Bike trap fine.
September 18, 2011 11:23 AM Subscribe
I got a bike ticket for riding my bike on the wrong way, can I fight the ticket? or is not worth fighting and just pay the fine, which is up to $130 dollars.
The bike trap today is at South 5th place near Williamsburg bridge. The officer didn't stop others who were doing the same violations while he was writing the ticket. S 5th place is a one way street but there is a bike lane going the other way. The right bike lane to go on is fading which is on the sidewalk. Alot of people riding their bikes are getting fine today
The bike trap today is at South 5th place near Williamsburg bridge. The officer didn't stop others who were doing the same violations while he was writing the ticket. S 5th place is a one way street but there is a bike lane going the other way. The right bike lane to go on is fading which is on the sidewalk. Alot of people riding their bikes are getting fine today
This post was deleted for the following reason: If you're not actively trying to get personal advice or solve a problem here, this really ought not to be an askme post. It isn't for venting or, good intentions aside, giving people a heads up about a bike trap or such. -- cortex
If he was literally trapping cyclists, then you will lose because that's what he was there to do. If he just happened to be there but was passing through, then there's a good chance he won't show up in court because only 1 ticket is involved.
posted by Obscure Reference at 11:29 AM on September 18, 2011
posted by Obscure Reference at 11:29 AM on September 18, 2011
Others doing the same thing while you're being ticketed is not an indication of tacit approval on the officer's part. If you think the road/bike signage or other indicators are inadequate, you could challenge it from that direction. If it's merely because you find it inconvenient to pay or don't think bikes should be subject to the rules of the road, then you're welcome to challenge it but I wouldn't bet on getting any sympathy from the court.
posted by doctor_negative at 11:46 AM on September 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by doctor_negative at 11:46 AM on September 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you want to fight it then fight it. It may not be worth your time if you have to go to court but if you can do it in writing then you've got nothing to lose. Worst case you pay the fine. Best case, the officer does not dispute your statement (for whatever reason) and you don't pay.
posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 11:50 AM on September 18, 2011
posted by babbyʼ); Drop table users; -- at 11:50 AM on September 18, 2011
Response by poster: You are right Obscure reference, he was waiting knowing people will be caught. I found this website http://www.bicycledefensefund.org/bikelaw.html and it is the law 1127A on there explaining the violation. The bike lane at the particular area is not designed well for a biker to see.
It is good to be informed and traffic traps is a way for them to get a quick revenue, the officer wasn't trying to tell people the right way but only fining them after they commit the violation and not explaining anything. More proof that he just want to give tickets. I don't mind paying the fine, I am just complaining at how the system setup only to generate revenue but not the safety of bicyclist. Overall it is not worth my time, I just wanted vent and inform others.
posted by metafus at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2011
It is good to be informed and traffic traps is a way for them to get a quick revenue, the officer wasn't trying to tell people the right way but only fining them after they commit the violation and not explaining anything. More proof that he just want to give tickets. I don't mind paying the fine, I am just complaining at how the system setup only to generate revenue but not the safety of bicyclist. Overall it is not worth my time, I just wanted vent and inform others.
posted by metafus at 11:57 AM on September 18, 2011
Actually, looking at a map, I think it would be pretty easy to make the argument that it's hard to figure out what's expected of the cyclist. The fact that other cyclists are not following the correct path could be used as an argument that the path needs better signage. If the cops were running it as a trap, I think you could make an argument that they are taking advantage of the lack of indicators to up their ticket count.
posted by doctor_negative at 12:04 PM on September 18, 2011
posted by doctor_negative at 12:04 PM on September 18, 2011
Best answer: You can help map where bicyclists are getting tickets, which won't get you out of the ticket, but might make you feel better.
http://transportationnation.org/2011/05/03/been-ticketed-while-riding-a-bike-join-this-crowdsourcing-project/
You might also post to streetsblog or contact someone at Transportation Alternatives to see if they have any advice.
posted by katinka-katinka at 12:09 PM on September 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
http://transportationnation.org/2011/05/03/been-ticketed-while-riding-a-bike-join-this-crowdsourcing-project/
You might also post to streetsblog or contact someone at Transportation Alternatives to see if they have any advice.
posted by katinka-katinka at 12:09 PM on September 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you Katinka-katinka
and also this the exact location on the map
posted by metafus at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2011
and also this the exact location on the map
posted by metafus at 12:24 PM on September 18, 2011
I'm not sure I understand the situation. You were ticketed for riding the wrong way in a contraflow bike lane? You were ticketed for riding the wrong way down a one way street, though there was a contraflow bike lane? For the former, it seems it might be possible to argue that it's not possible to tell it's a contraflow bike lane, so using the bike lane in the direct of traffic was a reasonable thing to do. For the latter, you just seem to be in the wrong.
posted by hoyland at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2011
posted by hoyland at 12:26 PM on September 18, 2011
I am just complaining at how the system setup only to generate revenue but not the safety of bicyclist.
If you were riding the wrong way down a street, you were not just endangering yourself, you were endangering the lives of the drivers of vehicles as well as the pedestrians around you. What do you think happens when a surprised driver who was not expecting wrong-way traffic suddenly veers to one side or another to avoid a cyclist? I swear, bicyclists can be so self-centered sometimes.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:33 PM on September 18, 2011
If you were riding the wrong way down a street, you were not just endangering yourself, you were endangering the lives of the drivers of vehicles as well as the pedestrians around you. What do you think happens when a surprised driver who was not expecting wrong-way traffic suddenly veers to one side or another to avoid a cyclist? I swear, bicyclists can be so self-centered sometimes.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 12:33 PM on September 18, 2011
Response by poster: He was also ticketing people riding on the sidewalk bike lane. But others just walked away knowing he was in the wrong and He used the excuse that we have to follow what he says because he is a police officer. I realize I am in the wrong and probably will have to pay the fine.
I hope others will avoid the mistake that I have made and avoid the 130 dollar fine.
posted by metafus at 12:35 PM on September 18, 2011
I hope others will avoid the mistake that I have made and avoid the 130 dollar fine.
posted by metafus at 12:35 PM on September 18, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Should you fight it? No. On what grounds would you? You were caught dead-to-rights breaking the law and cited appropriately. Who cares that others were doing the same thing? You got busted.
posted by TheNewWazoo at 11:26 AM on September 18, 2011 [6 favorites]