Originally Posted by AdamDZ

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.