[*BCM*] Cyclists "shall be subject to the traffic laws andregulations of the Commonwealth"

[Jess]

> But everyday I see cyclists blow through a red light when a cop is
> overlooking the street traffic and they don't seem to mind.

I thought this too for the longest time -- indeed, when I "learned" to bike
in city traffic by watching other bikers, running reds when traffic was
clear was one of the things I picked up on.

Then last month I got ticketed for running a red near Porter Square! (Noo!)
Yup, an official two-wheeled traffic violation.  After I got over my shock
at getting ticketed on a BIKE, it was funny.

I guess cars give me an equally hard time for running and for *not* running
reds (i.e. being in their way come the green light), so I might as well obey
that particular traffic law.  At least, on Mass Ave near Porter.

-Jess
(briefly delurking)

On 5/8/06, Justin Wong <lilwong at bu.edu> wrote:
>
> I always wondered about #3. Technically CM would be breaking the law...
> But everyday I see cyclists blow through a red light when a cop is
> overlooking the street traffic and they don't seem to mind.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org
> [mailto:bostoncriticalmass-bounces at bostoncriticalmass.org] On Behalf Of
> turtle
> Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2006 10:10 AM
> To: Boston Critical Mass
> Subject: [*BCM*] Cyclists "shall be subject to the traffic laws
> andregulations of the Commonwealth"
>
> Indeed, in Massachusetts, bicyclists must follow all state traffic laws,
> signs, and signals, including those that apply to "motor vehicles".
> According to state law (Chapter 85, section 11B, see:
> http://massbike.org/bikelaw/ ), the only three traffic law differences for
> bicyclists are:
>
> 1. Bicyclists are permitted to pass on the right (though it's not very
> safe).
> 2. Bicyclists are NOT permitted to ride next to eachother in the same lane
> (a stupid law that would be changed with the passage of the Bicyclists
> Bill
> of Rights and Responsibilities).
> 3. Bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks outside business districts "when
> necessary for safety", as long as you yield to pedestrians.
>
> Other than those excecptions, bicyclists are required by state law to
> follow
> all traffic laws.
>
> Obviously, lots of people don't know this, and many others don't give a
> shit.  But reality is that you can get cited and prosecuted for violating
> traffic laws on your bike as you would in an automobile.
>
> Note, we're not talking about equipment laws here, just traffic laws.
> Obviously, different types of vehicles have different equipment laws.
> For example, bikes are required to have a white, front headlight at night,
> but aren't required to have any rear lights at all (though they are
> definitely an excellent idea).
>
> -Turtle
>
>
>
>
> Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org> wrote:
> >
> > On Apr 30, 2006, at 6:27 PM, Anarchist Judaism wrote:
> >
> > > The regulation does specify motor vehicle, though.
> > >
> >
> > I think it's established elsewhere that bicyclists must follow all
> > motor vehicular traffic laws except where noted.
> > _______________________________________________
>
>
> ----------------------------------
> "One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we
> seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal.  We must
> pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means." - Martin Luther King Jr.
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