Bike Cops
#1
Bambo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 501
Bikes: 2002 Specialized Allez; STILL drooling over Specialized Epic from afar.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike Cops
I drove past a couple of bicycle cops this weekend. They were riding next to each other taking up a whole lane with a couple of cars crawling slowly behind them. They appeared to be taking their sweet time too. Don't know why, but when I saw that I thought aaaaaaaw heeeeell yeeeeah lol Waved at them like mad too. The looked at me funny.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 765
Bikes: 2002 Giant OCR 3, 2003 Giant OCR Elite, 2004 Giant TCR, 2004 Giant OCR Touring, 2003 Giant Iguana, 2004 Cannondale Ironman 800, 2005 Giant Trance 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
They do that all the time on Broadway here in Nashville.
#3
A Heart Needs a Home
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,387
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
One of the disappointments in life I've had to learn to accept is that bike cops (here in Philadelphia, anyway) are not bicyclists, have no interest in cycling, and do not see their role as having anything to do with cycling. Bikes, to them, are just a faster way to "walk" their beats.
They pay absolutely no attention to traffic laws (less even than drivers of squad cars do) and they pay no attention to stupid/illegal/dangerous activity by cyclists unless there's a crime being committed or they actually collide with somone.
They ignore traffic signals, they ride on congested sidewalks, they go the wrong way on one-way streets. It's just as well there aren't too many of them.
Grr.
RichC
They pay absolutely no attention to traffic laws (less even than drivers of squad cars do) and they pay no attention to stupid/illegal/dangerous activity by cyclists unless there's a crime being committed or they actually collide with somone.
They ignore traffic signals, they ride on congested sidewalks, they go the wrong way on one-way streets. It's just as well there aren't too many of them.
Grr.
RichC
__________________
Training: 2002 Fuji Roubaix Pro (105 triple)
Commuting/Daytripping: 2001 Airborne Carpe Diem (Ultegra/XTR, touring wheels)
Commuting/Touring: 2000 Novara Randonee (Sora/Tiagra/LX, fenders, lights)
Training: 2002 Fuji Roubaix Pro (105 triple)
Commuting/Daytripping: 2001 Airborne Carpe Diem (Ultegra/XTR, touring wheels)
Commuting/Touring: 2000 Novara Randonee (Sora/Tiagra/LX, fenders, lights)
#4
Footballus vita est
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,118
Bikes: Trek 4500, Kona Dawg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
That, and they all get nice Klein HT's besides
__________________
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
#5
Bambo
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 501
Bikes: 2002 Specialized Allez; STILL drooling over Specialized Epic from afar.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
hmmmmm..come to think of it, that was the first time I'd seen any on the street. I've only ever seen them in sort of 'crowded' areas like a festival or Overton Square here in Memphis. These guys appeared to be following the rules even! Maybe taking 'right of way' a little too much, but there was another lane on this slow uncrowded street for cars to pass. It was as if they were saying 'IN YOUR FACE I BELONG HERE TOO! Complain and I'll arrest ya!' OH OH!! Maybe if i wear a bright yellow shirt and black shorts like theirs, cars will keep quiet when I ride!! Oh, my bored-at-work little mind is turning...
#6
It's in my blood
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 1,222
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Natophelia
...I thought aaaaaaaw heeeeell yeeeeah lol Waved at them like mad too. The looked at me funny.
...I thought aaaaaaaw heeeeell yeeeeah lol Waved at them like mad too. The looked at me funny.
I have talked to some before that consider it more healthy or a good way to get around, but I think most of them would rather be inside a car.
#7
Footballus vita est
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,118
Bikes: Trek 4500, Kona Dawg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Something else I just realized. Our public safety department on campus has two or three guys who patrol on bikes, but they make them wear the same uncomfortable looking uniforms and shoes. Seems they could be much more effective if they had cycling specific uniform clothing (but not lycra, oh no, not for these big guys). For crying out loud, it was 90 degrees the other day with probably 70% humidity and they are wearing midnight blue uniforms.
__________________
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
#8
Burn-em Upus Icephaltus
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,357
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What happened to bikecop a forum member? https://www.bikeforums.net/member.php...fo&userid=2890 It would be interesting to hear what he has to say on this.
__________________
Sick BubbleGum
Sick BubbleGum
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Memphis, Tn area
Posts: 10
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We have bike cops in Germantown also, but I haven't seen them in a while. They never seemed to be doing anything.
#10
Ride Nekkid!
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Trollsville, USA
Posts: 752
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
We have bike cops in Trollsville. I just love a man in uniform.
The Trollsville Bicycle Club had a fund raiser and helped to buy the police a bicycle.
Every once in a while, I stop at the LBS and buy some tubes. Then I drop by the station and donate them to the bicycle officers. I think it helps to build good will.
