Cyclists getting ticketed in DC

[ny biker]

I thought I read an email saying the meeting with the police was postponed. But I might be remembering that wrong...

There's nothing on the Bikewashington listserv about this, at least not yet.

[mimitabby]

Nothing wrong with cyclists breaking the law getting ticketed IMHO.

why should we be above the law?
besides, it might save some lives!

[Thorn]

Nothing wrong with cyclists breaking the law getting ticketed IMHO.

Agreed as long as treatment is equal. Within the state, a cyclist got doored. While in the ER, the police stopped by to deliver her ticket for failing to yield 3 feet when passing a parked vehicle.

While I agree, she probably violated the 3-foot passing rule, the car driver that opened the door was not also ticketed for obstructing traffic--the ticket that is supposed to be issued to any car that opens a door into traffic.

Yep, ticket for violating traffic laws, but ticket equally. Oh, and disclaimer--I never run stop lights, but I will roll stop signs if there are no cars and I have full visibility when approaching the intersection. Should I be ticketed for those? Yes, by the letter of the law, but so should the cars that go through faster than I and, due to the nature of their vehicle don't have the same visibility.

[madscot13]

Agreed as long as treatment is equal. Within the state, a cyclist got doored. While in the ER, the police stopped by to deliver her ticket for failing to yield 3 feet when passing a parked vehicle.

While I agree, she probably violated the 3-foot passing rule, the car driver that opened the door was not also ticketed for obstructing traffic--the ticket that is supposed to be issued to any car that opens a door into traffic.

Yep, ticket for violating traffic laws, but ticket equally. Oh, and disclaimer--I never run stop lights, but I will roll stop signs if there are no cars and I have full visibility when approaching the intersection. Should I be ticketed for those? Yes, by the letter of the law, but so should the cars that go through faster than I and, due to the nature of their vehicle don't have the same visibility.

that ticks me off. sorry. but it is a damned if you do, damned if you don't. if you ride in the lane, everyone gets ticked off at you, cabs brush against you, and you are in danger of obstructing traffic in that sense also. If you go as far to the right as possible, which in DC makes you practically a curb rider- our lanes get so narrow, you get doored and blamed for it. Also, what is with the cars that have to drive 2 feet more to the right of everyone else? you aren't passing, you aren't turning. What are you doing? I know what the legal rules are for riding in DC, but I would like a little space and respect as a bicyclist/ person.

(sorry for the aggression/ cursing in this post)

Last weekend, I spoke with a park ranger about ticketing on the capital crescent because of aggressive bikers that are biking dangerously as well as inciting violence (i believe this goes both ways with runners, according to the story she told). Currently the city is giving warnings to bikers on the Mt. Vernon trail. If we don't watch our act, the same thing will happen to there. I would like to be able to bike without being endangered, so please mind your biking manners everyone!

ps I was biking downtown today. don't tell my mother

[7rider]

If you go as far to the right as possible, which in DC makes you practically a curb rider- our lanes get so narrow, you get doored and blamed for it. Also, what is with the cars that have to drive 2 feet more to the right of everyone else? you aren't passing, you aren't turning. What are you doing? I know what the legal rules are for riding in DC, but I would like a little space and respect as a bicyclist/ person.

According to the summary of laws WABA posts - http://www.waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php - it is illegal to "door" in DC and MD (VA is silent on the issue). WABA doesn't cite the section of the code, but I'm sure it's there if you looked.

[Geonz]

I went by a radar cop in a school zone and he shouted out with faux-military sharpness "That's 12 miles per hour, Ma'm!!" and grinned. Next day I got it to 14

[Eden]

According to the summary of laws WABA posts - http://www.waba.org/areabiking/bikelaws.php - it is illegal to "door" in DC and MD (VA is silent on the issue). WABA doesn't cite the section of the code, but I'm sure it's there if you looked.

It is also illegal to door (or more precisely negligently open your door into traffic) here in WA state. If the rider had been here it would have been the driver who was cited not the cyclist. I still *never* ride in the door zone - I won't even ride in a bike lane if it is within the door zone. WA state law says we are not required to use bike lanes and only to ride as far right as is safe....

[madscot13]

may I say that it is a lot easier to watch for traffic/ bikes coming from behind before you open your door then for a bicyclist to see when a car might open its door. Sometimes I have no idea that there is a person in a car until I pass it. this is most likely in SUVs. there are a lot of SUV's in DC.

[divingbiker]

Nothing wrong with cyclists breaking the law getting ticketed IMHO.

why should we be above the law?
besides, it might save some lives!

I agree. That's why I said in my original post, I don't necessarily think it's a bad thing.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

The thing I would like to know is...does it go on your license? Does a ticket that you get on a bike effect (or affect? hmmm) your driving record and subsequently your insurance bill? Just curious.

Law enforcement is still done by humans, therefore there will always be that subjectivity. Some people will get tickets for the same thing another person won't.

A few days ago (I correlate it to the moon) I had a guy on a very nice Trek ride right through a red light. Not a just turn red, a 'solid red'. And wave at me like..."Hi thanks for letting me go on with my ride and almost getting wiped out by you". And the first thing that runs through my mind is ....thanks buddy for solidifying the "Freaking people on bikes!!!" thinking...

[Zen]

While at physical therapy yesterday, my PT told me that a friend of hers was training on the C & O (cycling) for the Iron Girl and got a ticket for speeding!

I wish I could have been there to see it

[ny biker]

While at physical therapy yesterday, my PT told me that a friend of hers was training on the C & O (cycling) for the Iron Girl and got a ticket for speeding!

I wish I could have been there to see it

I can just imagine the park policeman hiding behind a tree with a radar gun...

[jsdilks]

It's even more important at this time of year, when the sun is shifting in the sky and visibility it so impaired, that bikers pay attention to cars. And following the rules of the road is just one way to help keep everyone safe. A young lady who works with my husband, and who rides with us occasionally (our other daughter...) was hit by a car at Thomas circle yesterday on her way to work. Now, she's not known for paying super close attention, nor has she probably learned all there is to learn about anticipating others' actions, but she said that she did not even see the car. And the Driver said that she did not see the bike either. The rider was all right - thrown from her bike and ending up with bumps and bruises. Thank goodness she wears her helmet religiously. But the policeman who took her home told her that 75% of the accidents that are investigated at that location are bike/car accidents. And we had *just* had a conversation Tuesday that was as follows:"We need to find me another way to get to work. I'm going to get hit by a car..." and a day and a half later, she was hit by a car...(so I'm trying not to freak out too much - but there aren't good routes for her in the city without taking her out of her way, but I know we'll recommend them...it's up to her to decide if she's going to try them)