[*BCM*] Just got "pulled over" for running a red on Mass. Ave.

[thom3 at aol.com]

As a cyclist, you're supposed to obey traffic signals like a motor vehicle. That said, you're point about not endangering a ped, while somewhat true, you get caught, you get caught. Cambridge is really looking to make biking a major means of commute and thus why I think you will see more and more law enforcement people trying to add some order to it. The ticket is probably like jay walking.?I am surprised you did not get a warning. That said, if you gave them your real information and get caught again or for something else, it'll be on the books waiting to bite you in the preverbal ass. 



-----Original Message-----
From: Gondaba <gondaba at gondaba.com>
To: Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
Sent: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 9:29 am
Subject: [*BCM*] Just got "pulled over" for running a red on Mass. Ave.



Ridiculous. I was in Cambridge on Mass Ave, right in front of the large 
MIT crosswalk. The crosswalk had a red light, sure, but it was pretty 
clear and I was in no danger of hitting the poor little pedestrians. A 
Cambridge Cop standing next to his motorcycle flags three of us down 
after the crosswalk and tells us to stay put. He proceeds to ask for our 
IDs and issue each one of us a $20 fine.

The ticket itself seems to be some kind of civil violation; there was a 
nice little place for "Bicycle / Red Light" that he checked off, amongst 
a host of other bicycle violations and, for example, "Improper disposal 
of dog feces," which is a $25 fine.

Has this happened to anyone else before?
And, because I don't have a car, insurance, or even a license, do I 
really have to pay this fine? What're they going to do?

Be wary, fellow red-light runners...

Chris
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