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Not a bicycle?

2007-12-06 19:04:42.820125+00 by Dan Lyke 4 comments

Cyclist argues "high wheel bicycle" not a bicycle under California vehicle code for the sake of getting out of having to stop at stop signs:

"It's embarrassing and a pain to be stopped," Krieg said. He argues that because the high-wheeler moves forward through direct pedaling of the front wheel without help from chains, belts or gears, the contraption is not technically a bicycle and therefore exempt from California's vehicle code.

"It's not a vehicle. It's an 'it,' " Krieg said. "It's fallen through all the classifications."

Of course that raises all sorts of other issues, 'cause if he's a pedestrian then he should be on the other side of the street, and...

[ related topics: Interactive Drama California Culture Pedal Power Bicycling ]

comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):

#Comment Re: made: 2007-12-06 19:16:29.957827+00 by: JT

Does this mean he has to stop for crosswalk signs now?

#Comment Re: made: 2007-12-07 12:45:26.774463+00 by: warkitty

This man.... is a complete dipshit.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-12-07 12:53:34.004237+00 by: meuon

It's a bicycle. Period. And this this is merely a press stunt.

If it doesn't have decent brakes and is an ungainly configuration, "requiring" special mount/dismount/stop techniques that he is unwilling to do, it's an UNSAFE bicycle in his hands.

--Meuon - Recumbent commuter and long distance cyclist - Sometimes w/Sidecar.

#Comment Re: made: 2007-12-07 15:18:30.311482+00 by: Dan Lyke

A few years ago out here in Marin there were some off-road unicyclists making similar arguments to try to weasel out of tickets for riding on trails where bicycles were banned.