FUNNY: Bike Lane
Thread started by
SocialSoundSystem at 06.8.11 - 10:40 pm
Found this movie on Reddit about a guy in NYC who got a ticket for not riding in the bike lane (pouring rain too)... So he made a movie about staying in the bike lane.
http://youtu.be/bzE-IMaegzQ
reply
BWUUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA OMG!!! This is the best documentary ever made!!! I hope this guy gets known for this video!!!
FIXMYLIFE06.9.11 - 9:58 am
reply
Subsection 3 of California vehicle code section 21208 states that it is permissible to leave a bike lane:
"When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions. "
In Los Angeles this usually takes the form of folks leaving their trash bins in the bike lane...a problem we can not seem to address.
In any case when there are obstructions you can, and should, leave the bike lane and use a regular lane of traffic (the right most lane) until the obstruction is cleared.
P.S. Great Video!!!
Sgt. David Krumer
Sgt. David Krumer06.9.11 - 2:08 pm
reply
A couple months ago the cops hassled a small ride I was on for not riding to the right. Except that we were riding to the right, occupying only the far right lane of a three-lane road.
One of the riders stood up for us and said: "We *are* riding to the right."
One of the officers said: "What did you just say? Do you want to say that again?"
They used their squad car to bully us out of the road into the gutter.
outerspace06.9.11 - 4:09 pm
reply
Hi Outerspace,
The best way to handle a situation like you describe is to do the following:
1) Take note of the vehicle number the officers are in....if it is LAPD it will be located on the upper right hand side of the trunk.
2) Do not challenge the officers even if you think you are right.
3) Go to the local station in the area. Most Cities only have one station...LA has 21. To find out which one to go to you can check LAPDONLINE.org In the middle of the page you will find "Our Communities" and you select the neighborhood where law enforcement contact took place.
4) At the station you can ask for the watch commander...but any sergrant should do. Tell them that the officers driving (vehicle number) on the appropriate day and time appear to have misapplied the vehicle code and that you would like them to be advised of the error so that there is no issue in the future.
5) In the alternative you can write a letter to the Patrol Captain of the area and similerly explain how the officers misapplied the vehicle code.
If your goal is to provide feedback to officers:
Do the above.
If your goal is to challenge a ticket:
That can only be done in court where you will be able to challenge the officers
knowledge in person.
If your goal is to make a complaint for something other than a ticket (i.e. discourtesy):
You can fill out a complaint form located at lapdonline.com, call 1-800-339-6868, or
go to any LAPD supervisor and tell them you wish to make a complaint.
Sgt. David Krumer responding to a
comment by outerspace
06.9.11 - 4:55 pm
reply
Fatally shot cyclist last night in North Hollywood.
Hi, Sgt, Kumar,
Did the find the men that did this? Are they off the streets yet?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/bicyclist-shot-dead-in-north-hollywood.html
(p.s. Assuming the white van had plates and finger prints.)
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Sgt. David Krumer
06.9.11 - 5:50 pm
reply
Hi Girl Power,
When I heard about this incident yesterday I contacted N. Hollywood detectives to get further details. At that time there were no suspects in custody. It appears that the victim being a cyclist was not a factor in this shooting (that took place at 1:30 a.m. in front of a known narcotics location). I will follow-up when I return to the office next week.
Sgt. David Krumer responding to a
comment by Girl Power
06.9.11 - 10:15 pm
reply
Washington was the street and Culver City PD was the culprit.
tfunk408 responding to a
comment by outerspace
06.10.11 - 1:56 am
reply
krumer,
since we are on the subject of the moving out of the lane law.
i find myself moving to the left of cars and splitting lanes in downtown because the area in the right lane is in the door zone, possible obstruction, and cars often blindly turn right without indicating, another possible obstruction.
is keeping myself safe from accidents like these within the law of leaving the right side of the street to avoid obstructions, even if they manifested themselves?
sorry if this is the wrong thread for that question.
mikeywally responding to a
comment by Sgt. David Krumer
06.10.11 - 8:57 am
reply
I thought there was a provision in ca law that allowed you to avoid the bike lane if you are travelling at or above the speed of traffic.
Roadblock06.10.11 - 9:04 am
reply
Hi Mikeywally,
You can ride just outside the doorzone...even if that puts you into the middle of the lane. Also, keep in mind that the vehicle code specifically states that a cyclist is exempted from riding as far to the right as practicable when the lane is of a substandard width. (http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm)
A substandard width lane is one that is to narrow for a cyclist and a motorist to share side by side. In Los Angeles thats about 80% of the right hand lanes. So chances are, you can ride in the middle of the right lane of traffic the majority of the time. Thats not a gaurantee you won't be stopped by law enforcement that is not keen on the particulars of the law. If you are than see the process above for how to address it.
Hi Roadblock,
You are right. Vehicle Code section 21208 applies to "any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time..."
Sgt. David Krumer06.10.11 - 10:10 am
reply
Bump this thread for Sgt. Krumer's comments. Took me like 2 hours to find this shit. ;)
Keywords:
substandard lane width
80 percent of lanes in los angeles
taking the lane
challenging a ticket
reporting police
...and all that. Good info.
jeshii03.19.12 - 1:13 pm
reply