Deskripsyon
While travelling up Chapel from Orange Street, I stopped at a red light at the Church Street intersection.
I was surprised to see a red jeep drive through the red light at about 5 miles in hour, because a police officer was also at the intersection.
The crosswalk light was on, and we proceeded to ride slowly--with no pedestrians in our lane--through the intersection.
This is perfectly legal, per section Sec. 14-286a, of CT statutes. New Haven has a local ordinance which bans sidewalk riding, but not crosswalk use, and per Sec. 14-286e, crosswalks are NOT sidewalks, and laws made in regard to one do not apply to the other.
The law is very clear on this matter, and I encourage our city police to read on it.
The cop was rude and disrespectful, told me he was sure I was right, but that losing a day's work to sit in court probably wasn't in my best interest, and bragged that he could issue tickets for 120/each to all 3 of us.
The same officer then ran a red light, parked illegally in front of the Starbucks at High Street, and went inside for a coffee.
He was driving car number 10 and it was Friday, July 29th, at 9 am.
41 Komentos
BB (Rehistradong User)
Thanks for documenting this. Should we close this issue as it has been documented. Let us know if there is a better resolution.
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
Hey Berkowitz--I think the best resolution would be some form of acknowledgement by the NHPD--I'm not sure however. Maybe this individual issue should close, but I know of a lot of cyclists who have been hassled for using crosswalks in a legal manner by different officers, and I think it is important that people realize that harassment is not lawful.
What do you think? I guess it depends on how you want issue reporting to work. If just documenting it is enough, that works for me!
John Q. Public (Panauhin)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
John Q Public:
Please refer to the relevant statute I posted, 14-286 a, which states--clearly--that cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks AND crosswalks, EXCEPT when specifically prohibited by a municipal ordinance.
14-286 e states that crosswalks and sidewalks are NOT the same, and laws which are designated for one are EXCLUSIVE of the other.
Then, check the New Haven city ordinance which bans sidewalk riding--last version of it I saw only lists sidewalks, not crosswalks.
Maybe this seems like a semantic issue to you, but considering that the laws were drafted about 80 years ago and in relation to each other, it seems clear to me that the people who wrote the ordinances would have understood the nuance.
If I'm incorrect in my reading of the law, I'd welcome a clarification.
BB (Rehistradong User)
Hey David,
I think that your documentation of this issue is a data point that can be used later to support systemic behavior and as such can be closed. I agree that NHPD acknowledging the issue publicly would also be a fix. As its your issue I'll let you make the call.
Ben
no one (Panauhin)
robn (Panauhin)
STREEVER,
I was curious about people pulling that maneuver...but technically, most crosswalks aren't 4-square contiguous...unless you hopped onto the sidewalk first, you'd have to ride through a corner of the intersection to get to the parallel crosswalk.
...anyhow my problem is with cyclists who are outright red-light and stop sign burners. They give legal cyclists a bad rep.
For the record, the section you're referencing is...
Chapter 248, Section 14-286a (b)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
Hey Robn--it's true, but I figure the tiny inch of space isn't that big of a deal :) it is just frustrating to get hassled by a cop who not only ignored the guy driving through a pedestrian crossing (With pedestrians in the street) but then broke 2 laws himself, all so he could get a coffee while on the job.
I agree though--no need to blow through lights/etc. It is important to ride careful, be safe, and show some respect for the law.
(thanks for getting the little (b) i missed!)
Bending the Rules? (Panauhin)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
Bending the Rules: considering I walked my bike onto the crosswalk, you are incorrect. There is a specific statute--please read it, I posted the section above--which states that bicycles are PERMITTED to use the crosswalk.
There is no statute which states the same for cars, so why on earth would you make that assumption?
Concerned (Panauhin)
joes up (Panauhin)
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
E (Rehistradong User)
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
guest (Panauhin)
I don't know Streever personally, but I know he has been beaten up for no reason by cops. This is traumatizing. And I also know he is right about the crosswalk law. I mention these two things because I think Pants on Fire needs to back up his accusations with highly specific facts that Streever is a manipulator. Since pants on fire as much as says this is a pattern of his, I want past examples, detailed ones, backed up by facts.
I don't take kindly to people beating up on someone and when they beat up on someone who has had the guts to speak up to power, they really make me angry. So, pony up the evidence or apologize to Streever and rescind the nasty smear, please.
Thank you.
E (Rehistradong User)
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
Streever (Panauhin)
E (Panauhin)
Streever (Panauhin)
Did you read the statute, which states the behavior you are decrying is legal? Splitting hairs? Riding in the crosswalk is lawful. Parking in a no parking space and running a red light just to get a coffee? Not legal.
E (Rehistradong User)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
E--
the cop did the right thing by ignoring a car running a red light, and then berating citizens who were following all applicable laws? Again, I'd encourage you to read the statute. It clearly states that--unless specifically prohibited by local municipality--cyclists may ride through a crosswalk so long as they do not overtake a pedestrian.
There were no pedestrians in the crosswalk we road through, and thus, we followed the law.
New Haven has no laws prohibiting crosswalk riding. The police officer should not have berated us, should not have threatened to ticket us, and should not have chuckled and relished the thought of me losing a day's wages in order to fight the ticket in court, as he acknowledged that it probably was not a law.
