Eight years ago today, Rachael Maney became the Director of Bike Law and helped co‑found the Bike Law Foundation, our non-profit arm. Today, we celebrate her success in transforming Bike Law from a national network of bicycle crash lawyers into a leading voice in bicycle advocacy and safety. When Rachael joined, Bike Law’s focus was…
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Rachael: 8 Years At Bike Law!
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Paul, My Brother, Rest in Peace.
If there’s one thing we know at Bike Law, it’s that behind every cycling fatality there’s grief and a longing for justice. And sometimes justice is just understanding what happened. Paul Rucker’s story reminds us of the importance of putting aside assumptions and finding the truth. Paul wasn’t perfect. None of us are. But his family…
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Yes to Road Riding
In his December 7th piece, Aaron Gully (the bike-test director of Outside Magazine) asks whether road riding is worth the risk. Aaron wrote the piece after he was hit by a car on a short section of road between two off-road trails. Fortunately, his injuries were relatively minor, but the experience led him to question whether…
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The Liability for Failing to Maintain a Bike Path
How much protection do Illinois municipalities have from liability for failing to maintain a dangerous bicycle path? In a decision handed down last week, the Illinois Supreme Court held that cities and towns in our state have quite a lot of protection. However, overturning a 1996 decision by the Illinois appellate court, the Supreme Court…
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10 Ways You Can Be Become an Active Bicycling Advocate
As today is Giving Tuesday, the largest funding day for US-based non-profits, it is fitting to reflect on how we can all effectively apply our time and money to make the bicycling movement stronger and more effective. Top 10 Ways to Become an Active Bicycling Advocate Featured Image: Richard Masoner
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For the Love of the Blinky Light
Daylight Savings Time has ended and we’ve “fallen back,” relegating many of us to commuting home, training, and gathering for our favorite social rides in the dark. There is an added element of fun in getting on the bike when the sun is setting, or pedaling under a night sky. But the additional risks that…
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Investigating the Police Chase That Caused a Bicycle Fatality in Atlanta
Andrew Whitlock was killed on November 6, 2017, while riding his bike. He was 37 years old. His killer was driving a station wagon and was fleeing from police who had attempted to stop him for questioning due to his “suspicious behavior,” according to news reports on the subject. The person who killed Andrew Whitlock…
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University Student Attacked on His Bike in New Orleans
On Monday, October 24, 2017, at approximately 5:00 pm, a motorist driving a gray Dodge Durango SUV attacked a University of New Orleans student, Timothy Walls, who was riding his bicycle home from class. The incident occurred as Walls rode his bicycle southbound on Elysian Fields and neared the intersection with Filmore Avenue in New…
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What You Should Know About Electric Bikes and the Law
Answers the most frequently asked questions about electric bikes and the laws surrounding them. This e-bike article is a collaboration with several Bike Law network members, Bryan Waldman, Charlie Thomas, Kurt Holzer, and Lauri Boxer-Macomber. We will continue to update it as new legislation and electric bike product is released. Last updated: September 19, 2017 Across the country these…
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New Illinois Passing Law
Illinois has just passed one of the most comprehensive laws in the country specifying when a driver may legally pass a bicyclist in a designated no-passing zone. Governor Bruce Rauner signed the law, formally known as HB 1784, on August 25th. It goes into effect January 1, 2018. The law adds clarity of Section 11-703 of the…
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Colombia’s Visionary Bicycle Legislation
Lauri recounts her biking experience in Colombia and explains why it is earning its place in the front of the bicycle movement with its visionary bicycle legislation. How does Colombia, one of the most notoriously happiest countries in the world, intend to make its 49 million residents even happier? It passes landmark legislation designed to make…
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2017 Bike Law Michigan CX Series Preview
A season preview put together by the organizers behind the Bike Law Michigan Cyclocross series and Bike Law attorney, Bryan Waldman. The 2017 Michigan Cyclocross Season is shaping up to be the most exciting season in years. There are at least 14 races (sanctioned and unsanctioned) already on the calendar. Five of the largest USA Cycling-sanctioned cyclocross races…
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9 Michigan Cyclocross Racers You Should Heckle This Season
Of all cycling disciplines, cyclocross seems to be the most spectator friendly. The open courses that racers circle numerous times promotes an up close and personal relationship between spectators and fans. This relationship includes the constant ringing of cow bells, beer tents, horns, hand-ups, megaphones, and yes, heckling. When I first started racing cross, the…
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New Illinois E-Bike Law Clarifies Specific Use, but Hurdles Remain
The new Illinois e-bike law regarding electric assist bicycles was clarified earlier this month when Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed a bill outlining their use on roads and paths. The new law, however, leaves the door open for municipalities throughout the state to restrict their use in some places where traditional bicycles are allowed. The…
