DCist: Cyclist Warning: Cops Ticketing in Logan Circle

jakers

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:22:58 -0500

As a motorcycle rider, I think you are all idiots (mopeds too, which as best I can tell share bicyclists' belief that being on two wheels somehow exempts them from traffic laws). Still, I think we have some common ground that the car drivers--cagers--are pretty much the richest source of traffic stupidity, and they deserve the brunt of the po-po's attention.

common_tater

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:20:00 -0500

Apparently, since no other cyclists have died in NW during the 16 weeks since Alice Swanson was crushed to death, the policy of targeting 'wrong-way' cycling scofflaws is saving lives and, therefore, a complete success. Of course, I can trust that MPD is issuing more moving violations to drivers than cyclists on these 'wrong-way' days, because there are proportionally so many more more cars in motion and I believe that the ratio of offenders is about the same for both. I agree that accomplishing this mission is more important than any other community relations effort underway between MPD and the citizens/visitors to the District. I firmly believe that the investigation into Ms. Swanson's death should be secondary to this and believe it is reasonable for it to take another four months, during which, I know that respect will improve significantly among motorists and cyclists and pedestrians, because these wrong-way cyclists so vividly symbolize for me all that is so terribly wrong here in regards to roadway safety.

Disco Stu

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:14:57 -0500

welles, abhorrent? Seriously? I can see why you'd be peeved, but can't you see why they'd ticket? I mean, it's not waterboarding. we've already had the "you should drive the right way down the street" discussion when they did it on Rhode Island. anyone ticketed after that is fair game I'd say.

IMGoph

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:14:50 -0500

ooooh, ihatestupidregistrations, the "regular" bike riders could team up with the cops for a kind of "hipster elimination task force." we could get our bikes outfitted with cruise missiles that would be able to sniff out and take down any fixed-gear bike within a hundred-feet. i think this tactical removal of the hipster scourge from our streets would be one of the greatest feats of the age!

ihatestupidregistrations

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:32:49 -0500

I ride a bike to work down New Hampshire and used to stop at lights, stop signs, etc. But other dumbass cyclists (esp fixed gear riders) would blitz past me into intersections and i realized the futility of being the only lawful cyclist. Now i run them, but only cautiously and still giving right of way to cars. As a regular bike rider, i would wholeheartedly support a ban on fixed gear bikes - it's the fixies who are too lazy to stop and start as they should.

ribtip

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:11:22 -0500

The whole POINT of riding a bike in the city is to bypass the traffic. CAREFULLY go through red lights and CONSIDERATELY ride past cars and pedestrians. If you are not doing these things, then we have a problem. Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch? On the other hand, all you holier-than-thou car drivers? Puh-leeze.

IMGoph

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:10:35 -0500

blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah i can't hear you!!!!!!!!!!!!

idontwantadcistid

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:18:57 -0500

"...I remember Junkpunching Retribution when they opened for Danzig..." Mother, tell your children not to ride the wrong way...

monkeyrotica

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:05:23 -0500

You wouldn't have this problem if you'd just flooded the streets and given everyone a gondola LIKE I'VE BEEN SAYING FOR YEARS!

districtdon19

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:03:01 -0500

LOL monkey It appears that it is so prevalent in B-more partly because they want to impress the fine horny ladies. I'll leave stating the current female culture in DC to others who will make me laugh louder than I'll make them laugh, but let's just say simply that there are no chicks in DC worth impressing with dirtbike stunts =P Also, the absence of dirtbikes are a not so bad symptom of an over-policed federal city. If we can't get the Park Police armed with more off-road vehicles, then the horsey brigade will have to suffice. Oh, and this "Cyclist Warning" wasn't a notice for cyclists to comply with the law more than it was a "Watch out! The 5-0 is in X location if you don't wanna get caught, but Y location is cop free this morning to plow through stop signs." Icing on the cake for this warning would have been indicating the delay for cyclist commuters this morning as a result of the sting. 45 - 90 seconds, yeah? If it was meant to encourage compliance, then write it, because it's not really implied in this particular write-up.

econbob

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:00:48 -0500

I just returned from a week in Brussels. It's a very bike-friendly place. I noticed a couple things: They allow bikes to go the opposite way down one-way streets. The signs say so. There are bike lanes everywhere. The cyclists follow the same rules as everyone else. They stop at red lights and stop signs, etc. This is unlike the cyclist in Georgetown I almost killed on my way home from the airport because she ran her stop sign. The respect goes two ways everyone.

nowisthetime

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:55:01 -0500

Here's an idea, why not ticket both cyclists and motorists (and even pedestrians) who break the law and cause potentially dangerous conditions on the road.

tecki

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:54:04 -0500

stapaulova: A bike may nt be able to do much damage to someone in a car, but pedestrians don't have airbags, so next time you decide to just fly through a crowded pedestrian (PEDESTRIAN) crosswalk, think twice. I can't count the number of time I or someone near me was almost run over by a clueless, arrogant bike rider. And as for your complete disregard for drivers, how many times have the rest of you been behind the wheel of your car, following the rules, when some bike rider suddenly runs a red light or stop sign, almost causing you to crash trying to avoid them -- or stopping so suddenly to miss the bike that someone else rear-ends your car?

majapa

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:48:09 -0500

Bicyclists: Stop breaking laws just because you're a little bit more mobile and more aware on the street than drivers. Drivers: Be respectful of the road and all types of vehicles on it. Both: Don't take your aggression out on the other.

monkeyrotica

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:44:46 -0500

I remember Junkpunching Retribution when they opened for Danzig. You should consider yourself lucky that this is only bicycles. It's only a matter of time before Thuggee Fresh and Ray-Ray start menacing DC's streets with dirtbikes. They've already taken over Baltimore, where cops are forbidden from pursuing them.

