Baltimore Cyclists Bill of Rights
As many of you may have heard, the Baltimore City Council passed a Cyclists Bill of Rights this week. The twelve rights include:
1. Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear.
2. Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space.
3. Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement.
4. Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure, or kill cyclists will be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
5. Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements.
6. Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development, and design that enable and support safe cycling.
7. Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling.
8. Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the planning and implementation of roadway and transit projects.
9. Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit.
10. Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles.
11. Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment.
12. Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
As was covered in the City Paper, this Bill appears to be a step in the right direction, but there is some question as to what this means for those of us riding in the City each and every day. I don’t think anyone can deny that Baltimore has taken many great steps in the right direction to improve cycling infrastructure in the City, but there is obviously much room to grow. While this measure may be much more symbolic than adding bike lanes or providing additional education for City police, it is another step in the right direction. As cyclists we need to be aware of these rights and do what we can to be sure they are enforced from here out. But, I think the bottom line is that we all have work to do to keep moving in the right direction.