Inattention is just as likely, if not far more so, than malice. I'm going to assume he had a genuine concern for my safety and a vast misunderstanding of laws applying to cycling and how to cycle safely.

Police officers are trained to take verbal control of a situation, and when they are wrong, there is little point in arguing with them. However, a call to express concerns such as mine is entirely proper. The officer who took my call told me I was doing everything properly and thanked me (I would guess answering citizen complaints at a police department isn't the best job in the world).

In addition, I have had several past dealings with Richmond Police, including a very awkward case of racial profiling. I was walking my dog in an alley by my house out night. I am white, but of black Irish extraction, and have bushy hair. The neighbourhood watch happened by, saw me in the alley, and called police to report a black man was in the alley breaking windows (completely made up, I was the only person in the alley and saw them drive by). At alley's end, I was stopped by the police, held (with dog) for about half an hour. The police were nothing but courteous and decent the entire time. They could have written me a ticket for walking a dog without a leash, but she was fourteen at the time and they seemed to grasp this. The call was not their fault, and they had to respond to it.

I've also dealt with them after witnessing accidents. They're generally civil and professional. I will not let this incident ruin my view of the force as a whole.

As to the sign issue, I've commented on that in another thread. The case needs to be dropped, asap.

I'm debating writing a letter to the mayor, who is on a drive to make the city bike friendly, and suggesting the incorporation of some of sgoodri's points into police training. I am also slated to do a ride along with city bike police.