Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck made news yesterday when he vowed his department would do a better job to protect bike riders, “our most vulnerable commuters.”
Sadly, that kind of statement by a police chief would make news just about anywhere. Bicyclists commonly feel that they're treated as second-class citizens on the road by other drivers, police and the entire criminal justice system.
The chief made his remarks to bicyclists who showed up at a Los Angeles Transportation Committee meeting after a protest bike ride called by the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition.
Hit & run outrage
The cyclists were protesting a Jan. 6 anti-bicycling outrage:
Bicyclist Ed Magos was struck from behind on a downtown street while he was bicycling to work. The driver of the Porsche got out, looked at Magos lying injured in the street, got back in her car and drove off. She later visited a police station, said she might have hit “something,” and was allowed to leave without being charged.
Neither the city attorney nor district attorney pressed charges in the case, which could be judged a felony hit and run.
At the meeting, however, police chief Beck said the city attorney's office would reopen the case.
Training
According to the LA Times, Beck told the bicycling advocates at the meeting that officers would undergo training regarding bicyclists rights to the road and their responsibilities in dealing incidents involving bicyclists.
A training document would be ready for cyclists' review in 30 days, and a computer-based “e-learning” agenda required for police officers would be prepared in 45 days. The training would help police recognized problems and issues involving cyclists.
The LA County Bicycle Coalition reported at its blog:
“…The Chief spoke to a culture change underway here in Los Angeles, “a good culture change” in his words, capping what was quickly turning into a preach to the choir. “But!” Chief Beck reminded, ” Don’t just listen to what I say, watch what I do,” an open call for bicyclists to keep on the Chief and his department on their commitment to improvements. … “
The blog concluded:
“It was a good afternoon for bicyclists, speaking directly to and interacting positively with the Chief of Police. If we can keep up on these kinds of actions, change on the streets of LA is bound to happen.”
Who knows, maybe one day police chiefs won't have to announce that they're going to protect the rights of bicyclists on the road.
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