Advocacy & Safety - Police says, I'll put you in jail...

So I'm biking to work today in Atlanta Ga. Beautiful day! I'm headed down a large hill on Peachtree st, (6 lane busy road) & got up some good speed and came up on an intersection that had about 6- 8 cars in each lane waiting on the light to change. I see there is not a lot of room on the far right side of the road so I ride in between a few cars til I can merge back over to the right side of the road as the light turns green. I happened to pass a cop on my left & he was really mad that I did this. I make it through the intersection fine & I'm steady up the next hill when I hear the cop behind me telling me to stop the bike. I'm kinda surprised that he stopped me. He asks for my license & I give it to him after he sees that I'm not very happy. He picks up his I'm a bad A s s cop attitude & starts to get very ugly.

He then tells me to pick one... that I can ride on the far right or on the sidewalk. He asked me if I had ever been locked up & taken to jail & I said no. He asked me if I still lived at this address & I said yes. He then asked where I was goin & I said to work. He asked where I was coming from & I said my girlfriends house. He then accuses me of lying. asking me why I'm changing my story about where I live. He begins to treat me like a criminal, talking in very angry tone. I retort with a little sass. He asks me why I'd pull somethin like that if I saw him there. I said I didn't know there was a law against it. This makes him really mad. He then tells me that if he sees me out here on HIS roads like that again he would put me in jail!!!! I was amazed!

I was very angry but I guess that he could have taken me in if he felt like it. He made this very clear. So I kissed his but really good & told him I understood & that I was sorry (just so I could get to work on time). He said he didn't feel like I was sorry & he explained that he didn't want to have to be the one to clean my brains up off the road.

I do understand that It might not have been very safe of me to do but could he really put me in jail? I mean I really didn't know there was a law against this... Perhaps I'm a little naive to think he couldn't. But it seems like he thinks that he owns the roads we drive on. It's the taxpayers roads not his. He seems to think He can do whatever he wants. He can take me to jail if he wants, or make me late for work, or accuse me of being a liar or speak to me like I'm a criminal.

WTF man?

So I guess I'm just asking what anyone thinks about my conduct/his.... is there a law against this sort of behavior?

Thanks!
-danny

So I guess I'm just asking what anyone thinks about my conduct/his.... is there a law against this sort of behavior?

Thanks!
-danny

There are some ******* cops out there, you met one. File a complaint and hope enough other people do also. Give him the finger next time you see him.

Did you get his name, the time and location? Register a complaint with his department if you think you were wronged.

I think it would be highly unlikely that he would haul you in on a traffic infraction. Law enforcement don't like paperwork any more than anybody else. But he can, especially if the person stopped gets mouthy with him, not to say that you did. Most likely he might write you a ticket. But the only way to fight a ticket in court is to prove you were in the right, and it's very helpful to know that ahead of time.

It is Legal in Texas and California.

You may have just met one of these.....

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/10/12/atlanta_police_academy.html

This type of incident is much easier to relate to if we can see it for ourselves on youTube (http://www.youtube.com/) or equivalent.

Is there any chance you can invest in a helmet cam, for example the Oregon Scientific (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=20&scid=77&pid=709) ATC2K (http://www.atc2k.com/), $87 and up (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Oregon+Scientific+Helmet+Cam&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=4251608516095118557&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=5&ct=result#ps-sellers), probably a lot cheaper if bought used on eBay or from Craigslist.org (http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites), or its equivalent.

Regarding your specific incident, I don't think lane splitting is illegal in any state, and is actually encouraged in many states, most people know it better as "share the road". If I cannot lane split on approaching a line of stationary traffic, then ALL traffic cannot pass me using the same type of lane.

A moving violation would have to be much more significant to warrant spending time in custody, for example using one vehicle to deliberately collide with and damage another vehicle. If there is any question with regard to your identity, then an officer can detain you until your identity has been ascertained - this is not the same as being under arrest.

In most interactions with an officer, after you have identified yourself you are under no obligation to provide any further information.

