pinkpowa

So I'm riding into work today down a 6 lane, divided road, less than a mile from work. I have to turn left at a break in the median between a couple of lights to go to work, so usually before the first light I get over from the bike lane in the far right to the leftmost lane, traffic permitting. After I did that this morning, I heard an electronic voice:

"Is there any reason we're not using the bike lane"?

I turn around and it's an unmarked Black Crown Vic. I just point to the left, where I'm turning, and keep riding.

"That's a good way to get yourself killed"

Mind you, when I crossed the lanes of traffic on this 45mph road, there was not a car in sight in any lane, which I travel the leftmost lane for not even a city block. I slowed down and he came along side and I said.

"I am in compliance with state statue by riding in this lane. I'm turning left right here, so that's why I'm not in the bike lane anymore"

"That's why there's a bike lane, er, uh, then there's the cross walk", as he motioned to the cross walk a quarter mile past where I am turning.

"crossWALK! WALK!" I shout as he's rolling his window up and driving off.

I waited in my parking lot for a minute to see if he'd come around, because I don't want to be hostile about it, but to me he clearly did not know what the laws were and thought he was looking out for somebody's safety. I travel this route 5 days a week since July of last year, so I'm pretty sure I've got a handle on what works safely and what doesn't. Was I in the wrong here or is this guy nuts?

Big Ron

He may have a badge, but he obviously doesn't have the knowledge for the job! Shrug it off. If he bothers you again, get his name and badge number and report it to the PD

DataJunkie

Cops are human and a certain number are dumb asses like some of the general population. You obviously met one of these.

AEO

welcome to the "cop told me to do this and that" club.

mike

You are in the middle of a six lane road on a bicycle?

The posted speed is 45 mph, which means plenty of cars will be doing 60 mph.

Consider that cop your guardian angel.

He has probably seen many people who were obeying the law and got flattened anyway. Just because you didn't like what the cop told you doesn't mean he is a dumb-@ss. Be smart. Take a pointer from the rich experience-based advice given to you by the policeman.

jpdesjar

Wow, an electronic voice would be weird to encounter. This is like the yehuda comic yesterday.

evblazer

If the crosswalk was in the intersection you were turning or just a block down would you take it then?

I guess if traffic was bad I might but I probably wouldn't otherwise. The absolute lack of bike lanes down where I live makes it so there are less choices though sometimes that means no choise, at least reasonable ones. For the most part we rarely have sidewalks and even when we do there aren't many crosswalks.
I actually ride about 1/4 mile down a 60mph speed limit 9 lane road (center one way turn lane) in the turn lane in the am traffic permitting. I am usually out there early enough that only a few cars pass me. I actually have a cross walk at that intersection but no bike lanes and I'd have to walk my bike through 1/4 mile of rough "sidewalk" to get there or cut through and around a bunch of buildings/alleys/parking lots.

pinkpowa

Yes. At 7:30, there's hardly anybody on the road on this stretch of road. As I stated, when I changed lanes a block before I was turning, there were no vehicles in sight traveling in my direction. I'm guessing he came off a side road or was travelling much over the posted limit himself.

There are a few, but about half a mile north of that is a common speed trap, so people behave pretty well. There are lights fairly often, which manages the flow to below 45 in general. Down where he suggested I use the cross walk, people drive much faster as it is beginning to merge with I-75. Again, with such low traffic flow, the 5 or 6 cars that may be on the road the same time as me for this short stretch have two other lanes to choose from. I've got big reflectors on my Ortliebs, and a rear LED, and it's light outside. If they can't see me, they're going to hit me whether I'm in the bike lane or anywhere but at home in bed.


I don't need a nanny. I ride this stretch every day, and I have viewed it from the perspective of a motorist and a bike commuter. This officer probably comes through here once a week, and assuming he isn't on his radio or focused on his next destination (remember, cops are the most distracted drivers, as evidenced by the accident out in Cali a couple of months ago), he's not looking at the whole picture of what's going on. I'd be willing to bet I have more experience in this specific circumstance. Also, the officer looked to be about my age, maybe a couple of years older. I'm 27, and I don't go taking it upon myself to offer unsolicited advise to people based on my wealth of experiences, even in my field. I shut up and listen and learn from others, so that maybe with an open mind I can have a more well rounded understanding of whatever the topic is.

