A bunch of us cyclists rode this morning to Van Nuys City Hall to address the lack of respect that cyclists get from our law enforcement and the lack of response and lack of responsibility we get from our City’s Leadership.

Stephen summed up the meeting  on SoapBoxLA and I wanted to post my words as I spoke them today here:

Thank you for taking the time to listen to us.

My name is Enci. I was born and raised in Hungary, when it was still under communist rule. Wherever I traveled, wherever I lived, I was always treated as a second class citizen. Until I set foot on American soil.

In America I tasted freedom and equality like never before. Until I got on my bike. On my bike I’ve been harassed, I’ve been knocked down, I’ve had things thrown at me, I’ve been left lying on the street without any help from our law enforcement or the motorists, and without any response from our city leadership.

I’m asking you, why did I lose my rights when I got on my bike?

Where are our Councilmembers to protect cyclists in their Council District?

Where are the Councilmembers, when we ask to be protected, not only from dangerous drivers but also from uneducated and abusive police officers?

I’m asking you to make this city green, by protecting the vulnerable, by endorsing the Cyclists’ Bill of Rights, by demanding from the LAPD to be sensitive and educated about cyclists’ rights on the road, and I’m asking for the full support of our judicial system and I expect that those who endanger, injure, or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

Our voices have been heard and the City Council wrote a Motion directing the LAPD to investigate and address police officer training. It was a good day for cyclists and I was proud to be surrounded by such eloquent and passionate group of people who spoke up about their rights on our streets.