Ticket while biking in NYC - Points?

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2014-08-20 7:40 AM

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Cold Spring, NY
Subject: Ticket while biking in NYC - Points?
A couple of weeks ago I hopped a red light riding my folding commuter bike in Brooklyn and got myself a ticket. Feel free to pass judgment, but I'm here to ask a factual question if anyone knows.

I gave my drivers license as ID and asked the officer how a bike ticket worked. Him - "you pay a $120 fine". Me - "will this get me points on my license". Him - "No, that's only if you were driving a car". So on my way I go. I went online to plead guilty and found that pleading guilty would cost $278 ($190 + $88 surcharge) plus 3 points on my drivers license. So I plead not guilty and got a hearing date 8 months from now. I plead not guilty because I think I got the wrong violation, not because I'm not guilty. Does anyone know what the deal is? I googled it and got conflicting information as to whether bike tickets are the same as motor vehicle tickets.

Am I wasting half a day heading out there to fight this?

And would I (and other cyclists who disobey rules occasionally) be better off carrying my passport as ID when riding? You don't need a license to ride a bike, so why provide it if you have other government issued ID?

Thanks

2014-08-20 9:14 AM
in reply to: bdenehy

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Rochester, New York
Subject: RE: Ticket while biking in NYC - Points?
You are not supposed to receive points on your license in the State of New York for a traffic violation on a bicycle even though you are held to the same standards motor vehicle operators are. I'm glad you fought the ticket anyways because you are also pressuring the officer to show up, possibly mess up paperwork (as you suggested), or get the fine reduced because let's face it... ticket for running a red on a bike is petty (although dangerous and I'm glad you live to tell the tale). If the officer doesn't show, thrown out. If he gave you the wrong ticket, thrown out. Chances are you'll get a non moving violation in the end. Good luck!
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