FYI: There's a video from the NHTSA about cycling from a police point of view that's available in streaming format. Here's a description from the IPMBA resources page (http://www.ipmba.org/resources-ipmba.htm):

This roll call video for law enforcement officers provides an introduction to some of the common violations by both bicyclists and motorists that contribute to motor vehicle-bicycle crashes. It discusses how enforcement can play a role in preventing crashes and the importance of reporting crashes when they do occur... This video can be viewed directly... Click on Roll Call Video: Enforcing Laws for Bicyclists (mms://trinilearn.wmod.llnwd.net/a607/o1/demos/InforcingLaws.wmv)

IMHO, the most interesting footage begins at 02:23.

Tip for Apple Mac users who see a windows media player is not installed error message:
With Windows Media® Components for QuickTime, by Flip4Mac™, you can play... .wma and .wmv ...free of charge (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/wmcomponents.mspx)

I got an error message-"windows media player is not installed",


Edit:
I installed a patch that lets me play wmv files:

http://flip4mac.com/flip4mac_home.htm

Thanks to tehdely for that link.

I got an error message-"windows media player is not installed",
but I have an Apple computer, so I don't install anything from windows.

Why can't the video just work , like youtube?

In an effort to be catty... why can't you buy a computer that 90% of the rest of use?

Have to agree on the mac comment.


Reasonable video, wouldn't hurt cops to see it.

Because a .wmv is much better than typical youtube quality.

Other apple users can install WMP on their Apple computers, why can't you?

Maybe he from the same cult (as found on the VC list) that thinks .pdf files are the work of Satan.

I got an error message-"windows media player is not installed",
but I have an Apple computer, so I don't install anything from windows.

Why can't the video just work , like youtube?

You don't have to "install anything from windows".

You have to install the free WMV Components from flip4mac (http://flip4mac.com).

If you're worried that little bit of proprietary software will taint your (proprietary) computer, you should probably sell that Mac and get a Linux PC.

In an effort to be catty... why can't you buy a computer that 90% of the rest of use?

Why don't you drive a car like 98% of everyone uses?


I just worked all day on macs, rode home and played the video on one of my macs using the WMP (instead of the more stable Quicktime Player), and then I sent someone a .pdf file. Nah nah na na naaahh.. ;)


Video seems OK for a training/info video. Higher bit rate would be nice...

I was a little bothered by the video, because it danced around the number one issue that cyclists seem to have with police, the legality of riding a bicycle on the road. The video vaguely recommends that officers check local regulations, instead of spelling it out: in every one of the fifty states, cyclists are allowed to use public roads. There are limits and restrictions, so check local law for restrictions.

I'm a little concerned that an officer could represent himself as "trained in bicycle safety" after watching this video, and still have no clue.

You don't have to "install anything from windows".

You have to install the free WMV Components from flip4mac (http://flip4mac.com).

If you're worried that little bit of proprietary software will taint your (proprietary) computer, you should probably sell that Mac and get a Linux PC.

THANK YOU!!!!!

I went to the flip4mac site and downloaded the "free demo".
Now I can see the video.

interesting video... unfortuanatly thats probably more then most cops get in their training...

and for the mac guy, try http://www.videolan.org/vlc/ the vlc media player... works great, runs on pretty much every OS and should do pretty much any video format without batting an eye

I was a little bothered by the video, because it danced around the number one issue that cyclists seem to have with police, the legality of riding a bicycle on the road. The video vaguely recommends that officers check local regulations, instead of spelling it out: in every one of the fifty states, cyclists are allowed to use public roads. There are limits and restrictions, so check local law for restrictions.


Confused, what are you trying to say.

Confused, what are you trying to say.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if an officer believed that in his state it was illegal for cyclists to ride in the travel lanes of public roads -- which seem to be a common belief among the general public, as well as law enforcement officers -- there is nothing in the video that would disabuse him of that belief. All the video says is to check local law. Unless an officer had the gumption to research local law -- and decipher it, a lot of cycling law is tortuous -- he would walk away from the video believing what he believed going in. Except now he's able to claim on his resume that he has been trained in bicycle enforcement. Is it really the norm for police officers to consider themselves "trained" on a subject with no exposure to the underlying law?

Now, I realize that this video is for the whole country, and every state has slightly different laws, so it can't possibly get into the details of every state. But every state allows cyclists to use the public roads; where the states differ is on the limits and restrictions they place. That's the message I would like to see. I wouldn't mind the video pointing out some peculiarities of the law, like the difference between a "vehicle" and a "motor vehicle."

Hell, I'd settle for just a broad hint along the lines of, "The law regarding bicycles might not be what you expect. Check your code book."