Bike Safer Blog
If you’re reading this blog, chances are you’ve had your share of close encounters with the automobile kind. Most states in the US have laws on the books that not only give cyclists full rights to the road, but say automobiles have to pass cyclists at a safe distance. That distance is typically three feet or more. Most of us just chalk up such close calls to life as an urban cyclist. But most of us are not Jeff Frings.
Jeff is an ordinary cyclist like you or I, but he’s absolutely sick of being treated unfairly on the roadways. In his experience it’s not just everyday motorists who put cyclists at risk, it’s municipal workers and even police officers. Rather than go off the deep end and start carrying around a handgun, Jeff mounted a couple video cameras to his bike and put together a blog. He’s been successful in getting the authorities to issue motorists a number of reprimands and traffic citations, and his blog has recently gained national attention thanks to an article in Velo News. Check out bikesafer.blogspot.com for more information.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Of course police abuse the law, especially when it comes to folks who don’t have as much of a political voice. Recently, a friend of mine was pushed off the road by a paddywagon (is this not PC? anyways, a police vehicle for transporting several people) in Boston. Good on Jeff for taking to the streets armed with a video camera.
April 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Thanks for the mention. Sometimes I feel like I’m banging my head against a wall. It’s nice to know some folks appreciate my efforts. My hope is that every police department I encounter that doesn’t understand the law or enforce it fairly, can be educated and can become an ally in the fight for safer roads for all, including bikes. I’ve gotten city attorneys involved and that seems to help on occasion, if not there are always mayors and police commissions to contact.
Thanks again for the write-up.
Bikesafer
Jeff