Cop ticketed driver tailgating and honking at me today!
10-20-05, 06:33 PM
#26
hill hater
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: norton ohio 5.5 miles from center road tow path trail head
Posts: 2,127
Bikes: cannondale t400 1987 model and a raleigh gran prix from 1973
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by lws
Absolutely, write that letter!
Something along the lines of thanks from all of us
then we put our names city and state where we all live.
10-20-05, 06:34 PM
#27
Conservative Hippie
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Wakulla Co. FL
Posts: 4,271
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Acrafton, you just made my day. 
Do you mind if I print this to stick on my refridgerator and send e-mail copies to everyone I know?
Do you mind if I print this to stick on my refridgerator and send e-mail copies to everyone I know?
10-20-05, 06:36 PM
#28
hill hater
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: norton ohio 5.5 miles from center road tow path trail head
Posts: 2,127
Bikes: cannondale t400 1987 model and a raleigh gran prix from 1973
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by nova
In fact post a copy here and we can all put our names to it then print out the sheet with out name on it and give it all to them
Something along the lines of thanks from all of us
then we put our names city and state where we all live.
Something along the lines of thanks from all of us
then we put our names city and state where we all live.
10-20-05, 06:50 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 277
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Thanks for the great responses - it indeed made up for any/all dumb drivers I have encountered!
BTW, I live in the DFW area.
Adam
BTW, I live in the DFW area.
Adam
10-20-05, 09:18 PM
#31
SERENITY NOW!!!
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: In the 212
Posts: 8,738
Bikes: Haro Vector, IRO Rob Roy, Bianchi Veloce
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Great story! Reckless drivers are reckless everywhere and with everyone. Hope he gets his license pulled.
__________________
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
HHCMF - Take pride in your ability to amaze lesser mortals! - MikeR
We demand rigidly defined areas of doubt and uncertainty!
10-20-05, 09:40 PM
#32
CRIKEY!!!!!!!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: all the way down under
Posts: 4,276
Bikes: several
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1589 Post(s)
Liked 687 Times
in
365 Posts
Justice at last. If only it were the norm rather than the exception.
I'll put my name to that thankyou letter, even though I'm on the other side of the world - that will at least convey a sense of just how far reaching a single act of justice can be.
I'll put my name to that thankyou letter, even though I'm on the other side of the world - that will at least convey a sense of just how far reaching a single act of justice can be.
10-20-05, 09:48 PM
#33
2-Cyl, 1/2 HP @ 90 RPM
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 15,762
Bikes: 04' Specialized Hardrock Sport, 03' Giant OCR2 (SOLD!), 04' Litespeed Firenze, 04' Giant OCR Touring, 07' Specialized Langster Comp
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
I think more of us should be cops
10-20-05, 10:18 PM
#34
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 11,016
Bikes: Custom Zona c/f tandem + