Originally Posted by
Shadowx
Do you really think Officers are all that knowledgeable about bicycle laws? I'm in the field and am just learning about the bike laws in my state. The only thing I would every stop somebody for is blowing through a light or a stop sign. Or, if I was on duty the a few months back, the a$$hole on the trail that hit a kid while going through a crosswalk and just hopped back on his bike and rode away. Anyway cops, myself (sheriff) and all the ones I have met and know aren't out to get you, you can take off the tinfoil hat, they wanna keep everybody safe. They deal with lots of idiots doing stupid stuff every day. giving a ticket or making an arrest is a lot more work and trouble than being able to give a warning, official or otherwise, to an open or receptive motorist or cyclist. Don't be an idiot, most officers will respond to you in the manner in which you are acting. If you are chill they are chill, if you are agitated/aggressive and spouting off laws and putting a camera up in their face they are a lot less likely to be chill. It is not an excuse for being unprofessional, but can significantly affect the final outcome.
I think this is spot on. I have been pulled over several times by cops, and never for a bike specific law. Mostly for breaking standard vehicle laws such as rolling stops, speeding and the like. Always a warning, directed to my safety, I get the impression they don't ticket since I am only risking my own life. Last time I got pulled over it was for being excessively invisible. I've been riding in Indiana for decades- no bell, ride empty sidewalks, they don't care.