Could This Be The Start Of Something Bad

[Brian Carlson]

I got a ticket for not stopping at a stop sign today on my bicycle. I've been running stop signs for the whole 10 years that I've lived here. It's $180.00.

Could this be the start of something bad?

[Brian Carlson]

A Word About Stop Signs- 

Arizona traffic law defines a stop as- 

“Stop, if required, means complete cessation from movement.”

While bicyclists and motorists are required to stop at stop signs, it is not necessary to put your foot on the ground to meet the letter of the law.

Running stop signs on major streets is extremely dangerous and can result in a fine of $212with points added to yourdriver’s license.

Running stop signs setsa bad example foryounger riders.

[Brian Carlson]

Stop signs....we don't need no stinking stop signs...

[XLFD]

You outlaw. 

Here's another possible line of defense, using MI law that may pertain to parallels in AZ law.  You probably have this law in the same form "Each person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle..."  This is what the sardines would say makes us bicyclists have to stop. 

MI defines 'roadway' as "that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel."  If you were/are driving on a shoulder or bike lane, the top law does not apply, as you are not travelling on the roadway.    

 

[Brian Carlson]

Interesting about the bike lane.

[XLFD]

Brian, I don't know how effective he is a lawyer, but there is an Arizona Bike Lawyer  http://www.tucsonbikelawyer.com/ a bit south from you who specializes in bicycle law, and seems highly approachable according to what's on his webpage.  I've ran into some of his posts before along the way, and he seems genuinely concerned and intelligent.  Plus he gives you a free consultation.  You may want to check it out to see whether there is any wriggle room here.

[Brian Carlson]

Thanks for the link. I will check him out.

[Brian Carlson]

I had my day in court. the judge threw the ticket out. He said he has never had a person in his court before for a bicycle violation.

[Dave]

Glad to see that there are reasonable individuals out there where you live. We could use a few of them out this way.

[XLFD]

Congrats; I'm jealous. 

Did the officer show?  When I contested my ticket, the officer and City Attorney Jack Bulger showed and did their best to prosecute the case.  Even though I did my best to prove that the stop sign had been unlawfully erected 20 ft. beyond where it should have been placed, and that there was no Michigan statute that said a bicyclist shall "stop" at a stop sign or define what a stop (on a bicycle) actually means, I lost for a non-legal argument by the probate judge.  He admitted to riding bicycles himself(though he never admitted to stopping at all stop signs) but declared he would set a bad precedent for future incidents. 

I disagree; prosecute bicyclists for violating right of way rules, but not for failing to fully stop at stop signs that do not apply to them in Michigan, and hopefully one day in Arizona, a great place to bicycle year-round. 

[AQUAMAN]

Good for you Brian, dittos to Dave, we need a few reasonable thinkers around here too in the legal system.

[Brian Carlson]

The officer did show, but the judge did not ask for any input from him, and he did not seem to want to give any input.  I am still very curious as to why the cop stopped me. I admit not stopping for the stop sign, but the judge said that he never had a bike rider in for running a stop sign. My curiosity wants me to pursue this to find the reasons why, but my brain tells me to leave well enough alone.

[XLFD]

Bicyclists in Arizona and Michigan do get tickets for this, but police generally only ticket bicyclists when a police chief, sheriff, or some other official decides to conduct 'sting' operations at areas they know where a lot of bicyclists don't comply. 

The problem is, that if a bicyclist doesn't comply and violates someone's right of way, he will be the statistic of the collision.  I am a lot more worried about stopping at a sign when I don't need to and then getting clipped from the back from someone who doesn't, or doesn't see me. 

I think your judge is a swell guy and all, but I would have rather seen him decide in your favor and then make an opinion so that other bicyclists interested in their safety wouldn't have to waste the taxpayer's time and money by having to go to court.  Your brain is more wise than mine.