Resident Diann Keller steers clear of rollerblading on the bike path after being cited by the MBPD last weekend. Photo by Andrea Ruse
Only it was the first time she got ticketed by the city for just rolling along.
As Keller cruised down the path past 27th Street, she said she noticed two officers standing off to the side.
“The first one said, ‘Come here,’ and I didn’t say anything,” she said. “I really didn’t think they were talking to me. Then he yelled and I turned around.”
As Keller approached the officers, she noticed that a couple on rollerblades and a man on a skateboard were being written citations. Keller said the officers asked for her identification and told her she would also receive a citation.
“I was in shock,” Keller said. “Like, ‘are you kidding me?’ I was furious.”
According to a city ordinance, only bikers are allowed on the bike path. Pedestrians — which includes rollerskaters, rollerbladers and skateboarders — must stay on The Strand.
“Each year, we receive numerous complaints on both paths from citizens, many of which are bicyclists,” Police Chief Rod Uyeda said in response to an e-mail from Keller last week. “Bicyclists are very adamant about the bike path because they train on it. It is narrow and they claim it is a nuisance for them to go around someone who should not be on the bike path.”
“The bike path is clearly marked with ‘bikes only’ every several hundred feet, so it [the citation] was properly given at least as a point of law,” he added.
Keller disagrees.
Since no further signage is posted and residents and visitors have rollerbladed down the path for years, Keller assumed anything with wheels was allowed. She asked to be issued a warning since it was the first time she’d heard of the rule.
“This is a standard, daily activity that has been happening for many years,” she said.
According to Keller, the officers decline her request to be let off with a warning.
“They told me their superiors said they can only issue citations,” she said.
Keller said she then asked to speak to a superior officer to plead for a warning before handing over her identification and receiving the ticket.
“They said, ‘If you don’t give us your I.D. right now, we’ll arrest you and you can talk to him at the station,’” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. I’m just a girl out rollerblading and now they’re talking about arresting me.”
Keller provided the information and was issued the ticket.
Uyeda later told Keller in an email that all officers have absolute discretion to give either warnings or citations. He also said officers are trained to first receive a person’s information before calling a supervisor.
“There are thousands of people who think they deserve a warning,” he said. “We also cite bicyclists who use The Strand.”
“The people around watching this were shocked,” Keller said. “If they want to start enforcing this, they need to do it in a fair way. They’re not being fair by not properly informing citizens. No one I’ve talked to knows about this.”
Uyeda said that the city has been citing rollerbladers for years on the bike path.
“It’s not that high of a priority but whenever we have time to address it and go down, we do,” he said.
Keller wants new signage that clearly states rollerbladers, skateboarders and other non-bikers are not allowed. She also has plans to start a petition to change the law to allow other wheeled pedestrians access to the bike path.
“It seems a lot more dangerous that we’re supposed to be up on The Strand where people are walking and jogging,” she said.
“You will not only have to convince the policy makers for the City of Manhattan Beach, but the governing body for Los Angeles County, as they own the beach,” Uyeda said. ER
It’s about time the police started enforcing the “bikes only” law. Now, if they will only do it more often.
So where do we Skate board/Roller Skate? Why do the Bike riders think that they are the only people down there? I guess we’ll go on the upper sidewalk where the cement is much nicer anyway. But I think Manhattan Beach needs to put up some signs instead of painting Bike Only on the concrete.
So are they gonna start enforcing the other laws down there Like these Hot Dogger Racer bikes going well over the 8 MPH speed limit? Or are these cops just going to ticket people for unpublicized laws that we don’t know about? I hope these Cops feel like reel Big Men when they Ticket a Roller BLader Girl without a Warning.
How much is the fine for rollerblading onthe bike path?
I hate selectively enforced laws. Manhattan Beach isn’t a dangerous enough town to claim that law enforcement is too busy with other things if they’re really going to try and enforce this “law.”
And I’m pretty sure it’s not legal for the police to claim that that they don’t have the ability to issue warnings when it’s clearly a discretionary thing.
Most importantly, the law is illogical. For bikers to make a claim that rollerbladers cause more of a hazard on the bike path than children on tricycles is laughable. The lower path is most useful and safe if used by all wheeled people. (chairs included)
This is absolutely ridiculous.