Officer asks "where are you going", how are you supposed to answer? "I'm going down this road, when I get to the bottom I may turn left, or right, depending on the traffic. Usually I like to turn left and stop at the Safeway for a hot soup. Sometimes, blah, blah, blah...."

Officer asks "where are you going, what is your ultimate destination", how are you supposed to answer? "Well ultimately I guess my destination is my grave, I'm hoping it will take another 40 years to get there, at the moment I'm not sure of the route. Maybe I'll get to write the novel that is in me, blah, blah, blah...."

You are driving your car in a 25 mph zone and you know you are well above the speed limit, officer asks you "do you know how fast you were going", you know you were doing 35, so you say "I think I might have been doing 28 to 30", wrong answer, you just provided a confession. The correct answer is "I'm sorry officer I do not know how fast I was going just a moment ago, can you please tell me?"

If we are caught breaking [traffic] law, the officer should be specific and write a ticket, or write a warning and let you know what you were doing wrong. Always be polite and civil, but there is no need or reason to provide confessions or superfluous detail. The only person qualified to know if you are obliged to answer a question is your attorney, when he or she is sitting next to you.

This is not legal advice, I am not practicing law. :rolleyes:

it could have been illegal to lane split in your town or state look it up it applies to bicycles as well i have the missfortune to learn the hardway once

Of course, if he really wants to arrest you, all he has to do is make up some charges and do it. It'll be your word against his, and to a court, his word is likely worth more -- and he knows it. And if a cop is going to lie to arrest you, your best defense is videotape that shows it. Uninterested/uninvolved witnesses are a distant second. But even if you have that (and he can't do something like destroy it), `you may beat the rap, but you won't beat the ride'.

Not pissing him off, even when you're in the right, is probably the best plan.

I don't know about Georgia, but in Texas the police can arrest you for any traffic violation except for speeding. (I'm not so sure what's so special about speeding, but if he really wants to, he just charges you with reckless driving too and he's good.) They usually don't, but it's an option.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik&feature=related

This "Do not talk to the cops" video was posted on here a few months ago. It's long (30 min) but very entertaining.

HoustonB has it right. Next time, don't give him your driver's license. You aren't required to have it when cycling, and you are not required to provide him with anything other than your name.

If you have committed a traffic violation, he can either give you a ticket or a warning. If you do not sign that ticket, then he may arrest you, but only then. Otherwise, keep your cool, don't speak, and let him run through his little routine to try and convince you to incriminate yourself.

Make it so that if he arrests you, he has not one shred of purpose for it - if you don't speak and are very calm, he has nothing, and he will have a hell of a lot of explaining to do to his superiors if he actually does haul you in.

This type of incident is much easier to relate to if we can see it for ourselves on youTube (http://www.youtube.com/) or equivalent.

Is there any chance you can invest in a helmet cam, for example the Oregon Scientific (http://www2.oregonscientific.com/shop/product.asp?cid=20&scid=77&pid=709) ATC2K (http://www.atc2k.com/), $87 and up (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=Oregon+Scientific+Helmet+Cam&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=4251608516095118557&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&resnum=5&ct=result#ps-sellers), probably a lot cheaper if bought used on eBay or from Craigslist.org (http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites), or its equivalent.

Regarding your specific incident, I don't think lane splitting is illegal in any state, and is actually encouraged in many states, most people know it better as "share the road". If I cannot lane split on approaching a line of stationary traffic, then ALL traffic cannot pass me using the same type of lane.

A moving violation would have to be much more significant to warrant spending time in custody, for example using one vehicle to deliberately collide with and damage another vehicle. If there is any question with regard to your identity, then an officer can detain you until your identity has been ascertained - this is not the same as being under arrest.

In most interactions with an officer, after you have identified yourself you are under no obligation to provide any further information.

Officer asks "where are you going", how are you supposed to answer? "I'm going down this road, when I get to the bottom I may turn left, or right, depending on the traffic. Usually I like to turn left and stop at the Safeway for a hot soup. Sometimes, blah, blah, blah...."

Officer asks "where are you going, what is your ultimate destination", how are you supposed to answer? "Well ultimately I guess my destination is my grave, I'm hoping it will take another 40 years to get there, at the moment I'm not sure of the route. Maybe I'll get to write the novel that is in me, blah, blah, blah...."

You are driving your car in a 25 mph zone and you know you are well above the speed limit, officer asks you "do you know how fast you were going", you know you were doing 35, so you say "I think I might have been doing 28 to 30", wrong answer, you just provided a confession. The correct answer is "I'm sorry officer I do not know how fast I was going just a moment ago, can you please tell me?"

If we are caught breaking [traffic] law, the officer should be specific and write a ticket, or write a warning and let you know what you were doing wrong. Always be polite and civil, but there is no need or reason to provide confessions or superfluous detail. The only person qualified to know if you are obliged to answer a question is your attorney, when he or she is sitting next to you.

This is not legal advice, I am not practicing law. :rolleyes:

:thumb: best answer if you want to be polite is "I'm sorry. I have nothing to say."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8z7NC5sgik&feature=related

This "Do not talk to the cops" video was posted on here a few months ago. It's long (30 min) but very entertaining.

Good stuff. All true thanks. did you see the second part? That was enlightening.

About a week ago, I was stopped by some cops for bicycling near a Navy facility.

"Good evening officer, how can I help you?"
"Why were you riding your bikes back there?" (we were on a sidewalk and in parking lots, nowhere did we ever break any laws of any sort. We stopped to read some of the signs to figure out what the place was, and I noticed a video camera near the signs)
"Um, just curious really."
"ok, ok, you can go."

It was odd, he hopped back in his car like we had the plague. Didn't say a thing about the fact that it was dusk and I'd forgotten my headlight.

Always write down the name of the cop and the numbers on his car. Call up the police department and ask to file a complaint anytime you feel the officer violated your rights.

I believe in many states you are required to give an officer ID if he requests it. This is not legal advice, just what I think I have heard is the truth, so don't qoute me on it.

Hummm, why do I get a feeling there's more to this.
"I'm headed down a large hill on Peachtree st, (6 lane busy road) & got up some good speed and came up on an intersection that had about 6- 8 cars in each lane waiting on the light to change. I see there is not a lot of room on the far right side of the road so I ride in between a few cars "
Great ambassador for the bicycle rider world. I'm not defending the cop, and definitely not defending your wonderful skills at weaving through traffic. So I guess the question is do bike riders want to be treated as vehicles with all the rights of vehicles or do we just want it to fit when it suits us. Just a thought.

So I guess I'm just asking what anyone thinks about my conduct/his.... is there a law against this sort of behavior?


We have a saying down here in New Orleans as related to the NOPD:

"Survive The Experience"

Saying "Yes Sir" and being polite is mandatory. Sometimes it's hard. But down here they can beat the snot out of you for giggles. Maybe your guy is a transfer from NOLA?

And don't split lanes past a cop if you think he can catch you - especially if the light is red and he is at the front of the line of traffic! ;)

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=84365&stc=1&d=1224383022

\

So I guess I'm just asking what anyone thinks about my conduct/his.... is there a law against this sort of behavior?

Thanks!
-danny

**** him, he's an ******* who is pissed off that he is getting fat and not getting any from his wife. I'd continue to ride that road, I was never big on splitting lanes though, then again in my town I don't really have to but I do if I won't make it in one cycle. You could always take the sidewalk real quick until the intersection if you are scared he'll do something about it.

but cops, just like every other motorist, hate cyclists because they are saving money and their health, while the cagers are wasting money on gas in grid lock, on their fast food and getting heart attacks.

EDIT:: This forum has WAY too many filters....a-hole and the word the a stands for are not bad...not to mention an ***** is a donkey in it's true form..

edit 2:: honestly?....I'm feeling that my freedom of speech is ass-ass-inated

can't put you in jail at all

at most you get a ticket for splitting lanes, and a traffic fine. cop is a blowhard.

