Canadian bike laws
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 98
Bikes: surly steamroller and a miyata one hundred
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Canadian bike laws: dealing with the cops
So, i blasted through a red light last night and got pulled over. I realized i really didnt know how to handle cops. They threatened to take my bike and all that garbage so i'm just curious what to do in a situation like that.
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
Last edited by ahayter; 04-21-07 at 12:37 PM.
#2
Tie me up, Tie me down
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 843
Bikes: The Brown Beast
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ahayter
So, i blasted through a red light last night and got pulled over. I realized i really didnt know how to handle cops. They threatened to take my bike and all that garbage so i'm just curious what to do in a situation like that.
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 98
Bikes: surly steamroller and a miyata one hundred
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
just regular ottawa pd, walking the street. i should have just kept going when they yelled at me but i didnt even realize i did something wrong.
#4
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
Originally Posted by ahayter
just regular ottawa pd, walking the street. i should have just kept going when they yelled at me but i didnt even realize i did something wrong.
You need to provide more information about the incident.
#5
Bow$$
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bodymore, Murderland
Posts: 2,013
Bikes: Surly Instigator '02, Schwinn Traveler fixed conversion, '02 Fuji Track
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't know canadian laws, but I do know that (as operator said) NEVER ADMIT TO ANYTHING! simple yes sir/ma'am, take your ticket/citation/warning and move along. take it to court, it is on them to prove you guilty, not for you to prove your innocence, just reasonable doubt. if it's something more than a traffic ticket, and things look bad, DON'T TALK, no names, no age, nothing!
these are things I've learned, take them as you will.
these are things I've learned, take them as you will.
#6
Senior Member
Originally Posted by ahayter
So, i blasted through a red light last night and got pulled over. I realized i really didnt know how to handle cops. They threatened to take my bike and all that garbage so i'm just curious what to do in a situation like that.
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
I just kept asking them to write me a fine and let me be on my way and eventually they just let me go.
What do you do? How do you handle them? Mase? Just keep biking? Sweet talking?
Otherwise, no, they couldn't take your bike.
__________________
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
Il faut de l'audace, encore de l'audace, toujours de l'audace
1980 3Rensho-- 1975 Raleigh Sprite 3spd
1990s Raleigh M20 MTB--2007 Windsor Hour (track)
1988 Ducati 750 F1
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 98
Bikes: surly steamroller and a miyata one hundred
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i didnt talk any smack. they were just hard asses that have been cops for a long time. i didnt have any id on me, only one light on the back, no bell and was pretty nervous due to being in the middle a busy area where they were dealing with a crackhead who was only wearing boxers and being sketchy as hell. i was being polite and everything. i just wanted to know how people would handle a officer threatening to take away their bike.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 216
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just yell, "Hey the crackhead's getting away", and when they turn around take off! This will also prove a good test of whether you got your gear inches right.
#9
the bike made me do it
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Paris, of the prairies
Posts: 528
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You ran a red light, the wanted to talk to you. It is to be expected. From my few run-ins with the police, I amunder the impression that they cannot take your bike. They can ticket you and ask for your name and address. I have resisted in one incident, refusing to give any information, and it worked. He could not be bothered. In a few other incidents, I have talked with them and explained my side on the situation, once again being let go.
It really all depends on their attitude as well as yours. I feel pretty confident in talking my way out of situations. I would never run though, that is asking for big trouble.
It really all depends on their attitude as well as yours. I feel pretty confident in talking my way out of situations. I would never run though, that is asking for big trouble.
#10
Shiftless bum
Originally Posted by ahayter
i didnt talk any smack. they were just hard asses that have been cops for a long time. i didnt have any id on me, only one light on the back, no bell and was pretty nervous due to being in the middle a busy area where they were dealing with a crackhead who was only wearing boxers and being sketchy as hell. i was being polite and everything. i just wanted to know how people would handle a officer threatening to take away their bike.
You can get general legal information here: https://respect.to/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Library.LegalInfo
Attitude of the fuzz varies and they'll tell you whatever they feel like in the moment, usually it's points off your licence (which isn't true because demerit points only count in motor vehicles or streetcars) but you can still get dinged if they "forget" to write bicycle in vehicle type. If they're having a moment, yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir and looking contrite has always been enough for me.
__________________
Originally Posted by operator
truneo that tuned park internal nipple wrench work ??
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 894
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As they said, your own recognition is sufficient id, and there is no reason for them to take your bicycle. I've lived in Montreal long enough to decide to argue with cops that are just being obnoxious and pulling me over for not good reason, and I've yet to experience a single time where it was worth my time and effort to not three bags it as cavit8 says. Don't give them id, don't admit to anything, and if they suggest anything that seems odd ("So kid, would you like to spend the night in the slammer for not having your id on you? We could just impound your bike instead if you like") ask lots of questions firmly and without sounding angry; ask them for chapter and verse on every word in every sentence. They're probably just jealous that Seattle bike cops have sweet rides.
I'm curious as to whether Ottawa's apparent bike friendliness is a boon or a curse on bikers - I've seen bikers there not just taking a lane but riding in the middle of a lane and cars not freaking out. Certainly their bike lanes and bike signs are for real, or at least not completely for pretend like they are in Montreal.
I'm curious as to whether Ottawa's apparent bike friendliness is a boon or a curse on bikers - I've seen bikers there not just taking a lane but riding in the middle of a lane and cars not freaking out. Certainly their bike lanes and bike signs are for real, or at least not completely for pretend like they are in Montreal.
#12
Mo' Senior
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 371
Bikes: 1984 Norco Monterey SL (Ishwata 3X butted), matte black, 42-15 fixed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Oh man, I live in Ottawa now, and lived in Montreal before this. I have to say, I loved biking in Montreal. No, there was no such thing as a bike lane, but the drivers there are very aware of and used to cyclists on the road. They just kind of give you a bit of space, and let you do your thing, even if you are threading lanes etc. Never had a problem.
Ottawa, I don't have many problems, but I do feel like I have a harder time getting respect--the result: I often take a whole lane, or use very aggressive tactics. I feel like I need to be more aggressive in Ottawa, whereas in Montreal, I could just weave through traffic.
On a related note, Ottawa cops are terrible - really bad reputation for unnecessary roughness. They might not have the right to take your bike, but they have the guns, so they will take your bike if they want, and from what I understand, standing up to the cops in Ottawa (in a legal arena) tends to be fairly unfruitful. Out of all the many cities I have lived in, Ottawa is the only one where the patrol cars have no friendly slogans or 'serve and protect' action. The cops in this city are not necessarily concerned about your best interests. They have a national capital to maintain.
Ottawa, I don't have many problems, but I do feel like I have a harder time getting respect--the result: I often take a whole lane, or use very aggressive tactics. I feel like I need to be more aggressive in Ottawa, whereas in Montreal, I could just weave through traffic.
On a related note, Ottawa cops are terrible - really bad reputation for unnecessary roughness. They might not have the right to take your bike, but they have the guns, so they will take your bike if they want, and from what I understand, standing up to the cops in Ottawa (in a legal arena) tends to be fairly unfruitful. Out of all the many cities I have lived in, Ottawa is the only one where the patrol cars have no friendly slogans or 'serve and protect' action. The cops in this city are not necessarily concerned about your best interests. They have a national capital to maintain.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 894
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I love biking in Mtl too (heh, I guess we're never going to hook up for that ride), but it seems there's very much a general Quebec vibe of "hey, don't freak out if someone is doing something that ain't Kosher and hurts/inconveniences/puts in danger only you, because I reserve the right to just do whatever too." It's not that there's not really any bike lane - most of the time, in most cases, there isn't any lane in particular. But I will refrain from Mtl biking rants unless you want to click on the link below this. I don't know if that's a good thing for anyone, but it certainly means that in my experience, and for better or for worse I guess, people riding bicycles are certainly off the 5-0 radar.
I wondered if the whole apparent bike-friendliness of the 'Twa made drivers and cops more hostile to bikers, the same way people get worked up about nearly any issue where some minority of the total population is recognized in particular, and some percentage of the general population gets peeved because they feel they're not getting treated right or some group is getting special treatment. Does that really feel like the case in Our Nation's Capital?
I wondered if the whole apparent bike-friendliness of the 'Twa made drivers and cops more hostile to bikers, the same way people get worked up about nearly any issue where some minority of the total population is recognized in particular, and some percentage of the general population gets peeved because they feel they're not getting treated right or some group is getting special treatment. Does that really feel like the case in Our Nation's Capital?
#14
Mo' Senior
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 371
Bikes: 1984 Norco Monterey SL (Ishwata 3X butted), matte black, 42-15 fixed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The OC (Ottawa City) is a weird place. I've been here about a year now, and I'm still not sure how to describe it. Overall, the city has a super conservative vibe - everyone is very strongly into social control - being a non-conformist is not acceptable. It's suits and ties as far as the eye can see.
Despite this, there is also a pretty cool undercurrent of much more liberal relaxed people. They just live in the shadows of the city (not (necessarily) in a criminal or impoverished way at all) - they just do not register on the larger image of the city. It's kind of weird, but it's cool in it's own way. Whether or not you like ottawa is all about being careful about the circles you choose to travel in. It's really easy to get sucked into the public servant nightmare of cubicles, suits and general depression. If you're a bit more selective, you can find some pretty cool people to hang out with.
As this relates to cycling, despite being at least moderately active, the majority of Ottawa society sees bikes as something to be confined to the park pathways - they are an element of bourgeois leisure time, not a legitimate member of the community. So there is some hostility, or ignorance about bikes on the road.
The real issue is that Ottawa is *extremely* image-oriented, and scruffy bikers riding in traffic do not fit in with dimplomatic limos. However, this is inherently hypocritical, as government and embassies are by far the biggest client of the city's 3 big courier companies. But it's all about image. For instance: the image of a meritocratically run civil service is hugely pushed in public, when in fact I can scarcely imagine it being any more nepotistic. If you don't know someone, you are no-one. And now that I've accepted my 'no-one' status, I'm really pretty happy.
Other things of note in OC:
1. The vast majority of the teenagers here seem to be spoiled little ****ers with nothing better to do than cause trouble. I believe this is caused by the glut of civil servant parents, who are overpaid, miserable, and never home.
2. Girls here don't know how to dress up in a classy way. M-F is super low key, loose, very un-stylish vibe. Come the weekend, they go skank-o-riffic - the shortest skirts they can get, and 7 pounds of makeup. I only notice this coming from Montreal, where girls are basically always dressed very well, so they've learned to do it in a much more subtle way.
3. The longer I stay here, the more of a libertarian I become - I guess this is the non-conformist in me reacting to the heavy handed social control of the OC.
But don't get me wrong. I like Ottawa quite a bit in the end. Way more than I liked montreal, which isn't hard, because I hated a lot of things about montreal by the time I left.
/ramble.
Despite this, there is also a pretty cool undercurrent of much more liberal relaxed people. They just live in the shadows of the city (not (necessarily) in a criminal or impoverished way at all) - they just do not register on the larger image of the city. It's kind of weird, but it's cool in it's own way. Whether or not you like ottawa is all about being careful about the circles you choose to travel in. It's really easy to get sucked into the public servant nightmare of cubicles, suits and general depression. If you're a bit more selective, you can find some pretty cool people to hang out with.
As this relates to cycling, despite being at least moderately active, the majority of Ottawa society sees bikes as something to be confined to the park pathways - they are an element of bourgeois leisure time, not a legitimate member of the community. So there is some hostility, or ignorance about bikes on the road.
The real issue is that Ottawa is *extremely* image-oriented, and scruffy bikers riding in traffic do not fit in with dimplomatic limos. However, this is inherently hypocritical, as government and embassies are by far the biggest client of the city's 3 big courier companies. But it's all about image. For instance: the image of a meritocratically run civil service is hugely pushed in public, when in fact I can scarcely imagine it being any more nepotistic. If you don't know someone, you are no-one. And now that I've accepted my 'no-one' status, I'm really pretty happy.
Other things of note in OC:
1. The vast majority of the teenagers here seem to be spoiled little ****ers with nothing better to do than cause trouble. I believe this is caused by the glut of civil servant parents, who are overpaid, miserable, and never home.
2. Girls here don't know how to dress up in a classy way. M-F is super low key, loose, very un-stylish vibe. Come the weekend, they go skank-o-riffic - the shortest skirts they can get, and 7 pounds of makeup. I only notice this coming from Montreal, where girls are basically always dressed very well, so they've learned to do it in a much more subtle way.
3. The longer I stay here, the more of a libertarian I become - I guess this is the non-conformist in me reacting to the heavy handed social control of the OC.
