Bicycling Law – Past And Future

In "The Rebirth of Bicycling Law", Professor Christopher Waters provides a fascinating review of the history  of bicycling law, dating back to the time when it was  called "the law of the wheelman", as well as a  look forward to the future of the "cycling bar". Beginning in the late nineteenth century, the increasing popularity of the bicycle led to issues familiar to us today such as conflicts between cyclists and other road users (at the time,  horse riders and streetcar operators) and calls for improved infrastructure. Wheelmen  advocated for their legal rights to use the roads and for improved cycling routes. With the rise of the automobile, however, cycling became less popular and cyclists' legal needs became less pressing. Over the last decade, cycling advocates have begun to raise these issues again and Prof. Waters suggests a number of areas of law and policy for further analysis and reform, including: