penalty for skitching?
 

what is the legal penalty if you get caught skitching? in california?

I tried to look it up myself but couldnt find much. although it appears a lot of people on this forum do it.

should this be moved to the 'general' forum?

Darwin wrote the penalties for skitching.

The penalty would be eating **** when the person slams on their brakes.

Had to look it up. First I agree with SuperDave. Think of it as evolution in action.

I have no idea what the legal penalties are. Probably falls under other safety laws. Most of them just involving a ticket unless you sass the officer. Then I bet she/he thinks up some doozies.

De-jargonize ... define skitching for us oldies :50:

Hitching a ride on a vehicle by holding onto it

Not sure what the bicyclist would be ticketed with, but the motor vehicle driver would probably face a serious moving
violation. I'll have to check the CA MVC.

In California the penalty is decapitation!

Don't grab the vehicle. Just draft behind it. That's legal. :D

While climbing Flagstaff Mt yesterday, I was passed by a car with a water-ski tow rope tied to the bumper, pulling a guy on a skateboard.

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I wonder how you reached that conclusion? I don't think you'll see many people in the commuting subforum admitting to it.

Don't think so. Probably fails under "safe distance" clause. Actually heard of someone getting ticket for drafting.

Good point. It's not much safer either. (I've drafted a city bus once, but I won't "skitch")

Michael J Fox inventing skateboarding & skitching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9weNR-c9IHI

I wouldn't even THINK of skitching, some things just look like a bad idea.

Around here "skitching" has always meant holding onto the bumper of a car in slippery snowy conditions in your shoes or boots. As the car accellerates you hang on, your shoes sliding and sort of skiing (skitching) behind the car for as long as you can before you bail or do a face plant (usually a face plant) Bumpers used to be easier to hang on to when they weren't all molded smooth plastic.

Drafting a vehicle is perfectly safe as long as you pay attention, have a clear view through it, and have an escape plan, like an empty lane next to you. The vehicle isn't going to stop immediately, either; it'll stop faster than you can, but you'll see the brake lights come on, and you'll move over as you use yours.

California vehicle code is a written document,
if you want to look-up the law, it is on paper.

Not sure if it's illegal according to the letter of the law, but it seems to be illegal under the "don't be a jerk" handbook.

CVC 21203. No person riding upon any motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any streetcar or vehicle on the roadway.

probably even posted on tha interwebz for people afraid too of paper cuts to read the original.

CHP, City PD, and the Judge have a copy, that's enough ..
post #21 .. seemed to find it online..

Had some cops read me and my friends the riot act for bumper sliding a truck after a big snow. (bumper sliding - snow covered road, grab bumper of slow passing vehicle, slide...circa 1973)

Agree with SuperDave, that's what I came here to say. Penalties include getting thrown to the ground and having your head split open like a melon.

I almost got arrested after being pulled over for drafting a truck. LEO wasn't going to charge me for unsafe following distance though, my bike wasn't registered. I don't know why he didn't just go for the unsafe following, I wasn't going to press my luck and ask

Was it the Team Cinzano truck?

How did they know you were about to start a riot...?

this brings back fond memories...until I remember all the times I hit dry spots and did the ole face plant. :eek: