Southern California Accident Blog

City of Los Angeles Looks Into Bicyclists’ “Bill of Rights”

Bicyclists may receive extra protection from the City of Los Angeles.  L.A. officials are promising to look into ways to protect cyclists on the city’s streets.  This promise follows an outcry by bicyclists saying they have the right to share the road with cars.

This campaign was spurred by the Brentwood bicycle accident involving a doctor who was convicted of hitting bicyclists intentionally.

On Wednesday, January 27, 2010, the Los Angeles City Council made the decision to study avenues to protect bicyclists throughout the city. 

Aurisha Smolarski, communications director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, stated, “there are anti-harassment laws protecting us in the workplace, but cyclists don’t have the same protections when they are on the road.  Los Angeles has a chance to make sure we have the protections and the equal rights to use the roads.”

Some of the suggestions that have been made to increase the protection of bicyclists include developing a bicyclist “Bill of Rights,” creating bicycle-sharing lanes in particular locations and improving police training.  Many advocates have pushed for these actions.

More and more Los Angeles residents are taking up cycling, whether as a mode of transportation or as a great form of exercise.  As the number of cyclists increases, so does the number of bicycle accidents.

If you or a family member has been injured in a bicycle accident in Los Angeles, contact a Santa Monica bicycle accident lawyer at Steinberg & Spencer Injury Lawyers at 800-350-8888.