* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Clarke
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
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" .
body
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.
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