KBIA Local
(2009-10-21)
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COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
When a Columbia ordinance to protect cyclists was passed earlier this year it was met with opposition. After being amended at Monday's city council meeting though, the ordinance now protects more than just cyclists. You're driving to work, running a few minutes late and find yourself waiting for a pedestrian to clear the crosswalk. If your usual reaction is to honk at them, you may want to think twice. An amendment to Columbia's cyclist ordinance now extends protection to pedestrians and individuals in wheelchairs on the street. Robert Johnson spoke before the city council, on behalf of PedNet, a walking, biking and wheelchair advocacy group.
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"Those are all three, very vulnerable groups out there on the roadway, that probably need a little bit of extra protection from people harassing them or trying to force them off the roadway."
Johnson was pleased to see the amendment pass as it's now a misdemeanor to throw an object at, frighten by honking at or put at risk of injury a cyclist, pedestrian or person in a wheelchair. The council discussed tabling the matter until further research was gathered a move council member Karl Skala didn't support."I think it was long overdue to provide protection for bicyclists in terms of harassment, I also think it was long overdue to provide protection to pedestrians and wheelchair users."
Skala says he supported the passage of the amendment at Monday's meeting but adds that the language of the ordinance can be tweaked once further research has been gathered. The city council voted unanimously to pass the amendment and no one spoke in opposition. © Copyright 2012, KBIA
