Originally Posted by BlazingPedals
If you're cycling, and an officer asks for ID, it's best to give them something OTHER than your driver's license - they usually don't understand that bikes are subtly different from motor vehicles, and if they're going to write you a ticket, you don't want it connected with your drivers license, which is technically your 'motor vehicle operator's license.' Tickets received on your bicycle shouldn't count as points against your driver's license. That'd suck having your car insurance go up because of something you did on your bike!
Yes, they can write you a ticket for speeding, but OTOH, bicycles are not required to have speedometers. So by extension, you aren't required to know how fast you're going. Speed zones might be unenforceable against bikes (check with your lawyer on that one though.)
Phantomcow2: Why do you hope that MiniLance wasn't in the traffic lane? At that speed, I hope he wasn't on a sidewalk!
I'm pretty sure that cops are aware a bicycle is different than a car. Just as it's a simple thing for them to enter your name and DOB into their computer, which will cross index any license you have. If you are a negligent operator, it should go against your license and affect your insurance. If you do something foolish on a bike, and strike a car, who is paying for the damages? Your auto policy, that's who. They have a right to collect premiums commensurate with the risk you represent.
Based on your speedometer logic, if yours stops working in your car, you can get a ticket for not having a functioning speedo, but not for speeding? Doesn't work that way. The guy that takes out his old Model T on Sunday is required to drive within the speed limit, the same as bicyclists. Speed zones are enforceable against bikes, skateboarders,a nd even rollerbladers. At least according to the California Vehicle Code.