Anchorage Awarded LAB Bronze, Cop Hits Cyclist

This past week, two separate items have been spinning around my mind. Today they finally came together. You might say they even collided.

I just realized that the same day the League of American Bicyclists designated Anchorage, Alaska as a bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community, announced by way of a volley of excited e-mails and blog posts, a local Anchorage woman, riding her bicycle on her morning commute, was hit by an Anchorage police officer.

While we'll likely never know the true cause or outcome of the collision, I hope it isn't a portent of the future of cycling in our fair city.

In light of these recent events, and in reaction to the confused tone the cyclist's husband had in his initial post of the collision on the AKspokes forum, I suggest making the time to read Bicycling and the Law very soon. You never know when something like this may occur to you or someone very close to you. It's best to be prepared ahead of time.

In closing, consider the current debate taking place in Seattle, attempting to address the epidemic of distracted and/or negligent driving with a "Vulnerable User Bill." David Hiller, Cascade Bicycle Club's advocacy director, notes something you should think long and hard about in regard to your own vulnerability and safety out on the road, "people who don't control their vicious dogs face more criminal culpability than drivers for negligence behind the wheel."

In the meantime, call your insurance company and get a UM/UIM policy.