Riding folding bike on train

That brings to mind another thing I've always wondered--Shrapnel writes "Bikers are subject to citation under California Vehicle Code (CVC), which means the citation actually appears on their driving record."

I know you're not required to have a drivers license to ride a bike, and, as far as I know (I could be mistaken), you're not even required to carry an ID (of any sort) while riding one. So how do you cite someone in this case? Thanks!

I like your comparison to the BART bike rules, and DUI. I think I will run with it, I think it illustrates my point very clearly.

I've lived in California for a long time. I remember what it was like back in the 80s, before the DUI laws were as strict, and enforced as rigorously as they are now. I remember how often I saw someone drive down the road, not quite staying in their lane. I remember how lightly people took driving under the influence at that time. It was not that DUI was legal, however, DUI's illegality did not seem to be taken very seriously.

In the late 80s, people became fed up with all the death and destruction associated with DUI, and the State greatly increased both enforcement, and punishment for driving under the influence. Additionally, there was a fairly intense educational campaign involving outreach in schools, ads on tv, billboards, and DUI checkpoints. Law enforcement made it very clear that DUI was, and is, a very serious matter.

Now, even though California has a much greater population then it did back then, I don't see nearly as many cars weaving down the road. True, it happens from time to time, but not with the frequency then it did. Now, I think fewer people think it is ok to drive home after "a couple beers," then before.

As a driver in California, I feel much safer now then I did then. I also know the attitude of law enforcement about DUI is vastly different now then it was then.

When I see the volume of people breaking the bike rules, and the types of people breaking those rules, I cannot help but think law enforcement's attitude to the bike rules is roughly equivalent to the attitude the police had toward DUI before the 80's. If I only saw dodgy types taking their bikes on BART during the commute hours, it would be one thing, but I see people take nice bikes on BART all the time now.

I agree completely with you about the need for the bike rules. It just seems like they are not being enforced to the level I would like.

Perhaps what we need is a DUI checkpoint for bikes... A highly visible enforcement action where people are removed from trains with their bikes and cited...

Shrapnel said:

Well, rest assured that BART Police routinely cite people for bikes on escalators, crowded trains, commute trains, and improper conduct. Bikers are subject to citation under California Vehicle Code (CVC), which means the citation actually appears on their driving record.

I do believe that you are incorrect. It does not go on your record, but you will have to pay the fine if convicted. Please correct me with other California Code if I am wrong. I truly want to know. I have quoted the code below. I found it here Search CA Code (Very cool site BTW) Specifically see CVC 1803.b.6:

1803. (a) (1) The clerk of a court in which a person was convicted
of a violation of this code, was convicted of a violation of
subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 655 of the
Harbors and Navigation Code pertaining to a mechanically propelled
vessel but not to manipulating any water skis, an aquaplane, or
similar device, was convicted of a violation of Section 655.2, 655.6,
658, or 658.5 of the Harbors and Navigation Code, or a violation of
subdivision (a) of Section 192.5 of the Penal Code, was convicted of
an offense involving use or possession of controlled substances under
Division 10 (commencing with Section 11000) of the Health and Safety
Code, was convicted of a felony offense when a commercial motor
vehicle, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 15210, was involved
in or incidental to the commission of the offense, or was convicted
of a violation of any other statute relating to the safe operation of
vehicles, shall prepare within 5 days after conviction and
immediately forward to the department at its office at Sacramento an
abstract of the record of the court covering the case in which the
person was so convicted. If sentencing is not pronounced in
conjunction with the conviction, the abstract shall be forwarded to
the department within 5 days after sentencing and the abstract shall
be certified by the person so required to prepare it to be true and
correct.
(2) For the purposes of this section, a forfeiture of bail shall
be equivalent to a conviction.
(b) The following violations are not required to be reported under
subdivision (a):
(1) Division 3.5 (commencing with Section 9840).
(2) Section 21113, with respect to parking violations.
(3) Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 22500) of Division 11,
except Section 22526.
(4) Division 12 (commencing with Section 24000), except Sections
24002, 24004, 24250, 24409, 24604, 24800, 25103, 26707, 27151, 27315,
27360, 27800, and 27801 and Chapter 3 (commencing with Section
26301).
(5) Division 15 (commencing with Section 35000), except Chapter 5
(commencing with Section 35550).
(6) Violations for which a person was cited as a pedestrian or
while operating a bicycle or a motorized scooter.
(7) Division 16.5 (commencing with Section 38000), except Section
38301.3.
(8) Subdivision (b) of Section 23221, subdivision (b) of Section
23223, subdivision (b) of Section 23225, and subdivision (b) of
Section 23226.
(c) If the court impounds a license, or orders a person to limit
his or her driving pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 40508, the
court shall notify the department concerning the impoundment or
limitation on an abstract prepared pursuant to subdivision (a) of
this section or on a separate abstract, that shall be prepared within
5 days after the impoundment or limitation was ordered and
immediately forwarded to the department at its office in Sacramento.
(d) If the court determines that a prior judgment of conviction of
a violation of Section 23152 or 23153 is valid or is invalid on
constitutional grounds pursuant to Section 41403, the clerk of the
court in which the determination is made shall prepare an abstract of
that determination and forward it to the department in the same
manner as an abstract of record pursuant to subdivision (a).
(e) Within 5 days of an order terminating or revoking probation
under Section 23602, the clerk of the court in which the order
terminating or revoking probation was entered shall prepare and
immediately forward to the department at its office in Sacramento an
abstract of the record of the court order terminating or revoking
probation and any other order of the court to the department required
by law.
(f) This section shall become operative on October 1, 2008.