The Chainlink

Anyone Gotten a Red Light Ticket on a Bike? I did!

So I admit I was rushing to meet one of Chainlink's new interns.... and ran the light at Newport and Clark.  Flashing lights on, cop points to me to pull over and writes me a ticket.   He said they get calls every day for car accidents caused by bikes running red lights in front of cars. 

No idea how much its for, he just told me my court date is early October and if I have questions to call 311 and give them my violation is V11-B.8c.

Here is my proof, with a wonderful "It's ok" figurine that someone from The Coop Coworking Space gave me.

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Permalink Reply by pceasy on August 16, 2013 at 9:56pm

I got a BS jay walking ticket in SF at 3:30 in the morning (I was not drunk, just walking to work) with absolutely no traffic anywhere. A year later it was dismissed because the officer who wrote the ticket was a no-show, so it's possible the officer won't show up. 

Steve Dennis said:

I got one in NYC a few years ago.  Turned left from a one way onto a one way (5am no cars and sub zero) at a red light.  Ticket was for $80 but the officer did not attend the court date so it was thrown out.  Apparently it's very common for police to not waste time at the DMV court in NYC. 

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 17, 2013 at 3:43am
Today I was extra careful at red lights. As much as I hate to say it, learning cyclists actually get tickets has an impact.

That being said, the law really needs to change to allow cyclists to treat reds as stop signs where the cross traffic doesn't stop. That way we can get to a safe spot sooner and motorists don't have to wait on us.
Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 17, 2013 at 12:41pm

I believe you're still supposed to have some form of ID on you.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

What if I don't have a driver's license?

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 17, 2013 at 3:22pm

Devon and what?

(would like to figure out if this is limited to certain districts.)

Steven Vance should add this to one of his maps. Or maybe that ghost rack lawyer could provide a useful resource...

Vlad said:

I got exactly the same ticket yesterday on Devon ave. Only difference is my violation is 9-52-010 Rule b. Have to go to court. 

Does anybody know is it possible to reschedule a court date?

Permalink Reply by David P. on August 17, 2013 at 3:22pm

Adam,

There is no requirement in any US state that citizens (I don't know about non-citizens) carry ID on them in public.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

I believe you're still supposed to have some form of ID on you.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

What if I don't have a driver's license?

Permalink Reply by El Dorado on August 18, 2013 at 7:07am

That ticket looks like a administrative city ordinance one. The worst that could happen is that the fine can double. If you don't show up for the hearing nothing really happens. No drivers warrant or drivers license suspension like a normal car speeding ticket. The cop must of been having a slow day or something. I know I 

Permalink Reply by Will on August 20, 2013 at 3:52pm

Hey Julie, looks like you got off easy, compared with this NYC cyclist...

http://gothamist.com/2013/08/20/cop_allegedly_knocks_woman_from_bic...

Permalink Reply by Joseph Beemster on August 23, 2013 at 2:10pm

Last year two of our bike riders ran a stop sign in the Barrington Hills area. This is the village that requires all cyclists to ride single file. They were ticketed and fined $50 each. So we are to careful to slow down at stop signs and never run red lights unless they don't change per State Law.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on August 23, 2013 at 3:58pm

@tom

They can, and should if breaking the rules of the road.  If we want equal say and equal usage of Illinois roads, we need to ride in an equal fashion.  

I have seen/known several motorists with insurance claims because of careless cyclists that blew stop signs or red lights, hit the car/got hit by it, and then because they didn't have insurance and were at fault just get up and leave.  Watched one lady have an emotional breakdown at my chiro because she thought she killed the guy.  She was left with about $2000 in body damage in lieu if the emotional shake up.

FWIW, I am not some angelic cyclist, but I do my best to play by the rules so I don't give the image of a careless road using scofflaw.  

Tom Dworzanski said:

What the heck?! Cyclists aren't supposed to get tickets!

@Eric, unfortunately the Idaho Stop isn't recognized in Illinois (which I am sure you knew), so that would be a baseless argument with a cop or judge, and they would probably stick you for more money if they are legally able to.  Best bet until IL cycling laws change is to treat stop signs like stop signs, and red lights like red lights.  

