Ipod's and Bike Riding harrassed by the cops...
05-11-10, 02:08 PM
#76
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,311
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1457 Post(s)
Liked 734 Times
in
376 Posts
FL law on riding two abreast was just 'clarified' here in the Tampa area. The area of San Antonio is one of the few hilly areas in FL and many riders go there on the weekends to ride. The Sheriff has been strictly enforcing the laws recently. So yes, while FL has some good weather for riding, the legal challenges and the excessive traffic are making it a pain.
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
It's pretty clear:
"Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, and shall ride within a single lane."
If there are cars behind you, you need to get single file (setting aside issues where you're taking the lane to prevent an unsafe pass, which the Judge in the referenced case specifically found was not the case) . It's the statute in Florida, and it is simply courtesy that reduces the number of drivers pissed at us.
The riders were fortunate they got witheld adjudication, which in Florida traffic courts is a courtesy extended to attorneys to keep them in business.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
05-11-10, 02:53 PM
#77
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Holiday, FL
Posts: 301
Bikes: Serotta Fierte IT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I agree with your statement of the law in FL and also the fact that they should ride single file when blocking traffic. The challenge is that these lanes are not of suitable width for a car, with a 3 ft buffer as required by law, and even a single file line of riders. Therefore the riders argument was that they are allowed to ride two wide because the lane was 'unsafe' to pass anyway so the car needed to use the other lane when traffic conditions allow them to pass.
Sorry to derail as this is the third of the holy arguments; helmet, music, lane usage.
Just thought that it helps reinforce that interpretation of the laws is often difficult and it is a challenge for both the rider and the LEO to figure it out and apply the law.
Mark
Sorry to derail as this is the third of the holy arguments; helmet, music, lane usage.
Just thought that it helps reinforce that interpretation of the laws is often difficult and it is a challenge for both the rider and the LEO to figure it out and apply the law. Mark
05-11-10, 07:00 PM
#78
Gimme back my gears!
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Jose
Posts: 1,327
Bikes: Cannondale Caad9-5 2009, Scattante XLR TT 2009, Trek Y-Foil 77 1998
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Please let this go on for 6 pages
05-11-10, 07:04 PM
#79
The Weird Beard
Join Date: May 2005
Location: COS
Posts: 8,554
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
If you're saying radios are dangerous, then you've made my point for me. It just astounds me the lengths people will go to in order to make their ride more dangerous. This comes from practical experience. It certainly doesn't make it safer.
These threads never go anywhere. Getting out before further animosity ensues.
05-11-10, 07:57 PM
#82
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
I stared riding w/ my ipod this year on my longer rides. I use (1) ear piece in my right ear and leave the other stuck inside my jersey. I was on a ride down the St Augustine, FL and was pulled over my a cop who didn't give me a ticket, but told me that I shouldn't be riding with the ipod at all. That I was limiting my ability to hear the traffic coming up behind me. I got a bit irritated with him stopping me and lecturing me on something that is not against the law. I kept my mouth shut as this went on for about 15 min. I asked him if I was breaking laws and he said no, but they were trying to put the word out. Now, I was getting pissed. He said he was letting me go w/ a warning (once again, I was not breaking any laws). Fortunately, had a call and left as he was leaving he saw me put the ear piece back in my ear, he flipped on his PA and told me that I "needed to rip the ipod out or he was going to write me up" As a law abiding citizen I sucked up to this "expletive" I took it out. He took off and I waited til he was gone and started jamming out again.
I am not aware of any laws being broken here. He was a city cop and I was just inside the St Augustine city limits.I figured he was bored and wanted to mess w/ someone and I just was in the wrong place and the wrong time or maybe he had to switch to DeCaf and was suffering the caffeine withdrawls.
Has anyone been "harassed" by the cops for using an Ipod while riding? Is anyone aware of any laws in FL regarding ipod and bike riding? I'm not aware of any. I see many riders using them.
Thanks!
I am not aware of any laws being broken here. He was a city cop and I was just inside the St Augustine city limits.I figured he was bored and wanted to mess w/ someone and I just was in the wrong place and the wrong time or maybe he had to switch to DeCaf and was suffering the caffeine withdrawls.
Has anyone been "harassed" by the cops for using an Ipod while riding? Is anyone aware of any laws in FL regarding ipod and bike riding? I'm not aware of any. I see many riders using them.
Thanks!
05-11-10, 08:03 PM
#83
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 210
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
"would have" not "would of." I see this all the time on forums...I remember when people knew simple things like this.