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:21:42 -0500

Awesome! The regular bash-a-thon between cyclists and drivers! Can we add in jaywalking pedestrians to the mix so that we can have a full-on battle royal among the three for most whiny complaints about the po-po is cracking down on them and their kind, rather than focusing on the other guys who are way, way worse? How about the following remedy: Follow the law and don't get ticketed, thereby saving yourself from whiny complaints and junkpunching retribution.

welles

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:17:43 -0500

Abhorrent practice from our bent and corrupt cops. Fucking hell. There are people out there with chainsaws, NE is worse than Baghdad and this is how they choose to spend their time...ticking white cyclists in NW. Sickening. I'd expect to see them doing the same thing next week in Benning Road, but I won't hold my breath.

stapaulova

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:15:32 -0500

Yes, its about time someone cracked down on these law-breaking cyclists. Clearly these little aluminum frame-riding maneouverers are a menace to those protected with their air bags and seat belts. Its about time someone did something. Because the damage a bicycle causes to an SUV and its driver is so much greater than what pushy law-breaking vehicular traffic does to the bicycle and its rider.

watty

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:07:57 -0500

Road to sidewalk back to road. Problem solved. I ride that way to get to Whole Foods. I just ride on the sidewalk for the one block. I don't want to ride on the sidewalk.. but it is not the Central Business District.. so I will.

will585

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:04:54 -0500

From what I can tell from the postings from Bicyclist is that the rules of the road only apply to people who drive cars. They on the other hand can run stop lights, drive the wrong way down a one way street, zig and zag through traffic the list goes on and on and on. Now while I can understand them not having to stop at a red light to make a turn. I don't understand how they can justify running stop signs and red lights. This morning I had one on Commonwealth Ave in Alexandria in the bike lane who almost planted his face into the side of my van because I stopped at the stop sign to make a right turn and he decided he wasn't going to stop and just whizzed on through. If I hadn't seen him he would have turning cold under a sheet right now at the speed he was going. So if I have to follow the rules of the road why don't people on bikes?

monkeyrotica

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:44 -0500

Heads up. That hooker at works at the brothel at 14th and Quincey? "She" used to be a he.

no_more_caffeine

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:44:09 -0500

Seriously... who rides slow enough to get stopped anyway?

Sommer Mathis

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:43:35 -0500

If anyone sent me a report of an unusual speedtrap for vehicles inside the District, I'd certainly consider posting it. Why is it irresponsible to give people a heads up to slow down and/or obey the law? Isn't compliance what ticket stings are supposed to encourage anyway?

NoRefill

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:40:42 -0500

I saw a speed trap at 21st and K NW earlier this week. Query whether DCist would publish a "Vehicle Warning" to slow down when moving west on K under Washington Circle. Does this seem irresponsible to anyone else?

The Anti DC

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:33:57 -0500

I got chased down by a cop and yelled at in near the Woodley Park metro about a month ago for turning right when the light was red. Apparently I was supposed to wait for the arrow. Stupid.

districtdon19

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:23:55 -0500

So..if I report to DCist that there are speed traps on Rock Creek Parkway or Canal, will they get posted on the website as well? Finally some much needed spotlight on this holier than thou attitude from cyclists, using the web to help others evade tickets punishing for your wrongdoings. Bias is the nature of blogging, apparently.

standrightwalkleft

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:04:33 -0500

Thanks to Jessie, I mean.

standrightwalkleft

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:03:55 -0500

Eek. Is there a good way to go through Logan Circle at all? I cut it from my route after experiencing a few close calls and road rage incidents. The only circle I go through is Thomas (although, I think they're laying down bike lanes in Dupont as well). Thanks for the heads-up, WABA, and everyone mind traffic laws and be safe out there today.

JessiePo

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:00:35 -0500

A small correction- I'm a she, not a he. Thanks for posting, and to WABA for being responsive. At least some things work well in this city. :-)

JessiePo

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:59:11 -0500

I'm a She, not a He. Thanks for posting, and thanks to WABA for being responsive about it! :-)

blittle

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:54:48 -0500

I noticed them this morning (8ish) when I was walking my doggeh. I thought they were ticketing the out of state cars not bicyclists. But maybe they were doing that while waiting to nab a biker.

IMGoph

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:52:22 -0500

thanks for the heads-up. i've noticed cops stopping bikes at the corner of 11th and rhode island just up the street from the circle, too. they're really clamping down.