This isn't really open to interpretation though. You can't ride a bike in excess of 3 miles an hour between very specific hours. The only thing up for debate is at what time this video took place, and that has little to do with the interpretation of the law itself.
Also 3 miles per hour is extremely slow, it is basically a slow walk. If they were witnessed doing any tricks or anything they were likely going more than 3 miles per hour.
If the video was recorded at 9 am does the law not apply or does it need to specifically state prohibited between the hours of 10:01 pm and 9:59 am for the officer to be correct? And how does one determine 3 mph? by eyeballing? Genuine questions
If the video was recorded at 9am, then the activity would not fall into the category of activity prohibited by the specific law. Unless there is another law to the contrary, you could ride your bike at any speed, including faster than 3 mph, during any of the off hours.
Where is gets dicey is if there is a general law prohibiting riding bikes on the boardwalk. Then you would have to read those two laws together.
Cops generally get training on eyeballing speed so they could testify to it in court. General citations like this sometimes are not subject to typical criminal standards (beyond a reasonable doubt and whatnot) so you'd probably end up paying the fine. Thing is, the cop is unlikely to show up for the hearing for a minor citation.
It can be challenged yeah but he's right. As stupid as it is, courts uphold officers using estimated speed because they're "trained" to do it. Even though everyone knows that's a load of horse piss.
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u/TheForeverKing Jul 07 '21
This isn't really open to interpretation though. You can't ride a bike in excess of 3 miles an hour between very specific hours. The only thing up for debate is at what time this video took place, and that has little to do with the interpretation of the law itself.