Time for Some Cycling Advocacy

From today's Twitter feed from Bicycling magazine- a post on the Bicycling Mag forum:

"Victim in LA driver v. cyclists road rage case asks you to write to the DA today, prior to sentencing: http://tinyurl.com/ye77hl9"

There's an excellent post from Bob Mionske's Road Rights blog on the Bicycling website describing the case.

In a nutshell:

A Los Angeles-area driver (and physician, God help us) harrasses two cyclists, and then slams on his brakes in front of them.  One has a separated shoulder; the other has his face launched through the rear window. And- oh yeah- he's done this kind of thing before, to other cyclists.

He was convicted on seven felony counts stemming from this and another road rage incident. Another cyclist unfortunate enough to have encountered Dr. Christopher Thompson, Patrick Watson, is encouraging cyclists to write to the LA district attorney, Mary Stone, sharing their views on sentencing for Dr. Thompson, which is set to take place in early December.  You can get the information in the tweet above, or here.

FYI, here's the letter that I posted a little while ago: 

Dear Ms.Stone:



I am a 41 year old mother, wife, daughter, physician, and Ironman triathlete. I am a cyclist by choice, and a motorist by necessity.


I am writing to encourage the maximum sentencing for Dr. Christopher Thompson after his felony convictions stemming from a road rage incident which resulted in significant injuries to two cyclists.


This is one of the nightmare scenarios that I often envision before I head out on the road on my bike. My enthusiasm for a ride is tempered by the fear that “today might be the day”. What if that driver doesn’t see me when she’s reaching for her cell phone? What if that driver doesn’t see me before he pulls out of his driveway? What if, worst of all, that driver decides that I don’t belong on the road, that I should be on the sidewalk, and decides to “teach me a lesson”?


It is fact that we are allowed to share the road with motorists- it is the safest way for a cyclist to travel, as it allows clear visibility for both cyclists and motorists. Cycling on the roadway actually makes us less of a hazard, to ourselves and to others, than on a sidewalk or a bike path. It also makes us subject to traffic rules and regulations, which the vast majority of us attempt to comply with.


A large percentage of general motorists are ignorant of a cyclist’s rights and responsibilities, and are uneducated in proper bike-motorist behavior. We in the cycling community are aware of our role in educating motorists, and we know that much more can be done in government to improve and reinforce this education.


Unfortunately, there must also be consequences when motorists ignore existing laws protecting cyclists- as well as laws that not only protect cyclists, but all citizens, from intentional harm caused by another person. Laws which prohibit assault and battery- by any means- on another human being.


What Dr. Thompson did on that road was no different than leveling a loaded shotgun at those cyclists.

I am appalled to think that a fellow physician could fail to appreciate the damage that a moving car can do to a human being riding a bicycle. As both a cyclist and a Medical Examiner, I have seen the very grim consequences of these interactions.

Even more disturbing is the thought that the doctor indeed did recognize the possible consequences of his actions, and chose to act anyways.

I realize, of course, that Dr. Thompson is a criminal. His behavior is an exception to the behavior of most motorists on the road today. Despite their ignorance, most motorists will not attempt to maim or kill a cyclist because they believe that the cyclist is in violation of the law, however false that belief.


The Dr. Thompsons out there frighten me—because I know that one may be out there on the road with me when I ride my bike.


I have to remind myself that there are motorists out there like the trucker who followed my husband home, letting his headlights illuminate the road in front of my husband, who was caught on the road after dark one night, with no way to see well enough to ride home safely. He drove off when my husband pulled into the driveway, before we could thank him.


For the rest of the driving population, for those in between the two extremes above, I hope that the case of Dr. Thompson will draw attention to the challenges that both motorists and cyclists face by “sharing the road,” and highlight the need for increased motorist education. I hope that increased awareness and tolerance will prevent the Dr. Thompsons of the world from attempting to justify injuring or murdering cyclists like me, my husband, or my children-- because our bikes were simply in their way.


I believe that, by giving Dr. Thompson the maximum sentence, other criminals such as him will be given the message that intentionally striking a cyclist on the road can never be justified. “Because they pissed me off” does not justify assault or battery under any circumstance, including having to share the road with a cyclist.

Thank you for your time, and for the service that you have done for the cycling community in prosecuting this case.


Sincerely,

Janna Summerall-Smith, M.D.