Roger Joys
I have a couple of questions:
What are the current penalties? I see emails saying people are getting slaps on the wrists or fines, yet I also see some decent punishment when the act was malicious or demostrated lack of concern or responsibility. How does a stiffer penalty "protect" me as a cyclist? I see things like bike\ped lanes or roadways with barricaded riding areas as protection. I'd also argue that investing in more signage and "vulnerable user" awareness programs would help. Lastly, what about adding more substance to the driver's licensing tests with regards to cyclists and pedestrians?I see stiffer penalties as stiffer penalties. They don't seem to be proactive, rather reactive. We're wielding a bigger stick once a very tragic incident occurs but doing nothing (as far as I can tell) to prevent the tragedy from occcuring.
I've been hit more than once on my bike and I ride daily. I would love nothing more than to see legislation that made my cycling life safer. I do not think HB 3314 accomplishes this.
-r
-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Maus [mailto:jonathan@bikeportland.org]
Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 07:20 PM
To: 'OBRA list'
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] H.B. 3314
The bill would apply to all vehicles... including bikes.
therefore, if a bicyclist hit a "vulnerable user", they would be open to the same consequences as a motorized vehicle operator.
--Jonathan
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Jonathan Maus
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