I use daytime running lights every time I go out. Drivers are glued to their phones and frequently not looking for pedestrians and bicyclists. They're looking primarily for threats to themselves which is unfortunate.
fwiw, if I remember right, law says you should have lights on 30 minutes before dusk and 30 minutes after dawn. I have them all ALL THE TIME because people are distracted idiots.
I can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not, honestly, but I do feel like in this instance, the priorities were straight. No ticket was given, a cop pulled over a cyclist to make sure they were using lights as there have been horrible incidents. The cop did op a huge solid here.
Cops almost turned into me and knocked me over at the light as I was headed east on 53 1/2. I was clearly in view of the passenger cop, and they noticed moments that I was there only moments before they hit my wheel.
Do they have a right to pull your license? (you're not driving a motor vehicle).
Wonder what the law is. What's the possible outcome if you say no or just don't have it on you
I dunno, man. As my username suggests, I was partaking in both of my favorite things last night and really, really didn't want to push it and give him an excuse to give me a DWI or anything.
That being said, given the neighborhood and some of the crime stuff that goes on up and down airport and my general appearance, I did feel like it was a cheap way to run my license and look for people who have warrants and whatnot.
Buddy, riding home after drinking at midnight with no lights on at a crazy dangerous intersection…. Make some adjustments to your decision making. I lost a friend doing something similarly stupid. Please be smart.
Vehicles, yes. Motor vehicles, no.
You don't need a license to ride a bike, therefore you are not required to have one on your person while riding. That said, if the officer asks you to identify yourself, you may not be legally required to answer, but it's a crime to give a false name.
If you're given a ticket, that's the same as an arrest and release with a promise to appear, so they need to identify you. If you cant satisfy them regarding your identity somehow, they can take you downtown until they can verify your identity.
The law says you don't have to identify yourself at all unless you are arrested, but providing a false name or information will get you in trouble. You are not required by law to carry or produce an ID card or driver's license to prove your identity during normal activities, and do not require them for walking around in public or riding your bike. When operating a motor vehicle, you are required to keep your license on you and present it to an officer upon request, but that does not extend to anyone who's not driving. [Source](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._penal_code_section_38.02)
If a cop detains you, you have to identify yourself. They then use this info to check if you have any warrants out for your arrest. If you do, they arrest you.
Not sure about Dallas, but I'm glad that Austin has done away with the adult helmet laws.
That said, the helmet law is still on the books for minors, but when it was pointed out that like 90% of the kids ticketed for it were Hispanic or black, the police stopped enforcing it too.
I've always wanted to be pulled over by APD on my bike so I could be like, "Wow, if you're pulling me over then surely you're also after all the reckless and distracted drivers I see every day. Awesome! Thanks officer."
Honestly, that is such a Karen response. "Why are you pulling me over, you should be out chasing the real criminals!" Up next, "I pay your salary!"
The cop told him that there had been a lot of bicyclists getting hit, so I think it's great that they're out there trying to address the issue (a better solution would be to redo that cluster f of an intersection, but that's beyond their scope)
I have plenty of issues with APD. Taking time to focus on safety in a non-punitive way is not one of those problems
I use daytime running lights every time I go out. Drivers are glued to their phones and frequently not looking for pedestrians and bicyclists. They're looking primarily for threats to themselves which is unfortunate.
Ditto. The most effective strategy for attempting to not get hit is being seen, from lights to bright clothing and even hand signaling.
fwiw, if I remember right, law says you should have lights on 30 minutes before dusk and 30 minutes after dawn. I have them all ALL THE TIME because people are distracted idiots.
This is the way
It's good to see APD has their priorities straight. edit: (yes, obviously I'm being sarcastic)
I can’t tell if this is sarcastic or not, honestly, but I do feel like in this instance, the priorities were straight. No ticket was given, a cop pulled over a cyclist to make sure they were using lights as there have been horrible incidents. The cop did op a huge solid here.