But don't get me wrong. I like Ottawa quite a bit in the end. Way more than I liked montreal, which isn't hard, because I hated a lot of things about montreal by the time I left.
/ramble.
#16
mouth breather
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 109
Bikes: Marinoni track
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nice call SSSasky. I've been here all my life...you pretty much summed it up.
I get stopped all the time for running lights. Play dumb, be polite...they really can't be bothered. Dudes on bikes are the least of their concerns. I get a lot of threats..."thats a $90 fine, blah, blah". Most won't even get out of their cruiser.
I get stopped all the time for running lights. Play dumb, be polite...they really can't be bothered. Dudes on bikes are the least of their concerns. I get a lot of threats..."thats a $90 fine, blah, blah". Most won't even get out of their cruiser.
#17
:jarckass:
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nashville
Posts: 6,562
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
They yelled at you after you went past? You should have 'not heard them' and kept rolling. If they want you to stop make em come after you. Often, if theyre on foot, theyll just forget it.
That has happened to me a few times over the years. Just keep haulin ass like you never heard em.
That has happened to me a few times over the years. Just keep haulin ass like you never heard em.
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Stratford Ontario Canada
Posts: 365
Bikes: NORCO, GIANT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Ive been ticketed for runing a red light as well. I know the cops in my town. I get coments like still riding that death trap. Or when you finaly get nail make sure its not on my shift I dont to be the one to scrap you of the road. They see a lot of things on the job. Maybe they care.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 894
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by deathhare
They yelled at you after you went past? You should have 'not heard them' and kept rolling. If they want you to stop make em come after you. Often, if theyre on foot, theyll just forget it.
That has happened to me a few times over the years. Just keep haulin ass like you never heard em.
That has happened to me a few times over the years. Just keep haulin ass like you never heard em.
#20
sVe
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Hellsinki, Funland
Posts: 1,063
Bikes: Nishiki Continental fixed winter beater, Fixed Surly CrossCheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The moose always has the right of the way?
#21
Shiftless bum
Originally Posted by Bikkhu
The moose always has the right of the way?
https://www.env.gov.nl.ca/env/wildlif...collisions.htm
__________________
Originally Posted by operator
truneo that tuned park internal nipple wrench work ??
#22
Traffic Frightener.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 146
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey, I'm surprised at the amount of Ottawa riders on this board.
I'd agree with the cranky cop angle. I got a ticket for riding on the sidewalk once- I was on the road waiting for a red light to change and a car came up and needed to go right. I rolled up onto the sidewalk to let it by, bam, ticket. I tried to argue with her, but the lady was buying none of it and threatened me with a greater ticket under the highway safety act as opposed to a city ticket if I didn't shut up. They were on an anti-bike blitz-As I was getting the ticket I saw 3 other pairs of cops lurking for sidewalk bikers.
Long story short I don't stop for reds or help out cars anymore. Mission accomplished guys!
I'd agree with the cranky cop angle. I got a ticket for riding on the sidewalk once- I was on the road waiting for a red light to change and a car came up and needed to go right. I rolled up onto the sidewalk to let it by, bam, ticket. I tried to argue with her, but the lady was buying none of it and threatened me with a greater ticket under the highway safety act as opposed to a city ticket if I didn't shut up. They were on an anti-bike blitz-As I was getting the ticket I saw 3 other pairs of cops lurking for sidewalk bikers.
Long story short I don't stop for reds or help out cars anymore. Mission accomplished guys!
#23
sVe
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Hellsinki, Funland
Posts: 1,063
Bikes: Nishiki Continental fixed winter beater, Fixed Surly CrossCheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by cavit8
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: The Poconos, PA
Posts: 1,002
Bikes: Converted 1997 Trek Singletrack 930 singlespeed and a Kona Lavadome singlespeed, fixed Dahon folding bike, fixed 27" Miyata road bike, early 70's Raleigh Chopper
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My first day on the job as a messenger in Ottawa after shadowing someone for a day, I got stopped going the wrong way down a one way street by a pair of Ottawa cops. They took my name and company I worked for and since it was my first day and first infraction, they let me go with a warning. That was my only dealings with cops when I was a messenger.
Just be polite, "yes ma'am, yes sir" and they'll usually be pretty lenient. Be an ass and you'll be treated like one.
Just be polite, "yes ma'am, yes sir" and they'll usually be pretty lenient. Be an ass and you'll be treated like one.