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Why Ted MacRae supports Missouri bicycle advocacy
Monday, January 09, 2006
Many thanks to all MoBikeFed supporters who have donated as part of our end-of-year appeal. Preliminary results show that we have received well over our goal of $10,000. That's good news! Not only does it put us in good financial shape for the first half of the year but it also means we will be able to cut short our May (Bike Month) fund raising.
MoBikeFed member and Gold Level sponsor Ted MacRae was one of our most generous donors last fall. Ted wrote recently to explain why he supports MoBikeFed:
I support the MoBikeFed because I believe that too often motorists within the state fail to acknowledge the rights of cyclists. Furthermore, I believe that state and local laws don't always adquately protect cyclists from such motorists, and in some cases the laws are even biased against cyclists. I view this situation as resulting from a pervasive culture of disrespect towards cyclists in our society. Advocacy groups such as the MoBikeFed, working within the legal and political landscape of the state, are in my opinion the best way to effect long term changes in societal attitudes towards cyclists.
My own decision to support the MoBikeFed was catalyzed by two events. In October 2004, I was struck by a harassing motorist who failed to pass at a safe distance. My injuries, though painful, were not life threatening. However, I was incensed to learn that the driver had not, in fact, broken any state law. Despite this, a civil suit was filed against the driver, and eventually a substantial out-of-court settlement was reached. The settlement far exceeded what was required to replace my bicycle and equipment that were destroyed when he struck me. However, I did not pursue the civil suit just for the money. I also wanted the driver to know how egregious his actions were and that there had to be consequences for such blatant disregard of another persons personal safety.
The second event was the successful passage of the Missouri Bicycle Safety Law in 2005. The MoBikeFed played a huge role in the passage of this important legislation. While the law has its limitations, it nevertheless provides greatly enhanced legal protections for cyclists within the state. As a case in point, the driver who struck me in 2004 would have certainly been subject to prosecution under the Law's provision that requires motorists to pass cyclists (and pedestrians) at a safe distance.
Passage of the Missouri Bicycle Safety Law is an outstanding example of what advocacy efforts can do. I congratulate the MoBikeFed for their role in passage of this legislation and want to support their continued advocacy efforts. The substantial donation I made was a portion of the settlement I received. I take great pleasure in knowing money received from a motorist who did not respect cyclist's rights is being used to further advocate for cyclist's rights.
MoBikeFed member and Gold Level sponsor Ted MacRae was one of our most generous donors last fall. Ted wrote recently to explain why he supports MoBikeFed: