Rick C Johnson

John,
Thanks for the update on the rider injured by the driver trailing the
boat. Please keep them coming, I'm interested to hear how this plays out.

You may be interested to know the American Motorcyclist Association is
working on long term plan called the Justice for All campaign that seeks
to enact 150 pieces of legislation in all 50 states to help protect
vulnerable road users. Most of this legislation aids bicyclists as well
and would apply directly in situations such as this. Support from groups
other than motorcyclists helps improve the chances of seeing this
important legislation passed. I encourage you to contact the AMA with
details of this case so that some good may come of this unfortunate
incident. Terry Lee Cook is the volunteer coordinator and can be reached
at 1-800-262-5646 ext 1288.

The campaign is based on consideration of the following question:
"What is a reasonable penalty for a car driver who kills or seriously
injures a motorcyclist, bicyclist, pedestrian, or even another car driver?"

To find out more about the proposed answers visit these links:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/justice/whatwerefightingfor.asp

http://www.amadirectlink.com/justice/index.asp

A status summary of bills so far presented to state legislatures:
http://www.amadirectlink.com/justice/billsummary.pdf

Thanks,
Rick

John Schader wrote:

> Since we are, with good reason, back on the topic of motorist vs.
> cyclist, I would like to update everyone on the status of my friend,
> a victim of harassment by a driver, and then an unrelated incident
> that occurred yesterday.
>
> In August I wrote to the OBRA chat list describing an incident where a
> cyclist in my group had water thrown (or possibly spit) in her face as
> a pick-up truck sped by, towing a ski boat. The driver made no attempt
> to give clearance to the cyclist and the boat trailer hit her, sending
> her flying into a ditch. She is home now, after extensive surgery to
> piece her arm bones back together with metal plates and screws. She is
> recovering from that and all the bruises and road rash she
> sustained. The doctors say the arm should be nearly healed in about
> four months. We are hopeful that after her arm heals it will be close
> enough to normal to allow her to resume her work. She is a surgeon. I
> asked for your help in finding the driver and I thank those who
> assisted. Some of the responses surprised me with their lack of
> understanding, and although I considered them quite off the mark, I do
> think they were intended to be of benefit to the cycling
> community. The story made the news and was aired by at least two TV
> stations. The Washington County Sheriff's office was flooded with
> phone calls giving tips. The driver was found, I mean, he turned
> himself in, and he was arrested. He posted bail and has a lawyer who
> we have heard is "very high priced". One of his passengers fled the
> state, but I have heard that he too has now been arrested. I will be
> testifying as a witness at a grand jury hearing in a couple of weeks.
> On a positive note: Yesterday was a beautiful day to ride a bike.
> Despite the ever present threat of maniacs in motor vehicles, a group
> of us rode a lot of miles on shoulder-less roads in the areas around
> Mt. Angel, Scotts Mills, Molalla, Canby and Wilsonville. Roads not
> unlike Hwy. 219 near Newberg, where the August incident occurred. We
> were passed by many, probably hundreds of, cars and trucks. Some of
> the drivers were pretty jerky, accelerating when they saw us and
> speeding by way over the speed limit. We never give antagonistic
> gestures to those who threaten us like that. We don't want to
> encourage them. Even those drivers moved a little to the left, usually
> over the center line, and gave us enough clearance to let us ride in
> relative peace. In the final few miles of our ride we were on the
> rollers of Advance Rd. where motorists often cannot see over the crest
> of the next hill and so it is difficult for them to pass cyclists.
> Sometimes they just have to slow down and wait until it is safe. As
> one in our group neared the top of a hill, he could see oncoming
> traffic, so he signaled the pick-up truck approaching from behind to
> slow down and stay in the lane. The driver slowed and stayed put and
> the oncoming traffic came through without incident. Afterward, as he
> passed our cyclist, he rolled down his window. Oh boy, we thought,
> here come some obscenities, or worse. Instead the driver waved and
> said, "Thank you for warning me about that!". Yes, it is possible for
> cyclists and motor vehicles to share the road, and treat each other
> with thoughtfulness, kindness and compassion.
>
> Let's do our best to make peace and promote tolerance. Give as much
> room as you can to the motorists when it is safe for you to do so. And
> get those who break the law punished for their crimes.
>
> Peace,
> John
>
> P.S. To Pam: I hope you do report the action of that log truck driver
> to the police and his employer, and let him know that he cannot get
> away with harassing cyclists. At the time of an incident though, it is
> best to keep a cool head in the face of a hostile driver and collect
> all the information you can about him, his vehicle and the events that
> transpired, so it can be reported later to the authorities. It makes
> no sense to sink to their level and invite even more hostility.
>
> *//*
>