Thursday, September 01, 2016

bicyclists trigger red light camera at 1st & Rhode Island Ave NW; won't get tickets

See this tweet and images: 

Bloomingdame@bloomingdame         
12:24 AM - 1 Sep 2016







12 comments:

mdb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Peter said...

CS
So 40 intersections over 16 months. At 480 days * 40 intersections, a single violation at each intersection each day would be 19,200 violations. So reality is a tiny fraction of that, and as noted in my post below, some % of these violations are actually safe and legal do to the leading pedestrian interval.

SO
Good math, C. If my numbers are right, there were 40 violations by drivers of cars for each one by a person riding a bike. Strange lead on this story, then, don't you think?

CS
Given that DC law allows cyclists to proceed through a vehicular red light if the pedestrian walk signal turns to walk (a "leading pedestrian interval") and these LPIs are everywhere in DC, some significant percentage of these "violations" are, in fact, completely safe and legal.

This is both a huge error in this "journalism" and a further roadblock to issuing red light camera violations to cyclists if this is, in fact, something that anyone thinks is worth the time, money and energy to implement given how little actual danger cyclists pose to anyone but themselves.

Resident said...

Some localities have figured out that this is perfectly safe when done within limits: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idaho_stop

Would love to see the numbers if the cameras caught pedestrians crossing against the 'Do Not Walk' sign or outside of a crosswalk.

nobodyhomehere said...

As someone who regularly has to slam on brakes to avoid hitting cyclists running red lights and stop signs, I don't see this as "perfectly safe." As a former competitive cyclist, I'm all in favor of riders being treated fairly and am well aware of the abuse they can take from drivers. But, pulled up in front of me when I'm stopped at a light, smacking my mirror when passing me when I'm stopped at a light and running red lights and stop lighters in traffic are not doing anybody any favors. We need to share the road.

Jenifer said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jenifer said...

Yeah, but what about the bicyclists whipping up quietly behind me ON THE SIDEWALKS? Why aren't they getting ticketed? Scary when you ambling along and might be wending around a bit...

Nate said...

It's not illegal to ride a bike on a sidewalk outside of the CBD.

kimqueen said...

It is illegal to block 48" ada wheelchair access on sidewalks because bicyclists impose safety issue on disabled who need sidewalk, we have priority, and u can walk your bike but not actively ride on sidewalks which impose danger, injury to wheelchair and the mobility impaired pedestrians.

nobodyhomehere said...

Here is what DC says: What are the most important traffic laws I should know when bicycling in DC?

Bicyclists traveling on roadways have all the general rights and duties of vehicle drivers
Helmet use is mandatory for cyclists under the age of 16. Helmet use is strongly recommended for all others.
Cycling on sidewalks is permitted outside of the DC Central Business District. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.

nobodyhomehere said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
nobodyhomehere said...

DC says:
Bicyclists traveling on roadways have all the general rights and duties of vehicle drivers
Helmet use is mandatory for cyclists under the age of 16. Helmet use is strongly recommended for all others.
Cycling on sidewalks is permitted outside of the DC Central Business District. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians on sidewalks.

Scott Roberts of Bloomingdale said...

From the "Pocket Guide to DC Bike Laws" -> "Q: Is it legal to ride on the sidewalk? A: While not recommended safe cycling practice in most instances, DC code states that cyclists are allowed to ride on the sidewalk as long as they are outside the central business district (CBD). The CBD is bounded by 2nd Street NE and SE, D Street SE and SW, 14th Street SW and NW, Constitution Ave NW, 23rd Street NW, and Massachusetts Ave NW." Link: http://ddot.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/ddot/publication/attachments/DC-Bike-Law-Pocket-Guide-Oct2012.pdf