Are you telling me that the city thinks it’s preferable for skateboarders and roller bladers to be grouped with pedestrians? If so, I question the decision making skills of the city council. Moving them to the walk path prevents anyone with a toddler or senior in their family from safely enjoying the Strand.
However, my main complaint is with the bikers ‘training’ on the bike path. There is a speed limit of 8 mph and they go well above that. There have been numerous injuries over the years from people crossing the bike path. That is the critical problem here. Go on the street if you want to ‘train’. The aggressive “on your left” people that scream in people’s ears as they fly by are the real menace to the strand. Beach cruisers, roller bladers, and skate boarders are alright by me – but road bike racers have to go!!
BTW – It seems to me that this is an example of a concerted effort by the City of MB to raise additional money by enforcing every obscure rule on the book. Don’t even try to park on a hill without curbing tires.
I thought it was exactly opposite law like Diann said in the article. Seems way more dangerous up on the top strand and actually, thought people would get more mad at me blading up there versus bikes on the strand down low…of course, I’m a decent skater so hopefully not in the way down there but rather keep the flow since I’m on wheels too. They got to be very clear and for first timers…absolutely need warnings not tickets. Seems a bit “Mayberry” to me with nothing better to do to raise revenue ;) Just my two cents.
Brad
So lame. If the police have time for this then we need less police. All wheels should be in the same area. If it truly is a LA county thing, can city police even issue citations? Wouldn’t that be the LA County Sheriffs job?
They do this every 10 or 15 years. They always pick a cute girl. If someone cares, it might be fun to subpoena every ticket they’ve given out for the last 10 years for this.
The designation should be speed related, not mode related. Bikes, blades and skates of equal speed ought to be on the bike path. Strollers, walkers, skate boarders, etc ought to be on the strand. (Of course, segregating by function instead of mode is probably too sophisticated for beach city council members.)
As a point of clarification, there is no 8 mph posted speed limit on the bike-only path. The speed limit signs only exist in HB and RB where the path is shared between pedestrians, cyclists, runners, skateboarders and rollerbladers.
a subscribe to comments checkbox, sweet :D
Californian’s are truly ignorant when it comes to the law and fighting the government.
First of all, unless you are driving or operating a vehicle which requires a license, you do not need to carry identification with you in the State of California.
In the above case, when being issued a citation all that was necessary, at most, was that Keller verbally identify herself. She is under no legal obligation to provide a government ID card, assuming that this was an infraction, one can not be arrested for an infraction – infractions aren’t crimes.
Nor are you required to identify yourself for suspicion of actual crimes (misdemeanors, felonies) in California. There is no arrest for “suspicion of a misdemeanor” and the boys in blue will have to prove probable cause for arrest on suspicion of a felony.
Keller will find that it is almost impossible to fight the citation in state court. The Federal Courts, on the other hand, provide a much higher likelihood of success over the police threat to arrest.
By the way, there is no such thing as a “good faith” exemption for police officers being sued for violations of ones civil rights in Federal Court. They are personally liable.
What a bunch of crap. If the Manhattan Beach police are going to be petty how ’bout ticketing bicyclists who ride side by side as if they own the road? This is a case of heavy handedness on the part of the MB authorities who have way too much time on their hands.
The bike path through Manhattan Beach is for the “exclusive” use of bicyclists. “Bikes only,” means just that. Don’t like it? Too bad. Get a ticket? Don’t whine about it. There’s a similar state law that forbids the use of a bike path by non-cyclists if there’s an adjacent path (the Strand). Want to stroll in traffic? Try the freeway.
Here’s the MB code re the bike path:
“That facility designed, constructed and designated as the beach bicycle path, including all ingress or egress ramps thereto, as shown on the map on file in the City Engineer’s office, shall be used exclusively for the riding or propelling of bicycles by human power. The bicycle path shall not be used by pedestrians or animals of any kind, except that pedestrians may cross the same at right angles in a manner so as not to interfere with any bicycles on the bicycle path when necessary to do so to gain access to or from the beach.”
