Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists

[Clarence Dillon]

This is shaping up to be a real cause, with specific objectives and the
potential for ground-breaking meaning.  I made similar comments on this
issue when the draft VDOT Pedestrian Safety Legislation was passing around.
It is unsafe for a cyclist to be forced to a complete stop.  Even with HID
lights, flashing LEDs, and neon jerseys in sublimated colors, motorists
can't seem to see cyclists in the middle of the street.  The decision to
stop should be wholly owned by the cyclists.  Really, the less time I spend
at an intersection, the better.  Like I said before, I'll risk the ticket
before I risk the ICU.  ...and I will accept the other side of this
approach: that failing to see a cop monitoring an intersection is an
indication that I should have been paying closer attention... (and may be
forced to execute the as yet under-developed but dastardly Plan B to avoid
the ticket).

I like that my city is starting to think about cyclists in the streets.  I
don't like that they launched a campaign to enforce a ludicrous law on
cyclists (who, in violation of the law, jeopardize their own lives and
minimal damage to others) while they turn a blind eye to violations by
motorists (who wield lethal force, too often with casual indifference).  Is
it fair to call it poor governance?  What's worse, I'm confident that the
city will not enforce this universally, making every ticket after next
weekend a surprise.   I think there are higher priority issues than whether
cyclists completely stop at stop signs.  So, let's save the city from
ourselves and change the law.

Anybody think they know how to start that process?

CW


On 10/10/07, Eliz Wright <ewright953 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> From the APD~
>
> *Carl Wortham *wrote:
>
> To: Eliz Wright <ewright953 at yahoo.com>
> CC: Yon Lambert, Dianne Gittins
> Subject: Re: Alexandria Police Ticket Bicyclists
> Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 19:05:11 -0400
>
>
> Eliz,
>
> As stated in *VA Code Section 46.2-830*...*Bicyclist must obey all traffic
> signs, signals, lights, and markings*.
>
> Therefore, I'll be looking for a cyclist to come to a complete stop at
> each and every stop sign and traffic signal. During the previous weeks of
> bike education, we have given approximately 600 warnings, so most folks are
> aware of what we are looking for in regards to a stop. My goal this weekend
> is to not write any tickets at all, but I'm sure it'll be a few that didn't
> get the word.
>
> Ofc. Carl E. Wortham, 1653
> Alexandria Police Department
> FOB/COPS/Bike Coordinator
> Office: 703-838-6360 x1353
>
>
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