Category: Advocacy
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Charleston Bicycle Attorney reports on Charleston Moves Advocacy Success
Tom Bradford, Executive Director of Charleston Moves, is passionate about urban planning and bicycle advocacy. Here he shares his recent experience with the improvements for the Rte. 41 Bridge over the Wando River. “The South Carolina Department of Transportation, confronted by a large array of political leaders and public officials, changed the configuration of the…
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Pedal Safely in the USA
London saw an increase in cyclist fatalities in 2013, but it’s still not the most dangerous place to ride. Unfortunately, the U.S. wins the award for most dangerous place to bike. “Americans are not only among the world’s least avid cyclists; they are also among the most likely to get killed.” – A rather morbid statement…
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Take That, Contributory Negligence
Contributory negligence is most frustrating when a driver knows he did something wrong, admits he did something wrong and is still trying to get out of it by arguing that the person he hurt is at least some small percentage at fault. A surprisingly not-so-uncommon explanation: “Yeah I know I didn’t look before turning right on red, but that…
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Contrib Sucks!
We trial lawyers love to talk about our successes, and we get lots of opportunities to do that. But we’re not just your lawyers, we’re your community. When one of us loses, we share the loss. So here’s a trial story that will tell you how much work we have left to do in North…
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Cycling and the Law: Cars Approaching from Behind
From Ann in North Carolina: Hit from behind collisions are not nearly as statistically common as intersection collisions. But that doesn’t make the prospect of one any less frightening. To make matters worse, motorists often have no idea what to do when approaching a cyclist from behind and there’s plenty of confusion among cyclists as…
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The Lost Art of the Group Ride
Every so often, I’ll ride a recreational group ride. I love the camaraderie of cyclists, the talk, the last minute pumps of air, the clicking in, and the easy drifting out as a peloton. “I miss riding in a group,” I’ll think to myself. The magic ends by mile 10. The group will surge, gap,…
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Why a Bicycle Lawyer is Different
After a coffee, one morning and a great talk about cycling advocacy, my friend and fellow cyclist Fred Sexton asked me to post this. Thanks, Fred! As a cyclist, you are part of a greater community of people who have a similar set of interests and values. You should know that as a member of that community…
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Safe Streets Save Lives Video: Lets Get There Together
A Quantum Leap Forward In 2008, the three-year lobbying effort by advocates across South Carolina finally paid off with the passage of reformed bicycle traffic safety laws. According to advocates, this reform launched South Carolina into the modern age of traffic law by allowing bicycles equitable treatment as legitimate users of the road. With the…
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Safe Streets Save Lives Video: How to Drive
Handle With Care In most settings, bicyclists travel at a slower speed than cars, so motorists will often need to pass a bicycle user to arrive at their destination efficiently and safely. The one concept that motorists need to remember when passing or overtaking a bicycle is to be cautious and to maintain a safe…
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Safe Streets Save Lives Video: How to Ride Your Bicycle
Obey Traffic Signs and Signals When riding a bicycle, you must obey all stop signs and lights as you would when driving a car. Bicyclists should act as drivers of a motor vehicle. This means obeying the rules of the road just as you would when driving a car. Traffic signs and signals are not…
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Safe Streets Save Lives Video: Signals & Safety
Lights Aren’t Just Christmas Decorations It isn’t news to anyone that bikes are smaller than cars. They don’t take up as much space on the road, and they’re also harder to see. In South Carolina, the law says bikes must be equipped with a white front light and a red rear reflector at night or…
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Nominate an Advocate for the Blue Ridge Parkway Bicycle Tour
The response to our Tour of the Blue Ridge / Advocacy Roundtable has been amazing! Of course folks are thrilled: June 22 – 26, 2011. Boone to Asheville. 20 riders (only 12 8 spots left). 60+ mountain miles a day. Advocacy and strategy sessions by night. Great food and drink. Mountain Inns. Led by the Black Bear Adventures.…
