Police ticket drivers and cyclists at notorious N. Portland corner
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PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland police officers were busy Thursday morning writing dozens of citations near a corner that has become a focal point in the sometimes contentious relationship between bicyclists and drivers.
Officers staked out the corner of North Broadway and Flint Avenue and pursued cyclists they said ran a stop sign at the corner of Flint where it meets busy Broadway, which has a bike lane.
The location is a popular - and problematic - corridor for both bike commuters and drivers.
One rider, who gave her name only as Kathleen, said she thought she stopped at the intersection, but said the officer that pulled her over disagreed and wrote her a $260 citation. “I thought I stopped,” she said. “But you know, he didn't think I did.”
The ticket compounded some other misfortune for the cyclist; she said she was late for work and her bike’s chain also broke.
Kathleen was not alone in getting a ticket. Even the city's transportation director, Catherine Ciarlo, was among those caught in the sting.
She sent KATU News a statement Thursday afternoon that said in part, "I am particularly regretful about this given my firm belief that all vehicles - including bikes - have a duty to obey traffic signals. The purpose of traffic enforcement missions is to remind Portlanders to be safe on the road - and, unfortunately, even someone like myself who supports responsible riding needs to be reminded to pay closer attention."
Police said they wrote a total of 53 citations in just 90 minutes Thursday morning. Fifty cyclists got tickets and four drivers got tickets. Police said they issued three warnings.
Despite barriers that put drivers into oncoming traffic, more than one driver turned right onto North Wheeler, a street the city closed to right-hand turns from Broadway due to a high incidence of “right hook” crashes between bikes and cars.
Police were using North Wheeler Avenue to stage motorcycle officers so those drivers also received citations. The operation is the latest effort to make an awkward intersection safer for drivers and cyclists.
“We dealt with one component of it, which was the closure [of the right turn to Wheeler] here a few weeks back, and now we have to help educate the cyclists to make sure they're stopping and doing their part,” Sgt. Bret Barnum said.
One cyclist went through the stop sign so fast he went far outside the bike lane and into automobile traffic lanes.
He was pulled over and given a ticket. Police said that kind of riding is part of the reason the intersection is so dangerous and they are trying to keep people from getting hurt.
“I understand what they're trying to do here, I know it's dangerous,” Kathleen said as she tried to resume her commute.
Kathleen and the dozens of other riders who got tickets for running the stop sign will have the chance to avoid paying the fine by attending a traffic safety class.
In a 2009 training video, police took a nuanced approach to ticketing cyclist who ran stop signs.
The video also talked about when an officer should enforce stop sign violations. For example, if a cyclist rolls through a stop sign at a walking pace and is attentive, “enforcement resources may best be used elsewhere,” the video says.
“Given Portland’s desire to have motor vehicles become accustomed to having bikes in the travel lane, we feel that impeding should be a low enforcement priority, unless a biker intends to inconvenience drivers,” one officer says in the training video.
I love Irony and Good reporting...http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/local/story/Portland-s-transportation-policy-director/nqUDValM7kChbUG0KtGbaQ.cspx Â
 A member of the mayorâs staff was ticketed Thursday morning by Portland Police during a traffic safety operation.
Catherine Ciarlo, the City of Portland transportation policy director, said in a statement that she was issued a ticket for âfailing to stop at a stop signâ while riding her bicycle in Ladd Circle.
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And, she'll get off scot free: Any takers?
It has already been said but yes it is about time.
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They need to do this more often and in more locations. Just this morning I saw two breaking the law at a intersection I pass frequently and see bicyclists breaking the law all the time.
It's about time cyclist were cited for there poor efforts at following traffic laws. All of them know that they are supposed to follow the same laws as automobiles however very few of them actually do.
"Kathleen and the dozens of other riders who got tickets for running the stop sign will have the chance to avoid paying the fine by attending a traffic safety class."
So is that the norm for automobile drivers that run stop signs? If you attend a 'class' you get out of paying the fine? If not, it's nothing more than a lot of 'special rights' Â BS.
 @last boyscout Depends on how the officer feels about you. Yes, I got a ticket last November and was given the option of going to a class. $50 and off my record for the class, vs $200-something and on my record. So no, it's not just an option given to bicyclists. But it's also an option the officer has to give you -- you can't just say "I want to take a class instead" if it isn't offered.
 @last boyscout . . . and yes, I was driving, not riding my bicycle.
"if a cyclist rolls through a stop sign at a walking pace and is attentive, âenforcement resources may best be used elsewhere"
That should apply to drivers as well.
 @Timoteo Hiroshima I disagree, just because they are in a car, bike, walking in the road. None of that gives them the right to break the law. This issue has to be brought under control and there is justification in placing the resources in the right places to do so.
