Friday, April 12, 2013
Beware when riding through Falls Church on the W&OD Trail
According to the Falls Church Patch article Falls Church Police Out Patrolling W&OD Trail, citations are being given to cyclists who don't come to a complete stop at the W&OD Trail STOP signs. There is a Falls Church ordinance that requires bicyclists to stop at all stop signs: Article IV, Sec. 26-109, 3. Stop signs. All persons operating a bicycle shall stop at all stop signs. The state code, 46.2-821, only applies to a cyclist on a roadway, not on a trail, so if you're issued a ticket, hope that the state code is used since there's a good chance the ticket will be dismissed if contested.Thanks to Senator Favola, upon the request of Loudoun County officials, the Virginia legislature recently passed a law, Senate Bill 959, which "Allows local governing bodies to adopt ordinances requiring users of shared-use paths to stop before crossing highways at marked crosswalks." One problem with such an ordinance is that police tend to have a very literal definition of what "stop" means, often using a double standard, requiring cyclists to put a foot down while most motorists roll through stop signs. The other problem is the contradiction between having a STOP sign adjacent to a crosswalk, and knowing when a cyclist can enter the crosswalk where a motorists is required to yield.
Here's a video of an interview with one of the Falls Church officers:
Labels: falls church, stop signs, W and OD Trail
Comments:
If a cop were there, you could receive a ticket. I happened across a policeman who was writing a ticket to a cyclist and the cyclist said that the motorist stopped for him and the cop said it doesn't matter, you're supposed to stop. That's why I think the signs, if they are there at all, should be yield signs.
If the cop is not on a bike to chace me down, I am not stopping.
# posted by 
: April 13, 2013 at 7:13 PM
: April 13, 2013 at 7:13 PM
I'd suggest stopping. If they want to issue you a ticket you're not likely to get away. As I recall at least one of the police had a bike and the other may have had a motorcycle. There's nothing they wouldn't like more than to chase someone down.
I rode through Falls Church a couple of times today and didn't see any police near the trail. I did put a foot down at every stop sign. I would then enter the crosswalk.
I rode through Falls Church a couple of times today and didn't see any police near the trail. I did put a foot down at every stop sign. I would then enter the crosswalk.
Can come to a complete stop just as well with a track stand as with putting a foot down. Requiring a foot down is just another ridiculous rule that few will bother with.
# posted by : April 15, 2013 at 7:17 AM
: April 15, 2013 at 7:17 AM
Well, you need to make sure there's no cop there, right? Safety from a ticket is just one more part of safe cycling!
# posted by : April 15, 2013 at 9:19 AM
: April 15, 2013 at 9:19 AM
ha ha ha. what a joke. i will never stop and no one else should either. they dont have the manpower or the will to enforce this stupidity. it does send the right signal though: americans are morons, and your "leaders" (sic) are your overlords.
that the police are stupid is OLD news...read the history of police...
yet the cars zoom on: there is ABUNDANT research -- MOUNTAINS OF DATA-- that the cars speed at will; follow too closely, drive aggressively, and use distracting devices while driving. is there any meaningful enforcement of the car-road laws? NO. And THAT'S A FACT, borne out by research.
but the morons at the police department are going to pick on cyclists anyway, JUST AS THEY HAVE picked on every minority social movement in this country's history.
the police are are ALWAYS reactionary. always. the american public are cowards. democracy is word not understood in this culture...
that the police are stupid is OLD news...read the history of police...
yet the cars zoom on: there is ABUNDANT research -- MOUNTAINS OF DATA-- that the cars speed at will; follow too closely, drive aggressively, and use distracting devices while driving. is there any meaningful enforcement of the car-road laws? NO. And THAT'S A FACT, borne out by research.
but the morons at the police department are going to pick on cyclists anyway, JUST AS THEY HAVE picked on every minority social movement in this country's history.
the police are are ALWAYS reactionary. always. the american public are cowards. democracy is word not understood in this culture...
# posted by : April 15, 2013 at 10:15 AM
: April 15, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Ironic as last time I was on the W&OD, I was waiting for the ped signal and got it. Proceeding forward who turns right on red and cuts me off? Yep, you guessed it, a police officer. They're as egregious as everyone else in violating the law. Next time I'll hopefully have a recording to post (and probably be arrested for illegally recording or some nonsense like that).
# posted by : April 15, 2013 at 11:33 AM
: April 15, 2013 at 11:33 AM
I woulnd't worry about any constables "chasing you down" if you don't stop. The ones on bikes are likely not going to be fast (i.e., fit) and any on motorcycles aren't going to have the agility needed to outmanuever a cyclist--that, and I can't imagine a scenario where a motorcycle cop would think it a good idea to chase down a cyclist for not stopping at a stop sign, given that there could be collateral damage for doing so if something goes wrong. To each his own, but this boy ain't stopping.
Woulnd't worry about any constables "chasing you down" if you don't stop. The ones on bikes are likely not going to be fast (i.e., fit) and any on motorcycles aren't going to have the agility needed to outmanuever a cyclist--that, and I can't imagine a scenario where a motorcycle cop would think it a good idea to chase down a cyclist for not stopping at a stop sign, given that there could be collateral damage for doing so if something goes wrong. To each his own, but this boy ain't stopping.
Let us know how that "running away from the police" tactic works. As I said earlier, cops generally relish the thought of chasing someone down who runs to avoid a ticket, although I have to admit that one of my only run ins with the police was during a bicycle demonstration against the Vietnam War when we blocked the main street in East Lansing, Michigan. Police came to break up the demonstration and we scattered, most of us getting away. Had there been one or two of us I can guarantee we would have been caught.
Bruce, I'll let you know right now because that's what I do. So far, 3 for 3, with no pursuit--quite successful, though I haven't had enough opportunities to truly shine yet. I'm guessing that the example you give isn't really an applicable scenario, since it was in a crowded area (a demonstration) and thus offered less options for escape, though I have no way of knowing. You offer advice and makes statements (e.g., "if they want to issue you a ticket you're not likely to get away"), but fail to list a description of any experiences you've had that would suggest your advice and statements are of value (the one example you gave, where you fled, worked!). My own experiences suggest they are not, hence my post. As I said, to each his/her own.
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