05-11-10, 11:01 PM
#85
Peloton Shelter Dog
So if I tell you idiots that I have ridden with headphones (Walkman cassette players before iPods) for 20 years and about 140,000 road bicycle miles without incident, I suppose you'd still tell me how 'dangerous' this practice is? I never fail to hear the traffic by the way. When I turn the volume down a bit I can even have conversations with other cyclists, and hear them and the music. But car horns, motors, tires, traffic noise? To block all that out I'd have to really blast my iPod volume. And I don't.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
05-12-10, 11:50 AM
#87
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 210
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So if I tell you idiots that I have ridden with headphones (Walkman cassette players before iPods) for 20 years and about 140,000 road bicycle miles without incident, I suppose you'd still tell me how 'dangerous' this practice is? I never fail to hear the traffic by the way. When I turn the volume down a bit I can even have conversations with other cyclists, and hear them and the music. But car horns, motors, tires, traffic noise? To block all that out I'd have to really blast my iPod volume. And I don't.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
05-12-10, 01:12 PM
#88
Warning:Mild Peril
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170
Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
It always amazes me the idiocy of someone claiming that they aren't able to walk and chew bubblegum, then by that logic no one is able to do such a crazy thing. The truth is that there is no difference in the noise of a car that is going to pass safely 3 feet to your left, or one that is going to run you down. I'm getting the feeling that those who "use their ears" cower in the gutter at the first sign of any passing auto and imagine that this makes them safer. Thankfully I live in Los Angeles where cops have better ways to spend their time than to hassle me for listening to music.
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Non semper erit aestas.
05-12-10, 03:29 PM
#89
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
So if I tell you idiots that I have ridden with headphones (Walkman cassette players before iPods) for 20 years and about 140,000 road bicycle miles without incident, I suppose you'd still tell me how 'dangerous' this practice is? I never fail to hear the traffic by the way. When I turn the volume down a bit I can even have conversations with other cyclists, and hear them and the music. But car horns, motors, tires, traffic noise? To block all that out I'd have to really blast my iPod volume. And I don't.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
Of course I don't care what you think, but just sayin'.
05-12-10, 03:30 PM
#90
C3 H6 O3 ACID
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Old Peoplesville
Posts: 1,138
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
FL law on riding two abreast was just 'clarified' here in the Tampa area. The area of San Antonio is one of the few hilly areas in FL and many riders go there on the weekends to ride. The Sheriff has been strictly enforcing the laws recently. So yes, while FL has some good weather for riding, the legal challenges and the excessive traffic are making it a pain.
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
05-12-10, 05:00 PM
#91
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
Posts: 2,751
Bikes: Merlin Extra Light, Orbea Orca, Ritchey Outback,Tomac Revolver Mountain Bike, Cannondale Crit 3.0 now used for time trials.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 126 Post(s)
Liked 55 Times
in
34 Posts
Ride your mountain bike on trails with an IPOD but doing it on the road makes you less aware of what is happening around you and more "tuned in" to what you are listening to, IMHO.
05-12-10, 05:27 PM
#92
Senior Member
Your IMHO is incorrect. It may be correct for you but not for me. Me using one ear bud in my right ear only at a low volume does nothing to make me less aware. It is back ground noise that I can hum to and nothing more.
__________________
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
BMC Roadmachine
Kona Jake the Snake
06-18-10, 05:37 PM
#94
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6,804
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1117 Post(s)
Liked 1,213 Times
in
770 Posts
I recently got a set of SlipStreamz (Sp?) and they cut out some of the wind noise. They don't impede hearing at all, just change the wind currents so that the roar isn't so loud. They have a mounting for ear buds and if used correctly is more like listening to music through speakers rather than plugged ears. They're not "perfect" just better.
06-18-10, 06:27 PM
#95
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
FL law on riding two abreast was just 'clarified' here in the Tampa area. The area of San Antonio is one of the few hilly areas in FL and many riders go there on the weekends to ride. The Sheriff has been strictly enforcing the laws recently. So yes, while FL has some good weather for riding, the legal challenges and the excessive traffic are making it a pain.
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
https://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/may...ng-traffi/c_2/
Mark
To the OP - as Merlin said, this is cut and dry. No argument unless it was a phone.
06-18-10, 06:46 PM
#97
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
First of all this has nothing to do with moderation or blue stars, I'm just posting like a "normal" long-time member who has seen alot of BF silliness.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
06-18-10, 06:46 PM
#98
SLJ 6/8/65-5/2/07
First of all this has nothing to do with moderation or blue stars, I'm just posting like a "normal" long-time member who has seen alot of BF silliness.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
__________________
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Life is not one damned thing after another. Life is one damned thing over and over.”
Edna St. Vincent Millay
06-20-10, 01:41 AM
#99
Pointy Helmet Tribe
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Offthebackistan
Posts: 4,338
Bikes: R5, Allez Sprint, Shiv
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 519 Post(s)
Liked 627 Times
in
295 Posts
First of all this has nothing to do with moderation or blue stars, I'm just posting like a "normal" long-time member who has seen alot of BF silliness.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
These threads amaze me! OP gets pulled over and within a few posts we find out there is a clear cut FL law (which I never knew though I'm a lifetime resident but that's beside the point) that states you can't ride with earphones for music.
Thread still goes 4 pages with people who didn't read the early posts and therefore don't realize a law has been cited or a symphony of those who feel the law is stupid.
Jesus wept.
06-20-10, 02:18 AM
#100
Plz refer to rule #5
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Palm City, FL
Posts: 155
Bikes: Giant OCR-1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
that's a nice ride down there on a1a. Just did that two weekends ago from jax beach to st. augustine.