Harassment Ordinance Passes after lengthy Debate
Bicyclists now have more rights and protections on Columbia’s streets. The offense of harassing a bicyclist is now established as a class A misdemeanor after the Columbia City Council amended Chapter 16 of the City Code in Monday’s meeting. Previously, charges of harassment could only be brought as class 3 assault and many officers saw that charge as inappropriate.
The ordinance defines harassment in four ways.
(1) Knowingly throwing an object at or in the direction of any person riding a
bicycle; or
(2) Threatening any person riding a bicycle for the purpose of frightening or
disturbing the person riding the bicycle; or
(3) Sounding a horn, shouting or otherwise directing sound toward any person riding a
bicycle for the purpose of frightening or disturbing the person riding the
bicycle; or
(4) Knowingly placing a person riding a bicycle in apprehension of immediate
physical injury; or
(5) Knowingly engaging in conduct that creates a risk of death or serious physical
injury to the person riding a bicycle.
The ordinance’s language addresses experiences and concerns voiced by the 20 Columbia residents (the author included) who spoke in favor of the ordinance. None spoke against.
Despite their intent, the definitions’ language of “bicyclists” was the greatest opponent and caused the council to spend about an hour and a half on the issue.
Council member Paul Sturtz was the first to comment, saying he was “uncomfortable with the ordinance” because there are many relationships on the road that need protecting, not just bicyclists.
Continued on the Advocacy page
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Reader Comments (2)
I'm so thrilled this passed.
I just found this site, this is something Columbia really needs. I hope it expands. If you haven't already (I don't have access to the current database) you might contact MoBikeFed to let us know you are out here. And maybe add MoBikeFed to your blogroll, if you think it is appropriate.
Thanks for doing this, I look forward to the community part of it. I'll be happy to comment on all the harassment that comes my way. Right now the worst of it seems to be in TribTalk and so on. It's been a while since I've gotten it on the street, but I've been riding at easier hours (not 5:00 p.m. for example).
Rachel, we're currently working on a new blogroll for the site and a forum to report abuse on the road. We'll be in contact with MoBikeFed soon, so thanks for the interest!