NYC.. Not riding in the bike lane, Not illegal

[Judy Frankel]

this is NYC but is universally relevant:
http://gizmodo.com/5810246/cyclist-argues-against-police-fine-in-slapstick-cycle+lane-video


Here's th relevant NYC law:
?4-12 Miscellaneous.
(p) Bicycles.
(1) Bicycle riders to use bicycle lanes. Whenever a usable path or lane for bicycles has been provided, bicycle riders shall use such path or lane only except under any of the following situations:

(i) When preparing for a turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(ii) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, pushcarts, animals, surface hazards) that make it unsafe to continue within such bicycle path or lane.
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Please note that even though there is an exception for various hazards, the onus is on the bicyclist to justify why they left the bike lane. Not exactly an even playing field; is it? This is "Jim Crow" laws do to a minority, they are forced to behave as lesser citizens, and have to justify any departure from their lesser stratus.

[andybar]

this simple means bikers don't pay taxes then?I think most of us here plenty of taxes that were used for constructing streets, I can't ride my bike on it though ?
Maybe they don't understand how taxes work and you're thinking of registration and titling costs? Because property taxes and income taxes pay for roads so anyone that pays those taxes ought to be able to use the public roads.