By way of comparison, the US Park Police refused to even turn over the name of the driver who killed Rhonda Whittaker so that her son could file an insurance claim before statute of limitations expired (https://dcist.com/story/22/04/27/waldon-adams-rhonda-whitaker-killed-hains-point/). |
There are several existing insurance products that exist such that there is no reason for a cyclists to be allowed to ride without insurance in the event that the injure, maim or godforbid kill someone. It should be mandated. This includes either personal liability insurance and specific bicycle liability insurance from a company like PedalSure. https://www.pedalsure.com/ The idea that you can kill someone and get away with it without even providing the victims family financial compensation is contrary to public policy in this country, particularly as it pertains to use of public right of ways. All cyclists should be insured, especially as bicycles are getting electrified and getting more dangerous. |
Did Zakkai Stanley Kauffman-Rogoff "get away with it"? No, he was charged, sued, and had to declare bankruptcy. Whereas the driver (whose name we do not know) who killed Rhonda Whittaker apparently has gotten away with it as the USPP won't even give their name to the family so that they can pursue a civil suit. Lots of activities that human beings engage in other than cycling create a far greater statistical risk of harm for others. I could spend all day recounting them to you if I so desired. Are you calling for those who engage in these activities to have liability insurance as well? Maybe we should just mandate that everyone obtain an umbrella policy from the time they are born or do the sensible thing and overhaul the whole damn tort system. If you are really worried about people being able to "kill someone and get away with it", I'd encourage you to focus your ire on the prevalence of fake temporary tags among Maryland drivers. If you spend any time on the streets of DC, you will know that these present the most clear and present danger to the welfare of the city's residents. |
Why don’t you go and ask the victims family whether they have received justice. You make cyclists look bad. |
From Washingtonian in 2019 (https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/04/29/how-much-of-a-threat-do-bicycles-actually-pose-to-dc-pedestrians-lets-look-at-the-data/):
Obviously any injuries or deaths are unacceptable. And I hope any cyclist who kills anyone makes appropriate restitution and/or faces appropriate charges. That said, one fatality in 10 years and 6.5 minor injuries a year is not usually the kind of rate that would make you think mandatory insurance should be required for cycling. Would you require children to carry cycling insurance, too? What about undocumented immigrants, who aren't allowed to get driver's licenses but can ride bikes? This seems like a much more complicated public policy proposition than you're making it seem. |
That's an incredibly weak response. Even you can do better. |
So says the person who thinks they can speak on behalf of a victim to defend a murderer. |
You have severe reading comprehension issues. |
Maybe you should decide to do something different than defend murderers. |
| Reflective vests cost $10 on Amazon. They'll deliver one to you tomorrow. |
Help stop someone from becoming a murderer. Take some personal responsibility in your own best interest. |
Are bikes even allowed on the Whitehurst? Isn’t it a freeway with no bike lane? |
Yes. Seriously. Or don’t whine when you become street pizza. |
Nope. No guilt. I have $50. You’ll be dead. Pretty damn sure I win in that scenario. |
Bikes enjoy the same privileges on DC streets as any other vehicles. They are not prohibited on Whitehurst Freeway or on any other roads with or without a bike lane (Title 18, Section 1201.1). I would never ride on there, but those who do are well within the law. This has further information that may be useful for you: https://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/DC-Bike-Law-Pocket-Guide-Oct2012.pdf |