Ticketed for Not Having Lights
#26
Velocommuter Commando
Hello, this is my first post here.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
#27
You gonna eat that?
I wonder if reflective ankle bands would suffice in your town? My vintage Raleigh pedals have no reflectors.
#28
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I have lights, I was just riding down the street to a friends house..
When I go on actual night rides, I always have lights; I was just going down the street..
I've lived in my neighborhood for 20 years, having been doing this for years..
and yes, my town is among the worst for police related b.s. (bakersfield)
When I go on actual night rides, I always have lights; I was just going down the street..
I've lived in my neighborhood for 20 years, having been doing this for years..
and yes, my town is among the worst for police related b.s. (bakersfield)
and the judge will tell you either learn the law or walk....pay the fine.
In this case I happen to agree with the cop. God know there are to many cyclist that blow off the
laws they wouldn't dare to in a car giving ALL cyclist a bad name. Sorry, no sympathy here bud.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#29
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Hello, this is my first post here.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
also, with respect to the police related BS. Bakersfield is a pretty rough town. most of the adult people riding bicycles at night are tweakers, or some other form of drug addict usually out to burglarize innocent law abiding people.
Most of them do not have lights on there bikes and is excellent Probable cause for a bike stop, to make contact and find out what they were up to. Police write the tickets so they cant be accused of profiling, as well help keeping you safe. There are a couple ways to educate people, one is with a warning the other a ticket the later course is sometimes taken based on the violators attitude
I have scraped up several people riding their bikes during the night without lights, its not a very fun thing to do, especially when they have been drug under the vehicle for a few yards.
Just be cause you were issued a ticket doesn't mean you have to go to court. you can call the court house using the number provided on the ticket and ask what the fine is and mail it in.
#30
I make stuff up
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You broke the law and got caught. Pay the ticket. Consider it a self imposed tax.
#31
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Face it. YOU broke the law. Period, done, over. You tell a judge that you were just riding 2 blocks
and the judge will tell you either learn the law or walk....pay the fine.
In this case I happen to agree with the cop. God know there are to many cyclist that blow off the
laws they wouldn't dare to in a car giving ALL cyclist a bad name. Sorry, no sympathy here bud.
and the judge will tell you either learn the law or walk....pay the fine.
In this case I happen to agree with the cop. God know there are to many cyclist that blow off the
laws they wouldn't dare to in a car giving ALL cyclist a bad name. Sorry, no sympathy here bud.
#32
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OP, you said "last night" and, pardon my ignorance, what time exactly was it? Most MV laws state that cars ( I know ) should have lights on 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunset. And most tickets have "notice to appear", but you should be able to pay the clerk of courts unless you want to ask the judge, graciously, for leniency. If he/she is in a good mood, it might happen.
torgrot
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Last week, on our fully lit(five headlights-three bikes) night ride we ran across a night ninja,no lights, reflectors or helmet, on the greenway. He cursed us out for ruining his night vision and how unsafe we were blinding him until he was out of earshot.
#34
Senior Member
afternoon rides in the winter. always carry a decent AA battery light. It's happened to me.. A ride took longer than expected and it's dark.. When under the threat of darkness, at least it gets your cadence up..
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Pray for the Dead and Fight like Hell for the Living
^ Since January 1, 2012
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If you go to court. Take new lights, plead no contest, tell the truth. You will probably have to pay court costs if the judge lets the ticket slide. It may be just as cheap and worthwhile to pay the ticket at the clerk of court.
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Also could they have a device that detects when they're about to step into the road which reminds them to check for traffic. The look of surprise when when I bear down on then at 20mph in a hi-vis jacket and blinding lights is fun but not as enjoyable as cycling without having to avoid pedestrians. I don't think it's necessary to swear at them, as I approach I just yell 'careful' which seems to do the trick.
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in my state (state of confusion (california)) the law states in order for a rider to ride a bike "at night" they must have a headlight and a rear reflector that can be seen from 300 yards away. one day i abducted the chief of police in my town and asked him. in california a rear light is not neccesary, but rear reflector and headlamp are.
gusee it could be worse, in indiana i heard you need a bell on your bike mandatory. and since i ride mainly vintage, i welcome the day any cop tells me i need wheel reflectors. that whole argument would end with my wife picking me up from jail and us getting my bike out of impound.
on the real, it should just be a fix it ticket. show up to court and tell the judge you have the required lights. since i have a flare for the theatrical, i would have the bailiff turn off the courtroom lights so you can demonstrate your new lights. and p.s. if you didn't have the lights on the bike when the officer ticketed you, don't lie and said you did but just no batteries. around here thats called perjury.
gusee it could be worse, in indiana i heard you need a bell on your bike mandatory. and since i ride mainly vintage, i welcome the day any cop tells me i need wheel reflectors. that whole argument would end with my wife picking me up from jail and us getting my bike out of impound.
on the real, it should just be a fix it ticket. show up to court and tell the judge you have the required lights. since i have a flare for the theatrical, i would have the bailiff turn off the courtroom lights so you can demonstrate your new lights. and p.s. if you didn't have the lights on the bike when the officer ticketed you, don't lie and said you did but just no batteries. around here thats called perjury.
#40
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Hello, this is my first post here.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
Last night I was riding in my neighborhood to my friend's house down the street (two blocks)
when I was pulled over by a cop car, and ticketed for not have my lights on my bike.
I was just wondering how much these tickets run for, or if I explain to the judge about my situation (just riding down the block in a residential area) if I might get it lessened or expelled.
