Road Rage On Mandeville Canyon — Update
As many of you Bicycle.net readers have already heard, there was a major “Road Rage” incident in Brentwood (in Los Angeles).
We made a very difficult decision to not run the story because it was a very difficult story for us. We know both riders and have ridden Mandeville Cyn. many many times. This story was just too close to home. It brought up way to recent memories of my own “Car-vs-Bike” accident when I was rear ended by a 87 year old man. I just did not want to have the attention on us for such a tragic story.
We hope and pray that both cyclists, Ron Peterson and Christian Stoehr, recover quickly and get back on their bikes soon. As far as Dr. Thomas Thompson is concerned we are looking forward to the justice system making sure he gets the special attention it appears he was so looking for.
On that note, we are encoruaged to report that Thompson has been arraigned today and charged.
What follows is information passed on by Jenn Klausner, Executive Director of Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC).
Remember these are only the charges being filed and do not constitute quilt or innocence. But it is good to see that the DA is taking the case very seriously.
The case is being handled by the District Attorney’s office, and LACBC has learned that the multiple felony charges filed against Dr. Thompson today could land the 59-year-old emergency physician in state prison for up to 7 years, 8 months, in additional to collateral consequences of such felony charges, which may include the revocation of his medical license. He is charged with six felonies (two counts each for the two cyclists that he hurt) altogether:
- Reckless Driving Causing Injury
- Inflicting Gross Bodily Injury
- Battery Causing Serious Injury
The Deputy District Attorney assigned to the case said he has “no sympathy” for this motorist, and called this “a dark day for Mr. Thompson”.
L.A. City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl (Council District 11) has called a public meeting, to address residents’ and cyclists’ concerns about Mandeville Canyon Road and Westside cycling issues in general, on Monday July 14th at 6:30pm at the Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center at 11338 Santa Monica Blvd. Cycling advocates, particularly those who frequent Mandeville Canyon, are encouraged to attend. This is a good way for you to get involved, and to bring L.A.’s cycling community together for the very important cause of safety on our roadways.
We will keep you up to date if we hear any new information.
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Subj: Town Hall on Cycling in Mandeville CANCELLED
http://www.councilmanrosendahl.com
City Hall (213) 473-7011 West LA (310) 575-8461 Westchester (310) 568-8772
July 14, 2008
Contact: Nate Kaplan-(213) 473-7011
MONDAY’S PUBLIC FORUM ON CYCLING ON MANDEVILLE CANYON ROAD IS CANCELLED
Rosendahl to Form Task Force of Residents, Cyclists and City Staff
LOS ANGELES – In response to escalating tensions over a July 4 incident that sent two cyclists to the hospital, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl is replacing a public Town Hall meeting with a task force on how cyclists and residents can better and more safely share Mandeville Canyon Road.
“At the request of the residents and of the cyclists who use Mandeville Canyon Road, I have decided that a more focused, deliberative task force will achieve my goal of bringing the relevant people together to discuss ideas and proposals for everyone to share this narrow canyon roadway,” Rosendahl said.
Over the past few days, officials with homeowner associations and the bicycling clubs that train on the winding, 5-mile stretch of road expressed concern that the tenor of media coverage and of blog posts would make a Monday public meeting counter-productive. Many said they worried the issue had become larger than the specific issues of Mandeville Canyon
“While I always prefer more public dialogue and welcome it even now,” Rosendahl said, “I appreciate the views and concerns of the residents and cyclists most involved in this issue and most familiar with this road.’
The Town Hall meeting had been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 14 at the Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center in West Los Angeles
Instead, Rosendahl said he would convene a task force of representatives of the three Mandeville Canyon homeowners associations, the four cycling clubs that regularly train there, the Los Angeles Bicycle Advisory Committee, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and his staff. The group will develop proposals to address issues of safety, personal and public rights, and civic responsibility – among both cyclists and residents of Mandeville Canyon.
Rosendahl said he hoped the more global issues of road-sharing between cyclists and motorists throughout Los Angeles would get a more thorough airing in a more appropriate, citywide venue. He noted he and several colleagues last week introduced a motion endorsing the Cyclists’ Bill of Rights.
“When the Transportation Committee and the City Council take up that issue, I think it will be an exceptional opportunity to begin a citywide education campaign about the rights of cyclists and the need for everyone to share the road. We’re all stuck in gridlock in Los Angeles, and we need to voice our frustration at the lack of a sensible transit system, and not at each other.
Rosendahl said he also welcomes any feedback at councilmanrosendahl@lacity.org.
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