Really!? The police dont do there job to slow the roadies down, but will harasse a girl rollerblading? WHAT! those obnoxious turds that race down the strand like its a damn marrathon race and almost run you over when they speed around a blind section while your trying to cross over the strand after surfing. keep em on the main roads! Dont the police have something better to do like slow down the vehicles that race down Pacific, Valley, Ardmore, Manhattan Ave, and Highland. MR POLICE MAN PLEASE DO YOUR JOB AND SLOW IT DOWN IN OUR TOWN INSTEAD OF GIVING OUT FRIVOLOUS TICKETS TO WOMEN TRYING TO ROLLERBLADE!
I’ve had mixed-messages with the MBPD. Sometimes they are fairly nice and helpful, other times they are basically human waste. This is somewhere in between. Logically, it doesn’t make sense to have rollerbladers and skateboarders mix with pedestrians on the Strand- especially when the same rollerbladers and skateboarders will be given citations for riding upon the sidewalk instead of city streets.
While it is true that those of us that use the bike path in Manhattan for it’s lack of a speed limit do not really mesh well with people who are merely walking along or otherwise holding up traffic by assuming that bikes can stop on a dime when they decide to cross… I do not begrudge those people. They are outside. It is true that the bike path in Manhattan averages about one death per year because a pedestrian steps out in front of a cyclist. So yes, there is a danger in no speed limit for cycles. But let’s be honest: those people who get killed are often out-of-towners who just aren’t paying attention enough (they made their bed when they walked in front of a moving vehicle).
And the side by side cycles, how slow are they going in comparison to the speed limit? Because as someone who does ride I can tell you that riding with somebody and using the whole lane is much, much safer than relying upon the hope that you notice me.
is Manhattan Beach that hard up for revenue that they are sinking to a new level? to threaten a girl on inline skates with arrest if she didn’t provide her Id? come on, what are they exactly trying to prove or inforce? i’ve skated on the path for a 12+ yrs and never had a collision with a biker or a problem with one…if they want us to skate on the upper path, no problem- smoother cement, no sand & less wear and tear on my wheels. so be it. what a joke!
next up- we will have to buy a permit to skate in Manhattan Beach or else risk a citation.
If there is such a law banning roller bladers from the bike path it needs to be abolished. According to the article, the police say they are giving these tickets because cyclists complained about the roller bladers….a nice way to pass the buck and encourage the cyclists and roller bladers to fight each other, rather than encourage that we all share our path. Do the police really take orders from people riding bikes? Is that why these tickets are issued. I don’t think so. I’d like to know how much revenue they collected on these tickets they issued. I’d like to know how much of a threat someone who rides their roller blades is that they are threatened to be taken to jail.
It’s our beach…cyclists, pedestrians, roller bladers, skateboarders. We are perfectly capable of sharing it without these silly laws.
Hello Everyone,
it is me Diann Keller… Please sign up on our facebook page so we can gather names and keep you posted on how our progress is going to change this MB Ordinance
http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=74606778#!/pages/Change-Manhattan-Beach-Bike-Path-to-All-Wheel-Forms/146187535402539
I appreciate all of your support. thanks!
In the mean time please contact Mayor Mitch Ward and Police Chief Rod Uyeda to voice your opinion with this matter. We need to be able to share the path and not endanger the pedestrians on the Strand.
Here is the link to contact them
http://www.citymb.info/Index.aspx?page=1094
I am a biker. Anyone who trains at the beach is totally retarded. Its flat and totally easy. There are too many obstacles to avoid. Try ticketing families with their kids who just stand in the middle of that stupid path. People need to grow up and realize that this is a big city now and everyone needs to be respectful of others doing their thing! Oh And here’s a call to my other sport enthusiasts. Lets get on our other wheeled thingies and run down all the pedestrians on the strand. Great idea right?![sarcasm]
I have lived in Hermosa Bach for 20 years and I have roller-skated on the bike path for all of those years. There are some bike riders that act as though the bike path is a racetrack for them. This is the first I heard it was for bikes only. The bike riders speeding by should get tickets for endangering others on the bike path.
It is ridiculous to say that roller skaters and skate boarders should be with pedestrians. That just does not make logical sense. Yes, the law should be changed in Manhattan Beach Police officers making at least 5 figures should have more important things to do than give tickets to roller skaters. What a joke. The MB police dept should be embarrassed.
