That blows. Around here it seems cops don't care if cyclists don't stop, as long we slow down and look both ways. I've been pulled over but the cop just told me to slow down some more. It's not like cars ever stop either. On my way home today I was trailing a car that rolled ever stop sign at 18 mph and I just rolled on behind him. I wonder who would get pulled over if a cop saw us.

Call a lawyer and get some legal advice, see if this would count on your drivers record as a moving viloation or not? That might be important, and see if it would be cheaper to go to court and pay the 100$ or worth your while to let a Lawyer take care of the case for 50 bucks or so, ask the lawyer if he does take care of the ticket for you how much of a fine will you owe the city, if any at all.

I do have a narrow mind in the fact you would even consider such a thing. I am here to help protect our right to ride the roads. Seeing and hearing about cyclists breaking the rules of the road erks me. I just see it as most of todays "cyclists" dont really care. They think just because they are on a bike they dont have to follow the rules. That is crap. Like I said earlier, if you want equal access to the roads, follow the rules. If you choose not to follow the rules, dont ***** when you get caught.

I never said I would consider it. I just wondered what would happen, or how they can enforce something like this without something to take away, like your license. I'm actually very open minded. Thats why I ask questions to learn and not just shoot off my mouth with narrow minded opinions.

So maybe you should take your own advice and "Take your narrow mind elsewhere."

I run Reds, stop signs, ride with no lights, ride the wrong way at times because it is faster....I do this when I'm on the sidewalk. But when I take the lane..I ride like I am driving a car because I want to be predictable to those around me for my own safety. Especially if I see a cop in the shadows...at the stop sign I put my feet down and proceed.

Then again I live in an area where the cops never mess with cyclists!

So because im saying even thinking about just blowing off a ticket because your on a bicycle is wrong that makes me narrow minded? Even if they have nothing to take away or go after does not make just blowing off a ticket any less ethical.

So if following the law make me narrow minded, so be it.

Hey I blow off tickets all the time...in a car....code inspectors...ect...ect....I win in court more so than not...conforming is not a true American.

BTW if you don't show up to court they will issue a warrant for your arrest for failing to appear. Best go to court and challange.

Since you are going to court and fighting the ticket, that means you are not blowing off the ticket.

Some states have the "Stop is a yield" law for bikes. I'd make sure what the CO laws are. You might get lucky.

John

Uh, no. In this country, you have a constitutional right to confront your accuser through cross-examination. If the officer doesn't show up, the judge will have no option but to dismiss or continue the case, and in 99% of these cases, he will do the former.

As for everyone else, I find it hard to believe I am on a cycling forum and people are advocating that the OP is being unreasonable questioning the sanity of this charge. As has been stated, he was not driving a 3000 lb vehicle capable of causing severe harm to others, but more importantly, on a bicycle you generally have unimpeded full visibility at an intersection. Given the described scenario, it sounded like he was able to confirm with 100% certainty that it was safe to clear the intersection without a full stop.

I am guessing that some of the posters here don't ride in a city environment where the absurdity of stopping for every stop sign quickly becomes apparent. Or maybe some don't ride at all, as unless you only understood the automobile driver's perspective, you would know that the dynamics of crossing an intersection are very different on a bicycle.

There is a reason why some places are changing the laws that apply to bicycles: The traffic laws were designed for automobiles, and anyone with any experience in vehicular cycling and some common sense realizes applying the same sets of laws to completely different vehicles is just stupid.

To the OP: You should take the time to go to court. Under the state statue, you may be guilty, but that doesn't mean that you may not have success getting the charge dismissed or reduced to a non-moving violation. The only thing that you know is that if you do prepay it, you will not have had the opportunity for a better outcome.

Like I said before call a lawyer get advice...you just might be able to beat this with little to no money...I agree TrekJapan...Why ask bike forums on legal advice....call counsel and get the real deal....just saying!

Why not? Most car drivers do. I can't tell you how many times I've been nearly taken out while walking or riding a bike by a driver rolling through a stop sign or making a right turn on red without stopping first.

I plan my route to avoid excessive stop signs... some days I'll take a road that's narrower and I tend to get more close passes just to avoid the extra stop signs on the next block over.

