ARE YOU KIDDING ME!??! (Page 3)

Nope.  We just dont think we are wronged if we get caught is all. 

Glad I saw this.  I just did a one loop on the IM Moo course today.  Luckily, no cops were around.  I better watch out.

I wish that cop would come to Isla Vista (where UC Santa Barbara is) and pull over the hundreds of people on bikes who can be found completely disregarding all traffic laws at any given time of day.  I work nearby and go there to have lunch sometimes.  Seriously, each time I go to IV I literally have to dodge at least 20 people on beach cruisers, talking on their cell phones, blowing through stop signs, completely ignoring all cars, pedestrians, and other bicyclists.

I haven't read any other replies on this thread, so this may have already been mentioned...

I'm guessing this happened on Mercer island... It started about 2 years ago... The locals have gotten what amounts to a petition to the local police to be more than anal against cyclists. There are a lot of team rides that go around the island every week, and take over the entire road. And to an extent I can see their point. But they're ticketing for riding 2 abreast, failure to stop, etc. any time they can.

But I believe the letter of the law regarding 2-wheeled vehicles is that you must put a foot down for it to be a legal stop. Track stand doesn't cut it legally, even if you're rock solid at it.

Word to the wise regarding Mercer Island -- avoid it if you can, be above reproach if you can't.

That is RIDICULOUS! The guy must be really hard up for ticket quota. Good grief. However you've educated me as I had no idea this could even happen... much less the tie to your DMV info. holy s***.

Well, since we (cyclists) are on the road, in CA atleast, we have to obey the laws of traffic.  So getting the ticket validates our right to be on the road . . .

Still sucks though.  I'm sorry.

FOr this reason, I have generally stopped taking my drivers license with me on bike rides. I have  RoadID, and also take my work ID and a credit card. But, I figure that without the drivers license, it is unlikely that they would go go the trouble of writing a ticket - and if they did, it is extremely unlikely that the state/city would ever find me again in order to collect their money.

tom 

Sucks, but it is the law, end of story.  Yes, chances are the cop who did it either didn't like cyclist or needed to hit his quota.  But if you run a stop sign/red light on a bike you broke the law.  If cyclist want respect from cars we need to respect the laws cars are going to follow.  Now granted us following the laws is not going to change the opinions of drivers but they are still the law.  I know someone mentioned that this is law is basically protecting ourselves from being stupid.  I take this as if I run a red light and get hit by a car and die it only hurts me?  What about the poor guy/girl who hit and killed me or my family who I just abandoned.  No this does not protect just me but others, sorry.

No I don't agree with the fact that track stands don't count as stopping but that is the law.  There are just too many groups I have seen blow through signs in big packs that I don't blame cops sometimes. 

I do believe some laws should be changed but until they are I will either follow the law or accept responsibility for my actions.  I won't show up in court hoping the office does not unless I feel I was given a ticket for something I did not do. 

IMO, officers should look at the the situation.  If the bike was in the middle of nowhere and slowed down and there was no car within .5 miles of a 4 way stop then, no ticket.  Or if a bike goes through a red light at a t-interstection where they are gong straight no ticket.  But until this is changed so be the law.

Interesting - so did he actually find you in the computer? (your address, DL number, etc?)

I also figure I am 'safe' because my drivers license is from a different state than I am currently in (I'm in school). Also, I have a rather common name. 

Next time just tell him you got your bike off eBay and it's probably stolen also.. since two wrongs make a right you will get off with only a warning

OMG they took him to JAIL???? what state???

I have my roadID and cell phone and that is it these days....if they don't like that guess I will be in jail for a long time!