What's the LAW
Thread started by
bondink at 05.15.09 - 10:10 am
on not having brakes / only having a front brake? someone i know got a ticket in SM for fixie, no brakes - is it different as you ride through the different divisions throughout the city or what?
thanks!
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depends on who is interpreting it. you need to be able to do a skid on dry flat pavement. i'm not sure it says the nature of the brake but for some reason if you can do a skid with a fixed gear it usually doesn't count . . . but you can argue that it does. okay someone find the code...
neverclever05.15.09 - 10:15 am
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The general interpretation of the law (as opposed to the actual wording) is that you need at least one brake on your bike.
You can argue that a brakeless fixie would skid on dry pavement better than a singlespeed with just a front brake, etc., but that means lots of paperwork, explaining bicycle technology to judges, etc. if you do get a ticket.
JB05.15.09 - 10:18 am
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state law says
21201. (a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
most cops read that to say that you need "a brake."
the argument could be made that you need a rear brake, and that a front brake is optional. the argument can also be made that the crank arms and chain are the brake, similar to a coaster brake.
it might be worth it to ask your local bike shop to write you a letter explaining that a fixie uses a braking system "similar to" the coaster brake on a beach cruiser. there's a video on youtube somewhere demonstrating that their stopping power is very similar.
hope that helps!
tortuga_veloce05.15.09 - 10:21 am
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brakeless shouldn't be a crime, but if you're silly enough to go for it, any and every accident you cause should be your fault.
i thought brakeless was a velo thing.
_iJunes05.15.09 - 10:35 am
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I got a ticket for this shit in San Diego. Those lil smokies in SD are bike haters!
USUALLY the police should give you a "fix-it" ticket.
This means: As soon as you put brakes on your fixed, they drop the charge.
If/when you are going to get a ticket for thiiiiisss bullllssssshit, ask for a "fix-it" ticket.
They'll know what you mean.
randyadamIII05.15.09 - 10:35 am
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if its a fixit ticket, just borrow a front brake, throw it on, show the judge, and get the ticket thrown out.
stop saying fixie.
ruinedbyidiots05.15.09 - 10:35 am
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rbi get off your 'fixie' and get some gears
_iJunes05.15.09 - 10:36 am
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gears are old people.
something tells me this isnt a typo.
tortuga_veloce05.15.09 - 10:47 am
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Glad somebody noticed.
Anywho, what about equipping the front fork with a light-ass, dummy-brake complete with a clip-on, dummy-handle?
Sounds convincing enough.
bentstrider05.15.09 - 10:50 am
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what's the reasoning for riding brakeless anyway? i just broke my brake lever so i had to ride to work brakeless. it was nice having an extra hand position where my brake usually is, but that was about it.
aside from doing bar spins, why go brakeless?
tortuga_veloce05.15.09 - 10:52 am
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i can't wait to see adam on a brakeless fixie. i might have to tackle him while he's trackstanding.
_iJunes05.15.09 - 10:53 am
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you could also attach a brake lever to the seatpost and run it to the back wheel. that would definitely cover you legally.
tortuga_veloce05.15.09 - 10:54 am
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sara was this yesterday like around 11 am on pico and 4th?? because i saw some guy on the curb with a bike and a cop was giving him a ticket (thats what it seemed like from a block away)
theladiesman05.15.09 - 10:54 am
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i dont see what the big deal about being brakeless is. people always clown on me for still having my front brake on. fuck looking cool! safety first.
northernsoulbyrd05.15.09 - 10:59 am
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i even had some kid at crank mob tell me "you've got to take the training wheels off someday."
tortuga_veloce05.15.09 - 11:01 am
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HA! HA! HA!! NICA YOU HAVE A BRAKE!!! YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DIE!!!! I LAUGH IN YOUR FACE! lol jk
theladiesman05.15.09 - 11:01 am
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I was going to give my two cents on the issue and then i read the below and PISH!
choose to be one less
onelessfixie
05.15.09 - 1:45 pm
CHOOSE TO BE ONE MORE!!!!!
onemorefixie05.15.09 - 11:17 am
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@ theladiesman:
who are you? i don't know you.
but no, it happened this morning and it was SMPD.
bondink05.15.09 - 11:29 am
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oh, i <3 alfredo - cool.. just weird when i don't know a handle and they call me by my first name.
bondink05.15.09 - 11:33 am
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which alfredo are you thinking about? cuz FYI, this isnt little alfredo, lol.
northernsoulbyrd05.15.09 - 11:35 am
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oh.... yea, that's who i was thinking about - lol. MR and their handles..
bondink05.15.09 - 11:36 am
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i met you at the westside mom ridaz ride thing thang mess
theladiesman05.15.09 - 11:38 am
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ooohhhh yeaaaaa...... we're gonna have to meet again - i am terrible.
bondink05.15.09 - 11:40 am
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