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I know some of you guys always fight your tickets... I've actually only fought one and lost but I have another opportunity (unfortunately).
So, here's the deal. I ride to work in Boston pretty much everyday. I (and a couple other bikes) park in a spot on work property about 30 feet up on the sidewalk. Usually I kill the bike and push it, but as I usually arrive at 7:30AM, ther's not usually anyone on the sidewalk. I think you see where this is going...
Whenever I DO ride on the sidewalk I'm literally doing my own little personal "slow race." It's slower than walking... seriously. So, there I am on Tuesday morning doing a mean 3-4mph (I know... digital speedo) when I get pulled "over" and ticketed for operating on an excluded way... I actually may hold some kind of record for slowest ticket, who knows.
Now.... I'm guilty. 100%. I can admit that... while I do think that this is a technicality ticket, since I was CRAWLING. I'm not one to split hairs... If the motor is running and the bike is in gear there are no "if's, and's or but's" about it. It's riding on the sidewalk and I'm a moron.
Soooooo..... having said that... has anyne had any luck requesting a hearing just to try to not get killed by surcharge points? I have a squeaky clean driving record (the above lost fight was MANY years ago in NYC) and would really like to keep it that way. While I can admit my own stupidity, and while I understand that as far as the law is concerned the circumstances don't really matter, I don't think that my situation and that of someone who jumps a curb and does 15mph down a sidewalk to dodge traffic should carry the same penalty.
Aaaanyway, has anyone had any luck gong in, admitting guilt, admitting complete stupidity, apologizing, saying they have learned their lesson, promising to volunteer at a homeless shelter, save a bunch of baby seals, plant a tree, etc. and asking that a ticket be reduced to a non-moving violation?
Many thanks
PS- Hopefully this thread goes better than the last one... let's keep it civil, OK, cocksuckers?