Wait did I read this right? He told you to ride to the far right or on the sidewalk? Isn't it pretty much illegal almost anywhere to ride a bike on a sidewalk?

Wait did I read this right? He told you to ride to the far right or on the sidewalk? Isn't it pretty much illegal almost anywhere to ride a bike on a sidewalk?

if your going like maybe at most 10mph i think it's fine in most places, but yeah for the most part it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk/very damn unsafe to do so.

can't put you in jail at all

at most you get a ticket for splitting lanes, and a traffic fine. cop is a blowhard.

Sorry to Disagree with you.
I got put in Jail for Disturbing the Peace, When I was the only person with in one city block.
Case dismissed by a Judge, but I still spent the night in jail.

Wait did I read this right? He told you to ride to the far right or on the sidewalk? Isn't it pretty much illegal almost anywhere to ride a bike on a sidewalk?
stick around here long enough, and you'll figure out that's one of the things bikefo like to argue about. Personally, I think it should be highly illegal. I don't really care about the safety of the cyclist vs. car, I'm worried about pedestrians. The problem is that bike paths are often nothing more than converted sidewalks, so I guess I'm going to lose that battle.

And don't split lanes past a cop if you think he can catch you - especially if the light is red and he is at the front of the line of traffic! ;)

Which video is that from?

-Kurt

HoustonB has it right. Next time, don't give him your driver's license. You aren't required to have it when cycling, and you are not required to provide him with anything other than your name.

If you have committed a traffic violation, he can either give you a ticket or a warning. If you do not sign that ticket, then he may arrest you, but only then. Otherwise, keep your cool, don't speak, and let him run through his little routine to try and convince you to incriminate yourself.

Make it so that if he arrests you, he has not one shred of purpose for it - if you don't speak and are very calm, he has nothing, and he will have a hell of a lot of explaining to do to his superiors if he actually does haul you in.

Here in Chicago, a ticket is a form of arrest. Signing the ticket is also compliance to either appear on the court date given, or pay the fine via mail. Yes, you can refuse to talk or not give your identification, but you'll be taken in and name checked via fingerprints if the officer so desires, which can take up to 8 hours for your info to come back. The officer can also run your identification number via computer, this is the preferred method and takes the least amount of time. Your identity has to be confirmed either way prior to release. By all means, if you are feeling that your rights have been violated, file a complaint, it is your right. I know I would.

There are police officers that continually give good officers a bad name by this type of attitude when dealing with the general public and it shouldn't be so. I have always prided myself on giving proper respect to all I encounter, whether I'm on the job or not. We have a tough enough job as it is and this just adds to the crap we have to deal with already.

Daniel, I don't really know why the officer did what he did and I really don't want armchair quarterback the situation since I don't know both sides of the story, so my advice is that you speak to a supervisor and let them investigate the matter further.

Here in Chicago, a ticket is a form of arrest. Signing the ticket is also compliance to either appear on the court date given, or pay the fine via mail. Yes, you can refuse to talk or not give your identification, but you'll be taken in and name checked via fingerprints if the officer so desires, which can take up to 8 hours for your info to come back. The officer can also run your identification number via computer, this is the preferred method and takes the least amount of time. Your identity has to be confirmed either way prior to release. By all means, if you are feeling that your rights have been violated, file a complaint, it is your right. I know I would.

There are police officers that continually give good officers a bad name by this type of attitude when dealing with the general public and it shouldn't be so. I have always prided myself on giving proper respect to all I encounter, whether I'm on the job or not. We have a tough enough job as it is and this just adds to the crap we have to deal with already.

Daniel, I don't really know why the officer did what he did and I really don't want armchair quarterback the situation since I don't know both sides of the story, so my advice is that you speak to a supervisor and let them investigate the matter further.

did you know in Chicago every time a city cop dies its a party on the South Side, Goodtimes :beer:

Sled that's uncalled for...biker43's nice enough to identify himself as a police office, offer an explanation and explain not all police officers are *******s and you go and tell him people celebrate police officers dying and toast those people with a beer?

Biker just want you to know sled is in the minority here...I appreciate the job you do and I'm happy to see a "good cop" actually speaking up on a public forum.

Sled that's uncalled for...biker43's nice enough to identify himself as a police office, offer an explanation and explain not all police officers are *******s and you go and tell him people celebrate police officers dying and toast those people with a beer?

Biker just want you to know sled is in the minority here...I appreciate the job you do and I'm happy to see a "good cop" actually speaking up on a public forum.

i have had enough bad experiences with city cops to enjoy the celebration.

i have had enough bad experiences with city cops to enjoy the celebration.

Multiple bad experiences with law enforcement are only caused by making poor choices and acting on bad decisions.

Sled that's uncalled for...biker43's nice enough to identify himself as a police office, offer an explanation and explain not all police officers are *******s and you go and tell him people celebrate police officers dying and toast those people with a beer?

Biker just want you to know sled is in the minority here...I appreciate the job you do and I'm happy to see a "good cop" actually speaking up on a public forum.Sort of makes you think about the celebration on BFs the day Sledbikes stops posting.
:beer:
:ride:
:cheers:

IMO, mouthing off or showing attitude to a cop is inviting unprofessional behavior from them

Sometimes, a polite word hear or there is better than the alternative.

did you know in Chicago every time a city cop dies its a party on the South Side, Goodtimes :beer:


I had a family member killed in the line of duty. You're a piece of dog ****.

I had a family member killed in the line of duty. You're a piece of dog ****.

Uh in case you didn't notice, this thread is about Cops Being *******s. Not Cops being family members, take the time to read the posts before making your own OK?

Here in Chicago, a ticket is a form of arrest. Signing the ticket is also compliance to either appear on the court date given, or pay the fine via mail. Yes, you can refuse to talk or not give your identification, but you'll be taken in and name checked via fingerprints if the officer so desires, which can take up to 8 hours for your info to come back. The officer can also run your identification number via computer, this is the preferred method and takes the least amount of time. Your identity has to be confirmed either way prior to release. By all means, if you are feeling that your rights have been violated, file a complaint, it is your right. I know I would.

There are police officers that continually give good officers a bad name by this type of attitude when dealing with the general public and it shouldn't be so. I have always prided myself on giving proper respect to all I encounter, whether I'm on the job or not. We have a tough enough job as it is and this just adds to the crap we have to deal with already.

Daniel, I don't really know why the officer did what he did and I really don't want armchair quarterback the situation since I don't know both sides of the story, so my advice is that you speak to a supervisor and let them investigate the matter further.


Good advice from the horse's mouth. FWIW, I know that the majority of police officers perform admirably and professionally on the job. I have a couple friends who are currently or formerly LEOs. Yes, they are trained to get you to incriminate yourself when conversing with them. That is their job. Nothing wrong with that at all, and you don't have to play along if you don't want to.

I am not advocating acting like a jackass by copping an attitude and staying completely silent, but I do believe in saying and doing as little as possible, politely and firmly, when interacting with an officer in this situation.

As far as the license thing goes, I am not a fan of automatically giving it over simply because this country should not be a police state. Unfortunately, it has been and is trending solidly in that direction. Yes, I know it makes the officer's job more difficult, and it can inconvenience me for several hours. However, the de facto requirement that one have official identification on them at all times and immediately give them up to a police officer smacks of totalitarianism. Under no circumstances should this be tolerated by citizens. (Yes, I am a firm opponent of the RealID act as well.)

Don't start looking at cops as the "enemy". They are doing their job, usually with a genuine concern for duty and helping the community. There is no reason to get smart with them. But remember what your rights are, remember how exercising those rights can get you inconvenienced for some time, and remember that the officer is trained to get you to incriminate yourself. Then make a decision as to what you are going to say and do.

I think the cop was out of line. I too have had some bad experiences with big city cops (i.e. Chicago) but I don't categorize all cops based on one or two experiences.

Needless to say the whole situation could have been avoided had the OP fell into line in the rightmost lane as is the proper method of dealing with a crowded stop light.

