Originally Posted by
daimbert
Hello everyone,
Just brought my bike last week and I got my very first ticket on my bike. First off, I didn't even know people got tickets on bikes but I jumping ahead of myself. I was riding my bike on the street, not sidewalk because it was too crowded, I slowed down after I went through an intersection to make sure my girlfriend caught up. Meanwhile a cop just made a U-turn and without putting on his sirens stopped and got out. First then he asked, are you aware you didn't stop on the red light. I told the officer sorry but I am new to biking and wasn't aware that bikes had to stop on a red light. For goodness sakes, in NYC you never see bikes stop on a red. Next thing I know he asks for my ID and I got a ticket for $270.00. All I have to say is WTF. The messed up thing was that two other bikes did the same exact thing in front of him and didn't mention anything.
Anyway, I think its a little unfair considering I honestly didn't know the rules. Anyone know what I can do to expunge the ticket or at least reduce it?
John
Not knowing the law does not excuse you from not following it. If you were nice to the cop and didn't act smartass you'd get away with a $40 ticket. Since you played "I didn't know bikes had to stop at a red light" angle you irritated him and got the maximum fine. You can plead not guilty and take it to court, but there is no way in hell you will win.
Pay the ticket. Learn a lesson. Bikes are vehicles and must obey ALL traffic laws. It's really not a huge secret.