I got a stupid ticket last time I was asked that question

10€ fine for me, twice in the last three years.

So is this a "commercial" or is it "viral"?

Good program. Good PR. I'm glad they are doing this, and it will start to help to repair the Davis police's reputation after the recent pepper spraying of protesters.
That said. I have no problem with them issuing warnings or citations for people riding on the streets without lights or proper reflectors. Hopefully the viral video will have a broader positive effect than citations.
Another thing police could do with any sort of 'not up to code' violation, would be to issue a citation, but wave the fee if you can demonstrate that you have fixed the problem within 30 days.. for example, by mailing in a copy of the receipt for a bike light.

Isn't it a sad state of affairs when citizens are SHOCKED that cops are not being menacing power-zealous dicks?

I always ran from the cops when they tried to stop me at night when I was riding.

Tickets=0
riding through a treed trail in the moonlight=8

Taxes aren't paid to fund free bike lights for god's sake. They all looked as if they could afford a few dollars for lights. I've had a ticket for having a car light out, even though I didn't realize it was out. The cop didn't give me a free bulb. These people know they are breaking the law - not to mention being a danger to themselves and others - and deserve a ticket. What happens now, when another cop gives a lightless bike a ticket? No doubt they'll go to court and say they expected a free light. Nice gesture, but no sense to it.

You got a bike light? Tazer! *Promote

Promoting this video back to the front page; last published Saturday, February 9th, 2013 3:02am PST - promote requested by Lawdeedaw.

Actually, most people don't know much about bike laws. You don't have to go through a course to get a license, and hence, most people honestly don't care or simply never think of it.

Taxes are paid for the police to create a safe environment for everyone. If this is a the quickest, easiest, and most cost effective way, then your taxes are doing their job. Furthermore, in most cases like this, when outside programs are involved, the outside program is the one raising the funds to do these programs. Here in Orlando we had to raise $30,000 to hire the police to issue citations/warnings to motorists who don't yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. We have the highest pedestrian fatality rate in the country. We paid for it, privately, not through taxpayer money, to enforce the law because it's not considered a money maker. Otherwise, someone will bitch and complain their tax money isn't being used the way *they* think it should be.

The ironic part though, is they're giving out front lights, not rear lights. The rear is most important, in most cases. Additionally, he actually let a girl go with her light flashing. In some states that's actually illegal, although much safer. (For instance, here in Florida having a flashing light on a bicycle is illegal because it resembles an emergency response vehicle, which is the same law for motor vehicles.)

Bike lights totally make up for this:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Bad_Cop_No_Donut/search?q=uc+davis&restrict_sr=on

Couple of points; If you ride a bike you should be aware of laws relating to them (ignorance of the law is no defence in the eyes of the law). People will certainly complain if, because of the minority of "people who don't care," everyone has to pay for bike training. How about common sense; would these same people allow their children out at night without lights on their bike? Taxes are not paid for the police to "create a safe environment." The function of the police is to enforce the law, not to arbitrarily interpret it. I'm not sure how you managed to "hire the police to issue citations," that is a direct infringement on due process. Issuing tickets to motorists, in the example you gave, is their job, and not subject to unilateral monetary influences. If they are allowing deaths on crosswalks, then it should be rectified using due process, not monetary gain on the polices part. Your example paints the police as a form of private agency available for hire; "Excuse me officer, I will give you $20 if you issue a ticket to that guy who just dropped litter."

Giving out tickets was never meant to enforce the law. Its meant to generate revenue for the town, county, or state. That is why if you plead no guilty to a ticket, they just reduce the fine and charges to something you are willing to pay to get it over with. Going to trial for it, would negate any profit from the ticket.

Most taxes go to the DoD. Drop one less bomb and free bike lights for everyone.

*quality

Boosting this quality contribution up in the Hot Listing - declared quality by newtboy.

This is a load of crap. Attorneys specialize in certain law but are not fluent in all areas. So, to correct your error, the law is ignorant of law. It is a dynamic growing entity and even the best of practitioners are are not completely cognizant of it. At any given moment you could be breaking a law and whether or not you are aware of it definitely plays a role in the verdict. You get a ticket for not having a bulb because you are driving a ton of weight around and could easily kill someone.