I am glad to see that Portland is finally getting the picture. It has long been a source of disparity that cyclists get preferential treatment in Portland. In Portland trying to make a bike friendly city they have created a problem for motor vehicles. Anytime you try to make a place more friendly to one faction of society you cannot help but make it less friendly to others. If Portland was smart it would require insurance for any wheeled vehicle using Portland roads. If cyclists knew that they could have their insurance rates raised because of accidents or citations then they would be more likely to be responsible for their actions. I understand the old reasoning that a bicycle does not have a motor. However a bicycle at 30 miles per hour and a motorcycle at 30 miles per hour both have the same distractions and suffer the same increased mental processing of the environment to be safe. If you want to keep the vehicular population of Portland safer then enforce the law for cyclists the same as you do for motor vehicles and make them carry insurance just like the rest of us.
 @TimeForChange Considering that Lance Armstrong's average speed on a 12 mile stretch of TdF was 33 MPH and a 34 mile stretch was about 29 MPH . . . I highly doubt there are bicyclists that are riding at a sustained speed of 30 MPH anywhere in Portland.
It's about time that bicyclists are being held responsible for their actions.
As for Kathleen, who said âI thought I stoppedâ as the police gave her a ticket. If you had stopped, then you would not have gotten a ticket. Doesn't that make sense? I hope you enjoy paying the $260.00. Maybe next time you obey the rules.
I love seeing Bike's pulled over by the Police. Makes My Day every time.
50 cyclists ticketed but only 3 vehicles ticketed. Kinda shows what people have been saying. The bike community ignores the rules of the road more often than people driving.
I'm glad to finally see proof that I'm not exaggerating.Â
Just this morning I had to stop suddenly at two different intersections to avoid bike riders who failed to stop. The bike community should be thankful that most motorists pay attention to them.
If the city/state is looking for a new revenue source they should consider "licensing" the cyclists to help pay for the all the extra street changes. They need to pay for their fair share of road use taxes. The city has to pay for all the. street painting / signage / traffic signals somehow. Maybe a license should be required for anyone over 16 and they should be required to be tested for knowledge of the rules of the road. Just like anyone who operates a motorized vehicle on the street. Fair is fair.
a bicycle is a vehicle, and as such, riders should be made to follow the same rules that drivers have to. You run a stop sign, a cop sees you, you get a ticket plain and simple. That's the one thing that frustrates me most about cyclists in Portland. I see at least one EVERY DAY on my morning commute in NW Portland that ignore stop signs. I wonder what would happen to me if I drove through one just like the cyclists roll through them?
Shouldn't that headline read Drivers and Cyclists to be consistent? After all it is the people operating the vehicles being fined and not the vehicles they are operating. It is the drivers being fined and not the cars they are driving. Same goes for cyclists - the bicycles are not being fined.
Cyclists get a few tickets, and it makes the front page.
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Enough said.
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 @2nd Baseman Did you read that 50 of the 53 people ticketed were cyclists? Obviously both sides need to pay better attention.
 @SapphireRoco  @2nd Baseman  That's what they basically said.. and why is it the opposite is true, that most all tickets written will go to the cars? I hope whoever the next mayor is will not  put cyclists first.  it has taken away the quality of life in this town to have cyclists impede traffic.
The PPB should practice equality; one bicycle sting for every automobile sting. I bet a few are more than a bit "saddle-sore" at a $260 ticket. Pedal your *ss on over to court now and pay the man. LOL
I think bike riders should have insurance. Â They ride the roads, they have to pay just like the rest of us. Â Bike riders have killed and injured people but have no insurance to pay for hospital bills or funerals:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303410404577466990820318610.htmlÂ
I love the guys look in the photo from the homepage.......Â
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He's like  WTF this is Portland, bicycles don't have to obey the laws ...... I laughed hard at his expenseÂ
 @kramr Just say your pic of the guy from the homepage...that is priceless. :)
 @kramr The girl said she thought she stopped...no California stops in this town baby.
Why must the winky dinks use such words as "regretful". LIsten, lady: SAY: Â I AM SORRY. I WAS WRONG. I WILFULLY DID THAT BECAUSE AS A WINKY DINK BIKE RIDER I HATE OTHERS WHO DON'T SHARE MY NARROW VIEW OF LIFE.
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So why not have everyone who re-applies for their driver's license have to pass the test and driver's test before being given another license to drive. Fairs fair.
I passed My ODL Teast with a 96 written and a 92 driving. What was you're score Muttley? I also Have an Upto Date ODL Manuel in my glove compartment. I had to use it once to avoid a ticket from a cop who said that I did something he thought was Illegal untill I proved him wrong. I am the type of person that if I do wrong I accept what I get.. But if I am right I will fight with every means at my disposal. One more thing I read every new ODL Manuel that gets released before I put it in the Glove Box. I know I can still get high 90's. I also have not been stopped by a cop for over 25 years.Â
 @peckishpete  Fin, chump. I'd pass it with flying colors.  Any time, any place, any where, any day.
