Sunday, May 17, 2009

Pedal Power Free Legal Clinic - June 10th

Competence breeds confidence - and confidence makes everything more fun!

To share the road, most of the time all that’s needed is a mutual interest in civility and safety. But the law’s not always so straightforward or commonsensical, and it’s often changing.

Whether you need a refresher course, or want a complete introduction to bicycling and the law, the City of Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley Chapter of the Bicycle Transportation Alliance have some answers.

The City and MWVBTA together are pleased to bring to Salem bicycle lawyer Ray Thomas, of Swanson Thomas & Coon, and his Pedal Power legal clinic.

On Wednesday, June 10 from 6pm to 7pm, at the Anderson Room in the Salem Public Library, Ray Thomas will share his wisdom and wit in this 60-minute clinic on bicyclists’ rights and responsibilities on the road. A question and answer period will follow.

Learn the legal basis for sharing the road. The clinic will cover what to expect legally and practically from motorists. It will also discuss what motorists, pedestrians, and other bicyclists should expect from bicyclists. Hear about Oregon’s bike law basics, get inside info about insurance, and learn what to do if you’re in a crash.

The clinic will also get people up to date on the latest legislation.

The 2007 Legislature passed a law that required a “distance that is sufficient to prevent contact with the person operating the bicycle if the person were to fall into the driver's lane of traffic.” Oregon law also contains the “Citizen Prosecution Statute,” which allows regular citizens to initiate an action on a traffic ticket, to subpoena witnesses and present evidence at a trial in traffic court.

The session is free and includes a lively question and answer session. Each person who RSVPs and attends will also take home a free copy of Pedal Power, a Legal Guide for Oregon Cyclists.

Last summer a similar clinic in Bend attracted over 65 people!

RSVP by email to salembikes [at] gmail [dot ] com

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