I'm not saying he's a dumb ass because I didn't like what he said. What he said showed a lack of understanding of state statute and current traffic contitions, and it made assumptions based on Lord knows what. My behavior is based on state statute, current traffic conditions, and data collected from my experiences commuting this exact stretch of road during varying conditions hundreds of times.

vtjim

Hmm. Unmarked car = Tell him to $(@* off, then ride somewhere he can't follow you. Helps to have a sturdy MTB.

thdave

Many sympathies--the cop's being an arse. The frustrating thing is that he's getting paid while doing so.

n4zou

+1
Ignore this encounter and continue to follow the rules pertaining to bicycles in your state. When I started riding I went to the court house and looked at the rules pertaining to bicycles. I paid for a copy so I would have them. I had a policeman stop me and ask why I was in the road and not on the sidewalk. I pull out my paper and show him this.

Section 32-5A-260
Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

He limped off like a wounded animal.

gosmsgo

You handled it pretty well.

Dont worry..... $4.00 a gallon is coming soon.

t-star

one of the most stupid bylaws we have says you when turning from multiple laned roads on a bike, the cyclist must dismount and use the cross-walk- in other words- bike lane to bike lane only - however, from the way some people drive, it's not such a bad idea- esp those that jump the light

MIKEnDC

Sounds as though the cop was not aware of the very laws he is sworn to uphold. Not really all that surprising given the lack of use of, and education about, bicycles in most of the US.

Unless it was some emergency situation (doesn't sound like it), or a case of a specific prohibition of bicycle use on that road (temporary or otherwise), then the cop was in the wrong. He probably did think he was looking out for everybody's welfare though.

But if I had to go into court, I'd rather be in conformance with the letter of the law. As noted above, it makes another good case for keeping a copy of the applicable laws on hand...

e0richt

that is such b.s.
aren't motorists required to follow traffic laws anymore?

Bekologist

I think the OP has a handle on what works safely. to improve rear visibility, even during the day, I recommend a Planet Bike Superflash.....might confuse the cop into thinking you're a bike medic on your way to a morning emergency!

Yeah, if they confront you again, be perpared to ask if you've broken any laws, if you are being detained, for what, and be ready to reiterate your state's laws regarding operation of bikes on the road...

deez

Correct me if I'm wrong but a 6 lane road is just 3 lanes per side. I cross one every morning on my way to work and same on the way back, its really no biggie as long as you cross at a traffic light.

AEO

don't worry, that $4.00 a gallon to fuel the cruiser is coming out of tax payers.

devildogmech

$3.95 This Morning!

tjspiel

One of the ways I take home sometimes is a 3 lane one-way street with the bike lane on the left. Eventually I need to get over to the right to get on the bikeway. Since it's typically rush hour when I'm there, I do exactly as the cop was suggesting. I cross at a light.

I end up riding part way in the right lane since the ramp to the bikeway is halfway between intersections.

However, in light traffic I wouldn't think twice about doing what you did.

Leiniesred

Let it go. I know it is easy to get excited when your blood is already pumping because you are pedaling, but let it go.

Riding in traffic is not the place to discuss laws and safety. Invite the cop to meet with you to discuss it at the next coffee house. Maybe you'll make a friend.

#1 be safe and predictable
#2 be lawful if it doesn't jepordize being safe.

To me, the laws of physics mean a lot more than traffic laws when you are talking about 5000 pounds of car vs 25 pounds of bike. Traffic laws are not going to keep you out of the graveyard or hospital.

LanceW

That is crap... sorry to hear that that happens. I get alot of **** from divers here in chicago for doing the samething.

Paul L.

I face this situation daily. If I see a three lane traffic break in the rearview mirror I take the left turn lane after a turn your head double check. If there is no break, I ride through the intersection and line up with hte transverse traffic for the light change.

It works for me.

flipped4bikes

The cop was definitely wrong here, but man, you gotta respect The Man. In other words, talk to him, but yelling at him isn't doing you any favors.

noisebeam

Where I live transportation greater than 1-2mi is by arterial, usually 5-7 lane 45mph posted. Of course this requires leaving the BL at intersections for traveling thru or making lefts. Breaks in traffic can make merging easier, but during busier times one must negotiate the left turns. The BL does cause some drivers resistance to letting you out (some drives must be as ill-informed as this police officer was), but once in shared traffic lanes the remaining merges most often get driver cooperation.

Al