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

[Tripp Hyde]

Haha.  How much was the ticket?  Not the same amount as if you were
driving a car I hope?  They didn't ask for your license number did
they (if you have one)?

On 5/10/06, Jess <novelbound at gmail.com> wrote:
> > 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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>
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