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01-07-2005, 05:02 PM

Ed Chasteen, a cyclist with multiple sclerosis, was charged with
"pushing a bicycle" in Lawson, Missouri, population 2300, in an
area where bicycle travel is prohibited both on the street and
the adjacent sidewalks of the business district. Local law
forbids even pushing a bike. The area has several "No Bicycles"
signs, but Mr. Chasteen assumed they were to prevent riding a
bicycle on the sidewalk.

His trial was held January 4th. Lawson's mayor, chief of police,
and the officer who wrote Chasteen's ticket all testified.
Chasteen's attorney asked questions during the trial indicating
that Lawson's previous city prosecutor had refused to file the
case as unprosecutable. Although the judge refused to allow the
questions, a different prosecutor was handling the case.

Chasteen's attorney argued that the law is unconstitutionally
vague, includes an inappropriate penalty designed for parents of
children, and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Parents who permit violations by their children may be charged
with a misdemeanor.

Local media reports erroneously indicated that Lawson's mayor is
against any changes to the "no bicycle zone" law. Lawson City
Manager John Tracy indicates that an update to the law is in fact
on the agenda for this spring. Lawson is looking at bicycle law
in nearby cities as a model, and will work with local bicyclists
and bicycle groups, as well as local citizens. Note, however,
that at least some local citizens support the bicycle ban.

The judge will consider the case and issue a verdict within 10
days.

Chasteen's group rides to Lawson about once every 5 weeks. In
July, he was entering a restaurant when he met Lawson's Police
Chief, who ordered him to remove his bicycle from the street.
Mr. Chasteen refused, and the Chief had a waiting officer ticket
him for the offense.

Mr. Chasteen first encountered the police in May of 2004, when
police told a group of cyclist volunteers supporting a local MS
ride that they could not ride in Lawson.

For more information:
http://www.mobikefed.org/2005/01/cyc...sclerosis.html
http://www.hatebusters.com/article.a...0&NavButton=06
http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...71/detail.html

--

alan

Anyone who believes in a liberal media has never read the "Daily Oklahoman."

01-07-2005, 05:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
alan Guest Posts: n/a	Pushing a bicycle illegal Ed Chasteen, a cyclist with multiple sclerosis, was charged with "pushing a bicycle" in Lawson, Missouri, population 2300, in an area where bicycle travel is prohibited both on the street and the adjacent sidewalks of the business district. Local law forbids even pushing a bike. The area has several "No Bicycles" signs, but Mr. Chasteen assumed they were to prevent riding a bicycle on the sidewalk. His trial was held January 4th. Lawson's mayor, chief of police, and the officer who wrote Chasteen's ticket all testified. Chasteen's attorney asked questions during the trial indicating that Lawson's previous city prosecutor had refused to file the case as unprosecutable. Although the judge refused to allow the questions, a different prosecutor was handling the case. Chasteen's attorney argued that the law is unconstitutionally vague, includes an inappropriate penalty designed for parents of children, and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Parents who permit violations by their children may be charged with a misdemeanor. Local media reports erroneously indicated that Lawson's mayor is against any changes to the "no bicycle zone" law. Lawson City Manager John Tracy indicates that an update to the law is in fact on the agenda for this spring. Lawson is looking at bicycle law in nearby cities as a model, and will work with local bicyclists and bicycle groups, as well as local citizens. Note, however, that at least some local citizens support the bicycle ban. The judge will consider the case and issue a verdict within 10 days. Chasteen's group rides to Lawson about once every 5 weeks. In July, he was entering a restaurant when he met Lawson's Police Chief, who ordered him to remove his bicycle from the street. Mr. Chasteen refused, and the Chief had a waiting officer ticket him for the offense. Mr. Chasteen first encountered the police in May of 2004, when police told a group of cyclist volunteers supporting a local MS ride that they could not ride in Lawson. For more information: http://www.mobikefed.org/2005/01/cyc...sclerosis.html http://www.hatebusters.com/article.a...0&NavButton=06 http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...71/detail.html -- alan Anyone who believes in a liberal media has never read the "Daily Oklahoman."