Never sass a cop. They have the power, right or wrong. For a traffic infraction.? Check the law. At most, maybe all he could do is render you a ticket, depending upon the state. If you're in the right, I'd be writing a complaint. I've always wondered what they do to your bike , should you be arrested.

it could have been illegal to lane split in your town or state look it up it applies to bicycles as well i have the missfortune to learn the hardway once

If it is illegal to split the lanes, then it is illegal to share a lane.

As if we don't see cars make erratic lane changes all the time. The guy is a jerk. Wish you luck and hope it possible to make a complaint.

I assume this was City of Atlanta.

The cop was obviously an azzhole but I suppose it is entirly possible he has indeed had to clean someones head up off the road from a bike crash.

The cops in Atlanta are regularly calling in trauma victims into grady. It is one of the busiest trauma hospitals in the united states.

The comment about riding on the sidewalk was stupid.

A-holes are everywhere, put a uniform on one and you get uber-a-hole.

Uh in case you didn't notice, this thread is about Cops Being *******s. Not Cops being family members, take the time to read the posts before making your own OK?

In case you didn't notice, dobber was replying to Sledbike's tasteless and highly offensive remark about celebrating the deaths of Chicago city police officers -- not just "bad" officers, but any officer -- "every time a city cop dies." Perhaps you should try reading (with comprehension) before posting.

By the way, "celebrating" anyone's death, especially the death of a police officer, demonstrates a serious lack of character.

He asked me if I still lived at this address & I said yes. He then asked where I was goin & I said to work. He asked where I was coming from & I said my girlfriends house. He then accuses me of lying. asking me why I'm changing my story about where I live.

That's about the point you should've realised that he's not a great thinker.

There are some ******* cops out there, you met one. File a complaint and hope enough other people do also. Give him the finger next time you see him.

(Note: Not Safe for Work)--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUd-6L7Jgsc

BesidesDaniel, two questions:

-Did you actually receive a citation, in writing?

-Have you talked to an attorney about this incident?

Sorry to Disagree with you.
I got put in Jail for Disturbing the Peace, When I was the only person with in one city block.
Case dismissed by a Judge, but I still spent the night in jail.

oh yeah of course if you say anything other than yes sir to the officer, yes he
could 48 hour your butt....

always do whatever the officer wants you to do.

i have had enough bad experiences with city cops to enjoy the celebration.

Wow. You'd actually celebrate somebody's death? Just because he's a cop? That's pathological.

Sort of makes you think about the celebration on BFs the day Sledbikes stops posting.
:beer:
:ride:
:cheers:

I'm counting the days! :roflmao2:

-Kurt

Sled that's uncalled for...biker43's nice enough to identify himself as a police office, offer an explanation and explain not all police officers are *******s and you go and tell him people celebrate police officers dying and toast those people with a beer?

Biker just want you to know sled is in the minority here...I appreciate the job you do and I'm happy to see a "good cop" actually speaking up on a public forum.

Thanks Jeff. Sledbikes is entitled to his opinion and can do whatever he wants, regardless of how tasteless it may be to you or me. The simple fact is that BesidesDaniel broke the law and was chastised for it, although improper IMHO. I don't know what was said by either at the time of the incident, I wasn't there, but there are always two sides to every story and the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I have seen enough accidents myself from car vs bicycle and this one happened not too long ago. http://www.hipsternascar.com/2008/06/chicago-cyclist-killed-after-being.html
This rider was doored, but because so many drivers are often preoccupied with something else, they forget to look and this can happen. Clinton's head was run over by the second striking vehicle, it wasn't pretty. I wonder would would of happened if one of these drivers waiting at the light decided to open his door to maybe throw out some trash or pour out a drink, as has been done many times, as BesidesDaniel rode by. My guess is that it would have been painful. The driver and rider are both at fault, but more than likely BesidesDaniel would have suffered the most.