I'm petty? An officer who admits not knowing the law but says he'd write a ticket anyway to give you a hard time isn't petty? The man abused his power and position to be a jerk. I guess you don't think that is a problem, but I am personally appalled by individuals who abuse their positions out of petty motives.
I think you are entirely off-base, and I have to ask you if you aren't just venting some of your frustration about me. The law is pretty clear. A cop who tells you he doesn't know the law, and doesn't care, because he can give you a hard time anyway, is a serious concern--especially one who demonstrates a flagrant disregard for the law.
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
To (Panauhin)
the Rat Driver even thinks David is a drunk driver. do not attack David.
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
PantsOnFire:
I apologize for any inconsistency in my description as a result of typing my message on an internet phone on a touch screen (my home internet was out). I think I wasn't very clear, but I also think you are deliberately looking--out of bias--for some inaccuracy.
From a full keyboard, I was at a red light--stopped--standing and straddling the bike. I walked it forward a few feet into the crosswalk, by pushing off the ground with my foot--by law, that is considered "walking" the bike, again, please check the statute--if you move the bike without pushing the pedals it is "walking" it--I stepped up on the pedals and rode. Regardless, if I stepped forward or not, I was following the law. I had come to a complete stop for the red light, and I rode through the crosswalk with no pedestrians in my way.
Only your need to prove me wrong and your bias is causing you to push and prod and try to poke holes in the story. Ultimately, the cop was wrong, the law is clear, and I take issue with it.
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
E (Rehistradong User)
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
E:
How did my title misrepresent?
I followed the law, as written. Why should the officer have said ANYTHING at all to me?
Why should he threaten me with a ticket? I did not break a law.
You may think that it SHOULD be unlawful, but there is no ordinance, there is no law. Police officers are not legislators--they do not write laws, they do not create laws. They enforce existing laws.
I don't understand your point of view or your critique of my description of the incident.
biker (Panauhin)
not sure why there is such an argument at all
a biker (Panauhin)
that's why there is statute of limits
the post is very clear - on a bike
jOES'uP (Panauhin)
Pants on Fire (Panauhin)
Streever (Panauhin)
You are reading a lot more into this than I am writing, and the best part is you know me, have a grudge against me, but have never had the nerve to say anything to my face. Why would you? It is far easier to manipulate the truth and make as hominem attacks on the internet.
You've totally misread me-or I've been unclear-but the recap you are posting is a far cry from how I read my own comments.maybe take a smoke break and chill out?
Level Playing Field (Panauhin)
I wish you were honest with this post.
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
What? I'm being completely honest. I was stopped at a red light. I was straddling my bicycle. I was about 2 feet from the crosswalk.
I pushed with my feet forward, into the crosswalk, and rode through.
That is what I've been saying. I've been badgered, attacked, and interrogated, and I apologize if anything I said was unclear or confusing--but my story is the same.
Regardless, walking it, biking it, pushing it, carrying it?
ALL LEGAL
Please, please, please, please, please, please read the statute that I posted.
I can't honestly believe that any of you are sincere? if you've read the statute, it CLEARLY STATES THAT A CYCLIST MAY RIDE A BIKE THROUGH A CROSSWALK AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT OVER TAKE A PEDESTRIAN.
Is that unclear? Is it confusing? Have you just not read it?
I have a feeling you're just trolling, because the law is clear. I could moonwalk, backwards, while pushing the bike and wearing a SCUBA suit and STILL not be breaking any laws.
Level Playing Field (Panauhin)
I just wish you'd be honest and consistent. But your not. You blast people all the time and expect accountability for their actions but do not have the decency to admit to it when you're in the wrong. You back-pedal and cover your tracks, whether on your bike or off. You're a hypocrite to the highest degree. Since you insist on behaving in this manner publicly, then you must be called out on it, publicly. Anonymity is not cowardly, it is prudent. Do you think anyone questioning your judgement wants to be in your line of sight? Anonymous users who are confronting you do so out of self-preservation, based upon the rules you have set.
David Streever (Rehistradong User)
Level Playing Field:
You are making up nonsense, however.
The Statute I've posted is correct. Do you have a contradictory one?
How am I inaccurate?
I was barraged with attacks and responded quickly, and unclearly, at night time from a smart phone. Again, I'm sorry for any lack of clarity in them, but you and Pants on Fire are reading into my comments and extrapolating additional things I've NEVER EVEN SAID.
What have I EVER done to ANYONE that would make you afraid to just be honest? Can you name a single thing I've done to hurt someone because they disagree with me?
I'm totally comfortable with someone disagreeing with me--but what isn't cool is a barrage of anonymous attacks that are unrelated to my post.
People are claiming that I'm making up the law--I'm not--it is available for free. You should simply read it yourself. You can google the section I posted and find the law for yourself.
The crosswalk at Chapel/Church IS contiguous on all 4 sides without accessing the sidewalk--look:
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KHGj50XgIQ8/Tle1nRL8zVI/AAAAAAAAAEY/fyXA0uVKivQ/h301/11%2B-%2B1
How is it illegal to ride my bike through that crosswalk with a walk signal and no pedestrians? can you explain that?
Isinara David Streever (Rehistradong User)