Cops ticketing bikers

Any and all traffic violation I would suspect. As for "probably just looking for some non-taxpayer revenue"... if the law says you ride single file, then.... well, you get what you get.

I have no problem with cops issuing tickets to cyclists for violations on the roads. We ask for our share of the road, we had darn well better play by the rules.

I actually would like to get a speeding ticket on my bike... just saying.

In Piermont in particular, they are VERY stingy on enforcing the rules.  In that town, single file riding is required, as is coming to full stop (foot down) at any stop sign or light.  Follow this or you will eventually pay the price.

If you ride enough in Piermont/Nyack on a summer weekend, you know what the mobs of cyclists are like.  I fully support their rules and enforcement- cyclists riding 3 abreast and taking up the entire road around the bakeries is just unacceptable.  Local people complain a lot about us riders so we have to play by their rules or else.  It's still a mob scene, in my opinion.

I've never heard of this, but if they're being ticketed for not riding single file when being overtaken by a vehicle, they should fight the tickets.

NY State General Laws Article 34 Section 1234(b):

Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast. Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a shoulder, bicycle or in-line skates lane, or bicycle or in-line skates path, intended for the use of bicycles or in-line skates may ride two or more abreast if sufficient space is available, except that when passing a vehicle, bicycle or person on in-line skates, or pedestrian, standing or proceeding along such shoulder, lane or path, persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates shall ride, skate, or glide single file. Persons riding bicycles or skating or gliding on in-line skates upon a roadway shall ride, skate, or glide single file when being overtaken by a vehicle.

ETA: this depends on who has jurisdiction on the road of course. If it's local, then local laws apply.

I have seen cyclists ticketed for disregarding red lights or stop signs, for riding without lights after the hours of darkness, for riding on the sidewalk and for riding against the flow of traffic. Some of the citations were warnings and some were payable/go to court tickets.

Most times, when officers set up "road-blocks" it is a result of the tax paying citizen complaints. I am always amazed by cyclists who seem to want it both ways; to want to share the road equally with other traffic but then feel they can pick and choose the laws they want to follow. If the law in that jurisdiction required you to ride single file, then why not do it instead of turning around? YMMV 

Ive been trying to trip a speed camera near my house for the longest time.

One of these days!

I always wondered how that works. Are you required to carry your Driver's License with you since you are on the road? 

This user's post has been ignored.

In my area one community (Carmel, IN) has instituted a bike speed limit of 15mph on a local MUT, and at times there have been local cops with radar guns to enforce it

BTW- there are already regulations throughout this MUT system that bikes yield to other trail traffic.

Even Lance can't ride two abreast....

Nope, there is requirement to carry your driver's license (in Texas anyway) when riding your bike since the license is for a motor vehicle. The Texas Transportation Code states you must have your license in possession while operating a motor vehicle. Still, in my opinion, you should carry some form of id with you in case you are ever in an accident (or get stopped by the police).

You should be carrying: Drivers ID, Insurance Card, ATM card/cash. ALWAYS

"If the law in that jurisdiction required you to ride single file, then why not do it instead of turning around?"


I have no problems with obeying the rules, just want to make sure I know them.  As for turning around ?  Money is tight and it seemed too much of a chance to ride up there to find out what I might be doing wrong.   

I'm wondering too as I never carry my ID. Maybe there is a separate law for cyclists, with just a fine. It doesn't seem like points could be applied against a driver's license since no license is required for biking. Do these cops also harrass kids, or the knuckleheads who are completely clueless about any rules or bike safety?

Why?  Because it's good practice or it's required?  I don't believe there is any requirement to have ID or insurance while riding a bike.

Oh I do, just wondered about the ticket part.

I carry my ID, $5, and my cell. 

I'd add your medical insurance card (if you have) to your list.  I know you can present later but if your unconscious its a good idea in my mind to show you have insurance!

So that your next of kin can be notified.  I always carry my drivers ID so the cops can call my wife if something happens to me, as well as cash in case I break down\need food, etc... 

Plus in Chicago if you get caught riding on the sidewalk over the age of 12 they can ticket you and hold you for 24 hours if you don't have any ID (any time you get stopped in Chicago with no ID you can be help for 24 hours).  This happens a lot as they use this law to grab gang bangers riding bikes. 

In some states you have to produced some form of ID when asked by the police.  If not that can result in a ticket.   That's all the time, not just biking.  

If you ride illegally, you deserve a ticket. That being said I know that in Washington the law states bikes shall ride no more than 2 abreast so we are not required to ride single file (though it is always suggested for safety/politeness). A local town recently considered passing a law requiring only single file riding within city limits as well as several other restrictions however because in Washington (if my memory is correct) towns and counties cannot have laws more restrictive than state law so they were not able to proceed past a basic public hearing. That being said this same town is a HUGE biking area due to it being an island, having hills, access to good trails on both sides of the lake it is in, and having a good route for groups and recreational cyclists circling the island. The police there are the strictest for cyclists obeying road rules and often stop cyclists for running stop signs or speeding on downhill portions of residential roads. I just wish all police were so aware of the law in regards to cyclists and enforced said laws.

In regards to the ID I do not think it is required and I do not think they can report a ticket to your insurance and take points off your license for riding a bike and getting a ticket but if you are worried about that you could always get a plain old state ID in  addition to your drivers license and present that when asked.

Yes, I was referring to a health insurance card....not car insurance. thanks...

Check with local law. I would imagine if you are not able to trigger the light but are a legal road user under state/local law you are allowed to proceed when safe. I know they changed the sensors in most if not all intersections around me and even put little spots where bikes should stop to trigger lights.

I absolutely think that cyclists should get tickets if they aren't following the law.  We battle for rights on road and rights carry responsibilities. 

As far as ID goes, I generally have my Road ID and/or DL, cash, debit card if going longer.  I don't carry my insurance card as that can be dealt with later and is one less thing to worry about loosing.  And up until the last month or so it had my SS# on it which I don't want out on a road somewhere.