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St. Petersburg FL police ticket 16 cyclists as safety campaign begins

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St. Petersburg FL police ticket 16 cyclists as safety campaign begins

Old 08-30-10, 08:57 AM
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St. Petersburg FL police ticket 16 cyclists as safety campaign begins

Here is the article: https://www.tampabay.com/news/publics...begins/1117937

I'm all for safety but I'm not sure about the way the police are handling this. I obey all the laws but it's not difficult where I live, so it's not a big deal to me. I think $166 is a bit steep though. What do you think? As a Florida resident I also fish as well as ride over 100 miles a week. I first heard about this story here: https://forums.floridasportsman.com/f...ampaign-begins Needless to say, the attitudes of some of the people against cyclists is more than disturbing. I see it on the road, but to read their comments is scarry.

What do you think?
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Old 08-30-10, 09:40 AM
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As long as it's not selective enforcement, more power to them.

A long time ago I approached a 3 way intersection, beach/shore area. Most locals would barely slow for any of the three right turns, going through the stop at 10-40 mph. That day there was a patrol car on each road, with an officer standing next to the road.

I stopped. Trackstand, but stopped. Then I went, rolling slowly because the officer was in front of me, standing on the white line, and I wasn't sure if I should use the wide shoulder or the road. I decided to roll around him on the shoulder.

With me out of the road, the car behind me rolled through the sign at about 15 mph. The officer at that intersection couldn't believe it. He motioned the car to stop, which it did. Because it was a convertible I could hear everything, see their faces.

"Didn't you see the stop sign?"
"Yeah, but..."
"But what? Even the biker (pointing at me, looking back curiously) stopped! There are three police cars here!"
"Um..."
"If you're not stopping now, when do you stop?"

I left after that.

I'm not against arbitrary enforcement, i.e. picking out one violator out of many. But if the police are doing their job fairly, then great.

Yes, I almost always stop at lights and stop signs, even if there's obviously no one around. I don't see a reason why I shouldn't. The only time I'll go is when I'm in a group and someone calls it clear; then I proceed together with the group as a unit.

cdr
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