Spokesman-Review Letter to the Editor
In response to Mr. Ray Moss’ letter (June 13), as both a cyclist and a motorist, I too am bothered by the “lawlessness” of many individuals on bicycles in the downtown area. The ill will they create only serves to arrest the progress Spokane is making in becoming more multimodal. I would also suggest they represent a very small minority of cyclists, the majority of whom use bicycles in a safe and respectful manner.
By having recently adopted the Spokane Master Bicycle Plan and hiring a bicycle-pedestrian coordinator, the city and City Council have demonstrated their desire to support all modes of transportation on Spokane’s streets. A component of the plan focuses on education and enforcement.
It’s our belief that over the coming years, such offenses will be lessened as both these areas are emphasized.
Whereas Mr. Moss’ recommendation about licensing as proof of rudimentary knowledge of rules of the road has merit, such efforts have often been unsuccessful in other communities, as well as having the unintentional consequence of discouraging cycling.
Bob Lutz
Chairman, Spokane Bicycle Advisory Board
What are your thoughts on the possibility of requiring bicyclists to license their bikes, much like drivers license their vehicles?
Only about 1% of the general population rides bikes and they want more infrastructure…
Its easier to attract bees with honey than vinegar.
That's one major reason why I try to be as polite and considerate as possible as a bike commuter.
They already require bike riders to wear helmets and very few do, requiring licenses will mean the safe riders will buy licenses, and the ones they are trying to educate will ignore the license requirement and continue to flaunt the rules of the road. They need to enforce the laws they have now, do a sting like they do for crosswalks and put the results on all the media.
And what I keep hearing is that it comes back to money, as usual. No money to hire more officers to enforce driving laws, let alone bicycling laws such as wearing helmets and licensing your bike. So paying for a license may provide more funds, but not enough to pay for both infrastructure AND enforcement.
They do stings to catch drivers not stopping for pedestrians at crosswalks, keeping a child without a helmet from being hit by a car should be a priority also.
You would think, huh? I have to say though that I have seen the bike cops down here (our office is in the Amtrak and Greyhound station so the cops are always here)on occasion stop someone on a bike and comment to them that they need a helmet or they can't ride on the sidewalk, etc. I've never seen a citation issued but at least it's a start I guess.
Charles- I forgot to mention that we've been working with Officer Teresa Fuller lately on bike/ped issues so that may be a way to get our message heard that more enforcement is needed. She's been very receptive to our comments/complaints/requests/etc.