Yesterday the LA City Council approved the cyclist anti-harassment ordinance authored and championed by our very own Councilman Bill Rosendahl! The new ordinance makes it a crime for motorists to harass bicyclists, verbally or physically. The new law also allows victims of harassment to file civil lawsuits without waiting for the city to press criminal charges. Big thanks to Councilman Bill Rosendahl for making this happen!
Any person who violates the provisions of this Article shall be liable for treble the actual damages with regard to each and every such violation, or $1,000, whichever is greater, and shall be liable for reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of litigation. In addition, a jury or a court may award punitive damages where warranted.
SEC. 45.96.02. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES.
A person shall not do or attempt to do any of the following:
A. Physically assault or attempt to physically assault a Bicyclist because of, in whole or in part, the Bicyclist’s status as a Bicyclist.
B. Threaten to physically injure a Bicyclist because of, in whole or in part, the status as a Bicyclist.
C. Intentionally injure, attempt to injure, or threaten to physically injure, either by words, vehicle, or other object, a Bicyclist because of, in whole or in part, the Bicyclist’s status as a Bicyclist.
D. Intentionally distract or attempt to distract a Bicyclist because of, in whole or in part, the Bicyclist’s status as a Bicyclist.
E. Intentionally force or attempt to force a Bicyclist off a street for purposes unrelated to public safety.
Click here to read the new law in full!
