unkchunk

Sorry Tapeworm. Yes, I think $275 is too high. But this is funny as hell. I mean, in Berkeley? Of all places, theoretically Berkeley would be the one place where cyclists... anybody could... it's Berkeley for Christ's sake! You should have climbed the nearest tree and claimed you were protesting BP or something. They couldn't touch you then.

Come to think of it, were you wearing a "Joseph McCarthy for President" T-shirt?

riverrider

Remember, if no one has mentioned it, carry cash to the court. They don't take checks. If you don't have the cash, then they will let you make one phone call to someone to bring the cash.

syn0n

If they're not "loud", I'm not really sure how you're going to hear them anyway. They're probably things you'd need to see. My rule for riding with earphones is that I need to be able to hear my own drivetrain noise. That'll pretty much allow me to hear anything that's loud enough to be heard in the first place. The last time I had a ninja dog pursue, it didn't even have a collar, and it didn't bark. I didn't hear it at all. I saw it beforehand.

As someone who logs thousands of miles in cars annually, I'm pretty confident that I've adapted to be able to operate a vehicle without hearing every little thing. It simply is not necessary. When you drive around lots of people and stuff, you learn to (or are supposed to learn) how to proactively look for road hazards all around you, all the time. I pretty much ride the way I drive; I scan the road ahead, and look behind me at least 6 times a minute. I know what's going on, because I'm keeping an eye on it.

Whatever. I don't allow the radio to distract me in the car, and I manage the same on the bike. Maybe you can't concentrate when you have music on, but there are people among you who can, in fact, have the radio on as an alternative to the ambient noise outside and still concentrate on what they're doing.

EnigManiac

You're full of crap Nicodermus.

It has nothing to do with your perception of my 'hatred' (my, such a strong word) of headphones---for I only DISAPPROVE of the IRRESPONSIBLE use of them---which YOU clearly advocate. Yeah, real MENSA member there.

You niether have the 30+ years experience that you claim to have nor the perspective of which you speak. If you did, you'd have developed some basic common sense and the maturity to avoid one-upsmanship. Any reasonable, MATURE rider would have. If not, you don't deserve to ride a bike.

I'm not talking about you having developed a deep, philosophical insight into the realities of urban cycling , because you have convinced me in your---ahem---remarks, that you're incapable of reasoned response, basic assessment skills or fundamental common sense. There is not one of any of the millions of experienced, enlightened and educated cyclists with 28+ years that would support your contention that riding with full headphones is any kind of safe under any circumstance. You, my fiend, are an absolute and unequivocable fool for doing so (if you do) AND defending such reckless behaviour.

The $257.00 fine is peanuts. I wish it was 257 million. Especially for nose-thumbing fools who think their rights come before every one else's. Selfish, elitist pigs. Should be held accountable, don't you think? Try getting over yourself, you freaking menace, before you seriously injure youself or an innocent. Defending your behaviour is noting short of criminal, of you ride with headphones on---in spite of a just law---and think that you're aware and in control. You're an idiot if you are 'all about' that. In fact, in reviewing you're rescent responses to others as well as myself I'm pretty much convinced you're not the brightest star in the sky. Wake up and smell the pavement.

Take care, guy, try not to get killed when you ride.

joelpalmer

On the campus you cannot ride. That was put in place a few years back (mid 90s) because of problems with cyclist/pedestrian crashes. My brother was a student (and cyclist) there at the time and it was a hotly contested issue but eventually the image of high-speed maniacs on bikes running down pedestrians won out.

Kimmitt 

Just wanted to reiterate that it's a Very Good Idea to contact an officer of the court before the court date and see if anything can be worked out. Might save you a hundred bucks.

unkchunk

Okay, thanks. I lived in the area in the 80's, which forms my view of Berkeley. So it's changed a little since then. Yeah, I guess it's true. I went to Top Dog a few years ago during a layover and it sucked.

UmneyDurak

Well he did ignore the cop who told him not to ride on Campus (which is illegal in certain parts, during certain hours).

kmac27

earphones while biking is not unsafe, I do it all the time. :-) Whats the difference from music in a car and music in your ears? Honestly you don't need to hear to be able to see around you.

cradduck

The senses you use when you ride are not just limited to your eyesight.

GP

I'd rather pay extra and stay in the United States.

Cyclist0383

Actually California has very harsh penalties for speeding, including 60 days in jail for 30mph over the limit on a freeway and 20mph over the limit on a highway.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11_5/vc23582.htm

I'd be willing to guess the OP had an attitude about the whole situation and that's why he got the fine.

Cyclist0383

Actually, the fine is higher.


I'd be willing to guess the OP had an attitude about the whole situation and that's why he got the fine.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vcpdf/divisions/18.pdf

Nicodemus

you need some valium dude.

Yeah, that post was just GOLD. Shows your totalitarian views for what they are. You really seriously need some perspective, cowboy. I've been riding for decades and furthermore in a variety of countries and environments. I have more perspective than you'll ever have, my little frog in a well.

littlewaywelt

EnigManiac

Happy new year to you too. All the best.

Brian Ratliff

It's not extortion, it's punative. Don't break the law and you won't have to worry about this added "expense".

thdave

In my opinion, I'd fight it. The fee won't go up. A reasonable judge might wave it. Clearly, this is akin to a car with windows shut and a radio on. What's the big deal.

The issue you might face is if the cop shows up and then tells how you avoided him. So, if he's there, take your medicine. If not, plead your case. The fee is goofy.

AlmostTrick

Don't be silly. Riding a bike while on valium would be even more dangerous than listening to headphones.

Sawtooth

Headphone user here. I have been amazed at how much less folks yell at me when I ride with them. I can see their mouths moving but they don't seem to be saying anything.

I can see the value of not wearing them in a group ride, but I will probably never buy the argument that one cannot hear traffic with headphones on. My reasoning is....well.....I wear headphones and I can hear traffic. If I could not, I would turn the device down. Most modern audio devices have a wonderful feature that allows the user to control the volume.

In fact, I actually think I can hear traffic better with them in than I can otherwise. They seem to cancel out more wind noise than any other kind of noise. The wind noise is what leaves me unable to hear most of the time.

caloso

If you were riding through Sproul or Dwinelle Plaza in the middle of a school day, you deserve to get stopped. There are plenty of other ways to get through or around campus.

Nicodemus

Wow, thanks for the insight

deputyjones

Committed a felony and now complaining about a $257 ticket. Yup, typical day at BF.

Nicodemus

Oh, ok I get it. Because anything that's a (gosh) felony must be so serious one should be lucky not to end up in Guantanamo right? Is that it? Because it's a felony that's so serious it certainly shouldn't be questioned huh?

weak, deputyjones. Just because you use a term most people instinctively associate with much more serious crimes doesn't make it so. seriously weak.

EnigManiac

Here, take some of my valium. Sounds like you could use a few. Might just soften that snarky, sarcastic, defensive attitude of yours a bit.

Cheers!