Most likely I grew up the same way you. Didnt respect the laws, and didnt have bottomless pockets to dish out for fines.
Add these 2 together
F the law + low on cash= Run and dont get caught!
It all started when I was 12 yrs old riding my mini bike down the streets in NJ to get to a small area of woods. As well as you know NJ cops dont like kids riding mini bikes on the street! That wasnt much of a success trying to out run cops with a 4 HP Sear Mini Bike with a top speed of 26 MPH!
I rode many of times with my Dad to get it out of the impound lot after they took it away.
That turned into my first dirtbike a Yamaha DT100 atleast this could run 45MPH and had better accleration along with suspension so jumping curbs wasnt so violent! Also it wasnt that loud.
Than I had a KX125 that would haul ***, the problem here was they could here it from a mile away! It was fast (for being 14) As long as I could make it the highschool I could run across the field into a large apartment complex and usually hide pretty well.
Yeah so I started young, and learned early in life about the law, either obide by them or have lots of money to pay fines, or learn to run.
The key is get to an area you are familiar with. Conjested is better, Dont panic keep a level head and just ride hard not fast (difference), and dont ever turn your head around while in a chase. I am sure you can add some advice to the amatuer runners here........