So, let me get this right. You've nearly been taken out many times by people running stop signs/lights, and you still think it is ok? How ok would it be if you were hit, or a friend, or a loved one? So if it is ok, would you care if they hit you? Caused you injury? When two people that think it is ok hit each other, especially at an all-way stop, I just laugh. They deserve each other. I've seen it. Just a sad state of affairs. OP, if you don't like the fine, don't run the stop! People usually say - oh be careful here, they will ticket. I could care less. If I'm not doing wrong, I won't get a ticket. Simple.

Edit: Which is more costly, your life or the ticket? If the concern is the cost of the ticket, you seem to place the value of your life at less than the cost of the ticket.

I ride in an urban environment where there are lots of stop signs and I have run them before and the police have just ignored it, but what you are suggesting is just wrong. The law says stop and as a cyclist on the road we are subject to all of the same laws. I was recently cited for running a stop sign, but while researching the law in my municipality and how I could get out of my ticket I found out that my area had relaxed the law for cyclists several years ago until several fatal accidents convinced the city to reverse those laws.

While it is true that many of us are very very wary cyclists who are fully aware of the dangers and how to avoid them, there are many many other amateur riders out there who don't know the dangers and how to stay out of harms way. The law is there to protect everyone, its the same reason they hand out tickets for speeding and running red lights even if you are the only car on the road.

It just takes a few weeks of cycling to get comfortable with your commute and let your guard down long enough to get hurt or killed.

Thats just my opinion, take it or leave it, but know that I chose to pay the $125 fine I was issued for running a stop sign. I probably could have gotten out of it, but at least now I won't just think about the cyclist in my town who was killed 2 years ago when running a stop sign, I will also consider that it might cost me $125.

Seems to me by CO State law you are required to stop at stop signs like any a motor vehicle.....



Colorado Law

This page contains the details behind Colorado's bicycling laws. If you're looking for a brief summary of laws, check the safety tips page.
from Colorado Statutes : TITLE 42 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : ARTICLE 4 REGULATION OF VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC : PART 14 OTHER OFFENSES : 42-4-1412. Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles.
Operation of bicycles and other human-powered vehicles

1. Every person riding a bicycle shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Said riders shall comply with the rules set forth in this section and section 42-4-221, and when using streets and highways within incorporated cities and towns, shall be subject to local ordinances regulating the operation of bicycles as provided in section 42-4-111.
2. It is the intent of the general assembly that nothing contained in House Bill No. 1246, enacted at the second regular session of the fifty-sixth general assembly, shall in any way be construed to modify or increase the duty of the department of transportation or any political subdivision to sign or maintain highways or sidewalks or to affect or increase the liability of the state of Colorado or any political subdivision under the "Colorado Governmental Immunity Act", article 10 of title 24, C.R.S.
3. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
4. No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any motor vehicle upon a roadway.
5. Any person riding a bicycle shall ride in the right-hand lane. When being overtaken by another vehicle, such person shall ride as close to the right-hand side as practicable. Where a paved shoulder suitable for bicycle riding is present, persons operating bicycles shall ride on the paved shoulder. These provisions shall apply, except under any of the following situations:
   1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
   2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;
   3. When reasonably necessary to avoid hazardous conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, or surface hazards.
6.  
   1. Persons operating bicycles on roadways shall ride single file; except that riding no more than two abreast is permitted in the following circumstances:
      1. When riding two abreast will not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic; or
      2. When riding on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
   2. Persons riding two abreast shall ride within a single lane.
7. A person operating a bicycle shall keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
8.  
   1. A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall follow a course described in sections 42-4-901 (1), 42-4-903, and 42-4-1007 or may make a left turn in the manner prescribed in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8).
   2. A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall approach the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. After proceeding across the intersecting roadway to the far corner of the curb or intersection of the roadway edges, the bicyclist shall stop, as much as practicable, out of the way of traffic. After stopping, the bicyclist shall yield to any traffic proceeding in either direction along the roadway the bicyclist had been using. After yielding and complying with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which he intends to proceed, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.
   3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection (8), the transportation commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control devices to be placed on roadways and thereby require and direct that a specific course be traveled.
9.  
   1. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (9), every person riding a bicycle shall signal his intention to turn or stop in accordance with the provisions of section 42-4-903; except that a person riding a bicycle may signal a right turn with the right arm extended horizontally.
   2. A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicycle before turning and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
10.  
    1. A person riding a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. A person riding a bicycle in a crosswalk shall do so in a manner that is safe for pedestrians.
    2. A person shall not ride a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices or local ordinances. A person riding a bicycle shall dismount before entering any crosswalk where required by official traffic control devices or local ordinances.A person riding or walking a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk or pathway or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk shall have all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances, including, but not limited to, the rights and duties granted and required by section 42-4-802.
11.  
    1. A person may park a bicycle on a sidewalk unless prohibited or restricted by an official traffic control device or local ordinance.
    2. A bicycle parked on a sidewalk shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of pedestrian or other traffic.
    3. A bicycle may be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the road at any location where parking is allowed.
    4. A bicycle may be parked on the road abreast of another bicycle or bicycles near the side of the road or any location where parking is allowed in such a manner as does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
    5. In all other respects, bicycles parked anywhere on a highway shall conform to the provisions of part 11 of this article regulating the parking of vehicles.
12.  
    1. Any person who violates any provision of this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense; except that section 42-2-127 shall not apply.
    2. Any person riding a bicycle who violates any provision of this article other than this section which is applicable to such a vehicle and for which a penalty is specified shall be subject to the same specified penalty as any other vehicle; except the section 42-2-127 shall not apply.
13. Upon request, the law enforcement agency having jurisdiction shall complete a report concerning an injury or death incident that involves a bicycle on the roadways of the state, even if such accident does not involve a motor vehicle.