Is it only in MB or also Hermosa and Redondo?
You are probably one of those guys in the bike outfit that thinks the strand is your race track to practice for races. The strand is for residents and tourists to ride along the ocean and enjoy Beach life. If you don’t like others on the bike path because you can’t go fast enough, go to a real bike race track.
i skate faster than 90% of the bikers on the bike path, as do most of my inline and quad skater friends. it is not safe for pedestrians for us to skate on the walkway. we train too. yell at the slow and drunk bikers on the path!
there is recent precedent for skaters being allowed in bike lanes in California, and i quote:
Judge: “The charge is for a pedestrian in a bike lane. Were you walking in a bike lane?”
My answer: “I was skating in a bike lane.”
The judge’s expression did not improve.
Judge: “We don’t want you on the *sidewalk*. Case dismissed in the interest of justice”
http://www.sfskaters.org/public/html/page16.html
“Bikes Only” should suffice! Skaters have plenty of places to skate, and the bike path IS A BIKE PATH! Safety first, says I…….I DO think that a warning would suffice for 1st “offenders though……..’nuff said!
The fine is at minimum $110… I will be fighting this.. We should get a group of people to come with me at the hearing and protest :)
Some people are having an issue clicking on the link for the FACEBOOK page campaign.. The other option is to type in the search bar on Facebook Search field: “Change Manhattan Beach Bike Path to All Wheel Forms”
***PLEASE PLEASE*** complain to the Manhattan Beach Mayor: Mitch Ward & Police Chief: Rod Uyeda
Here is the link to contact them
http://www.citymb.info/Index.aspx?page=1094
Let us know on Facebook.. thanks!
Diann,
You’re going to fight the ticket? On what grounds? You are guilty, as charged.
If you want to change the law re who can legally use the bike path, you will have to lobby to change state law as well.
Diann,
You broke the law. I rollerblade as well. I saw the signs and stayed off the bike path. Grow up, pay the fine and stop whining.
The 8 MPH limit applies only to Hermosa Beach, not Redondo, and not Manhattan Beach.
“The bike riders speeding by should get tickets for endangering others on the bike path.”
The bike path is designated for bicycles only, yet they should be cited for “endangering” those who are on it illegally.
Brilliant.
Diann … look at the facts here.
There are signs all up and down the bike path in Manhattan that say … and very clearly … BIKES ONLY. You skated on it anyway, and got caught. I dunno how much more warning you expected.
Lets clarify something. You got a ticket in a place where there are TWO paths … one for cyclists and the other for all others. It is designed to allow bicyclists go bicycling speeds without endangering pedestrians. All they have to do is use the path that is designed for them.
I bicycle on all up and down the South Bay bike path almost daily. Personally, I believe the issue is simply a matter of speed. Hence, I have no objection with a rollerblader who is moving along the bike path at a reasonable pace. I have big problems with people who:
1. Walk on it (there is a designated pedestrian path adjacent).
2. Skateboard on it (the bike path is no place for practicing your latest skateboard tricks), and skateboards do no go bicycling speeds.
3. Use motorized vehicles on it (yes, that includes motorized bikes and skateboards)
4. Rollerblade or skate on it at pedestrian speeds … that is what the adjacent walking path is for.
5. Sailboard (yes, there is a dimwit out there that sailboards on the bike path … his sail going all the way across both lanes) on it.
6. Walk on it. This one mystifies me. The pedestrian path typically has less sand and is better lit at night. Only a fool (and an arrogant one at that) would use the bike path instead.
I will be definitly fighting it on the grounds
1. That people have the perception/understanding the bike path is for human powered wheels not just bikes only. I even have comments from MB public officials that also thought skating was permissable.
2. I have pictures from a number of publications & webpages that have pictures of the MB bike path and the South Bay paths with both rollerblades and bikers.
3. Police Chief stated that skaters are to use the MB Strand where bikers are not allowed, only pedestrians, so why would skaters be allowed?.. Pedestrians are defined as person on afoot. Skaters are moving the same speeds as bikers so this is a JUDGEMENT CALL. There is a SF skater who’s case was thrown based on this argument alone which i will be showing to the judge.