#41
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See what the fine is and then decide if you want to pay or see a judge. In california you pretty much will pay 10-20 bucks even if you win in court on a fix it ticket. But either way you should have the option to pay the court clerk before the court date.
#42
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Just get some Knog Frogs or other tiny lights for these type of occasions. I carry them with me everywhere just in case I get caught out in the dark unexpectedly. If I plan on riding at night, I have a real light setup.
#43
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of their presence.
__________________
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
My preferred bicycle brand is.......WORKSMAN CYCLES
I dislike clipless pedals on any city bike since I feel they are unsafe.
Originally Posted by krazygluon
Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred, which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?
#44
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My suggestion is put working lights on the bike, get a cop to note on the ticket that the bike now has working lights and that he has seen them, mark the ticket "guilty with explaination" and say your batteries had died on you and you replaced them the next day. Then go down and see if they will let you pay the fine without going to court. Here where I live the fine is $25, but if you go before the judge it is $25 + $175 court costs. The court may or may not send your fine back, but at least it is not going to put points on your drivers license and cause your insurance rates to go up as it would if you had been driving a car.
That is what I would do, it is not to be construed as legal advice. The fact is they are not going to come looking for you for an unpaid bicycle violation, but if you do not follow through and get stopped for something else later, they probably would arrest you rather than giving you a ticket.
People on BF sneer at generator lights, but if you infrequently ride at night at least you do not have to worry about getting caught with dead batteries.
#45
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
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I have lights, I was just riding down the street to a friends house..
When I go on actual night rides, I always have lights; I was just going down the street..
I've lived in my neighborhood for 20 years, having been doing this for years..
and yes, my town is among the worst for police related b.s. (bakersfield)
When I go on actual night rides, I always have lights; I was just going down the street..
I've lived in my neighborhood for 20 years, having been doing this for years..
and yes, my town is among the worst for police related b.s. (bakersfield)
#47
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California Vehicle Code - Bicycles Equipment Required For Night Riding
Equipment Requirements - California Vehicle Code - Bicycles
21201. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) No person shall operate on the highway ( )1 a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(c) No person shall operate upon ( )2 a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(d) ( )3 A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
(3) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
(4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors.
(e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by ( )4 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
Amended Ch. 723, Stats. 1979. Effective January 1, 1980.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 232, Stats. 2007. Effective January 1, 2008.
The 2007 amendment added the italicized material, and at the point(s) indicated, deleted the following:
1. “any”
2. “any highway a bicycle which is of such a size as to prevent”
3. “(d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped (1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle; (2) with a red reflector on the rear which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle; (3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet; and (4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors. Such reflectors and reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting requirements established by the department.”
4. “clause”
21201. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(b) No person shall operate on the highway ( )1 a bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.
(c) No person shall operate upon ( )2 a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
(d) ( )3 A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction, or a bikeway, as defined in Section 890.4 of the Streets and Highways Code, shall be equipped with all of the following:
(1) A lamp emitting a white light that, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway, sidewalk, or bikeway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle.
(2) A red reflector on the rear that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
(3) A white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet.
(4) A white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles that are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors.
(e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in lieu of the lamp required by ( )4 paragraph (1) of subdivision (d).
Amended Ch. 723, Stats. 1979. Effective January 1, 1980.
Amended Sec. 1, Ch. 232, Stats. 2007. Effective January 1, 2008.
The 2007 amendment added the italicized material, and at the point(s) indicated, deleted the following:
1. “any”
2. “any highway a bicycle which is of such a size as to prevent”
3. “(d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped (1) with a lamp emitting a white light which, while the bicycle is in motion, illuminates the highway in front of the bicyclist and is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle; (2) with a red reflector on the rear which shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle; (3) with a white or yellow reflector on each pedal visible from the front and rear of the bicycle from a distance of 200 feet; and (4) with a white or yellow reflector on each side forward of the center of the bicycle, and with a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except that bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with these side reflectors. Such reflectors and reflectorized tires shall be of a type meeting requirements established by the department.”
4. “clause”
#48
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Interesting set of lighting and reflector requirements in California. Nevada's bicycle lighting laws are not nearly as comprehensive. I wonder how many bikes in CA actually meet all of the points of the law in this respect.
Most higher end bikes are delivered to dealers without pedals and most clipless pedals have no provision for reflectors. Sounds like to be legal you would need reflectorized shoes or ankle wraps on such a bike at night.
Most higher end bikes are delivered to dealers without pedals and most clipless pedals have no provision for reflectors. Sounds like to be legal you would need reflectorized shoes or ankle wraps on such a bike at night.
#49
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share a link to the documentation on this if you have it handy.
at least there's some good in there for bicyclists, too.
https://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/20...-commuter-act/
$20 per-employee, per-month benefit for employers who provide reimbursement for bike-commuting costs (repair, etc.) and/or provide documentation for spending on bike racks, lockers, closets, etc.
#50
Every day a winding road
really???
share a link to the documentation on this if you have it handy.
at least there's some good in there for bicyclists, too.
https://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/20...-commuter-act/
$20 per-employee, per-month benefit for employers who provide reimbursement for bike-commuting costs (repair, etc.) and/or provide documentation for spending on bike racks, lockers, closets, etc.
share a link to the documentation on this if you have it handy.
at least there's some good in there for bicyclists, too.
https://greeninc.blogs.nytimes.com/20...-commuter-act/
$20 per-employee, per-month benefit for employers who provide reimbursement for bike-commuting costs (repair, etc.) and/or provide documentation for spending on bike racks, lockers, closets, etc.
I have a bridge and some swamp land for you to see. Interested?
Last edited by spinnaker; 12-09-08 at 07:23 PM.