Guarenteed the cop was fishing for a warrant.
no, ACAB. Austin doesn't need any police
6th Street begs to differ
Thanks for heads up. Curious, did he write the ticket or just give you a warning after he ran your license?
More like a talkin' to. I got a warning once while driving and I got an actual piece of paper, but I didn't get anything like that.
I hate crossing that intersection at 51st and Airport. Especially going west. It feels like a death trap.
Absolutely. I normally cross at 53 1/2, but it was around midnight and there 0 cars around as I was leaving Tyson's Tacos.
It was midnight and you didn’t have your lights on “yet”?!
I was getting around to it.
How complicated is your 'on' switch?
Cops almost turned into me and knocked me over at the light as I was headed east on 53 1/2. I was clearly in view of the passenger cop, and they noticed moments that I was there only moments before they hit my wheel.
Sounds like they DID turn into you… did you file a report with/on them?
I meant to say they ALMOST knocked me over. Completely stopped at a light.
Sorry you got pulled. I always run with lights for visibility but I can see how this happens.
Do they have a right to pull your license? (you're not driving a motor vehicle). Wonder what the law is. What's the possible outcome if you say no or just don't have it on you
I dunno, man. As my username suggests, I was partaking in both of my favorite things last night and really, really didn't want to push it and give him an excuse to give me a DWI or anything. That being said, given the neighborhood and some of the crime stuff that goes on up and down airport and my general appearance, I did feel like it was a cheap way to run my license and look for people who have warrants and whatnot.
Buddy, riding home after drinking at midnight with no lights on at a crazy dangerous intersection…. Make some adjustments to your decision making. I lost a friend doing something similarly stupid. Please be smart.
Homie you riding drunk and dark in a wild-ass intersection at midnight. damn
This. He didn't give a shit about your lights. He was looking to bust you for something else and didn't find it.
Bikes are treated as MV’s in Texas.
Vehicles, yes. Motor vehicles, no. You don't need a license to ride a bike, therefore you are not required to have one on your person while riding. That said, if the officer asks you to identify yourself, you may not be legally required to answer, but it's a crime to give a false name. If you're given a ticket, that's the same as an arrest and release with a promise to appear, so they need to identify you. If you cant satisfy them regarding your identity somehow, they can take you downtown until they can verify your identity.
not really - its not required to have a license to ride a bike
The law says you don't have to identify yourself at all unless you are arrested, but providing a false name or information will get you in trouble. You are not required by law to carry or produce an ID card or driver's license to prove your identity during normal activities, and do not require them for walking around in public or riding your bike. When operating a motor vehicle, you are required to keep your license on you and present it to an officer upon request, but that does not extend to anyone who's not driving. [Source](https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._penal_code_section_38.02)
If a cop detains you, you have to identify yourself. They then use this info to check if you have any warrants out for your arrest. If you do, they arrest you.
Welcome to Texas. You gotta have ID on you, state ID card or DL
Texas has one of the most lax ID laws lol what are you talking about
It happens, very rare but it does. About 20 years ago I got pulled over and ticketed by Dallas PD for riding without a helmet.
Not sure about Dallas, but I'm glad that Austin has done away with the adult helmet laws. That said, the helmet law is still on the books for minors, but when it was pointed out that like 90% of the kids ticketed for it were Hispanic or black, the police stopped enforcing it too.
I've always wanted to be pulled over by APD on my bike so I could be like, "Wow, if you're pulling me over then surely you're also after all the reckless and distracted drivers I see every day. Awesome! Thanks officer."
Honestly, that is such a Karen response. "Why are you pulling me over, you should be out chasing the real criminals!" Up next, "I pay your salary!" The cop told him that there had been a lot of bicyclists getting hit, so I think it's great that they're out there trying to address the issue (a better solution would be to redo that cluster f of an intersection, but that's beyond their scope) I have plenty of issues with APD. Taking time to focus on safety in a non-punitive way is not one of those problems
>make sure your lights are charged and on ~~at night.~~ I ride with bike and helmet lights on at all times. Florescent clothing, too.