a class of electric/electric-assist micro-vehicles, and enacting
legislation facilitating their development and proliferation;

*  Awarding trade-able carbon tax credits to individuals for ALL types of
accrued cycling mileage. (this assumes avoidance of addition to the national
average-fleet-mpg based emission of CO2)

None of the above would be possible if bikes were considered different from
cars and trucks.

I also totally agree with your opening statement.  IMHO, anti-violent civil
disobedience to morally/ethically defective norms is an obligation of every
person who understands the economic, political, cultural and social dynamics
of the situation in question.  Thus, I support CM, chaining ones-self to
trees, sit-ins, etc.

(note:  Definitions: Non-violence: Refusal to respond to violence with
violence.  Anti-violence: taking non-violent action to prevent violence, and
responding to violence in a non-violent manner.)

Dave Hammond

-----Original Message-----
From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
[mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
Julia Asherman
Sent: Saturday, July 23, 2005 12:41 PM
To: list at bostoncriticalmass.org
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] MassBike To Blame For Biker Harassment

First, I totally disagree with the notion that we should follow laws simply 
because they are laws- that is stupid- there are many wrong, 
unconstitutional, and fucked up laws- and many pertain to bikes.
Bikes are not cars- and the lawmakers totally bend this to fit their will. 
they tell us we need to follow the same rules as car except when we cant- 
like riding on the highway. Bikes don't and can't follow speed limits, and 
cars ALWAYS have to yeild to cyclists.  Bikes should not have to follow the 
same rules as cars because we are smaller, slower, more mobill/agile, less 
dangerous, and DIFFERENT! We don't need a permit/license, insurance or 
registration, and to target and harrass the safest of vehicles is bs.  
Anyone who rides a bike knows how much more control over the bike we have- a

lot, and much more than drivers have over their cars.  I feel totally safe 
going down the wrong way on one way streets- because the only reason it is 
one way was the road isn't big enuogh for two cars- but i have never 
encountered a road not big enough for a car and a bike (PLUS,  if it isn't 
wide enough, that is one more example of how the gov. doesn't care or 
appreciate cyclists- and clearly doesn't give equal treatment). For people 
who don't mind following car rules- go ahead, but it is unecessary to make 
ultra-restrictive laws for everyone- many people choose to bike becasue it 
is free-er than motor vehicles.  if police and laws are going to demand we 
follow the same laws (which many will fight)-we should at least get equal 
treatment- that means not being arrested for ticket offenses, and not being 
hassled everywhere- we cant ride on the sidewalk, but when we're on the road

they find something we're doing wrong.  Like somone already said, there 
isn't one person in a car who doesn't break some 'rules' every time they 
drive.

if we had equal treatment, there would be more  bike lanes, and less 
potholes  on the side of the road. Equal treatment would be nice, but not 
equal laws- i dont have the same capabilities or pose the same threat as 
cars when i bike.
-julia


Follows----

From: David Deitch <deitchde at gmail.com>
Reply-To: Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
To: Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
Subject: Re: [*BCM*] MassBike To Blame For Biker Harassment
Date: Sat, 23 Jul 2005 12:07:04 -0400

What I think we are forgetting is that riding unlawfully was not well
enforced in the past. Now that the police have been asked to pay more
attention to cyclists violating the rules of the road, some feel as if they
are being harassed. Though I don't have much of an affinity for 'the man,' I
am glad that cyclists are being asked for ID and are getting tickets for
unlawful riding. This means that all road users are going be held more
equally accountable for their actions. When I ride, I ride lawfully. No
running of red lights, stop signs, or riding the wrong way on one-way
streets. Surely it makes my trips a bit longer, but my likelihood of getting
hit by a car or getting a ticket drops. Want to ride however you want? Fine.
I don't care if you put yourself at risk; don't put me at risk.

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