Southern California - Ticket from LAPD - $381 for running a red light on a bike?

Does anyone have experience with this? Is this right? I just checked to see how much my ticket was for since the amount isn't written on the actual ticket and I go online and see the amount is $381 plus a $10 processing fee. This seems like complete bull**** to me. Does anyone know if this is correct or if I'm getting screwed over or what. I'm from Pennsylvania, just in LA for the summer. I would say the hell with it and just not pay it but I may end up back in CA sometime down the road and would rather not have this on my record. Any help from anyone with experience or knowledge on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

I've never received a ticket while riding a bike, but in CA, you are defined as a slow moving vehicle. Thus, I'd expect fines to be the same as if you were driving a car.

if you are on the road you must follow the same laws as if you are in a car, so if you ran a red you ran a red. im not sure about the price tag, but why would they charge you extra, its not there job to make money its to keep people safe.(at least thats the way it should be)

its a pricey ticket....take yer lumps.

The amount just seems absolutely absurd to me. Even if I were in a car I would imagine the ticket wouldn't be as high as mine was. I've never heard of any traffic ticket being that high in Pennsylvania.

That's exactly what it cost my wife in her car....in California. See if you can go to an online traffic school to keep it off your driving record

The amount just seems absolutely absurd to me. Even if I were in a car I would imagine the ticket wouldn't be as high as mine was. I've never heard of any traffic ticket being that high in Pennsylvania.

Welcome to California?

Welcome to California ...

Is it legal to run red lights on your bike in Philly?

This thread prompted me to check my bail amount on-line on an illegal U-turn citation (driving) I received just a few days ago in Hollywood. $159 + $10 fee.
Running a red light is a more serious offense, even on a bike....

Hmmm.. Iirc, you don't have to produce/have ID unless you're driving, so you may be able to give them another name/addy. Anyway, questionable ideas aside, go to court and ask the judge to drop it. Say you can't pay it since all you can afford is a bike and be nice. Maybe the officer won't show at all...

$381, just wait until they add on the court fees and it goes up another hundred or so.
A red light ticket is a high dollar amount.
Should have been speeding, where fines are ususally around $80 or so, + fees, $180.

Be sure to pay it. They WILL send it to warrant, and if you ever get pulled over in Calif,
for any reason, you'll then be a guest in one of Calif finest establishments. But it does come with
meals.. ( and Bubba too )!:D

Hmmm.. Iirc, you don't have to produce/have ID unless you're driving, so you may be able to give them another name/addy. Anyway, questionable ideas aside, go to court and ask the judge to drop it. Say you can't pay it since all you can afford is a bike and be nice. Maybe the officer won't show at all...

Uh, Officers can and will hold you until they can verify your identity.
Best carry ID, or make sure you can rattle of all the correct info for your best buddy w/o
missing a beat!

( 6 months later your friend goes to jail, " man, you shoulda paid that ticket" :rolleyes:)

Is it legal to run red lights on your bike in Philly?

LOLOLOL YEAH DUDE IT PRETTY MUCH IS THE COPS DON'T CARE!!!

But honestly dude, you're really cool and everything, but that doesn't help me at all right now.

It wasn't even running a red light in the sense that the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection. I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.

The worst part about the situation is that I have to leave California in 2 weeks so going to court doesn't really seem to be an option.

I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.

Sorry, but that does constitute crossing on a red. To save yourself more grief, just pay the ticket. You should see what it's like going through Sierra Madre crossing a stop sign ...

City of South Pasadena can generate over $37,000 on any given Saturday morning by citing the last half of the Montrose peloton which could not clear the intersection in time....:D

I know I broke the law I just think the punishment is ridiculous and in no way fits the crime and the fact that I don't permanently live in California makes it much worse.

It wasn't even running a red light in the sense that the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection. I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.

Welcome to California! Remember to tell everyone about this, so they stop moving here. :)

OK, seriously though, that's the going rate is for running a red light. (Yes, it's high, but so is the cost of living.) You're considered a road vehicle here, and that's what you'd get in a car too, there's no discrimination going on.