My point is that riders and drivers need to be careful wherever they may be and it doesn't help when riders take unnecessary risks. Drivers are more than likely going to survive their stupid mistakes when it comes to vehicle vs bicycle accidents but we as riders will more than likely pay the heavier price, regardless of who was at fault. So it's more important to ride as safely as possible and actually get to where you are going and in one piece.

If it is illegal to split the lanes, then it is illegal to share a lane.

on the left between cars thats not sharing

BesidesDaniel, two questions:

-Did you actually receive a citation, in writing?

-Have you talked to an attorney about this incident?

I did not receive a citation. I have not talked to an attorney. But I have enjoyed all the feedback I've gotten on this forum. Thanks especially to Surveyor, & biker43 as it seems that their advise would have been great advise for this situation.

On the flip side, I do feel as though our country is turning into a police state. Steady & surely so. PAPERS! LET ME SEE YOUR PAPERS!!!!! I'm sad to say that I do believe that as the threat of terroristic attacks arise (as a blowback from our horrible foreign policy BTW) we will see the government demanding more and more of our civil liberties from us, as they promise more "security". But what amount of security can we have from a bankrupt government? It's becoming ridiculous. I'm beginning to think that congress wants to destroy the dollar & keep borrowing from China & bankrupt the american people?????

Ok I'm off my soapbox.

I'm enjoying this nice fall weather on my old 87 cannondale sr105!!!! While glancing over my shoulders a lil more today on the look out for big brother.

Thanks for all your postings, except maybe the person who wants to celebrate a cops' death, thats a lil too far bro.

on the left between cars thats not sharing

That is how the motorist share with cyclist, so it must be sharing.

On the flip side, I do feel as though our country is turning into a police state. Steady & surely so. PAPERS! LET ME SEE YOUR PAPERS!!!!!

Christ almighty. You want to witness a police state, jump in your time machine and go back a decade or two. Visit the Soviet Union and see what happens when you express your sentiments there. Heck, take a tour of the Middle East, maybe speak out against the ruling authorities in one of those little authoritarian countries.

Fact is, if we were even the shadow of a police state we wouldn't have the ability to express ourselves without fear of retribution.

Grow up and be a productive member of society.

I did not receive a citation. I have not talked to an attorney. But I have enjoyed all the feedback I've gotten on this forum. Thanks especially to Surveyor, & biker43 as it seems that their advise would have been great advise for this situation.

On the flip side, I do feel as though our country is turning into a police state. Steady & surely so. PAPERS! LET ME SEE YOUR PAPERS!!!!! I'm sad to say that I do believe that as the threat of terroristic attacks arise (as a blowback from our horrible foreign policy BTW) we will see the government demanding more and more of our civil liberties from us, as they promise more "security". But what amount of security can we have from a bankrupt government? It's becoming ridiculous. I'm beginning to think that congress wants to destroy the dollar & keep borrowing from China & bankrupt the american people?????

Ok I'm off my soapbox.

I'm enjoying this nice fall weather on my old 87 cannondale sr105!!!! While glancing over my shoulders a lil more today on the look out for big brother.

Thanks for all your postings, except maybe the person who wants to celebrate a cops' death, thats a lil too far bro.

Glad to help. Hopefully you won't run into that type of situation again, but if you do, get his name and badge/star number and then proceed the station and file a complaint.

HoustonB has it right. Next time, don't give him your driver's license. You aren't required to have it when cycling, and you are not required to provide him with anything other than your name.

If you have committed a traffic violation, he can either give you a ticket or a warning. If you do not sign that ticket, then he may arrest you, but only then. Otherwise, keep your cool, don't speak, and let him run through his little routine to try and convince you to incriminate yourself.

Make it so that if he arrests you, he has not one shred of purpose for it - if you don't speak and are very calm, he has nothing, and he will have a hell of a lot of explaining to do to his superiors if he actually does haul you in.


Before taking law advice on a forum look up your local laws. Some areas require a license not to mention cops can ask for a proof of ID regardless of what you are doing. Not providing proof of identification is a quick way to make a small delay into a much bigger ordeal. In my opinion the best policy is to play it cool. Regardless if its a cop or a driver with road rage.