Clearing up some misconceptions

(be sure to see our Bike Traffic Ticket FAQ for more information)

Following is some information in case you got a ticket. Look at your ticket. Somewhere on the ticket, the cop should have indicated "bicycle." If not, you can fight the ticket on that technicality. If so, then:

• The fine is NOT $271 for a bike. The SF bail schedule is less for bike violations, somewhere in the neighborhood of $115.
• You do not get points on your license for bike violations. Some police are not well educated on the vehicle code as it relates to bike violations.
• There isn't a traffic school option for tickets on a bike, although we wished there werey. However, you can work off your tickets by volunteering at the SF Bicycle Coalition through the Project 20 program.
• If you plan to appeal your ticket, call the number in the tiny print on the bottom of your citation, and ask the clerk if your ticket has been entered into "the computer." Technically, you have 21 days to pay your ticket or show up to set an appeal date once the ticket has been entered. If your ticket wasn't in the system when you first called, call the clerk back every two weeks> If your ticket isn't entered into the computer within (something like) 180 days, it's considered a dead ticket, and you won't have to deal with it.