Section 2. 42-4-802 Pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks.
Pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks.
(3) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and ride a bicycle, walk, or run into the path of a moving vehicle which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard.

OP, Colorado traffic tickets are criminal offenses (more serious than the way most states treat simple traffic violations). Take this ticket serious and fight it. At least get a free initial conference with a lawyer that deals with such tickets (Boulder likely has a lawyer that has special experience with cyclist issues).

I still don't get the fight. Did you break a law? If so, admit it, get on with life. If you did not break a law, by all means, fight it. It isn't a law that is ambiguous or misleading. STOP. One four letter word. Simple English.

Thank you....nobody here is trying to deal with the legal issues here...just there opinion......Legality is all that matters here...point blank.

I have fought every traffic ticket I had some i won some I lost...it is worth a shot...IMO....do not conform.

Hopefully it's not a generic "Running a red light" ticket that your automobile insurance agency will detect and possibly raise your rates. Assuming you own a cage.

How do you think I know about a warrant being issued for your arrest on a simple traffic violation??? Blowing it off of course!

It seems to be one of those things where they step up enforcement to hopefully put the message out. Pay your fine or fight it in court, your choice.

Go to court if you have the time. I am not justifying running stop signs or lights -- and he said it was a sign, not a light -- but drivers get off the hook all the time for minor violations. In NC, you can ask for a "prayer for judgment", whatever that means, and get off the hook for minor traffic violations if you haven't had a ticket in the past 3-5 years. Drivers who know better do this all the time. The last time I got a ticket (speeding violation), I didn't know this and paid the $150 fine. Afterwards about a dozen people told me about the prayer for judgment. I could have saved some money and kept points off my driving record.

The only moving violation ticket I've ever gotten was thirty or so years ago when I ran a stop sign on my bicycle. It was six o'clock on a Saturday morning in Eugene, Oregon, near the U of O campus, and the only people on the road were me and the cop in his car. I think the only reason he pulled me over was because he had a ride-along observer with him, a tall, blond girl, and he wanted to flex his authority in front of her. I was miffed but just paid the ticket, which back then was, what, $15.00? Taught me to watch very carefully for cops near stop signs.

I agree there is a slight risk to the driver, if he crashed into the cyclist head on with enough speed so he bounces off the hood and impacts the windshield. But the risk is greatly reduced compared to what risk a car imposes on us. The $100 fine is for cars. It's absurd to apply that to cyclists. The OP needs to show up in court to tell the judge he was on a bicycle, did slow down a bit, and posed minimal risk to anyone. If I was judge, I'd reduce it to $10 or $20.