Can you believe it (Milwaukee: low crime, elementary school, restaurant)

[Turpentine]

Hi all- Just when I thought I'd seen it all: How bout being pulled over by the police and issued a $60 ticket for a moving violation while operating a BICYCLE? Yep it happened to me yesterday while returning from a nice ride in the scenic Lake Country area. I stopped at a red light, and seeing as I had to get to a restroom (from all that water) when I saw approx 0 cars on the road, I went through it, only to have an officer seemingly pop out of nowhere to pull me over, flashers on. I knew why, but was hoping to get just a lecture and warning, but nope a ticket . Keep in mind that while he was writing my ticket, cars were going by us at approx the speed of sound, with a few other red light runners. He asked if I had any questions, I had only 1: Are you serious??? I mean c'mon a $60 ticket?? He explained it was his job to "keep the roads safe" and that I had broken the law. Granted I see lots of cyclists out there that give us a pretty bad name, and yes I DID go thru the light, but it seems a bit heavy handed. I will pay the ticket, maybe go to try to get it reduced, lesson learned. Have any other cyclists experienced this?

This and a few other events while biking this summer in Wauk co., such as getting thrown out of a casual restaurant because" my presence was bad for business", or being spit at by people speeding by in a gold Hummer, got me thinking: what has happend to the nice area that I grew up in?
It seemingly has been reduced to a ultra-conservative, snob & snobling infested area of suburban sprawl.
Anyone else feel this way? Is this a sign of things to be here? I hope not, but if it is, then maybe it's best I move on sooner than later. Thanks for reading.

[quijote]

Unfortunately, it sounds like what much of America has become in general. So many people in this country are spoiled, and they don't even know it. It isn't just the Mke metro--it's all over the place.

It stinks to get a ticket for that.... On the other hand, a couple of weeks ago, after getting back from an exceedingly long plane ride from another part of the world, a police officer pulled me over because I was speeding. I didn't even know it; I was basically just loopy from the trip. He seemed to recognize this and just gave me a warning.

[Drover]

I'm sorry, but you won't get any sympathy from me. Nearly every time I'm on the road when the weather is decent, I deal with bicyclists who believe they are entitled to the protections that the rules of the road afford them while behaving like they are exempt from those very same rules, including one a-hole who ran right into my car because he didn't feel like he needed to stop at a stop sign -- and then he got up and started swearing at ME. The jag was lucky my car was already so worthless so that there was no point in suing him for the damage. And don't even get me started on the mopes who ride on the sidewalks in one of the most crowded cities in America.

The rules of the road are there to protect you. Either follow them, or don't and accept the consequences.

[DaBears]

Sadly I can believe it...BUT i am still shaking my head at it.

When I worked in downtown Milwaukee, I used to walk a lot at lunch and I admit used to jaywalk quite a bit (and in front of cops at times)...and one time 2 coworkers went walking and ended up jaywalking in front of 2 cops & got a ticket....

[Turpentine]

I'vee seen that too, DaBears. Funny thing tho, I've never seen it happen to those jaywalkers in the $500 suits. come to think I've it, I see alot of traffic stops in these parts, usually 1 a day, and almost NEVER see anyone stopped in a expensive, fancy car or SUV/Hummer; even though they seem to be the worst offenders of traffic laws. Guess the "rules" don;t apply to the rich and affluent. Makes you wonder

[Nuclear_Art]

Bikers have to follow the same laws as everyone, it should have been something you learned in elementary school. When I used to bike heavily and commute, I never had problems stopping and waiting at red lights. I don't see what the reasoning is by not waiting.

OTOH, I have been nearly run down several times by bikers when I had the right of way in a crosswalk. I guess laws don't apply to bikes anymore? Sorry, man but you'll have to suck this one up and take the lesson.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by Turpentine

Hi all- Just when I thought I'd seen it all: How bout being pulled over by the police and issued a $60 ticket for a moving violation while operating a BICYCLE? Yep it happened to me yesterday while returning from a nice ride in the scenic Lake Country area. I stopped at a red light, and seeing as I had to get to a restroom (from all that water) when I saw approx 0 cars on the road, I went through it, only to have an officer seemingly pop out of nowhere to pull me over, flashers on. I knew why, but was hoping to get just a lecture and warning, but nope a ticket . Keep in mind that while he was writing my ticket, cars were going by us at approx the speed of sound, with a few other red light runners. He asked if I had any questions, I had only 1: Are you serious??? I mean c'mon a $60 ticket?? He explained it was his job to "keep the roads safe" and that I had broken the law. Granted I see lots of cyclists out there that give us a pretty bad name, and yes I DID go thru the light, but it seems a bit heavy handed. I will pay the ticket, maybe go to try to get it reduced, lesson learned. Have any other cyclists experienced this?

This and a few other events while biking this summer in Wauk co., such as getting thrown out of a casual restaurant because" my presence was bad for business", or being spit at by people speeding by in a gold Hummer, got me thinking: what has happend to the nice area that I grew up in?
It seemingly has been reduced to a ultra-conservative, snob & snobling infested area of suburban sprawl.
Anyone else feel this way? Is this a sign of things to be here? I hope not, but if it is, then maybe it's best I move on sooner than later. Thanks for reading.

If you are going to ride a bicycle in a major urban area, you need to abide by the laws/rules of the road, period.

You brought up other separate topics. Getting thrown out of restaurant, people spitting at you....are all separate topics to be handled one at a time.

As for the ticket, it's unfortuante you had to go to the bathroom at that moment and couldn't hold it until the light changed.

[43north87west]

Originally Posted by Turpentine

Hi all- Just when I thought I'd seen it all: How bout being pulled over by the police and issued a $60 ticket for a moving violation while operating a BICYCLE

If you're anything like me, I'd pay it and proudly display it in a nice frame on my office wall. Because that is a sign that someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Who freakin' cares if you blow a stop sign, if you get hit, it is your own fault! I'm a cyclist myself and I always stop for traffic, but I don't necessarily stop at a 4-way with nobody else in sight. And if I get a ticket, fine, I'll pay it, but I *will* put it in a picture frame for years of enjoyment.

A while ago I used to really get hot about tickets. Now I just pay them, on the rare occasion when I actually receive one anymore. My last infraction was a 20+ speed violation in Michigan--warning. It has gotten to the point where I don't even get stopped anymore, and I have sure not slowed down. If anything, I drive faster than ever. However, I drive more sedate looking cars, I'm older, and I guess I'm more mellow during traffic stops. Or something. I do keep an absolutely impeccable car, inside and out. Nothing on the floor, not so much as a coin left out on the center console. No dirt, no trash, no dust, no spills, nothing. I think that has a lot to do with it... it just looks like I run a tight ship. On a bike that's a tough thing to do though, obviously a different issue.

Maybe they just feel sorry for me. I'd rather think it is because I look like I've got my act together!

[mikki]

OK...if you're going to break bicycle and walking laws, make sure you do it in communities where there is a lot of crime so that the police are too busy to have time to deal with the piddly stuff. Don't break those laws in low crime areas..you are setting yourself up for a Barney Fife arrest.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by mikki

OK...if you're going to break bicycle and walking laws, make sure you do it in communities where there is a lot of crime so that the police are too busy to have time to deal with the piddly stuff. Don't break those laws in low crime areas..you are setting yourself up for a Barney Fife arrest.

You 'd be surprised how often cops give them out in places where their time could be much better of use.