4. I will have signatures and comments from the MB residents stating that they understood the MB Bike path to be ok for skaters & more…
5. Inadequate signage.
the law is outdated and needs to accommadate other wheel forms.
As for changing the mb bike path.. we can do what Hermosa has succesfully done and they created a seperate bike path for the bikes who want to go fast.. and the strand on the water accommadates ALL people… this is the safe solution.
So lessee. Your argument is:
1. The law should be based on what your perception is, even if it conflicts with multiple signs? Good luck.
2. Other people are breaking the law, so I should be able to do so as well. Good luck with that one too.
3. What the Police Chief says does not make sense to me, so the law doesn’t apply. Good luck again.
4. Other people were as confused as I am and didn’t read the signs. Uh … do I have to say it?
5. There is a sign as you are heading north on the bike path and entering Manhattan Beach that clearly says “BIKES ONLY.” The same is painted on the bike path in a number of locations. So good luck with that one too.
And I might add this. You’ve essentially admitted on this board that you saw the BIKES ONLY signs, but thought it was OK, because everyone else was doing it for a long time. That is proof that the signage was more than adequate, no? Now that you’ve admitted as such, be careful not to say otherwise in court … that would be perjury.
I see cyclists riding in the “no bicycling” zone in Redondo Beach all the time. Are you suggesting that they should not be ticketed for that? If not, why not? All your arguments apply equally to that case.
You might be interested to know that the issue of rollerbladers on the bike path was a hot topic of discussion when the bike path was constructed long ago. It was argued, discussed, and the decision made.
I actually agree with you that it makes more sense for rollerbladers going 10+ MPH to be on the bike path, but I’m not sure I would support a law like that, because that would encourage ALL rollerbladers to use it, and for the ones crawling along at pedestrian speeds, that is a bad idea.
I would also not support a law allowing any wheeled vehicle, as there are some wheeled vehicles that are clearly inappropriate (that would include a child’s Kettcar?). What would be better would be for the police to use better discretion as to who to give a ticket to and who they let skate (pun intended).
But how you would like to change the law is irrelevant to the your innocence or guilt in breaking the existing law. You knew it was for bikes only, but thought it was OK because everyone else did it. That is a lousy excuse.
“Ord.14.28.130 Beach bicycle path” became eff. in 1978 BEFORE rollerblading became popular. During the late 80s/early 90s, Rollerblade, Inc, widely promoted
inline skating. The Bike Path was created to separate pedestrians & fast moving bikers.. in the 21st Century we have other fast moving wheels. There is no LOGICAL reason to have only bikers if skaters are moving at similar speeds..NONE..it is pure selfishness.
As to anyone who thinks moving at fast speeds on the MB Strand where only Pedestrians and Animals are allowed is safe are nuts. The reason bikers are not allowed on the MB Strand is due to the fact they are moving at a fast pace endangering the pedestrians.
Yes it is an argument to show what has been accepted and understood as a daily activity on the Strand by the majority of citizens who are aware and use the Strand. I have already numerous people writing in supporting me on this.. AND if people think this is normal and the MB police know this then YES they need to something different to inform the citizens.
And the case where the Judge dismissed “in the interest of justice” for the inline skater on the bike path is definitely in my favor.
I will stand up for what is fair and just. I will not roll over and allow this to happen… not only for me but for others.. this isn’t just to fight my ticket but also for the future..
Just for the record, skaters are “pedestrians” under California law.
Ignorance of the law is no defense and there’s no ambiguity in “BIKES ONLY.”
“Everyone else is doing it.” To quote my mother, and probably yours, “If they jumped into a fire, would you do it?”
Rollerblades are just fancy rollerskates, which were popular before the ordinance was passed.
Pretty flimsy defense. Case closed.
Bikes only! It clearly states that on the path. To the people walking/skating on the path – are you on a bike? No. I am going over 20MPH – if I collide with you, we will both get very hurt. This is for your protection as much as mine.
This just doesn’t make sense. According to the letter of the law, an 8 year old doing 5mph on a bike is OK, but a 20mph inline skater is in the way. WHAT? Most bike lanes are for wheeled traffic, and putting 20mph skaters on the pedestrian trail is even more dangerous than bikes, because skates can’t stop as fast. I know what I’m talking about because I do both sports. It’s time for cities to wake up and stop automatically classifying all skaters as pedestrians when some of us are faster than most bikes on the trail.
