I created these stickers after seeing similar ones in cab windows in Boston.  The idea is that the sticker will remind passengers to “watch for bikes” when they open the door into traffic in an effort to prevent dooring a cyclist.  I think this is a great idea, so I’m bringing it to Seattle.  I put a sticker on the inside of my front passenger door to remind me to check my blind spot when turning.  If you would use these stickers, want to place a stack at your place of business, or have suggestions for getting the word out, comment on this post and I’ll get in touch with you.

Insurance for cyclists is at the intersection of health, auto, and homeowner/renter insurance.  Depending on the situation you may or may not be covered on one of your own policies (ex. you are hit on your bicycle by an uninsured motorist – you will most likely be covered by your auto policy).  If you are hit by a driver, and you don’t have an auto policy, you may be covered by the driver’s policy (ex.  personal injury protection (PIP) is no fault coverage for medical care, wage loss, and household services).  If you crash your bike, your health insurance will cover you.

There haven’t been any bicycle-specific policies, but there now appears to be an insurer that is providing such policies.  Enter CLIPP.  I’m suspicious.  Is this anything other than an insurance company ready to take your money?  Will a CLIPP-insured cyclist be covered that far above and beyond her existing health, auto, and/or homeowner policy?  To fully understand whether this coverage makes sense, you need to review your health, life, car, and homeowner/renter policies. The basic coverage appears to be very minimal.  It is NOT comparable coverage to a standard car policy.  If you have at least health insurance and a homeowner/renter policy, it’s possible that is not coverage that makes sense.

Let’s take a closer look (CLIPP’s language is bolded, my comments are in italics).  The actual insurance coverages are in green – the other stuff is just fluff.

Base membership includes:

• Annual Safety Training by LAB Certified Instructors. This is cryptic.  LAB = League of American Bicyclists.  There are plenty of safety training classes – check with Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle.  Better to support Cascade than an insurance company.
• $1,000.00 of Accident Medical Insurance* per occurrence. This is barely any coverage.  For $1,000, you won’t even get a visit to the ER.  This is excess coverage, meaning it doesn’t kick in until you’ve maxed out all other medical insurance.
• $1,000.00 of Property Damage Insurance** per occurrence. CLIPP offers additional property coverage, for more money.  This is subject to a deductible.  If a driver hits you, his/her property damage coverage will cover your bike, if it’s his/her fault.  If you rent, and don’t have a renter policy, I strongly suggest it to cover your belongings in case of a burglar that enters your house in broad daylight after you leave the house to go to work (that was me, 5 years ago). As your insurer about “scheduling” your bicycle if it’s a pricey one.
• $1,000.00 Theft Insurance***Similar comment to property damage coverage – this can be easily covered by your renter/homeowner policy.
• $25,000.00 Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage. If you are killed or seriously injured, you and/or your family is going to need an attorney, not this type of coverage.
• Bike registration with the National Bike Registry. If you’re interested, the cost is $10/10 years, $25/30 years.
• Club Membership in Adventure Cycling Association A good organization, but maybe it’s better to just join it directly and make sure they get the full benefit of the membership cost.
• Education for the public about bicycle awareness. *eyeroll*
• Updates on the cycling lifestyle. *eyeroll*
• CLIPP member discounts. *eyeroll*

I’m requesting more detailed information about CLIPP’s coverage – stay tuned . . .

Portland Streetcar Tracks

I always look at Portland as a bike mecca – great bike facilities, lots of hipsters, a racing scene, and nice flat streets to cruise down.  I was down there this past weekend for a concert and saw many streets with streetcar tracks running down the lane of travel (no bike lane).  Portland too?!  I thought it was just a Seattle problem.

The latest news in Seattle is about a group of people suing the City for putting similar tracks down Westlake Avenue in the South Lake Union neighborhood.

A law school classmate called me up on another topic, but mentioned the lawsuit and commented that cyclists should know there are some streets you just can’t ride on!  But in Seattle’s case, the City could’ve foreseen the problem and did very little to warn cyclists.  I have no doubt that the case will build on the basics set out in the Seattle Times article (see below).  The city dropped the ball, people got hurt, and the City isn’t willing to take responsibility despite clear laws that tell it the roads must be safe for vehicles.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012003618_streetcarbikes02m.html