Traffic ticket while riding bike???

I will also say that the law is the law.  I haven't gotten one yet, and if I do, I'll deal with it.  Actually, that will be interesting since in IL they take away your license if it is a moving violation in an automobile.  What will they take from me on my bike, my USAT card?

Anyway, that being said, they obviously have waaaaaaayyyy too much time on their hands to be handing out tickets to cyclists. 

I know someone who got pulled over for doing 30 in a 25 when on his bike. Fortunately, the cop let him off with a warning.

LOL - I once had a cop pull me over just to let me know he clocked me doing 21 and that he thought it was pretty cool I could go that fast and that I should keep up the good work. However, I didn't point out to him that the fastest I traveled when passing him and while he was behind me was 19 mph. Obviously, his radar was off!

I would think it the coolest thing ever to get a speeding ticket on my bike!

I do agree though, that if it is equal rights on the road we are after, blowing through stop signs is not in the best interest of the sport. I f we are rolling through stop signs we deserve a ticket.

It really is not the end of the world to stop.

The law is the law and if you are racing to get through the sign before car gets there so you don't have to slow down then a ticket is definately warranted.  If you are approaching a stopsign/light and there are no visible cars and get a ticket it is just ridiculous.    I understand cyclist are suppose to follow the same rules as other vehicles on the road but I think in some cases this is just a cop on a power trip similiar to the one they showed on CNN yesterday who got video taped making up infractions for some kids.  I think there is also a difference between running (no intentions of stopping/slowing) and rolling (slow down check for traffice and proceed).

 Anyways, the law is the law and if I ever get a ticket for rolling a top sign I will pay it. 

If you get a ticket will your car insurance go up????

Ryanm_james, I'm in Lewisville (neighboring city) and haven't seen anything. however, I have to admit I do run signs when no cars are around, or when no cars are at a four way stop with me. I guess I need to rethink what I'm doing. The last thing I want is to get angry cars passing me.

The law in this state (and I'm sure many others) reads:

Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

to me that negates your whole argument, as there are specific laws "forbidding" the action you describe. There are no such specifics regarding stop signs.

I do not ride on the shoulder, as you say we do, because of the prevalence of trash there, the lack of maintenance to the shoulder, and because it lessens your visibility. For the most part, I ride a foot or two to the left of the white line.

The applicable Texas statute:

Sec. 551.103. Operation on Roadway.

(B) too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to safely travel side by side.

I have no preference or say so in the matter. We all have to choose whether or not we are going to obey the letter and/or the spirit of the laws. Just don't expect to get favorable treatment, or to use being on a bicycle as a defense against a ticket.

You (not "we" ) are certainly in the minority among the cyclists, cycling advocates, and lawmakers that I come into contact with. Personally, I DEMAND to be treated as a vehicle. Still, regardless of what you think, the laws in most states say otherwise.

But if you got a ticket, would you expect to get out of it because "common sense" superceded the law?

I'm not saying I, or anyone else, needs to stay within every law on the book. Just be prepared to suffer the consequences when and if you get caught.

No, but I had a scenario almost 20 years when I was in college.  I was going to summer school on my bike.  I came out of the alley behind my house, and instead of going straight, decided to bike at a slight angle to the right cutting across the one-way street (no traffic coming, but that shouldn't matter anyways), 1/2 block from Water Street in Eau Claire, WI (the street where everyone hangs out and where almost all the bars are located).  There was a cop across the street already ticketing someone, saw me across the street when I already crossed the one-way and was riding on the sidewalk, and waved me over.  Being a polite guy, I did.

He informed me that I was going the wrong way on a one-way street and gave me a ticket.  I could have fought it, but went to the court date and pleaded no contest to pay the stupid fine.