Once again a GCC rider has been hit by a car.  He's okay, but it gave us a lot of pause to think about what happens (and doesn't happen) when we get hit.  We have had some lively conversations in my circle about this and other incidents.

The current state of affairs is that drivers are at best ticketed, and almost never arrested, for assaulting cyclists.  To my knowledge the young man that killed a visiting rider on Newberry Road a few months ago was ticketed.  

Typically, we are just happy to be alive and maybe get a new bike from the insurance company of the driver.  Over the last three years, I estimate I've made at least fifty insurance estimates from car vs. bike incidents.  In absolutely none of these cases was the driver arrested, and many were not ticketed.  The good ones came into the shop with the rider and bought them repairs, wheels, or even bikes (this frequently happens near campus), but this is the exception.

It is always your choice as to insist on an arrest, be content with an "I'm sorry," or settle for an insurance claim.  But I do think it's time we ask ourselves if more arrests might serve as a deterrent.  And the only way to get those arrests is to insist on them at the scene and know the law.  Some of you are in law enforcement or legal practice, and your input would be helpful (to me or the list serve whichever is appropriate).  I can't claim to know much about what kind of charges are appropriate, but I have been told by several deputies and police officers (campus and GPD) that it is possible to charge.

Maybe we can flesh some courses of action out and have something for the next newsletter.

Keep the Rubber Side Down,

James Thompson

Advocacy Director