Columbia council member introduces bicyclist harrassment article

From today's Columbia Tribune:
[Columbia Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe] asked city staff Monday to draft an ordinance dealing with drivers who harass or threaten bicyclists.

Hoppe suggested a guideline in the Bicycle Safety Act of South Carolina, which makes it unlawful to "harass, taunt or maliciously throw an object at or in the direction of any person riding a bicycle." Violations are punishable by a $250 fine, 30 days in jail or both. . . .

"Part of it is we are making this modal shift to more pedestrians and bicyclists,” Overshiner said. A bicyclist-harassment ordinance “would let drivers know it’s not OK. You might have to put your brakes on for a half a block, and you might feel that’s a big hassle, but what if it was a school bus or another slow driver? Traffic depends on being respectful of other road users, and bikes are valid road users."

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