HARRELSON Fined for Running Stop Sign

Tuesday, May 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ Actor Woody Harrelson was back in San Francisco, barefoot and promoting his eco-activism agenda. But instead of fining him for scaling the Golden Gate Bridge, police stopped him for running a stop sign on his bicycle.

``It was so silly,'' the former ``Cheers'' co-star said Monday. ``The only thing that interfered with us was the cop.''

Harrelson and about eight friends have been riding their bicycles from Seattle to Santa Barbara spreading the message of Simple Organic Living, otherwise known as the SOL Tour. The 1,500-mile trek started April 12 and is expected to end May 18.

The 39-year-old actor said police tried to ticket him for running the stop sign, but he gave his name as William Poindexter and told the officer to arrest him or let him go. He and his friend then pedaled away.

In November 1996, Harrelson and several other activists climbed the Golden Gate's north tower to hang a banner, demanding the government protect the 60,000-acre Headwaters redwood grove. The protest caused a five-hour traffic jam, and Harrelson was fined $1,000 and forced to perform 25 hours of community service to settle the misdemeanor.