And maybe, it will help me to not get tickets for riding nekkid!
The Trollsville Bicycle Club had a fund raiser and helped to buy the police a bicycle.
Every once in a while, I stop at the LBS and buy some tubes. Then I drop by the station and donate them to the bicycle officers. I think it helps to build good will.
And maybe, it will help me to not get tickets for riding nekkid!
__________________
So many men....so little time!
So many men....so little time!
#11
riding a Pinarello Prince
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Downtown Toronto,Canada
Posts: 2,409
Bikes: Pinarello, Prince and an FP5
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
bikecop is probably busy nowadays, his last post was last July of 2002,
I don't have problems with police officer on Bikes, out here T.O. thy look friendly and very respectful
I don't have problems with police officer on Bikes, out here T.O. thy look friendly and very respectful
__________________
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
"Racso", the well oiled machine;)
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 200
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
It's been my experience that most people who want to be cops have no business being one. And once they get behind that badge, they're above the law. I gaurantee you that if you did half the stuff on your bike that they do on theirs, they'd harass you over it. I'd have more respect for law enforcement if they had more respect and discernment for their own "authority."
#13
I am a lonely visitor
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Where even Richard Nixon has got soul
Posts: 2,630
Bikes: Michelle Pfieffer, the Carbon Fiber Wonder Bike: A Kestrel 200 SCI Repainted in glorious mango; Old Paintless, A Litespeed Obed; The Bike With No Name: A Bianchi Eros; RegularBike: A Parkpre Comp Ltd rebuilt as a singlespeed.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally posted by crucifixion12
It's been my experience that most people who want to be cops have no business being one. And once they get behind that badge, they're above the law. I gaurantee you that if you did half the stuff on your bike that they do on theirs, they'd harass you over it. I'd have more respect for law enforcement if they had more respect and discernment for their own "authority."
It's been my experience that most people who want to be cops have no business being one. And once they get behind that badge, they're above the law. I gaurantee you that if you did half the stuff on your bike that they do on theirs, they'd harass you over it. I'd have more respect for law enforcement if they had more respect and discernment for their own "authority."
Personally, I think that the presence of bicycle officers is good for the cycling community in general. They demonstrate one more "legitimate" use of bicycles and may make people think twice about harrassing cyclists.
__________________
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
Religion is a good thing for good people and a bad thing for bad people. --H. Richard Niebuhr
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 7,481
Bikes: Too many to list!
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally posted by A.troll
And maybe, it will help me to not get tickets for riding nekkid!
And maybe, it will help me to not get tickets for riding nekkid!
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
We have a number of bike cops: Sac PD and the CHP officers who patrol around Capitol Park. For the most part they seem to be friendly and engaged with the people on their beat. Might be that they have more patience because they're used to the daily demonstrations, rallies, and protests.
One thing I've noticed is that they ride really heavy FS mountain bikes with big panniers and knobby tires. They look like they're ready for a backcountry tour rather than just cruising the pathways of Capitol Park. Must be the same mindset that leads them to buy those gigantic Crown Victorias....
One thing I've noticed is that they ride really heavy FS mountain bikes with big panniers and knobby tires. They look like they're ready for a backcountry tour rather than just cruising the pathways of Capitol Park. Must be the same mindset that leads them to buy those gigantic Crown Victorias....
#17
Rides with Cows
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Fixing a flat
Posts: 1,232
Bikes: Trek 7000
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bike cops here on the peninsula ride Trek Police bikes. I'm not sure how heavy they are, but looking at the pictures on the Trek website, they look like either 6000 or 4000 series versions. In any case, they're HT and they look really sweet coz they got the black matte finish, and not the glossy paint that retail Trek bikes have.
__________________
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Castaic, CA
Posts: 715
Bikes: 96-97 Gazelle Medeo.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Would be nice if there were more cops on the bicycles, because MOST of them are driving HUGE gas guzzlers - crown victorias, and they never shut the engine off, because WE (tax payers) pay the bill.
Of course they need to have a big, heavy strong car, but if some of them cared for the inveronment, they could have behave a little differently.
Two days ago, saw how 3 police cars we standing around a bicyclist, BMX style, that was riding on campus sidewalks, which is prohibited by the signs...
They locked his hands in hand cuffs, arrested him and drove away in the back of police car. The bikes were carried away by some security truck.
I don't think this is all that necessary...
Bike cups are good, they don't pollute as much...
Of course they need to have a big, heavy strong car, but if some of them cared for the inveronment, they could have behave a little differently.
Two days ago, saw how 3 police cars we standing around a bicyclist, BMX style, that was riding on campus sidewalks, which is prohibited by the signs...
They locked his hands in hand cuffs, arrested him and drove away in the back of police car. The bikes were carried away by some security truck.
I don't think this is all that necessary...
