Drivers around here roll through stop signs all the time. They speed, tailgate, squeak through red lights two or three at a time, pass illegally and generally despise the "vehicle code." Police seem to do nothing.

I think you blew it by running the stop sign. I just think that when it's the dead of night and there's nothing on the road, and you're only on a bicycle, slamming you with a $150 ticket is plain vindictive and hypocritical.

I support our local police, their jobs are difficult and their divorce rates sky-high because of job stress. But this is picking on the little guy, here.

I would have let you off with a warning. The second time, I would have given you a ticket. But I'm not a policeman, so it doesn't matter much anyway...

(By the way, if the policeman that cited you doesn't show up in court, do you still have to pay the fine? Remember, he works nights.)

...and don't run stop signs, it can get you killed.