@Sparky, Bikes are not the only ones capable of speeds over 20+mph, just as skates and pedestrians aren’t the only ones that do UNDER 10mph on trails. My accident in March was while I was skating. My GPS shows my speed was 24mph, this was verified by the cyclist that was right behind me trying to keep up. I managed to slow to 21mph before the 10mph bicycle in front of me darted left in response to my “On your left” notification. I bounced off the slow bicycle and into a tree, shattering my collarbone into 7 pieces. The SPEED DIFFERENCE is the danger, not the equipment you are using. Keep up the fight, Diann. This is America, where we have the right to challenge poorly written ordinances. Hopefully you will get a judge with the intelligence to tell the police to enforce the intent of the ordinance, not the exact wording.
I cycle through that stretch regularly as I commute to work. It clearly say “Bikes Only”.
I see skaters on there and it does not bother me if they are moving and attentive, which *most* are.
What concerns me *most* is pedestrians on the path – or approaching the path – who are oblivious/inattentive to the traffic speeding by them when there is clearly a separate, dedicated pedestrian path. They are the ones that make the sudden moves, turn arounds, etc, that cause accidents). I note this correlates highly with the same bane of travelers everywhere – idiots talking on cell phones (regardless of whether they are on bikes, skates, or walking) and not paying attention to others who have to navigate around them.
I think everyone agrees that safety would be better served by grouping people at higher speeds (say 10+ mph) away from people out for a gentle stroll. There are people walking on that bike path that clearly endanger everyone else. Writing a law along these lines would be a challenge but I’d rather see the skaters and bikes together and have the cops get the walkers and runners off the bike path.
There is a set of idiot behaviors I see all the time while using the bike path by people approaching the bike path from the side – oblivious to the traffic on the bike path – usually involving (1) walking backward, (2) talking on a cell phone, or (3) holding a beer. I’ve seen every combination of two of those, but thankfully, not a trifecta of these idiot behaviors.
Finally, I’d like to give a shout out to the most courteous of groups, the 99% of surfers who I routinely see approach the bike path and carefully look both ways to insure they are not sticking their boards out accidentally in front of someone.
This BIG waste of time proves that one main requirement for the next Manhattan Beach Police Chief is that he or she has been an MB resident for at least 5 years. This heavy-handed enforcement of a petty law, one which hasn’t been enforced for decades shows our police department is completely out of touch with what residents expect of our MBPD. The officer who issued the citation clearly lacks common sense and judgement (and yes “CNReporter” the cop is culpable for federal civil rights violations if it comes to that). But more importantly, just like in any paramilitary organization, orders come from the top. It’s time to send Chief Uyeda packing back to PV and bring in someone with vision, compassion and common sense as the new Chief.
You rich residents whining on here about MBPD doing their job are pathetic. You can’t have it both ways. If you don’t want us keeping you safe then bring in the LA Sheriff’s Department and get used to living in Compton by the bay!
This is total BS and shows that the overpaid and underworked Manhattan Beach cops are not crime fighters, but revenue generators for the city. The one real out of shape one couldn’t even catch me when I streaked at the MCHS Homecoming Football Game a few years back. I agree that it’s time to send Chief Uyeda and his cronies packing. Fight this to the end Diann, you’ll be a better person for it!
Diann; if Chief Uyeda told you that it was up to the officers whether or not to give you the citation and they told you they weren’t allowed to give a warning and had to give you the citation then they LIED to you. I’m not surprised having had the wonderful experience of missing work to sit on a jury and listen to officers tell a completely different story from what was in their report. Make a personel complaint against them for lying, get yourself a good lawyer and sue their butts off. I’m sorry you had to experience what you did by ego maniacs on a power trip.
