Beverly Hills Cycling - a Hint of Optimism and a Dose of Reality!
Capt. Curtis of the Beverly Hills Police Department appeared before the BH Traffic Commission to address one issue, the “SUV vs. Cyclist” incident on August 21, 2007 that resulted in a citation for the cyclist and nothing for the motorist.
Also in attendance were 8 local cyclists, none having met the cited cyclist before but all committed to supporting his fight for justice and all committed to fighting for equal access to the streets for cyclists and equal support of law enforcement for all modes of travel, not just motorists.
Capt. Curtis acknowledged that this incident had generated significant activity on the internet which resulted in a large number of people contacting the Department by mail, email and telephone, including calls from as far away as Australia. He expressed a desire to present the Department’s side of the story.
He reported that a third party complaint immediately after the incident prompted an internal investigation into the incident and that “the incident was handled appropriately and professionally.” The cited cyclist later testified that the “thorough investigation” did not include interviewing him.
There was a brief discussion of the incident but the focus quickly shifted to a discussion of traffic, safety and opportunities to work together to create a walkable, rideable, livable Beverly Hills.
Six cyclists testified, including the cited cyclist whose position is that the citation is patently absurd, citing him as a pedestrian and for impeding traffic, that the citing officer failed to listen to his complaint of assault, and that the SUV driver was in fact at fault.
The other cyclists urged the Commission to join the cycling community in fighting for safer streets, full support of law enforcement for all modes of travel and the creation of a Bicycle Advisory Committee to ensure an integrated approach to multi-modal transportation solutions.
The Traffic Commission was responsive to the positive suggestions made by the cyclists and there was discussion on mechanisms for creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, mass transit passengers as well as motorists.
Commission Chair Richard Seff pointed out that Beverly Hills is a small town (30,000 population) with big city problems but he is optimistic that out of something bad they can create something good.
On this note, Capt. Curtis and the cyclists left and had a significant conversation in the hallway. Ultimately, the investigation will be reopened, the cited cyclist was introduced to Lt. McCann, the head of the Professional Standards Unit, and the Commission and the Police Department have agreed to create a BAC.
Capt. Curtis is to be commended for his positive and accommodating hospitality. The cited cyclist was guarded in his optimism and seemed wary as he navigated the complaint process with Lt. McCann. The results will speak for themselves.
As the cyclists said their goodbyes in the sun-baked Spanish Renaissance courtyard, it all seemed to good to be true. Capt. Curtis was a charming host, Lt. McCann seemed genuinely interested in resolving the incident, the Commissioners volunteered suggestions and ideas on funding, committees, actions and programs…
And then…three of the cyclists take off, riding single file eastbound on Santa Monica Blvd., only to find themselves in front of “Road Rage Guy” driving a huge rig loaded with building materials and hauling a forklift, laying on the horn and accelerating at the cyclists.
The cyclist in the back found herself squeezed into the curbside bushes as the driver demonstrated the narrowness of the lane by scraping the brush with his truck. The cyclist’s scream alerted the next cyclist who held her line on the non-shareable lane only to have “RRG” accelerate at her. All this on the approach to the red light at Doheny where everybody had a moment to calm down and listen to "RRG" scream that the cyclists were in his way. “You gotta get out of my way!”
Unfortunately for “RRG” the incident took place a few blocks east of the Beverly Hills Police Department and a few blocks west of the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. He was long gone by the time the two departments responded but the cyclists wanted to go on record, simply as a matter of principle.
45 minutes after the incident, “RRG” drives west on Santa Monica Boulevard and as he passes the cyclists he sticks his arm out the window and points at them, perhaps so delusional that he thinks the Police Officers and Sheriff’s Deputies are citing the cyclists. To his surprise, they all jump into their vehicles and chase “RRG” down, cuffing him as he explains that he was only honking because the cyclists wouldn’t get in the bike lane. (There is no bike lane on Santa Monica Boulevard between Wilshire and Doheny!)
See you on the Streets!
Top Photo by Artanis Knarf via Flickr