Now advocating for the Idaho Stop Law I am all for, just doing it because it is what suits my personal purposes deserves a ticket when caught, IMHO.


Eric Roach said:

Yeah yeah yeah, I could've stopped at the next stop sign but I am a proponent of the Idaho Stop. Speaking of that, when they ask for the name of your bike tell them it is called the Idaho Stop :) That is what I will do next time!

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on August 23, 2013 at 4:22pm

Chitown_Mike said:

They can, and should if breaking the rules of the road.  If we want equal say and equal usage of Illinois roads, we need to ride in an equal fashion.  

My Comment: Yes. That's pretty much right. But remember the cars don't follow the law either. Bicycles certainly should not be held to a higher standard because the consequences of failing to follow the law are not as high for the non-violator.

Chitown_Mike said:

I have seen/known several motorists with insurance claims because of careless cyclists that blew stop signs or red lights, hit the car/got hit by it, and then because they didn't have insurance and were at fault just get up and leave.  Watched one lady have an emotional breakdown at my chiro because she thought she killed the guy.  She was left with about $2000 in body damage in lieu if the emotional shake up.

My comment:   That’s also why car drivers have uninsured motorist coverage.  It works as well for uninsured bicyclists.   A few years ago my car was hit by a drunk bicyclist and had $2000 in damage.  It only “cost” me $500 because that’s my deductible.  And I was clearly not at fault.  I was at home asleep in bed when it happened.  The car was parked on the street and he hit it.  The only reason we know for sure is that the drunken bicyclist had to go to the hospital.

Chitown Mike said

@Eric, unfortunately the Idaho Stop isn't recognized in Illinois (which I am sure you knew), so that would be a baseless argument with a cop or judge, and they would probably stick you for more money if they are legally able to.  Best bet until IL cycling laws change is to treat stop signs like stop signs, and red lights like red lights.  

My comment:   That’s a bit extreme with respect to stop signs.  Cars don’t treat stop signs as stop signs either.   They California Stop..   Don’t barrel through them at 20+ mph, but if you slow up and can stop if need be and don’t threaten any pedestrians or get involved with cross traffic, the CPD’s not going to write you up.  And I would certainly argue, if ticketed, that  had, for purpose of the law, stopped…

 

Permalink Reply by Ivo Iliev on August 23, 2013 at 5:01pm

I agree - an impact from a bike crashing into a vehicle/ pedestrian/ another bike is not the same as the impact from a vehicle that weighs several tons... I will keep crossing red lights safely with clear conscience

Tom Dworzanski said:

Today I was extra careful at red lights. As much as I hate to say it, learning cyclists actually get tickets has an impact.

That being said, the law really needs to change to allow cyclists to treat reds as stop signs where the cross traffic doesn't stop. That way we can get to a safe spot sooner and motorists don't have to wait on us.
Permalink Reply by Eric R on September 12, 2013 at 8:42pm
@Chitown_Mike
I always overlook replies, my bad. Anyway. I'm fully aware it isn't recognized in IL but that won't stop me from believin' :) Also, I didn't argue my ticket. I paid it and got back on my bike, practicin' Idaho Stops and all. Next time I do plan to tell the Police my bike is a Idaho Stop make and model.

@Eric, unfortunately the Idaho Stop isn't recognized in Illinois (which I am sure you knew), so that would be a baseless argument with a cop or judge, and they would probably stick you for more money if they are legally able to.  Best bet until IL cycling laws change is to treat stop signs like stop signs, and red lights like red lights.  

Now advocating for the Idaho Stop Law I am all for, just doing it because it is what suits my personal purposes deserves a ticket when caught, IMHO.


Eric Roach said:

Yeah yeah yeah, I could've stopped at the next stop sign but I am a proponent of the Idaho Stop. Speaking of that, when they ask for the name of your bike tell them it is called the Idaho Stop :) That is what I will do next time!

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