Advocacy & Safety - Car Hits Bike Police

Not even the bike cops are safe!

http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3040621&nav=168YXChw

It's a shame that the bike cops were hit. The driver said he did not see them. The cops were wearing yellow and had bright lights and strobe lights. But this is in Las Vegas, where everything is bright lights and strobe lights, so I believe the guy when he said he didn't see them.

It's a shame that the bike cops were hit.<snip>

Most bike cops I've seen around here are usually riding down the sidewalk, facing traffic...
I'm surprised they aren't hit more often.

....but at least the bike cops have the power to retalliate, in any way that they want. And legally carrying a firearm.

Not even the bike cops are safe!

http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3040621&nav=168YXChw

Gee, I wonder if they were operating in a "safe vehicular manner... being predictible..."

I'll bet the police refuse to cite the driver. After all, those bright yellow uniforms on two bike cops and their flashy lights and reflectors would be invisible to a poor tourist rubber necking it down the street in Vegas. Hmm... a traffic ticket? Oh ya, cops got hit. That explains the traffic ticket.

I wonder what he was cited for; the article did not say.

Not even the bike cops are safe!

http://www.klastv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3040621&nav=168YXChw

One of the officers suffered a broken wrist but the driver didn't get any jail time. An automobile is the only legal way you can kill a police officer and not spend a day in jail. All you have to say is "Ooops, I didn't see him" and you go scott free!

One of the officers suffered a broken wrist but the driver didn't get any jail time. An automobile is the only legal way you can kill a police officer and not spend a day in jail. All you have to say is "Ooops, I didn't see him" and you go scott free!
We don't know the circumstances. Maybe they were (legally) not following the rules of the road (i.e. were on sidewalk and entered x-walk at speed)

I do know that in some (many?) localities police on bikes are exempt from rules prohibiting wrong way and sidewalk riding. I don't know all the reasons, but I can guess that it is because it allow them to more effectively patrol, work in crowds and pursue suspects.

So there could be a situation where the police on bike was legally riding the wrong way on a sidewalk and was hit by a car. The officer may have chosen not to cite as they realized that even though what they (the police) were doing was legal that it was unreasonable to penalize the driver.

I only provide the above not because it is what happened (I don't guess it is), but only to point out that one can not jump to conclusions until all the facts are presented.

Al

Looks like in Nevada if they have a 'good reason' to they can, but are subject to consequences:

NRS 484.504 Persons exempt from traffic laws otherwise applicable to person riding bicycle; exception.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a peace officer, a fireman, an emergency medical technician certified pursuant to chapter 450B of NRS or an employee of a pedestrian mall, who operates a bicycle while he is on duty, is not required to comply with any provision of NRS or any ordinance of a local government relating to the operation of a bicycle while on duty if he:
(a) Is responding to an emergency call or the peace officer is in pursuit of a suspected violator of the law; or
(b) Determines that noncompliance with any such provision is necessary to carry out his duties.
2. The provisions of this section do not:
(a) Relieve a peace officer, fireman, emergency medical technician or employee of a pedestrian mall from the duty to operate a bicycle with due regard for the safety of others.
(b) Protect such a person from the consequences of his disregard for the safety of others.
3. As used in this section, “pedestrian mall” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 268.811.
(Added to NRS by 1997, 1728)

To be clear - I am not suggesting that they were not compying with law as applicable to general civilians (If I had to I'd bet (this is Vegas ;) ) I'd say they were), only pointing out that it is allowed for circumstances in Nevada.

Al

Gee, I wonder if they were operating in a "safe vehicular manner... being predictible..."
I bet they weren't...

We don't know the circumstances. Maybe they were (legally) not following the rules of the road (i.e. were on sidewalk and entered x-walk at speed)


It wouldn't matter if the police were following the rules of the road. The results would have been the same. The motorist could have broken the police officer's wrist, back or neck and would not spend a day in jail if there wasn't any drugs or booze involved.