I am posting just to say that you Bikers are real jerks (jerks because I can’t say what I really want to call you). You guys & girls think you own the road and have no right to be posting on this ladies page. She has the right to fight to get out of a unreasonable ticket because the police departments point could have been made with a simple warning. The funny thing is you people don’t even have the guts to put your real name, you put “biker” or initials because your too scared. Just like how you yell “LEFT!!” and then ride as fast as you can away because your too busy with your life to slow down. It’s people like you that ruin events like the 6-man or places like Sand Dune. Please go back to the east coast or whatever lame place that breeds you inconsiderate _______ (insert foul language). Manhattan Beach is about caring about your fellow neighbors and raising families in a safe environment. NOT acting like your Lance Armstrong every day of the week for 1 hour.
FYI: I got my court papers and the *** FINE IS $380!***
There were 3 other people being ticketed with me so that was over a $1000 just with us and there were obviously others being citated
Also one of the BIKERS comments on this site (who wont identify himself) posted this on another website with Police Chief Uyeda’s comments back to him..
http://socalbikeforums.com/showthread.php?p=177561
This is ridiculous. Keller broke the law, admits it, and complains? Join the club of a million other people who don’t like laws about blue-tooths, smoking, dogs off leash, parties past 10pm…AND, one can clearly see why she wasn’t given a warning. Here is a big hint. When violating the law, humility and asking forgiveness goes a long way. Acting like an entitled spoiled brat, which your posts clearly show, probably guarantee a ticket.
$380? That seems excessive, but in Diann’s case works out to seventeen cents a day for the six years she has been illegally skating on the bike path. The good news is that the judge has the authority to reduce the fine.
The City of Manhattan Beach needs to post a sign to the effect that violation of the BIKES ONLY code carries a fine of $380. Of course that wouldn’t deter skaters, pedestrians, nannies, dogwalkers, etc. who don’t seem to know how to read. “No child left behind,” isn’t working.
DIANN- this is outrageous!!! I’m currently submitting stories to the editors of both the easy reader and beach reporter because my husband was just given a $450 ticket for “jogging” on the paths in between the stairs in the sand dune park. not a joke.
the park ranger, whom we’ve spoken to on several occasions prior (since we live on the st that backs into the park) was a complete a-hole to him, and promised the ticket would be reduced to $100.
Not true at all, and my husband spent 4 hours in court today to pay the entire fee. Oh and just and FYI it’s a MISDEMEANOR on your record. people who were there for DUIs were paying less. the cops in this town need to get their priorities straight. we’re scheduling a personal meeting with the mayor if you’re interested in being a part of it.
YES i would be very interested in coming with you. Thanks for asking.. I also do the stairs all the time there. really this is highway robbery.
Can you go to the facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/manage/?act=74606778#!/pages/Change-Manhattan-Beach-Bike-Path-to-All-Wheel-Forms/146187535402539
and FAcebook me or just do a search for Diann Keller and add me as a friend then we can correpond..
For everyone who is claiming the enforcement was financially driven, the city of Manhattan Beach only gets 13% of the fine, the rest goes to the court, county, and several special funds. In this case, just shy of $50 will go to MB.
Actually it was $90 raised to $110 for MB … This past summer the MB Council had submitted request to the LA County to raise the fines.. the rest of the fees are assesment fees from Los Angeles County.
Both are doing what they can to generate more $ to pay for the deficit by adding MORE assessment fees to the basic fine.
Jim: Exactly why this is mostly a WASTE!
Let’s all send a directive to our local governments to STOP WASTING.
Hey Bikers,
Quit whining about your MB “bike path”. All a bunch of babies. Let’s talk about how you think you own the Hermosa Strand and CLEARLY go over 8 mph and then yell at pedestrians to get out of the way. Also for the bikers who are nice enough to actually stay off the Strand, THE LAW STATES THAT YOU MUST OBEY ALL TRAFFIC SIGNALS, that means STOP SIGNS TOO! I have almost been hit FOUR TIMES by you guys bombing down Hermosa Ave and other streets while I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO CROSS IN A CROSSWALK and what do you do? You yell at me to look out! People don’t like you guys because you act like you have the right to dominate wherever you go. GET OVER YOURSELVES!! Quit whining about rollerbladers on your Strand and why don’t YOU guys go ride on the freeway! Stop by Target and pick up some bibs and Nuks you cry babies and think about families with kids that don’t want to get run over for crossing the street!
