The Sebastopol California city council voted to adopt Sonoma County’s first vulnerable users law after several cyclists testified on the need for such a law last night. The proposed city law, which is based on model code provided by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, allows cyclists and pedestrians to sue those who “intentionally injure, attempt to injure, or threaten to physically injure” them for $1000 or up to treble actual damages, whichever is greater, in addition to litigation costs. A jury or judge may also additional award punitive damages.

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