Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists

Erin McMahon erin_mcmahon at hotmail.com
Wed Oct 10 09:10:04 CDT 2007 

I totally agree.  I would like to see a motorist ticketed for honking at bicyclists because they feel like we should get out of the road to let them pass.  For some reason cars always think we should be riding the edge of the curb!  Also I'd like to see a few tickets for not using their turn signals.  I have been hit twice from cars that decide to make a right at an intersection at the last minute - in one case the woman was actually reading a book and talking on her cell phone! 


Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 22:01:49 -0400From: cwdillon at gmail.comTo: Yon.Lambert at alexandriava.govSubject: Re: Alexandria Police Ticket BicyclistsCC: bsc at bicycle.alexandria.va.usI 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 LambertPedestrian and Bicycle Program CoordinatorTransportation & Environmental ServicesCity of Alexandria703.838.4966 phone571.220.0842 mobileyon.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 BrubakerSent: Tuesday, October 09, 2007 7:20 AMTo: BSCSubject: 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 To: BikeWalk Alexandria 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 _______________________________________________BSC mailing listBSC at bicycle.alexandria.va.ushttp://bicycle.alexandria.va.us/mailman/listinfo/bsc 
  

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