The Cyclists’ Bill of Rights


I thought it might be a good idea to put the full text, bill info and source a little more in prominent view on the web:

CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL 09-0176R
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmembers Clarke, Henry, Middleton, Branch, Kraft, Young, Spector,
Welch, Reisinger, Holton, Cole, Conaway, Curran, D’Adamo
Introduced and read first time: December 10, 2009
Assigned to: Community Development Subcommittee
REFERRED TO THE FOLLOWING AGENCIES: City Solicitor, Planning Department, Department of
Public Works, Police Commissioner, Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, Commission
on Sustainability, Baltimore City Parking Authority Board, Department of Transportation

A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RE SOLUT ION concerning
The Cyclists’ Bill of Rights

FOR the purpose of reaffirming support for efforts to improve conditions for cyclists and
encouraging more widespread awareness of the “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” .

Recitals
The widespread use of bicycles brings many benefits to a community. Cycling improves
people’s health, increases public safety, encourages greater involvement in communities, reduces
traffic congestion, improves air quality, reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, and generally is
better for the environment than alternate methods of travel.

The City of Baltimore has long recognized these myriad benefits and has therefore
consistently sought to encourage cycling. In these efforts, the City has been blessed with a
strong and vibrant local cycling community eager to serve as a partner. Many in the cycling
community throughout the nation have begun to promote a “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” that they
feel encapsulates the treatment that cyclists should be able to expect from government.

This “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” expresses the following tenets:
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.

The City has repeatedly signaled its agreement with these principals in the past - notably, by
including policies that further the goals articulated in the “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” in its Bicycle
Master Plan. Today, the City Council reaffirms its support for efforts to improve conditions for
cyclists by encouraging more widespread awareness of the “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” among
government agencies and the general public.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this
Body affirms its support for the principals contained in the “Cyclists’ Bill of Rights” and
encourages all citizens to have a greater appreciation for the rights of cyclists.

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the
Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Bicycle Coordinator for Baltimore City, the Director
of the Office of Sustainability, the Director of Public Works, the Director of Transportation, the
Police Commissioner, the Planning Director, the City Solicitor, the Director of the Baltimore
Office of Promotion and the Arts, the Executive Director of the Parking Authority, and the
Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council
<a href="http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/attachments/5380.pdf">http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/attachments/5380.pdf</a>;

by B' Spokes

Like most people I live a hectic life and who has the time for much exercise? Thanks to xtracycle now I do. By using my bike for daily activities I can get things done and get an hour plus work out in 15 minutes extra of my time, not a bad deal and beats taking the extra time going to the gym. In case you are still having trouble being motivated; the National Center of Disease Control says that inactivity is the #2 killer in the United States just behind smoking. ( http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/bb_nutrition/ ) Get out there and start living life! I can carry home a full shopping cart of groceries, car pool two kids or just get lost in the great outdoors camping for a week. Well I got go, another outing this weekend.
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