Golden Gate Bridge five-oh!

Triathlon Forum
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Hi folks, anyone riding over the Golden Gate Bridge should be aware that the CHP has launched a campaign to crack down on cyclist running the stop signs near the bridge. The long arm of the law reached over and smacked me yesterday on my commute home. The stop sign was the one many of us roll for safety due to the speed of the traffic exiting the bridge and heading to Sausalito via Alexander. On my entire commute home, there are two signs I slow and roll through for safety to keep my momentum, this was one of them. After crossing on the West sidewalk, stopping at the bottom of the hill if one came off the headlands, I proceeded under the tunnel and to the signed intersection. I slowed to 10 mph or so, and made sure it was clear before proceeding. Another cyclist on a beautiful Chris Chance cross bike did the same thing two bike lengths in front of me. The CHP motorcycle guy was sitting on the shoulder of ! traffic coming up the hill and well back around the corner so one would only see him at the last minute if they were looking down hill. But since we were both looking back at the traffic exiting the bridge, WHAM-O! I will be exploring petitioning to make that stop sign a yield, or getting a stop sign installed to make the traffic coming off the bridge come to a stop as well. The current configuration is just not good.

He had some spiel about the Share The Road campaign with a vindictive tone about the whole thing. Whatever. Who becomes a cop? How could one be a nice person in real life and have that profession. Talk about spreading bad ju-ju into the world.

Also be careful in the Presidio. I’ve seen them nabbing folks commuting into work in the morning who are coming off the bridge and down to Crissy Field. After going by the horse stable there’s a series of stops to get down to Crissy Field. They sit down at the bottom, almost hidden from view, and rack up the tickets. It makes me want to sit up at the stop sign and warn folks about the cop below thereby foiling their little operation. But that’s probably ‘interfering with police’ or something. Maybe deliver them donuts? Can one get in trouble for riding up and offering a donut?

AND, be careful on the Sausalito/Mill Valley bike path. They have been ticketing at the Stop just pass the seaplane/outdoor furniture sales place.

I guess the Park Police and CHP would rather us bike commuters got back in our cars to get to work?

Anyway, be safe out there and keep your eyes open. And yes, I drove today.

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Dang! That sucks, I’m sorry to hear you got busted and thanks for the warning. I do the around Tam ride via the Alpine loop at least once a month starting in the City.

I really wish there was some provision for cyclists in the interest of maintaining mo and on account that we are much smaller and stop faster than the Infernal Combusters. Sadly, I suspect someone from Saucy-Lido in their Range Stover got scared/pissed off at a cyclist there and exerted their influen$e.

Are their any officers here that ride too? What say you?

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That’s right, there are a few cops and a retired sheriff that post on here. And all seem like good guys from their post. How do you law enforcement folks do it?

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cmetri,

Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

As I read your post, what I heard was that many cyclists have reasons that even though its the same roads, same laws and same rights, the cyclist should be above the law and not have to stop at a stop sign or traffic signal. They should be able to “blow” through if they believe it to be clear.

Flame on.

Me me me me me me me. The world revolves around me and I am the center of the universe! Why doesn’t the CHP realize this? When are they going to get it?

This is just one of the many reasons so many motorists dislike cyclists who disobey traffic laws.

But hey, you have your “reasons!”

I often think about how much better your training ride is because you don’t have to stop or accelerate back up to speed. Now on my side of the fence, I think you are missing the boat by quite a margin on many counts. As for the training issue, I think that the repeated accelerations back up to “cruising” speed actually makes for a more effective and better training opportunity than those who just ride at a constant speed and roll through as many stop signs and traffic lights, etc.

There are also many on the road driving while under the influence, who think this is a real imposition on their lives as well. As long as they don’t have an accident, what is the problem, or so they maintain. This sounds like a close parallel to your situation.

Sorry to come down so hard, but if you expect everyone else (vehicular traffic) to share the roads with you, then you should return the privilege and obey the traffic laws and be a good “citizen” and example for cyclists.

Its just my opinion. Others, at times, have suggested I’m an asshole so you won’t be the first if you feel that way too.

You can always go to court and fight the ticket on the grounds it is an unjust application of the law. Or maybe the cop won’t show up. Maybe the judge is a cyclist, too.

Here’s a concept. How about all the cyclists get together and start stopping at all the traffic signals and signs and putting the law enforcement programs to address those who are disobeying these traffic signals out of business or at least demonstrate that the value of these enforcement programs is extremely wasteful.

Flame off.

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Ben, Ben, Ben…

Where do I start?

How about with…Right On! Couldn’t have said it better myself.

The sign did say “stop” didn’t it? Was the white border around it an indicator that this one was optional? I have a friend who got nailed for going 85 on the Pa Turnpike. She fought the ticket, saying the speed was necessary for her safety, due to the high speed of the traffic. I don’t think the magistrate laughed out loud, but her husband did.

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Right on Ben, traffic laws are for ALL who use the road. If we don’t have to stop i suppose motorcycles shouldn’t stop too huh.

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I used to commute daily from Marin County to downtown SF. I saw many bike commuters along the way, and I have to say that the majority of them think that stopsigns and even stoplights are optional. If you get caught doing something illegal on the bike, bite the bullit and pay your ticket. Think of it as a cost of commuting.

Speaking specifically about the stop sign you ran, just imagine if all the tourists in cars looking over at the bay had the option to yield (run) that intersection themselves.

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Who becomes a cop? How could one be a nice person in real life and have that profession. Talk about spreading bad ju-ju into the world.

Charlie–I think you are just mad about getting nailed, because that is a hell of a thing to say. Ben right on. Share the Road is a two-way street (pun). Honestly, in both of your scenarios, you seem torqued that they are hidden from view. Maybe they should have their lights and sirens on as part of their stealth campaign.

I hope they stop my son in his car every time he does 1 MPH over the speed limit, rolls a stop sign or tries to time a light.

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I agree with Ben, Jim, Monk, et al. I ride this route all the time and I always stop at that sign and most others do not. Aside from it being the law, it’s good bike karma. Plus, an excellent way to develop your sprint.

clm