Getting pulled over by five police vehicles while riding our bikes (DC Rainmaker)

Keith A · #1 03-20-2018, 01:39 PM

Just skimmed this article, but want to go back and read it. Sounds like a group of cyclists were pulled over, and the police officer was incorrect about his reasoning for stopping them and later admitted his mistake.

Here's the article...
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2018/03/...our-bikes.html

AngryScientist · #2 03-20-2018, 01:50 PM

well now. that is an excellent story.

bravo to all involved!

Kontact · #3 03-20-2018, 01:50 PM

Overall, a LE success story.

batman1425 · #4 03-20-2018, 01:58 PM

It's nice to hear about positive interactions. The stuff that hits the media front is mostly negative and further strengthens the divide for cyclists, motorists, and LEOs. Refreshing.

GregL · #5 03-20-2018, 02:08 PM

It took me a bit to understand that this friendly LEO encounter took place in Australia, not the US. Now it makes sense.

Greg

Keith A · #6 03-20-2018, 02:19 PM

I liked this comment...

Quote:

But like most group rides, riding two abreast is safer because it shortens the length of the group by half – rather than this unwieldy long snake going down the road. It also makes people more visible, and ultimately forces drivers to pass more safely. All of this is well understood in cycling circles the world around.

fogrider · #7 03-20-2018, 02:21 PM

It gives me hope in humanity...

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

Matthew · #8 03-20-2018, 02:22 PM

Yeah, except most drivers will look at that comment much differently. Two abreast is a giant PITA for most drivers and one reason they hate us. Forces them to pass safely all the while pissing them off.

jonjones13 · #9 03-20-2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

Yeah, except most drivers will look at that comment much differently. Two abreast is a giant PITA for most drivers and one reason they hate us. Forces them to pass safely all the while pissing them off.

As both a driver and cyclist on narrowish roads here in the UK, I hate 2 abreast riders, makes it very difficult to pass, so when you get a chance (or for some drivers a half-chance) some drivers race past sometimes dangerously, thereby increasing the risk of an accident.....

JStonebarger · #10 03-20-2018, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew

Yeah, except most drivers will look at that comment much differently. Two abreast is a giant PITA for most drivers and one reason they hate us. Forces them to pass safely all the while pissing them off.

People looking for an excuse to hate will find one.

In Iowa riding two abreast is both legal and recommended by state law. Clearly many drivers, police, and even cyclists don't understand why.

Bentley · #11 03-20-2018, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith A

I liked this comment...

So I actually experienced a similar issue on the HERO's ride here in Central Florida. We were riding in an area that had a "fog line" and shoulder that was wide enough to ride in, but because of a storm there was significant debris on the road that we had to ride in the road for safety. We were riding 2 across for safety purposes. Anyway a policeman from a nearby community stopped us and told us to get out of the road, this following several aggressive drivers honking and yelling at us. I had a problem with both the policeman's attitude and basically told him that he should check with his "superior" because it was lawful to ride on the road because there was no marked bike path and to add to that all the trash piled on the shoulder of the road. The problem was compounded by a "ride leader" that gave me H**L for "arguing with the Officer" but while I would agree there were loud voices, I was not arguing just making sure the Officer was aware of the law.

Still far too many people that do not recognize a rider's right to use the road. It does not help when we as riders "flip drivers off" but there needs to be Police that are trained and enforce the law or we will all become targets.

mecse · #12 03-20-2018, 03:08 PM

makes me proud to be an aussie, to be honest.

batman1425 · #13 03-20-2018, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley

So I actually experienced a similar issue on the HERO's ride here in Central Florida. We were riding in an area that had a "fog line" and shoulder that was wide enough to ride in, but because of a storm there was significant debris on the road that we had to ride in the road for safety. We were riding 2 across for safety purposes. Anyway a policeman from a nearby community stopped us and told us to get out of the road, this following several aggressive drivers honking and yelling at us. I had a problem with both the policeman's attitude and basically told him that he should check with his "superior" because it was lawful to ride on the road because there was no marked bike path and to add to that all the trash piled on the shoulder of the road. The problem was compounded by a "ride leader" that gave me H**L for "arguing with the Officer" but while I would agree there were loud voices, I was not arguing just making sure the Officer was aware of the law.

Still far too many people that do not recognize a rider's right to use the road. It does not help when we as riders "flip drivers off" but there needs to be Police that are trained and enforce the law or we will all become targets.

This is exactly the reason that when I ride in a new area, I make sure I read and understand the traffic laws in that area. In the past, I've also carried a copy of the relevant sections with me.

That said - success in interactions with LEO, on a bicycle or otherwise, IMO, has a lot to do with tone and managing communication effectively. Most LEOs I've interacted with are normal reasonable people and are acting and enforcing laws appropriately, however, those that are not, often don't like being told they don't understand the law. This can add tension to an already tense situation. Business-like matter of fact communication devoid of emotion with an up to date paper copy of the law can help with effective, non-combative communication.

Scuzzer · #14 03-20-2018, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonjones13

As both a driver and cyclist on narrowish roads here in the UK, I hate 2 abreast riders, makes it very difficult to pass, so when you get a chance (or for some drivers a half-chance) some drivers race past sometimes dangerously, thereby increasing the risk of an accident.....

So wait, it's ok to then pass single file riders with a car coming the other way? I absolutely hate it when someone decides that it's ok to squeeze between a car coming the other way and me riding next to the line.

Scuzzer · #15 03-20-2018, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley

It does not help when we as riders "flip drivers off" but there needs to be Police that are trained and enforce the law or we will all become targets.

Flipping off is an Opposite Day sort of thing. Guy in an F350 buzzes you, smile and wave. Driver that totally misjudges the space to pass, flip off so they know they screwed up. I think most of the folks that put me in harms way don't understand the speed I'm traveling at and just make a mistake, they need to know they screwed up. The guys that actively try to make me uncomfortable want to get a rise out of me, I ain't playing.

Edit: and if you're the guy that slows down, rolls your window down and starts to yell at me to get off the road I'll just ignore you while slowly drifting behind your car and watching your tail lights.