That’s absolutely ridiculous. All those Spandex-wearing fruitcakes thinking they’re in the Tour de France need to “train” somewhere else. We locals use the Strand as a cruising area to hang out with other locals, pick up chicks and talk crap about nerds from out of town wearing women’s tight shorts on 10-speed bikes. On another note, the girl in the pic is kinda hot?
I commute 24 miles on that bike path to work. There’s a lot of us – look for the panniers and/or the back packs. I’m not “training” – I’m staying active to keep my health up and doing my bit to lower my petroleum use. I’m not “a Lance Armstrong wannabe” or any of those other derisive terms that have come up here and not been denounced by you, Diann. The subtext of course with the derision is “those cyclists are”not one of ‘us’”.
I’m a regular person, empathetic, and pretty tolerant. I’m saddened the fine is so high, that this happened to you, and that this has been blown up way out of proportion. I’m troubled by the ignorance, divisiveness, immaturity, and occasional hatred in many of the comments here.
There have been a few comments from cyclists about willingness to work with you to support skaters access. You have been urged to work with Cyclist groups in partnership. But on here and on your Facebook page you tolerate and foster an “us v. them” approach. If these are your true colors, there isn’t a cyclist around that will support you.
There’s a limited space on the path. I’m happy most of the summer idiots are gone, and it’s primarily used by active local people from Torrance up to Playa del Rey.
But again, I urge you to rethink using an adversarial approach as a means of persuasion. It won’t work. There’s a number of Bike Clubs in the area with high membership. You can work with them to fashion a win-win, or you can just piss them off and invite a reaction of citizen activism against your aims.
Please sign our Petition
http://www.changebikepath.us/
In response to COMMUTER comments. thanks for taking the time and I agree with you that we are not wanting OR aiming to create a Bikers VS Skaters momentum. There have been postive & negative comments from BOTH bikers and non bikers.. This is a subject that people feel strongly about from both .. I dont regulate what people say and I dont want to get in to heated back & forth discussions when emotions are strong.. If you see on our facebook page & petition website we support A SHARING of the bike path and the goal is for safety of pedestrians on sidewalks.. we would love for you to join the facebook & sign the petition.. thanks! Diann
Please sign our Petition
http://www.changebikepath.us/
Manhattan Beach cannot legally allow skaters on the bike path; it’s against state law for “pedestrians” (yes, skaters are pedestrians) to use the bike path. Of course, the city can choose not to enforce the law, but they cannot legalize the activity. If you want change, you must do so at the state level.
Talked a few friends into skating down the bay once again a few weekends ago. Down the bike path of course, like everywhere else on Santa Monica Bay. If we hadn’t been warned by a friendly local, we would have totally gone into the trap the police set up that Saturday. Sounded bizarre, so I left my friends behind and scouted the situation. An officer quoted me a maximum fine of $200. We decided to enjoy the smooth concrete on the sidewalk instead. It was a first, but zipping by within inches of the pedestrians made for a welcome and exhilarating change from the relaxed skating outside of Manhattan Beach. We’ll be back for more!
To the ‘Bunch of Skaters’: the ticket is $380.. I cant believe they were out again.. people have been complaining to the Police Chief & Mayor .. Please sign our petition..
Please sign our Petition
http://www.changebikepath.us/
Hi Diann…Obviously, your BIGGEST mistake was stopping for the cops in the first place! Next time, you should just flash your sweet little tush…and keep on cruzin’ honey!
I grew up in Manhattan Beach in the 60′s 70′s and 80′s…and it’s stuff “like this” that made me move to Maui over 20 years ago. Best move I ever made!
To Alec: Yeah I should have.. i had no idea why they were calling me over.. Even others were asking why are they calling you over & I said I had no idea.. I just never ever expected this outcome.. .. Can you sign our petition with your comments? thx!
*looks through all the messages* there’s gotta be a chuck norris joke somewhere in here…
on a serious note though, this is bs… u broke an unjust law…
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right. ”
-Thomas Paine (founding father)
“There are just laws and there are unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that an unjust law is no law at all… One who breaks an unjust law must do it openly, lovingly…I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and willingly accepts the penalty by staying in jail to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the very highest respect for law.”
-Martin Luther King Jr.
best of luck with your protest :)