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COLUMBIA -- Road rage is usually aimed only at the drivers of other cars, but some bicycle riders say the anger aimed at them can be even more dangerous.
Road rage is on reason why the Columbia City Council approved a new ordinance making it a crime to harass a bicyclist….but the new law may be hard to enforce.
Columbia council members unanimously passed the "Bike Harassment law" after hearing from dozens at a public hearing who said they have had angry drivers throw objects at them, shout threats and honk their car horns.
"I think that some of these people who have a real agenda against bicyclists and are purposefully trying to intimidate them and scare them...some sort of contact from law enforcement," said PedNet Education Coordinator Robert Johnson.
Columbia is largely known as a bike-friendly community; but backers of the bill say police didn't know what to do when a bike rider reported abuse from motorists.
In response, police say even with the new law, a cyclist has to do more than just file a complaint.
"That is we have to have a cyclist that would call us and make a complaint when an incident has occurred,” said Jeff Westbrook with the Columbia Police. “In addition to that you're going to need them to be able to identify who committed this act, license plate number. You're going to have to have a good little bit of information for us to go forward with an investigation of a harassment."
Under the new law, Westbrook says some caught harassing cyclists could face class a misdemeanor charges which carry a one thousand dollar fine or up to one year in jail.
"The law really talks about harassing the bicyclists by yelling, shouting, and honking with the purpose of frightening or disturbing the bicyclists,” said Johnson. “I think that is the key. Some people are kind of under the impression that if they honk at a bicycle for legitimate safety reason, that they are going to sock them with this fine and that's not the case."
Since Columbia City Council passed the bike harassment law, bicycle riders are feeling much more comfortable hopping on wheels like this to ride around the city.
"I feel safe in Columbia,” said Tom Brinker, owner of Cycle Extreme. “There are people who are just angry with cyclists, pedestrians, and people in wheelchairs. Ya know it’s dangerous. I know I take my life and my well being in my hands every time I go out."
Cyclists say it's an added protection in a town that already known for being bicycle friendly.
Similar laws are on the books in Colorado, South Carolina and several other states.
