Cyclists Beware! Cops pulled me over for running a red light on my bike..

I am not a fan of scooter riders at all. They scoot around the city with impunity and they do so oblivious of their surroundings. As a bike rider I must adhere to the traffic laws of this city and it should be appropriate that scooters should adhere to the same rules.

I do not shed a tear for any scooter owner for getting a ticket while scooting recklessly. You should know better than to go through a red light without stopping. My advice to you is pay the summons and learn your lesson. If you demand to share the road with cars and bikes then you should act like a civilized person and obey the laws as well.

Just my 2 cents.

While insuring something and having a lic to drive it is nice, what actually proves ownership of a 150cc scooter is the title.

When you reported to your insurance company that your scooter was stolen, did the insurance company have you mail them the title? ...they usually do that before they pay out a claim.

By the way, having made a claim, I suspect your insurance rates will be even higher.

DR-

human sexuality and the conditions which cause penile turgor pressure are not easy to understand; we should discuss the topics in a different thread.

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We now return to the subject at hand:

ringrunner said:

I ain't saying cyclists should run red lights but the fine they pay should proportionate to the danger they create.

A biker going 20 might hurt a person crossing the street, but is just a likely to cause themselves harm. If you run a light in a car you could easily kill someone and only mess up your bumper.

Not that I would ever go through a light on my bike, but I would be upset if I had to pay the same fine as when I was driving my car.

I agree with this logic.

The DMV seems to use similar logic in the laws that apply to trucks and other large vehicles. Because the vehicles present a much greater risk to the public, the vehicles and the drivers are subject to much greater scrutiny than regular cars.

For example, in some cases, trucks have to observe stricter rules concerning speed (ie 55 mph for trucks vs 65 mph for trucks).

I think a bike standard such as the Idaho Stop (described by Whyfi above) might work in NYC. Here's the text of the Idaho law Whyfi references:

49-720. STOPPING -- TURN AND STOP SIGNALS. (1) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person is moving across or within the intersection or junction of highways, except that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.

(2) A person operating a bicycle or human-powered vehicle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has yielded, he may proceed through the steady red light with caution. Provided however, that a person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic.

(3) A person riding a bicycle shall comply with the provisions of section 49-643, Idaho Code.

(4) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given during not less than the last one hundred (100) feet traveled by the bicycle before turning, provided that a signal by hand and arm need not be given if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.

Dance Rehearsal said:

I stopped listening to you about 9, 804 posts ago... but thanks.

Damn, I was going to create a "turgor pressure" thread in the lounge and everything. oh well.

Cheers DR!

Oh, please daddy don't hurt me... I'll be good, I promise.

ParadeRest said:

this pig in a blanket has walked out of traffic court wearing a frown (and with a few hundred less dollars in their pocket).

Aww don't sell yourself short - I always considered you more of a Nathan's Foot Long

All these electric bicycles in the park are getting on my nerves. When will legislation be passed in order to regulate them. They run lights with impunity and they do it at speeds of 25 miles per hour(max) which is very dangerous. They refuse to disembark their bikes while on the pedestrian paths. These riders do not even have they common decency to wear a helmet.

20 bucks says Dance rehearsal got threatened with the ticket because the cops thought they were plain annoying.

I'm not saying it's right, just highly likely.

=DB