A ‘Defensive Driving’ option for cyclists
Did you receive a traffic ticket while riding your bike in Lubbock, Texas?* With this course, you will meet the requirements to have your fine waived (but not the Court fees), and have your traffic citation dismissed.
* This course is not currently valid for tickets issued by Texas Tech Transportation & Parking Services.
Details below.
Trigger an unresponsive traffic light on your bike.
Since July of 2010, we have been offering an option to cyclists that has been available to drivers for years – having a traffic fine waived in exchange for taking part in some valuable, effective training. To date we have had more than 1100 people take part in this option.
Cost: $34.95 / Time: Approximately 2 hours
Here’s how you can take part in this ‘ticket dismissal’ option:
- Complete and submit a Deferred Disposition form through the Court, along with the payment of the court fee and any other associated charges.
- Sign up here for the online course. (Please note–we are developing a course with a separate, Texas-specific module. This will be available soon.)
- Complete the course with a passing grade.
- A Certificate of Completion will be prepared and emailed directly to the Court.
- Once the certificate is processed, the fine will be waived and the ticket dismissed.
Why take the Defensive Cycling course?
- Qualify to have your fine waived by the Court.
- Gain valuable techniques that will help you increase your safety and comfort in traffic, even if you are an experienced cyclist.
- Learn what your rights are, and how you can gain more accommodation from drivers.
- Learn the laws that apply to you as a cyclist, reducing the likelihood of getting another ticket in the future.
Information from the Lubbock Municipal court:
- City of Lubbock Municipal Court — Home page
- Issuing agencies (Law Enforcement agencies that have authority to issue tickets in Lubbock)
- Paying traffic tickets
- Plea options
- Important warnings
- Contact the Municipal Court
Texas Tech Bicycle Information
- Registration, parking, and rules & regulations
- Regulations on campus are separate from the off-campus requirements.
- Tickets issued on campus are handled differently than those issued outside of the campus.
- Contact Texas Tech Transportation & Parking Services for details.
Lubbock Code of Ordinances
Chapter 20: Traffic
Article 20.09 Bicycles
Sec. 20.09.001 Application of traffic regulations
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic ordinances of this city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.
State law reference–Persons affected by state law, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, sec. 551.001.
Sec. 20.09.002 Application of article; violation
(a) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any provision of this article.
(b) These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any public parking lot or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated herein.
State law reference–Rights and duties of operator and parent or guardian, V.T.C.A., Transportation Code, sec. 551.101.
Sec. 20.09.003 Parking
No person shall park a bicycle in any safety or loading zone or upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(Link to the full ordinances: https://z2codes.franklinlegal.net/franklin/Z2Browser2.html?showset=lubbockset)
From the Texas Transportation Code:
Sec. 551.101. RIGHTS AND DUTIES.
(a) A person operating a bicycle has the rights and duties applicable to a driver operating a vehicle under this subtitle, unless:
(1) a provision of this chapter alters a right or duty; or
(2) a right or duty applicable to a driver operating a vehicle cannot by its nature apply to a person operating a bicycle.
(b) A parent of a child or a guardian of a ward may not knowingly permit the child or ward to violate this subtitle.
- Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 551:
Operation of Bicycles, Mopeds and Play Vehicles - Texas Transportation Code, All sections
(Look for Title 7 – Vehicles and Traffic, Subtitle C: Rules of the Road)
The CCE developed all applicable training materials and administers the course training.
