alicestrong

This was in the L.A.C.B.C. newsletter...so good I thought I'd pass it along....

This Week's Tip: Getting a Ticket While Riding and Your DMV Record

We sometimes get calls from people who have gotten tickets while riding - usually for running red lights. We're going to preface this week's tip by stating this: follow the rules and you shouldn't get a ticket. It will also make you safer. Simply put, following the rules of the road will reduce your risk of a collision by 50%. It's one reason for the new Bike Safe pocket guide we're introducing this week. But what if you do get a ticket while riding your bike? Here's a few things we want you to know:

Make sure the ticket indicates that you were riding a bike. Do this when the citation is given to you, it's very important!
Your ticket should include a vehicle code violation number. Check it against our Bike Safe pocket guide and on the DMV website to make sure it's correct, or at least seems valid. For example, we've heard of some people getting tickets for not having lights during the day, which is wrong. In the case of an incorrect citation, it should be fairly easy to appeal (though not without hassle, we admit).
Read your ticket carefully and follow the instructions. Make a copy of the citation and any related paperwork for safe keeping.
Usually you have to pay the fine first, even if you want to fight the ticket. There should be instructions about how to appeal the citation.
Don't ignore the ticket. If you ignore it, the fine will get bigger and you will have less chance of getting a judge to agree with your argument against the citation (if you plan to challenge it).
Know that a traffic violation while riding a bike does not apply to your driving record and points should not be applied to your DMV record. This is specifically stated on the CA DMV website.

Angio Graham

ride with a video camera. a cop who lies is trusted more than a citizen who tells the truth.

redinfinity

On the subject of a video camera, got any suggestions? Or is a GoPro currently the best choice for cycling?

I'm guilty of running reds myself but only in the wee hours with no cars in sight...but I'll probably just make the effort to stop, i dont really want a ticket.

TrojanHorse

I'm intrigued by this one: Panasonic HX-A100 but I don't think it's out yet.

I definitely like the fact that it's lower profile than a go-pro... but I don't want to be the first person to buy one either.

calamarichris

Heh--when I was younger, dumber, and living in a little Dutch town near the Belgian border, I got a ticket.
It was a quiet morning, zero traffic, and I was blitzing red lights to get out of town. After the third one, I heard the siren. Without looking back, I sped up, ran two more red lights, rode down some stone stairs into a cobbled shopping center, and banked sharply into a narrow walkway, and the sirens STILL followed me!
It was a smiling Dutch cop on a motorcycle. He had a pretty good sense of humor about it, and let out a guffaw when I asked him if he could let me off with a warning.
The ticket was only about 12 bucks: "Niet stoppen voor rood licht." haha

redinfinity

That is pretty nice, I'll keep an eye on it. I would prefer something low profile as well.

Or maybe I'll wait for Google Glass, haha

weshigh

I run a ContourROAM on my helmet. Its less obvious compared to the Go-Pro. I've been happy with it. Youtube username is the same as my BikeForums name if you want to check any video out.

ThePOWERtoRULE

My personal tip is to just avoid riding in the city of Sierra Madre. Considering the number of cyclists I see hanging out and buying coffee and snacks there I thought they'd like us... evidently not!

ovoleg

alice when the hell are we goign to go on a ride together? for realzzzzzzzzz

alicestrong

Oh my!!

furballi

Correction...in the CA justice system, a cop who lies is ALWAYS right. The cop and the judge work for the same master. It's all about raking in easy money for the state of CA.

Rick@OCRR

Good question ovoleg, I've been wondering the same thing. I think we should schedule a "Ride with Alice" ride soon!

Rick / OCRR

ovoleg

I have an earlier join date and I've been banned like 13 times now...ANDDDDDDDDDD I called dibs

heresy

I was stopped once on Sierra Madre Blvd. for running a stop sign. It did not happen, and the officer could not have seen me while I was in the intersection (he flipped a U as we passed each other about a quarter mile down the road and pulled me over). I called him on it, in as polite a manner as I could, and he gave me a warning. The irony is, had I actually run the stop sign like he claimed, I would have been plowed over by a car that ran the stop sign to my right.

The situation did succeed in getting me to avoid Sierra Madre, which may have been the point.

lesiz

California really really needs to follow the lead of some other states and make it legal for cyclists to regard a stop light as a stop sign, and a stop sign as a yield sign.

Wulf

Do they expect cyclists to carry ID? I wouldnt know where to put it and Ive never got a ticket while riding.

lesiz

Yup. Gotta carry an ID.
I went to the DMV and for 10 bucks got a Calif personal ID, which I carry while cycling, in my little cycling wallet that I carry spare cash.

TrojanHorse

Really? Where is this magical place?

I usually just carry my expired license on the bike...

prathmann

It's not 'some states' but rather only one: Idaho.

And there's no requirement to carry ID when cycling or walking, but you are required to correctly provide your name (and I believe address) if asked to when stopped.

lesiz

I understand there are 2 or 3 states. Idaho is one for sure:
https://sf.streetsblog.org/2012/07/20...daho-stop-law/

Angio Graham

Only if there is a lawful reason you were stopped.

GP

It's not required. They can ID you using your name and DOB. If you lie it's a violation of PC 148.9.

cruiserhead

The reason for this is that Sierra Madre is the end point for the weekly Montrose Ride. It's a saturday 40-60 mile ride with 100-200 riders in various groups.
It's a pretty fast ride and race training. (which I just did this morning, in fact)
So, the cops watch at certain points for cyclists rolling or blowing stop signs. The police are specifically on the route to discourage running stops.

Most of the cops are pretty cool about it and the group has become much more courteous and obedient of traffic signs.

Anyway, Sierra Madre is a great place but just be aware the cops are more cyclist-focused because of this history.

Angio Graham

You are not required to carry ID in California when not operating a motor vehicle.

California has no "stand and ID" statue either .

cruiserhead

You are not required to carry ID as a US citizen.
It would be helpful in case of a medical emergency or buying something w/ cc, but not for law enforcement.