Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists

Tue Oct 9 21:01:49 CDT 2007

I support the sentiment here, and I think that Alexandria is heading in a
fine direction.  I'd like to support the City in their efforts to become
more bike friendly.

I didn't intend sound like I advocate cyclists ignoring traffic signs
completely.  Quite the opposite, I try to ride as safely as possible.
...with regard for little beyond self preservation.  Borrowing one comment
from the MABRA listserv for this issue: cyclists need to be watching each
intersection carefully when they cross it, whether they are looking for
cross traffic, pedestrians, or Johnny Law.  Chances are, if you failed to
see the police, you would also have failed to notice a car; and a fine is
better than the ICU.

I think the response here (and on the MABRA site) stems from a feeling many
cyclists own that an unfair share of the safety burden is being put on the
cyclists, though.  I'd love to see a news video next week about Alexandria
Police stopping motorists to educate them (or ticket them) on sharing the
roads with cyclists.  Given the press they've received with the current
initiative, a balancing action would probably square the City up with the
cycling community.  I'm sure we could recommend a pretty good list of
specific laws we'd like them to start enforcing.

CW

On 10/9/07, Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.gov <Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.gov>
wrote:
>
>
> Hi Everyone,
>
> At the S Royal/Green intersection, the APD has not issued any tickets.
> They have been conducting bicycle education regarding the rules of the road
> and also providing bicycle maintenance, maps, giveaways, water/energy bars
> and general information.
>
> The APD is primarily concerned with bicyclists running stop signs and
> persons who bicycle while using earphones (see Sec. 10-3-1078 of the city
> code).
>
> On Sept. 29, the APD recorded 273 "stops" and on Oct. 7 recorded over 225.
> Only a tiny fraction of folks have been upset; most have been very receptive
> and the officers have been very professional. (The police conducting the
> work at the S Royal/Green intersection, it should be noted, are from the
> City's bicycle unit. Over 55 of the City's 300+ officers are assigned to the
> bicycle unit. They are all very supportive of the Spin City initiative since
> many are experienced bicyclists, bicycle mechanics, etc. They also want to
> see Alexandria become more bicycle friendly.)
>
> We have provided information about the efforts to several local websites
> and bicycle listservs, all linking to the AlexRide web page here:
> http://www.alexride.org/bicyclesafety.php
>
> Please note -- and feel free to pass the word -- that the APD will be out
> again on Oct. 13 and 21. On these days, they are not providing education but
> will be writing tickets for infractions. Officers are also stepping up
> enforcement across the City and during weekday commuting periods. Please
> ride using the rules of the road.
>
> The tickets do carry a fine but they do NOT involve points.
>
> These efforts are not designed to harass bicyclists or otherwise deter
> people from bicycling. Alexandria is fortunate to have the Mount Vernon
> Trail pass through Old Town and we all benefit by seeing over 1 million
> people a year use the trail for commuting and recreation.
>
> The safety education & enforcement is a partnership -- consistent with our
> Spin City action plan (http://www.alexride.org/spincity.php) and with our
> many discussions in BikeWalk Alexandria and Pedestrian and Bicycle Citizens'
> Group meetings. I think we can all agree that there are many other things
> the officers would rather spend their time doing. However, it is important
> to remind bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists that we all need to share
> the roads (and trails). You can help by setting a good example when you
> bicycle.
>
> Remember, that these same officers are also leading Walk to School Day
> events, attending bicycle safety rodeos, enforcing traffic laws for
> motorists and protecting pedestrians.
>
> Please feel free to contact me with more information and thanks for your
> continued support.
>
> Yon Lambert
> Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Coordinator
> Transportation & Environmental Services
> City of Alexandria
> 703.838.4966 phone
> 571.220.0842 mobile
> yon.lambert at alexandriava.gov
>
> Visit www.AlexRide.org and subscribe to eNews - Transportation
> Alternatives for regular updates about pedestrian and bicycle issues in
> Alexandria.
>
>
>
>  *Eliz Wright <ewright953 at yahoo.com>*
> Sent by: bsc-bounces+yon.lambert=alexandriava.gov at bicycle.alexandria.va.us
>
> 10/09/2007 09:07 AM
>   To
> "Olsson, Anne-Margaret" <Aolsson at shrm.org>, Robert Brubaker <
> robert.brubaker at metroped.org>, BSC <bsc at bicycle.alexandria.va.us>  cc
> LORI GRANT <LORI.GRANT at EEOC.GOV>  Subject
> RE: Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists
>
>
>
>
>
>
> What wasn't stated was the cyclists receiced $87 fines.  I think at our
> Bike Walk Alex mtg we were told it's a moving violation so that can go
> against one's driving record.  APD, can you confirm?
>
> There were "warnings" issued on previous weekends.  Maybe we should have
> put *THAT* on the listserve . . . .
>
> And it's legal to ride on the sidewalks when there isn't a dedicated bike
> lane.
> *
> "Olsson, Anne-Margaret" <Aolsson at shrm.org>* wrote:
> Robert,
>
> Thank you for sharing the video.  I witnessed a motorized police officer
> pulling over a bicyclist on Commonwealth Ave. in Del Ray, just last week.
>  The cyclist blatantly road right through the intersection, totally ignoring
> the stop sign.  As a long-time cyclist, I celebrated the act of the police
> officer.  The pedestrians and cyclists in Alexandria have gotten
> out-of-control!  The cyclists ride on the wrong side of the street, they
> ride on the sidewalk, they ride on the crosswalk, and yes, they ride through
> stop signs.
>
> If we as cyclists want to be respected on the roadway, we must follow the
> rules of the road!
>
> Way to go Alexandria Police Department!!!!
>
> Anne-Margaret Olsson
> Del Ray, Alexandria Resident
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* bsc-bounces+aolsson=shrm.org at bicycle.alexandria.va.us [mailto:
> bsc-bounces+aolsson=shrm.org at bicycle.alexandria.va.us] *On Behalf Of *Robert
> Brubaker*
> Sent:* Tuesday, October 09, 2007 7:20 AM*
> To:* BSC*
> Subject:* Re: Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists
>
> Hello Allen
>
> Thanks for the warning since it's an area I frequently ride.     Couldn't
> tell from the video but wonder what they considered running a stop sign on a
> bike.   If they ignored  bicyclists that slowed and looked both ways that
> would not be too bad.   I suspect, however, they enforced a 'complete stop'.
>  Since few people can do a 0 MPH track stand, coming to a complete stop
> would mean putting ones foot down.   If someone tried to follow that rule,
> just in Alexandria, it likely would put a damper on one's willingness to
> bicycle commute.
>
> Bob
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* *Allen Muchnick* <allenmuchnick at yahoo.com>
> *To:* *BikeWalk Alexandria* <bsc at bicycle.alexandria.va.us>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 09, 2007 3:09 AM
> *Subject:* Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists
>
> WJLA news video:
> *
> **http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1007/461810_video.html?ref=newsstory*<http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/1007/461810_video.html?ref=newsstory>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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