Bike cups are good, they don't pollute as much...
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Singapore
Posts: 566
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If I would be a cop in the future, I think I'll prefer being a cop on a hardtail bike. I guess there's more fun in the job that way, being able to mix around with the residents, having a few words with them and stuff. Though I do see bikes at the police stations, I don't see any of the cops here riding them. They are usually patroling in their cars, which I guess is best for them since they now do have computers in the patrol cars that should have a gps system that they can use to track down those people in probation and rush to scene of crimes asap. Hopefully they will have such systems installed on the bike, and if I can't find a job, I'll be a cop on bike!
#20
Every lane is a bike lane
Originally posted by Rich Clark
One of the disappointments in life I've had to learn to accept is that bike cops (here in Philadelphia, anyway) are not bicyclists, have no interest in cycling, and do not see their role as having anything to do with cycling. Bikes, to them, are just a faster way to "walk" their beats.
One of the disappointments in life I've had to learn to accept is that bike cops (here in Philadelphia, anyway) are not bicyclists, have no interest in cycling, and do not see their role as having anything to do with cycling. Bikes, to them, are just a faster way to "walk" their beats.
__________________
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
I am clinically insane. I am proud of it.
That is all.
#21
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally posted by caloso
One thing I've noticed is that they ride really heavy FS mountain bikes with big panniers and knobby tires.
One thing I've noticed is that they ride really heavy FS mountain bikes with big panniers and knobby tires.
"Its got cop shocks, cop tyres, cop brakes, cop engine..."
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#22
The Zon Is On!
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Home - Dover, NH / School - Rochester, NY
Posts: 233
Bikes: Giant Rainier Giant OCR3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Inoplanetyanin
Two days ago, saw how 3 police cars we standing around a bicyclist, BMX style, that was riding on campus sidewalks, which is prohibited by the signs...
They locked his hands in hand cuffs, arrested him and drove away in the back of police car. The bikes were carried away by some security truck.
I don't think this is all that necessary...
Two days ago, saw how 3 police cars we standing around a bicyclist, BMX style, that was riding on campus sidewalks, which is prohibited by the signs...
They locked his hands in hand cuffs, arrested him and drove away in the back of police car. The bikes were carried away by some security truck.
I don't think this is all that necessary...
Back to the bike cop subject. Being a Sgt-Cadet at my city's police station I know almost every officer by their first name. We do have a bike patrol, but since we got the horses (cops on horses is a stupid idea) the bikes aren't used a ton. Whenever someone does a bike patrol shift, I'm usually out there with them, most say I can give them better training on the bike than the classes they have to take to be a bike cop did. So now I've got 3 or 4 cops doing urban assault with me. And let me tell you, the best way to get away with doing urban is doing it with a cop.
Funny story, there is this park where there is some awesome stuff to fool around on, but this old guy chases us away within 10 mins. So I'm out with one of the officers and he asked about how he can jump off stairs better, "I've got the perfect place to practice," I say, take him to the park. I hit a set a of stairs and soon enough out comes the old guy, "I thought I told you the next time I see you I would call the cops!" The officer turned around, "...Exuse me..." I almost fell over laughing, the guys mouth dropped so low you could have drove a MACK truck thought it. I never had an issue with him again.
-Middi-zon
__________________
That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Giant Rainier
Giant OCR 3
That's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Giant Rainier
Giant OCR 3
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Sacramento,Ca.
Posts: 103
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey Caloso, Sac county has Sheriff's officers patroling on bikes on the American River Bike trail. I've seen them on their FS Mountain bikes down there a couple of times. I don't think any real cyclist would have much of a problem out running them.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Castaic, CA
Posts: 715
Bikes: 96-97 Gazelle Medeo.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Middi-zon
You think they might have been arresting him for something else than riding on the sidewalk? Maybe he just rapped a girl, or robbed a bank, or murdered someone. Maybe, just maybe
-Middi-zon
You think they might have been arresting him for something else than riding on the sidewalk? Maybe he just rapped a girl, or robbed a bank, or murdered someone. Maybe, just maybe
-Middi-zon
Many times I witnessed campus patrol chasing "12 year old kids" for riding on campus territory".
People who work in law inforcment agencies, feel some power over the rest of the people, and this feel often lets them behave themselves in unappropriate way, using as excuse the fact that they risk a life other times. It's their choice, they chose to become cops, no one pushed them. This means that they HAVE TO BE POLITE and respectful to EVERYBODY. As EVERYBODY contributes to them receivng their paychecks...
Last edited by Inoplanetyanin; 05-27-03 at 10:25 PM.
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 203
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally posted by Middi-zon
Being a Sgt-Cadet at my city's police station I know almost every officer by their first name.
Being a Sgt-Cadet at my city's police station I know almost every officer by their first name.