I am from California as well, here in most (if not all) public road events everyone must follow traffic laws or else be expelled from the course and notified CHP. I gues Tour de California is an exception but am not sure. I have gone to court to fight a ticket and honestly dont expose yourself to humiliation just pay the ticket.

I had one for speeding on my car and the cop did not even had a radar gun. The officer was 20 minutes late and the judge waited for him. I tell you when they want that money they will get it no matter what. Many of my friends have received traffic tickets and so far nobody has gotten away with it.

It is like everyone else says; Welcome to Cali...

I have received a ticket for running a stop sign on a bike and the fine was the same as a car. My wife received a ticket last year in Long Beach, not for running a red light but for stopping past the limit line. The fine was $405. The police may detain you for not having identification and a few years ago a friend of mine was taken to the Azusa Police station when the Montrose group was pulled over and he didn't have ID. Another time when I received the stop sign ticket on the Montrose ride I didn't have ID but the officer took my thumbprint so it wouldn't be too wise to give a fake name and address. I'm in the system because I am a teacher but thumbprints are usually taken when you receive a driver's license now. Finally, I got a speeding ticket in Ohio last year and thought about not paying it since I don't have any plans to be in Ohio again but I was informed that most DMVs are using a national database now, so the ticket can catch up to you. You may be able to appear in court. The date on the ticket is the due date but you can go in earlier to set a court date. When the officer appears in court the judge will ask you both what happened. It sounds like what you've said on here the officer gave you a valid ticket so the judge will most likely find you guilty and you will lose your chance at an online traffic school.

It wasn't even running a red light in the sense that the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection. I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.

Okay, that's crazy. It's not like you even barreled across in the middle of a red light while the cross traffic had a green.

They seem to be more lax here in DC (knock on wood!). Earlier today, I stopped at a red, waited for a bit, looked for traffic, didn't see any, looked again to be sure, then went ahead & crossed on red -- all while a police cruiser was a couple cars behind me. I even crossed at the same time as a pedestrian right next to me.

Running a red light can be deadly.
just this last Saturday the light turned green, and I started to go through ( driving).
About 10 feet into the intersection I saw a Infinty coming, I slammed on the brakes.
That Car, I would estimate at 60 mph, ran the red light and
came within 3-5 inchs of my from bumper.
Had I been hot off the line, I would not be posting this.

T-Boned at 60, might as well call the Morgue.
I tell you, I really enjoyed my weekend after that.

Pay the ticket and stop whining, your still alive.

LOLOLOL YEAH DUDE IT PRETTY MUCH IS THE COPS DON'T CARE!!!

But honestly dude, you're really cool and everything, but that doesn't help me at all right now.

It wasn't even running a red light in the sense that the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection. I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.


Look, we feel your pain. But the bottom line is that there really isn't much you can do about it. I can tell you it's not right until I'm blue in the face or give suggetions on how you "might" get out of it if you have lottery-winning luck, but the law is the law - for motorists and cyclists alike (which I find many cyclists as well as motorists forget). running a red light on a bike should as punishable as if a car ran a red light. You could not only get yourself killed, but a driver who may swerve to avoid you. We've all done it, so I'm not on my high horse, but unfortunately, you got caught. :o

ME, I went to my local video store, and I didn't see you ... :p

ME, I went to my local video store, and I didn't see you ... :p

:rolleyes:

[snip] the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection.

Yep. Better pay it. I'm willing to bet you won't do it again.

Does anyone have experience with this? Is this right? I just checked to see how much my ticket was for since the amount isn't written on the actual ticket and I go online and see the amount is $381 plus a $10 processing fee. This seems like complete bull**** to me. Does anyone know if this is correct or if I'm getting screwed over or what. I'm from Pennsylvania, just in LA for the summer. I would say the hell with it and just not pay it but I may end up back in CA sometime down the road and would rather not have this on my record. Any help from anyone with experience or knowledge on the subject would be greatly appreciated.


California has some of the HIGHEST moving violation penalties in the nation. Pay the ticket and do traffic school, or fight it by written declaration and see what happens. Yes, he fines here are ridiculous, but so are the people.

P.S. Don't run red lights and this won't happen :D

You misread that. That isn't what I did.

Uh, Officers can and will hold you until they can verify your identity.
Best carry ID, or make sure you can rattle of all the correct info for your best buddy w/o
missing a beat!They don't need ID to verify info, and ID is not required by law. Provided you rattle off something sufficiently close to what's on their in car display, you're likely good. Well, actually pretty bad, but you know what I mean... Or you can just run from the cops. I don't think they'll start a chase over a cyclist running from j0hn Quincy l4w.

Yep. Better pay it. I'm willing to bet you won't do it again.

+1 The fine acts as a deterent, right? Running a red light can get you or others killed. Of course, the excessive amount of $381 helps raise city revenue without raising taxes. :rolleyes:

You misread that. That isn't what I did.

You crossed when both lights were red, and it was only a matter of a second or two before your light turned green.

I think it's borderline; I see pedestrians often start walking across at the same point in the sequence.

I wouldn't have bothered pulling you over. I think that cop had a chip on his shoulder.

+1 The fine acts as a deterent, right? Running a red light can get you or others killed.Running a red on a bike, for all intents and purposes, can get you and only you killed.

I think that cop had a chip on his shoulder.

Yea, he saw a cyclist.

Unfortunate and expensive turn of events. One can likely go online and pay it with a credit card to at least obtain the points. One can no longer "sneak" the lights after turning about sixteen years old or so. Kids might be able to get away with that stunt, but it doesn't fly with adults.

LOLOLOL YEAH DUDE IT PRETTY MUCH IS THE COPS DON'T CARE!!!

But honestly dude, you're really cool and everything, but that doesn't help me at all right now.

It wasn't even running a red light in the sense that the light turned red and I went across the street in front of cars crossing the intersection. I was waiting at a red light and waited for the crossing traffic's light to turn red. When their light turned red, I quickly went across the intersection while my light was still red to get a jump on the traffic. Then a motorcycle cop is behind me for running a red light.

No further questions, your Honor.

You misread that. That isn't what I did.

What color was the light when you entered the intersection?

Back when I was in the Navy in San Diego a few decades ago, a shipmate got a ticket for drunk driving on his bike and lost his DL. Didn't stop him from riding the bike bar to bar though :)

Back when I was in the Navy in San Diego a few decades ago, a shipmate got a ticket for drunk driving on his bike and lost his DL. Didn't stop him from riding the bike bar to bar though :)

I know a guy that didn't own a car. He got two DUIs. On a bike.

Unfortunately, if a city has not designated a fine structure for bicycle violations, then the fines are the same as the same violation in a motor vehicle.

But it's not supposed to go on your driving record, per California Vehicle Code 1803(b)(6):
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d02/vc1803.htm


CVC 1803 (b) The following violations are not required to be reported under subdivision (a):
(6) Violations for which a person was cited as a pedestrian or while operating a bicycle or a motorized scooter.

However, it's very likely that the bureaucracy would treat this like any other ticket and put it on your driving record. The best thing to do would be to call the court and make sure they know it's a bicycle violation and remind them of this Vehicle Code section.

If you have the time, go to court. Even if you plead guilty, the fine may be reduced.

Hire an attorney to fight the ticket for you. I'm sure your attorney won't charge you much more than $381.00. ;)

Unfortunately, if a city has not designated a fine structure for bicycle violations, then the fines are the same as the same violation in a motor vehicle.



Okay, not to piss anyone off, which I'm sure I will, but why do we, as cyclists, demand the following:

1. Motorists view us as having the same rights to the roads as they do and to share the roads they ride, yet;
2. Be considered special in the eyes of the law and given leniency when it comes to breaking it?

If you enter an intersection when the light is red, you are NOT a pedestrian, but a moving vehicle and are guilty of breaking the law. Period. The fines for a bicycle SHOULD BE the same as for a motor vehicle if we all expect motorists to view us as having rights to the same roads they are on.

Unfortunately, if a city has not designated a fine structure for bicycle violations, then the fines are the same as the same violation in a motor vehicle.

