Public Hearing on Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act on Nov 2
Official notice from Councilmember Phil Mendelson (At-Large) announcing a public hearing on Enforcement of Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Bill 19-475, Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act of 2011 on Wednesday, November 2, 2011.
COUNCILMEMBER PHIL MENDELSON, CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC OVERSIGHT HEARING on Enforcement of Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Bill 19-475, Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act of 2011 on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 11:00 a.m., Hearing Room 412, John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20004 Councilmember Phil Mendelson, Chairperson of the Committee on the Judiciary, announces a public oversight hearing on the enforcement of pedestrian and bicycle safety and on Bill 19-475, the Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act of 2011. The public oversight hearing will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 in Hearing Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. This hearing notice has been revised to include consideration of related legislation. The purpose of this hearing is to hear testimony from the public on continuing issues surrounding the enforcement of pedestrian and bicycle safety. The Committee held a hearing on February 4, 2011 on this subject but continues to hear complaints about enforcement, particularly regarding bicyclists. Concerns reported to the Committee include a lack of understanding and enforcement of the laws as they pertain to bicyclists, the failure to obtain a bicyclist’s side of the story when an accident occurs with a motorist, and improper citations of bicyclists who are obeying the law. The hearing will explore steps taken to improve enforcement in this area, particularly in light of a report by the Office of Police Complaints on pedestrian and bicycle enforcement issues expected to be released during the month of September. The Committee also invites testimony on Bill 19-475, the Assault of Bicyclists Prevention Act of 2011, the stated purpose of which is to provide for relief including: up to three times actual damages; punitive damages; and attorney’s fees for a person who while riding a bicycle is the victim of an intentional assault, injury, harassment, or the threat thereof. Those who wish to testify should contact Ms. Jessica Jacobs, Legislative Counsel, at (202) 724-8038, by fax at (202) 724-6664, or via e-mail at jjacobs@dccouncil.us and provide their name, address, telephone number, organizational affiliation and title (if any) by close of business Monday, October 31, 2011. Persons wishing to testify are encouraged, but not required, to submit 15 copies of written testimony. If submitted by the close of business on Monday, October 31, 2011 the testimony will be distributed to Councilmembers before the hearing. Witnesses should limit their testimony to five minutes; less time will be allowed if there are a large number of witnesses. If you are unable to testify at the hearing, written statements are encouraged and will be made a part of the official record. Copies of written statements should be submitted either to Ms. Jacobs, or to Ms. Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council, Room 5 of the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004. The record will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011.Download the complete announcement in PDF