Bicycle humor

[BeyGon]

I left the gated compound for the store to get some ink cartridges, as I cruised down the hill I came up behind a bicycle in the middle of the lane, at first I was a little miffed, after all, I had to slow down, but then got over it, he was doing the speed limit, 45. I could have passed him but so what, that would mean pulling in front at the bottom and maybe causing him a problem so I slowed down and followed him at a reasonable distance. Still thinking I wanted to go faster but.
At the bottom of the hill he got in the left lane and I pulled up next to him, he looked over at me and said "hey, nice car"..Oh crap, now I feel bad.

[RWebb]

is this a Vanagon joke?

[lane912]

did he have a nice bike?

[Jeff Higgins]

When I was much (believe me, much younger, I was both an avid cyclist and a soccer player (I played all through school, and even well into my 30's). The cycling was actually an outgrowth of the soccer - I found it a much more interesting way to get my cardio in than just running all the time.

Anyway, one day I actually managed to get a ticket on my bike. 40-something in a 25, or something like that. Granted, it was a bit of a downhill, but not all that much of one. I just couldn't believe he stopped me and actually wrote a ticket.

So, I went to court with it. Asked that the cop be present and everything. He even showed up. I dragged a bunch of my soccer/riding buddies along with me. Cop takes the stand, and the judge asks if I would like to ask him any questions. So I asked him how fast I was going, where exactly it was, how steep of a hill it was, etc. He answered he had clocked me over 40 mph, described where it was, and said there really was no hill. All of my buddies groaned simultaneously as I turned to them and said "see, I told you!", and they started digging in their pockets to pay up. The judge slapped me with the full fine and chastised me for "not taking this very seriously". Ya think?...

[David]

No offense Dean, but Jeff's story is funnier

[ckissick]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

He answered he had clocked me over 40 mph, described where it was, and said there really was no hill. All of my buddies groaned simultaneously as I turned to them and said "see, I told you!", and they started digging in their pockets to pay up. The judge slapped me with the full fine and chastised me for "not taking this very seriously". Ya think?...

Did you come out ahead?

[89-944NA]

Anybody want to buy my Davidson Impulse frameset? 56cm. How about a 1965 Schwinn Paramount frame with the cutout nervex lugs? 1984 US Olympic Team Time Trail frameset? Carbon disk wheel with a well cured sewup?

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by ckissick

Did you come out ahead?

Way ahead, which I was sure to make as obvious as possible to the judge. He didn't like that, either.

[89-944NA]

Lucky he didn't ask how much you collected, then fine you that amount, or nail you for wagering in a courtroom. lol

[Joe Bob]

Hermosa Beach, down Pier Avenue....gotta cited for 35 in a 25 on roller skates......$100......sucked.

[89-944NA]

I stay from Manhattan/Hermosa Beach area, to many tickets on my bicycle there. Huntington Beach is even worse!!!!!!

[Tervuren]

Something I wanna know is why so many cyclist flat out ignore stop signs and just ride through them.

[t951]

What happens if you don't pay a bicycle ticket?
I can't fathom it could affect your driver's license......and what if you didn't have a license?

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by David

No offense Dean, but Jeff's story is funnier

That's ok, it was just funny to me.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by t951

What happens if you don't pay a bicycle ticket?
I can't fathom it could affect your driver's license......and what if you didn't have a license?

Things have gotten very weird, almost surreal on this front. Here in Washington, we can actually get a DUI on a bicycle. Yes, a real DUI that affects your driving privileges and insurance rates.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by t951

What happens if you don't pay a bicycle ticket?
I can't fathom it could affect your driver's license......and what if you didn't have a license?

back when I was riding a lot, we just carry a pass port or some old ID. When we get pull, we tell them we do not drive that's why we are on bikes. No lic #, no driving record. I got one for drafting or following too close going through the park. The other was fail to stop at a stop sign on the way to a training ride. I did a track stand knowing he was on the other side waiting to get someone. A track stand is a complete stop without putting your foot down on the floor. I stood there waited for both on coming and side traffic to go by then I went. He even had his siren on. Now I know I have to have my foot down for a few seconds. Bastard. They hate cyclist around the area because of our weekly training ride.

jeff

[Joe Bob]

That's such bullcrap, nothing in the regs says ya gotta put yer foot down. Just "full and compelete stop BEFORE the limit line". I woulda fought that one...

[89-944NA]

t951,
In California the drawback of "equal access" (the law that allows cyclists to ride on certain stretches of freeways, for example I-5 along Camp Pendleton, Cal 99 through the Central Valley, and many other stretches of highways and freeways ), is that ALL motor vehicle laws are applicable to bicycles; speeding, failure to stop, failure to yield, covering both ears with headphones, etc etc etc. I got a ticket about 20 years ago for wearing a walkman while riding...Yup, it reflected on my driving record as a moving violation with the concurrent 1 point loss.
So, in answer to your question, if you don't appear, don't pay the fine etc, they will suspend your driver's license, increase the fine amount by a minimum of $300 and can issue a warrant for your arrest.

[RWebb]

check this out:

Oregon State Police condemn "Hoodbomb" bicycle races down Mt. Hood | OregonLive.com

[enzo1]

If I got a ticket on my bike, in my area the cop or highway patrol would never live it down... ever