But it's not supposed to go on your driving record, per California Vehicle Code 1803(b)(6):
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d02/vc1803.htm



However, it's very likely that the bureaucracy would treat this like any other ticket and put it on your driving record. The best thing to do would be to call the court and make sure they know it's a bicycle violation and remind them of this Vehicle Code section.

When I got the stop sign ticket, the police officer had written the ticket using the vehicle code for a car. He forgot to use the subsection which indicated I was on a bicycle. I received an addendum about two weeks later which added the subsection. I was also about to change car insurance companies. I explained to the guy that I was buying the insurance from that I had received a ticket on my bicycle. He assured me it would not affect my rates. I noticed when I got my declarations that I had a point on my record and it listed the date of my bicycle ticket. For some reason I never bothered to call. This came up again on the next set of declarations after I had renewed. I called that time and explained the situation. The woman in customer service had never heard of anyone receiving a ticket on a bicycle and had to make sure they could take it off my car insurance. Thankfully they did.

Running a red on a bike, for all intents and purposes, can get you and only you killed.

What about the three innocent pedestrians walking on the sidewalk that get pin-cushioned by your bike parts when they fly away from the scene of the accident?
What about the three innocent pedestrians walking on the sidewalk that get crushed by the car swerving to avoid your dumb *****?

Do they not count?

The fines for a bicycle SHOULD BE the same as for a motor vehicle if we all expect motorists to view us as having rights to the same roads they are on.Then the cops should be arresting the old guy who rode his bike on the sidewalk past me and the cop as the cop was writing me a ticket. The cop just let the guy go by and thought nothing of it. I'm fairly certain that if that was a car or a motorcycle riding down the sidewalk the cop would have reacted. There isn't enough consistency in the enforcement for me to agree with what you are saying. Either bikes are held to the same standards as a motor vehicle or they aren't and while the law itself may state clearly that they are to be held to the same standard the enforcement of the law puts them somewhere in between.

What about the three innocent pedestrians walking on the sidewalk that get pin-cushioned by your bike parts when they fly away from the scene of the accident?
What about the three innocent pedestrians walking on the sidewalk that get crushed by the car swerving to avoid your dumb *****?

Do they not count?

+1,000,000 Again, WE on bikes are NOT pedestrians but moving vehicles that can cause more harm than just to ourselves.

Okay, not to piss anyone off, which I'm sure I will, but why do we, as cyclists, demand the following:

1. Motorists view us as having the same rights to the roads as they do and to share the roads they ride, yet;
2. Be considered special in the eyes of the law and given leniency when it comes to breaking it?

If you enter an intersection when the light is red, you are NOT a pedestrian, but a moving vehicle and are guilty of breaking the law. Period. The fines for a bicycle SHOULD BE the same as for a motor vehicle if we all expect motorists to view us as having rights to the same roads they are on.

You're right. I still don't like stopping. One Saturday morning when I was riding to meet the Montrose ride I was pulled over by a Covina police officer. He had watched me roll a stop sign and then anticipate a green (basically what the original poster did only I didn't make it all the way across the intersection, there was also no cross traffic). I also had my headphones on. I was polite and apologetic and he was in a good mood so I received a warning. If I don't see cross traffic, I usually don't stop. I always look for cops and now I remember to look behind me.

What about walking a bike across an intersection? What about riding it at walking speed?

=Then the cops should be arresting the old guy who rode his bike on the sidewalk past me and the cop as the cop was writing me a ticket. The cop just let the guy go buy and thought nothing of it. There isn't enough consistency in the enforcement for me to agree with what you are saying. Either bikes are held to the same standards as a motor vehicle or they aren't and while the law itself may state clearly that they are to be held to the same standard the enforcement of the law puts them somewhere in between.

bikes are held to the same standards as motor vehicles while on the roadway, which does not include sidewalks. Motor vehicles are not allowed on sidewalks (much to the dismay of Hollywood), but unless posted bikes are. Although one has to wonder about the little scooters that old people use... since they are motorized, should they be restricted to the street?


I'm fairly certain that if that was a car or a motorcycle riding down the sidewalk the cop would have reacted.

usually they would react by jumping out of the way just like any other normal person.