Updated Forecast: In Excess of 8" of Snow, Plus Wind
And Now, 10-20 Inches
Federal Govt. Closed Tuesday
Snowmaggedon 1.0 in Time Lapse
The setting of traps by police at the tricky intersection of U Street, 16th Street and New Hampshire Ave. NW in order to catch bicyclists going the wrong way on New Hampshire: it's certainly been a discussion sparker since their initiation earlier this year. But chalk one up for the bikers, via GGW: Sam DuPont, one of the many who have been ticketed in the traps, won his appeal against the fine. His successful tactic? Arguing, as every biker (and frankly, anyone that's ever walked or probably even driven there) knows, that going the "wrong way" on New Hampshire is the safest way to get through if you're on two wheels. The fact that DDOT has all but recognized this fact surely assisted his argument.
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DCist link in AOL News:
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/02/09/washington-shuts-down-as-another-snowstor
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Score!
so...opinion won out over the established right of way. fantastic precedent.
really hoping this doesn't start an overwhelming bike movement to ride against traffic all over the city, citing this appeal
I'm a biker, and support biker's rights, but celebrating a "victory" like this only encourages further illegal biking (running stop signs, red lights, etc), giving all bikers a bad name.
Did anyone actually look at the dismissal letter? This doesn't mean a damn thing.
It's the exact same form letter that you receive when you contest a parking ticket. And whether or not you get off a parking ticket in mail adjudication is a total crapshoot having nothing to do with whether or not you actually deserved the ticket.
I received parking tickets twice for parking legally on Columbia Road in front of AB liquor close to the bus stop. It used to be legal to park there after 6:30 PM, though the signs were badly faded. The first time I got ticketed, I took pictures of the signs and sent all that in, and got the ticket dismissed.
The second time, I sent in the exact same pictures, and also included a copy of my previous dismissal. Guess what? My appeal was denied. Despite the fact that I'd had the exact same ticket dismissed before and even showed them their previous dismissal letter.
i'll take any cycling victory i can, as small or ephemeral as it may be. it's just fun to stick it in the eye of everyone who hates cyclists! ;)