SMPD
Thread started by
Luis at 09.6.08 - 2:40 pm
So, I was riding down Santa Monica Blvd. today and pulled up behind one of those motorcycle cops...he gestured for me to pull up alongside him...he informed me that I am supposed to be riding max 18" from the curb...I was very tired from biking plus I really didn't want to get into any sort of scuffle or--even worse--have to pay a ticket, so i thanked the officer and bid him a "nice" day (you know, like...damn that's a nice chaffing your motorcycle seat gave your nutsack there, Jim.)
anybody here well-versed in bicycle law?...i thought it was cool to ride in the middle of a lane as long as i keep with the flow of traffic. please learn me!!!
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CVC GIVES YOU FULL LANE USE,
MAYBE THAT COP THOUGHT YOU WERE CUTE.
( HEY YOU NEVER KNOW, RIGHT ??? )
eddieboyinla09.6.08 - 2:44 pm
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Operation on Roadway
CVC 21202. (a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:
(1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
(2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
(3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(4) When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway of a highway, which highway carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of that roadway as practicable.
skd09.6.08 - 2:55 pm
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Luis,
Please email smcmcitations@gmail.com
SMCM supporters could use your story as an example of bias in SMPD.
diz has been trasnlated to hoomanz from kitteh speak 4 ur pleashures
kthxbai
Knittens09.6.08 - 3:21 pm
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everyone should have laminated cards made with the CVC printed on them.
Roadblock09.6.08 - 3:33 pm
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ROCKBLOCK
we can haz a miss u
at SMCM
der was some major kitteh n micez gaymes
weez teh kitteh
Knittens09.6.08 - 3:34 pm
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bummed I couldnt get out there from teh beastside this time around... :( next monf der iz still kitteh plus mouze gamez or no?
I heard it was fun.
Roadblock09.6.08 - 3:42 pm
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EPIC LULZ uf teh trolleng variety. Cop car trapped behind 60 cyclists going one at a time through a stop sign.
next month no can haz some major kitteh n micez gaymes
can haz super massive catz eeting micyz gaymes
Knittens09.6.08 - 3:54 pm
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Hey Knittens,
Was Alex Thompson there? What do you think of that dood? Don't hold back Knittens! You love those big floppy ears yeah? It's the Michael Phelps phenomena. Soon it's going to be the most sought after plastic surgery! Watch!
That dood is soooo lucky!
User109.6.08 - 4:06 pm
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I dunno, it seems like the motorcycle cops in SM are the worst when it comes to knowing the law. I had one on SMCM last night try to tell me that my bike (I was riding my green and pink three wheeled freak bike, Billy) was illegal because you cannot reach the ground FROM THE SEAT, which is absurd, because you cannot do that from any bicycle, I immediately scoffed at him, told him in the nicest terms possible he was wrong and after I quoted CVC 21201(c) at him (with Section number) which states:
(c) No person shall operate upon a highway a bicycle that is of a size that prevents the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.
he sort of deflated, and I hopped on my bike and rode away before he could come up with some other bullshit reason to harass me. Hell, I can stand over the top tube on that bike.
Eric Hair (who was behind me) later told me that as I was riding away the cop was muttering to himself like a scolded 10 year old about how it was "still illegal" or something.
FuzzBeast09.6.08 - 4:38 pm
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