In fact, we had a recent event (In NYC) where the motorist was drunk and STILL didn't get any jail time because he needed to be speeding for the death to be considered a crime. I think they are changing the law but it goes to show you how lopsided the whole situation is on todays roads.

NRS 484.504 Persons exempt from traffic laws otherwise applicable to person riding bicycle; exception.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a peace officer, a fireman, ...

A fireman on a bike?? Do they put out fires with their water bottles?

A fireman on a bike?? Do they put out fires with their water bottles?
Haven't you see the ladder-cycle?

Al

"You just suddenly pulled in front of me officer!"

One of the officers suffered a broken wrist but the driver didn't get any jail time. An automobile is the only legal way you can kill a police officer and not spend a day in jail. All you have to say is "Ooops, I didn't see him" and you go scott free!

I probably sound like a broken record by now but the automobile is the single most effective way of getting away with murder scott free.
You can kill almost anyone and the whole damn country, judge, jury, executioners included, is so obsessed with driving and being reckless and irresponsible that everyone will see your point of view when you say, "the sun was in my eyes."

A fireman on a bike?? Do they put out fires with their water bottles?
did you see the film, "I Love Huckabees"?

did you see the film, "I Love Huckabees"?

You beat me to it! I just wanted to know if his boots were SPD compatible.

I saw a bike cop tackle a running suspect from his bike once. He must have practiced the move a few times before as he used the bad guy to cushion his fall and the bad guy certainly got the worst of it.

A fireman on a bike?? Do they put out fires with their water bottles?


Paramedic.

This really sucks. As a bike security officer I can feel for the officers. We do sometimes ride on the wrong side of the road etc but in my case the HID lighting should give the driver a hint...

I saw a bike cop tackle a running suspect from his bike once. He must have practiced the move a few times before as he used the bad guy to cushion his fall and the bad guy certainly got the worst of it.

I would've liked to see that.

The driver did get a ticket. He didn't totally get away with it.

Monday I was hit by a car and I'm the one who got the ticket. I was on a motorcycle, though, not a bicycle.

Good for them. Maybe this will convince them their job is an evil one and they should quit. They uphold unjust laws which put us all at risk, ergo they do an evil job.
Ha!
I was riding in the CBD here, where sidewalk riding is punishable by $50 or more, and saw a platoon of velocops, just rolling down a narrow sidewalk with callow disregard for pedestrians. Then I see it again on the Waikiki Beach sidewalk, where skateboarding on the sidewalk gets your board stolen and a $50 ticket. I was just thinking today how nice it would be for these pigs to get shown a lesson. And it happened.
Sucks that as a person they got whacked. But you know what? To me, that cop wasn't a person. He was a cop. Even cops don't think themselves people most of the time. Next time they violate your Natural Rights, as them what right they have to touch you. You know what they'll say? "I'm a cop."
Right on!

Good for them...

I don't recall reading anything about these two cops violating anyone's "natural rights' or engaging in anything unlawful. Yet you are happy they were injured in an accident?

I feel sorry for you.

Good for them. Maybe this will convince them their job is an evil one and they should quit. They uphold unjust laws which put us all at risk, ergo they do an evil job.
Ha!
I was riding in the CBD here, where sidewalk riding is punishable by $50 or more, and saw a platoon of velocops, just rolling down a narrow sidewalk with callow disregard for pedestrians. Then I see it again on the Waikiki Beach sidewalk, where skateboarding on the sidewalk gets your board stolen and a $50 ticket. I was just thinking today how nice it would be for these pigs to get shown a lesson. And it happened.
Sucks that as a person they got whacked. But you know what? To me, that cop wasn't a person. He was a cop. Even cops don't think themselves people most of the time. Next time they violate your Natural Rights, as them what right they have to touch you. You know what they'll say? "I'm a cop."
Right on!

It's drivel like this that almost makes me want to get rid of my bike so I won't be associated with people like you.