recursive

I exceed the speed limit to fit into the flow of traffic. I don't run red lights.

TRaffic Jammer

Having done my messing in MTL, I've had traffic cops wave me through reds. And Yes none of the rules apply anywhere in MTL, PEDS are masters of the jaywalk, messers rip the core like they own it, and the drivers are all practicing for the next grand prix. and it all works.

Paul L.

Ok, I am a scofflaw. Well, sometimes. I ride across red lights that are a tee where no one is crossing the crosswalk and it is obvious that there is no reason for me to stop. Once in awhile (rarely) when I am feeling especially rebellious in one neighborhood where the children are too stupid to walk to one or two lights and they have no less than 5 within a quarter mile, I practice non-violent protest by running the red light when no one is around (shhhhh don't tell anywone!), and on days when I am REALLY crazy, I will even cross the road and ride in the wrong direction of the bike lane on the other side if traffic isn't too heavy but it looks like an oncoming car will make me slow down to turn left if I wait to cross at the turn (I know I know, it is really crazy, that is why I only do it when I am really crazy). So yes, I do suppose I am what you would call, a scofflaw. Let us now call the meeting of SA to order. Anyone here want to stand up and introduce themselves? Anyone been a scofflaw this week?

fordfasterr

YES !!!

I have !!!


I will not include any specifics here for risk of self incrimination...

I would like to point out that there is one kind of scofflawin' that I don't participate in .. and that would be crossing railroad tracks while the red/white arms are down.. =)

No way Josay !!!

ax0n

Holy crap, forget that noise! Engineers are übercagers!

marqueemoon

I obey the law for the most part.

DataJunkie

I will bite. 75% law abiding. I tend to roll stop many residential 4 way stops.

Paul L.

[QUOTE=fordfasterr]YES !!!

I have !!!

[QUOTE]
way to go Ford! The first step is to get past that state of denial! Anyone else out there been a scofflaw? Don't be afraid, Scofflaws Anonymous (SA) is a safe place to share your troubles! We are all Scofflaws and reformed Scofflaws here, we've been there!

Paul L.

[QUOTE=fordfasterr]
I would like to point out that there is one kind of scofflawin' that I don't participate in .. and that would be crossing railroad tracks while the red/white arms are down.. =)

[QUOTE]

Well, sometimes trains on my commute do what is known as the locomotive shuffle, meaning they back up, go forward, back up, go forward, etc for several minutes never quite backing up enough to raise the arms. In this case I will cut across while the train is trying to switch gears to go forward again as it gives me at least 30 seconds to a minute to get across which I could do crawling of course. Other than that I am with you man.

newsace

I would say I'm in the 90-95% non-scofflaw range. There's one traffic light I'll run, after waiting a minute or so (not sure exactly how long is required to determine it's "non functioning," but I know it doesn't trigger for bikes -- and often not for cars); while I do stop all forward momentum at stop signs, I don't unclip and put my foot on the ground; I go about 7-8 mph over the speed limit coming down the hill into downtown metro Mars Hill; and I only filter at lights if the cagers have closed the gaps for me to merge into the traffic line. Oh, and I think I'm missing one side reflector, although the reflective tape and Christmas lights I've added allow me to rationalize that I have more side visibility now than a CPSC reflector would provide.

rajman

Sounds like your average Montreal driver

I'm pretty much the same - 80-90 non-scofflaw, but with minor lapses (mea culpa), but I don't run red lights (unless I'm walking - go figure), and I rarely go on sidewalks.

legot73

Honestly, I'm only about 15% scofflaw so I voted no. I qualify my 15% as rolling stops at signs with no cars and running lights I can't trip after a full stop. Anything more would be a slippery slope into the darkside, and I can't deny it's power.

gregtheripper

yes.

TRaffic Jammer

^^wicked cool^^ I generally ride as if I'm invisible. I'll cruise a red but only if I'm getting across without causing concern or course alterations from the folks with the green light.

rog

Oh, was that you?

JeffS

Agreed... even though people always show up to talk down to you for admitting to it in public.

Chris L

I generally follow the law, but I think I'm about the only one in a city of 500,000 who does.

saraflux

haha. i think i still have that LP.

i am not ashamed. i am a scofflaw.
not making any excuses either.
so there.

DCCommuter

I try to break the speed limit every day no my commute. If I don't, I'm not really trying.

I also do something that a lot of people think is illegal, but isn't -- riding in a travel lane.

oboeguy

Describes me pretty well except for the cop part. Cops in NYC have a bad rep wrt cyclists.

HardyWeinberg

I don't know if I am scoffing or not when I go MUP->x-walk->island->x-walk->island->x-walk->MUP and expect the cars to yield at each x-walk (well, the 1st and 3rd x-walks, w/ no signals, the middle one I clearly have a light with me when I go).

WickerParkRider

Scofflaw, for the most part. Tend to handle intersections just like I do when I'm a pedestrian/jogger---slow down, look both ways, and proceed w/caution if/when the coast is clear. I actually feel this is safer than obeying all signals. Other than that, I ride on the right and only take the lane if the streets are empty (early Sunday morning) or on the rare occasion a glorious tailwind puts me up in the mid-twenties. And I never ride on sidewalks or the wrong side of the road or head the wrong way down one-ways.

Cheapskate

Scofflaw here. I stop at all red lights and if one does not turn green in two cycles because the sensor does not pick me up, I pass when the coast is clear. I go through stop signs without stopping when the intersection is empty or if I have the right of way. If I do not have the right of way at an intersection with a stop sign, I unclip and put my foot down.

noisebeam

Putting a foot down is not a legal requirement for a stop, but it is a good way to communicate to other drivers and law enforcement that you are fully stopped.
Al

San Rensho 

I will run stop lights and stop signs with impunity as long as in doing so, I do not interfere in any way with someone elses right of way nor endanger them.

I don't buy the philosophy of some on the board that believe that bicyclists have to put their foot down at every stop sign, and otherwise be model vehicles on the road, following every single law to the letter, otherwise car drivers will hate us for being scofflaws. Let me let those people in on a little secret THERE ARE MANY CAGERS OUT THERE THAT HATE BICYCLISTS, PERIOD, JUST FOR BEING BICYCLISTS. Proof of this is the number of times that drivers will go out of their way to scream "Get off the road, @sshole" or "Get on the sidewalk, sh@thead" when I am riding down the road obeying every single traffic law and going at the speed that car traffic is going.