KonAaron Snake 

I know that I'm letting this annoy me more than it should, but two police salmon in a lane is really offensive.

agent pombero

Cops are above the law - didn't you know that?

AlmostTrick

!!!

bikecrate

I was about to enter a crosswalk to transition to another street (it's a long story of why I do it this, anyways....) when a police cruiser blew right through the crosswalk. Right behind him was a police supervisor's van who did stop for me. I wonder if he will have a talk with the first police car that went through. I believe there's a pretty hefty fine in the FL for not yielding to crosswalk traffic.

StanSeven

It's hard enough to deal with novices that ride the wrong direction as is. So others see police and think that's the right thing to do.

agent pombero

Bicyclist hit by Portland police car

CB HI

You seem to imply these cop cyclist are NOT novices.

TomCat_Ford

Even though I see police officers roll through stop signs without coming to a complete stop, not using their blinkers to signal a turn, and so on, I don't think that's the right way to operate my motor vehicle. While I would agree that police are/should be setting an example, the problem is that people do not take the time to properly educate themselves.

San Rensho 

Cops are out there doing thier job, give them a break. Maybe they were salmoning for a good reason. I have no problem with cops technically breaking traffic rules as long as they aren't doing something really stupid, and usually they don't.

KonAaron Snake 

I disagree - they were moving at a casual pace and I saw no sign of any alertness or concern. They were two people in a position of authority setting a bad example and, IMO, not doing their job. When I said something to them one took the time to yell something back (I couldn't hear what). That doesn't seem like a guy intently doing his job which required salmoning.

I'm a law and order guy and am not anti-police or anti-authoritarian. I am anti-stupid and this was stupid. Unfortunately it's also extremely common, as is needless sidewalk cycling. They frankly need better training.

gcottay

Of course it's not right, but how would that change your practice of riding in the same direction as other traffic? Just because some other kids do it does not make it right for you.

OneGoodLeg

For the most part, I hate bike lanes, they look deceptively nice and cause riders to relax, but in reality they are extremely dangerous in some urban environments and require hyper-vigilance.

How could you possibly know what they are doing? They could appear as casual as hell, but still be canvassing the hood for some reason.

If they observed you at work without really knowing the task at hand, they'd probabaly say the same thing.

KonAaron Snake 

You're right - I've lived in Philadelphia most of my adult life, including in some rough areas, and I can't tell when the police are casual vs. concerned.

They regularly ride against traffic...I've watched for years and they need better training.

iforgotmename

Funny...I've never seen so much pro salmon support before

howsteepisit

Seems like bike lanes are exempted from bicycles being considered vehicles under traffic regulation. Perhaps that is a good thing, I am still contemplating that, but I believe that is why its OK for police (or other cyclists for that matter) to ride against the flow of traffic while in bike lanes. Then again, that might be because I like to have reason and logic in my life, could also be a case of the police doing what they darn well please and the citizenry having no recourse in this minor matter. Guess you could call the local precinct office and complain, they would probably make an announcement at a meeting for the mounted officer to not do this, then they would go ahead and do what they like.

KonAaron Snake 

Actually it's not ok, and they run right over a directional arrow pointing the other way.

Yes, it's a minor matter and I'm not going to call anyone over it - but it annoys me and I felt it worth mentioning. One of the biggest complaints about cyclists is salmoning and I think it's a problem when it's the police doing it.

I-Like-To-Bike

I'd be surprised if a policeman in Philadelphia ever issued a ticket to any cyclist for riding against traffic, in or out of a bike lane. Do you think I am wrong?

KonAaron Snake 

No, I think you're right. They might use it as an excuse to pull someone over they're concerned about, but it would be a means, not an end.

Chris516

You certainly have a right to beef. Because, An officer riding salmon, could potentially cost thousands of dollars, when they get killed by making themselves the perfect target for someone that hates cops. Resulting in numerous officers taking time off to attend the funeral.

AngeloDolce

This is generally my impression of the bike lanes in Philadelphia.

Especially outside Center City, most of the bicyclists I see in the bike lanes don't seem to think they are allowed to leave the bike lane (ride close to parked cars, pedestrian left turns), and don't think red lights and stop signs apply to bicyclists.

Conversely, those that ride in the lane seem to pay more attention to traffic controls (but confuse motorists, some of whom think the bike lanes are mandatory, regardless of any obstacles blocking the lane).

Chris516

A second thought I had regarding the salmon officer's, after tonight's club ride.

While the officer's in the OP's video are obviously riding salmon, the same things happened on the club ride I went on tonight. Where they blew through red light's n stop signs'....AGAIN. Tonight's regulars' on tonight's club ride, have a blatant disregard of traffic laws. To say nothing of speeding on the trails.

Tonight was the last time I ride with them.

lostarchitect 

I have a lot of tolerance for cyclists and pedestrians breaking traffic codes. Jaywalking doesn't bother me when done carefully. Neither does rolling a red light on a bike, again, when done carefully... Salmoning in a bike lane is one of those rare things that really annoy me--not because it's illegal, but because it is rude and unsafe. Typically it forces the person going the correct direction out into traffic that they can't see, and when it's done around obscured-view corners, is particularly dangerous. That said, I have given up calling people out. It never does any good and too-often starts an altercation.

KonAaron Snake 

Your view and reaction mimics my own...every time I've called it out or expressed displeasure, all it did was cause high blood pressure and a hoarse voice. No behaviors are going to change and now I just passive aggressively mumble. I don't care about people jay walking so long as they check before doing it. I don't care about bikes breaking code so long as they ride safely. There are a hundred things that violate code on any street in the area in any given hour period. What are the fed ex trucks double parked in a bike lane supposed to do? Park a mile away and walk the packages? Salmon are one of the few things that really irks me - because it isn't about an "I gotcha" code violation, it's dangerous and irresponsible.

jerseyJim

When I see salmon coming up I stop and put my foot down near the curb or shoulder and make them veer out into traffic to pass.

Beats playing chicken or veering out in to traffic myself and if they have to play chicken with oncoming traffic instead of with me maybe they will think about what it is they are doing next time.

KonAaron Snake 

I still think the ideal solution is a lance