okayoumy

Hello all, I am a high school student without a drivers license and was wondering if I could still get a ticket on bike. An example is if I was caught running a stop sign.

FBinNY 

Yes. Having a driver's license isn't relevant to bicycling, but you can still get fined for breaking the sections of the traffic code that applies to bikes. The likelihood depends on where you live, and how flagrant the infraction.

For example, here in Westchester, it's nearly impossible to get a summons on a bike. But in NYC, they often cite bicycles for traffic infractions. However, they'll usually overlook things like going though a red light if you stop or even slow down first to check and only go when there's an opportunity.

From what I can gather based on posts here on BF, it's far easier to get a summons on a bike in California's major cities, and the fines can be much stiffer.

TimothyH

Yes.

campngolf

What they said.

BarryVee

in 1977 out riding my Peugeot UO8 a San Diego city cop caught me rolling a light very early on a Sunday morning with zero traffic out. He was not thrilled to hear I did not have a DL with me. Gave him my license number, he verified it matched the name I gave over his radio and proceeded to write the ticket. Back then it cost $15.

Sy Reene

In fact, if you're stopped on a bike, and if you don't have ID to prove who you are, it can evidently be way more problematic than just a ticket. That said, if you're a minor, I don't know what the situation there would be, as it's hard to imagine that minors are required by law to have ID when operating a bicycle..

thumpism 

Check with your local police. Ignorance of the law is no excuse, as they say.

Phil_gretz

I received a citation for "failing to obey a traffic signal" when I left early into an intersection. Cars were stopped on all sides, and my side was just about to receive its green light. I left about 1.5 seconds early. Sgt Nugent didn't want to discuss it, saying that he'd rather write a ticket than "scrape me up off the road". I didn't have my license with me, but gave him the information, which he verified on his motorcycle radio. Ticket was $115, IIRC. Thank you, Sgt Nugent, may I have another?


If I had been 16 or 17 and not on a fancy, racy road bike wearing racing kit, I wonder if his treatment of me would've been the same...

crankythunder

I was in a rolling curvy subdivision where I used to live.

I always timed myself around the loop to see how fast I was going.

Usually a couple times a week.

One of the homeowners must of called the police.

I got a ticket for doing 38 in a 25 on a downhill.

I paid it and made a photocopy of the ticket, framed it, and put it on the wall!

_ForceD_

Several states, here in RI included, there are even laws for bicycling while under the influence. A couple of years a bicycle DUI was issued here.

Regarding your OP example of running a stop sign...these days especially...you'd be making a death wish by doing that (or a red light). So many drivers (speed up to) run stop signs and red lights these days. Even at green lights I slow way down and double check to make sure I'm not going to get whacked in the intersection.

Dan

kuroba

Probably yes, though it's very unlikely. Remember that, in some places, riding on the sidewalk or without lights/helmet is also an offense. Check your local laws.

johnnyace 

Yes. A few years back I was on my morning commute to work, at 6:00 am, and I went through a red light at an intersection with absolutely ZERO traffic. Little did I know there was a cop behind me, a couple of blocks back. I was ticketed for "failure to obey a traffic control device," to the tune of $200.

JohnDThompson 

I've often wondered if this could be challenged, since bicycles aren't required to have speedometers.

GerryinHouston

Here in Houston, you can ride on the sidewalk, unless you are in the Business District! Check your local laws!

shafter

Congrats! I hardly ever reach the speed limit.

joejack951

Where did you hear this? I've been stopped by police for various forms of 'bikes don't belong on the road' and have never had any issues simply telling them who I am. I'm on a bike. There are no privileges that need to be granted for me to do so. No different than walking down the sidewalk.

To answer the OP as many others already have noted, yes, you can be ticketed while riding a bike. See my thread about that here: https://www.bikeforums.net/advocacy-s...-his-bike.html

FBinNY 

This is a common misconception.

There is no legal requirement to carry any ID document when riding a bicycle. However, if an officer has a reason to issue a summons, you'll have o establish your ID to his satisfaction. For a minor, that might be via a phone call to a parent, or he might simply take your word.

fietsbob

They will pull you over and demand you identify your self *.. You Must follow the rules of the road,
Or receive a Citation and have to appear in Court..

*Name, Date of birth, address..

TimothyH

Legal or not, riding without some form of ID isn't a very good idea.

I carry my license and insurance card whenever I'm on the bike.


-Tim-

SquidPuppet

is right.

SquidPuppet

Sy Reene

And who did you tell the police you were?. As I understand it the police can have the authority to verify the identity of who they're issuing a violation or summons to.

joejack951

I told them exactly who I was, they plugged it into their computer and verified it with the state-issued ID (driver's license) information available to them (presumably that my name and address matched and that I sorta looked like my license photo).

Milton Keynes

Yes, never give a fake name & DOB to an officer. Providing false information is a crime in most jurisdictions.

Here, living in a small rural town, I don't worry too much about stop signs, especially when I'm out riding at 5 AM with very little, if any, traffic. Yes, I do slow down for them and maybe do a slow roll through them while keeping my head on a swivel and maintaining situational awareness to make sure some early morning commuter didn't also just roll up to the intersection. But I normally don't have to worry about the local po-po too much.

Sy Reene

Right. And we have the op who does not have a drivers license.