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Bout time the bike idiots were cited. Good Job PPB.
What is somewhat interesting with the bicycles that cut across lanes, fail to come to complete stop for stop signs, They should all get a copy of the "Regon" bicycle handbook. Some states, or maybe just Idaho all rolling through a stop sign so the rider does not need to expend the extra energy to get going again.
I have only hit one bicycle with my car, knocked the rider off and into the street. I was stopped for traffic, he was blasting up the sidewalk going against traffic on a one way street. Just as I proceeded to pull out watching for traffic coming from my left, boom, there he was from the right.
A Salem police officer was at the redlight up the block. He saw the bicycle rider screwed up. he talked to him as he rode by. I waited to see if the office wanted to talk to me. He did not.
He was not really hurt though. he was extremely lucky that time.
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"The ticket compounded some other misfortune for the cyclist; she said she was late for work and her bikeâs chain also broke."
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Maybe, she should consider TriMet.
 @Saltire I've come to the conclusion that I'd much rather ride my bike than ride Tri-Met.  It's cheaper, better for your health, usually faster and you don't have to ride along with gang members.
 @Saltire  Trimet will never, ever, be an alternative to anything at all.
Fineally the cops nail cyclists. But I noticed a few things.
A - Someone can't ADD. Last time I checked 50 bikes and 4 bikes ADD up to 54 tickets, not 53.(read the articel)
B - Caught on tape. A Portland POLICE OFFICER was PARKED on the sidewalk and then he drove down it. Like it was the road. If I did that and a police officer saw me they would write me a ticket. More than once I seen motorcycle cops parked on the sidewalks to bust people. All the cycelists busted by that cop should fight the ticket in court. I belive when cops break the law to uphold the law, the cops case is throne out of court.Â
the ticket would have been uptained illegaly.Two bads don't make a right.Â
 @DUDEBLACKHEART  You are complaining about typos ion the news story when you yourself can't spell or use proper grammar:
1. It's spelled finally not fineally,
2. It's spelled article, not articel,Â
3. It's I've seen, not I seen
4. It's spelled cyclists, not cycelists.
5. It's spelled believe, not belive,
6. It's spelled thrown, not throne (a throne is the chair that a king or queen sits on).
7. It's obtained, not uptained.
8. It's spelled illegally not illegaly.
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I think you need to go back to school.
 @shek069  @DUDEBLACKHEART Hahaha I was going to respond the same way, but there are so many people who post here that have no basic spelling, grammar, or usage skills, it almost seemed a waste of time.  It is always particularly funny to me, when a poster gets on here and makes some arrogant statement and can't type what is essentially 4th grade English.  "I seen"?  LOL  And the spelling errors....  Wow.
 @shek069  @DUDEBLACKHEART  Just think here a moment.... They really actually graduate them from high school with that kind of disability...
 @shek069  @DUDEBLACKHEART  They don't teach grammar at school. They teach diversity, how bad the mean old colonial Amurricans are, and how great thou art, Bam-Bam!
OH, and how everyone is as good at everything as everyone else, so no loss of esteem need ever be experienced by anyone. Â
OK, you got their attention, now just stick with it for several days!
Again, why doesn't one of you outraged folks who are so against what bicylists to get off the couch and get an initiative on the ballet to have bike riders have to register their bikes, pass a test, and make them pay a tax surcharge to help maintain and improve bike lines in the city. Just moaning and groaning about a problem doesn't get it solved.
 @peckishpete  Oh, like the one that has passed THREE TIMES IN MILWAUKIE TURNING DOWN light rail - aka gang rail.  Please explain to the classroom where THAT one went...
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 @peckishpete It's hard to get an initiative on a ballet.
 @Old29  @peckishpete Actually it is not that hard to get something on the ballot if it is something that has a good amount of support. The process is fairly easy and then one you have everything in place you can collect signatures.
@Old29 Geez, just because something is hard mean you don't try? If people feel so strongly about bike rides they should muster up the energy, contact some PAC who loves to dole out money, get some signatures and put a measure on the ballet. I'm tired of excuses. If you don't want to solve a problem, just shut up and get out of the way.
Peckishpete had it right. Hard to get initiative on ballet. However getting one on a ballot might be a tad bit easier...:-)
cyclists should have to have an operator license and a license plate on their bike to ride on the public streets as well as obeying the law. let them help pay for the roads they use just like the vehicle drivers.
Hmm, 50 cyclist tickets and four driver tickets...  I thought everyone always hemmed and hawed about how more drivers ran stop signs?
 @Ixyavi Guess the cyclists have their facts messed up.  They should be required to take a  driving test.
Rather than hand out a fine to the militant bicyclist they should get a ticket that reminds them that its safer to get drunk, sleep in a dumpster and get compacted TWICE! than it is to ride a bike on a road meant for cars.Â