Bicycle harassment ordinance passes unanimously
The Columbia City Council unanimously passed council bill 151-09, a bicycle harassment ordinance, on Monday, June 15, 2009 after almost two hours of debate. Many members of the bicycle community testified before the council as to the necessity of this ordinance, with no one speaking against it. Much of the debate centered around the fact that the ordinance does not address harassment of other active transportation users in the city, such as pedestrians or wheelchair users. The city council is planning to amend the ordinance at their next meeting to include these groups.
The push for a bicycle harassment ordinance came about because, in the past, in order for the police to deal with drivers who honk excessively, scream at, or throw things at cyclist, the police had to charge the offender with Third Degree Assault. Police were reluctant to use that charge in these situations. The new ordinance, section 16-145 of the Code of Ordinances, says that harassment of bicyclists — including throwing objects, verbal assault and other offenses — is a Class A misdemeanor offense punishable by a $1,000 fine or one year of jail time.
To ensure that the ordinance was enforceable and clear, writers of the ordinance consulted the legislative committee of the Missouri Bicycle Federation, met with the City Council members, met with the City Prosecutor and City attorney.
The current language of the ordinance is as follows:
Sec. 16-145. Harassment of a bicyclist.
(a) A person commits the offense of harassment of a bicyclist if the person:
(1) Knowingly throws an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle; or
(2) Threatens any person riding a bicycle for the purpose of frightening or disturbing the person riding the bicycle; or
(3) Sounds a horn, shouts or otherwise directs sound toward any person riding a bicycle for the purpose of frightening or disturbing the person riding the bicycle; or
(4) Knowingly places a person riding a bicycle in apprehension of immediate physical injury; or
(5) Knowingly engages in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical injury to the person riding a bicycle.
(b) Harassment of a bicyclist is a Class A misdemeanor.
Secs.
Related stories:
- Columbia Daily Tribune: New city rules shield cyclists
- Columbia Missourian: Bicycle harassment ordinance passes unanimously
- KOMU: Bicycle harassment a crime
- KRCG: Some skeptical over new city bike ordinance
- Kansas City Star: Motorists, bicyclists share civility on the roads… well, usually
- St. Louis Post Dispatch: Mo. college town passes bike harassment law
- And many others
