[*BCM*] Cambridge po-po sighting

[Ariel Salomon]

Ditto.  In the incident in question, I'm fairly certain I came to a
stop, looked, and then proceeded.  Considering how well illegal parking
is enforced in Boston (e.g. in the bike lanes), not to mention many
other rules w/ respect to unsafe operation of heavy and dangerous motor
vehicles, it's really a matter of which rules they see fit to enforce.

My present course of action is generally to stop or near-stop, look,
look again for cops if near Central Sq., nod at them if they are there
and otherwise proceed if safe.  (well, once I get back to regular riding
--  broken clavicle still healing thanks to a Boston pothole.)

  - Ariel


On Wed, 2004-10-13 at 12:42, Dave Roberts wrote:
> I do believe the law *should* include exceptions, which probably then would
> require training or certification... however - for example, I do believe that a
> bicyclist ought to be able to proceed through an intersection on a walk signal
> (though not in the crosswalk itself and provided they do not interfere with ped
> traffic - just like cars turning onto walk signals)... a cyclist ought to be
> able to perform a safe "straight on red after looking" as I do believe are
> allowed in some Euro cities/countries... etc... but that's a matter of changing
> legislation, until that time - I stop at red lights... though I do find myself
> going on walk signals... especially to give myself a little advantage off the
> starting line when contending with trucks and cars. 
> 
> Quoting turtle <turtle at zworg.com>:
> 
> * If you want to be respected on the roads, then you yourself have to ride
> * respectably.  Running a red light is illegal and obnoxious, so why
> * shouldn't you get a ticket for it?   And the cops certainly do give
> * tickets to car drivers all the time for running red lights. (Cambridge
> * is even pushing the state to allow them to use cameras to identify all
> * the cars running red lights, like they do in England - whether or not
> * you like the idea, is still shows that they take it seriously.)
> * 
> * As a bicyclist, you can't have it both ways. Either you are considered a
> * legal vehicle operator, or you aren't!  If you are, you have the same
> * right to use the roads as other vehicle operators, but with those
> * rights come responsibility to drive your vehicle within the same
> * regulations as everyone else.  If you don't believe that you should be
> * considered a legal vehicle operator, and instead some sort of "toy"
> * owner, then you may drive how ever you want, but you won't have any
> * legal protection when you get hit or hit someone else.  
> * 
> * The law says you are a legal vehicle operator, with equal rights to the
> * road.  And I think that it's a good idea, so I choose to take my place
> * in traffic as an equal member, and I respect the traffic laws even when
> * I'm in a hurry, or think that I can "get away with it".  I do this
> * because I value my rights to use the road (especially when some folks
> * don't want me there at all!).
> * 
> * -Turtle
> * Who's Streets?  Everyone's streets!
> * 
> * HANDY TIP: if you want to use a pedestrian signal to cross a street with
> * a bike, you need to dismount and WALK your bike across.  This is legal,
> * and socially acceptable, and it shows how incredibly adaptable bicycles
> * are, compared to motor vehicles!
> * _______________________________________________
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> * http://bostoncriticalmass.org/list
> * 
> 
> 
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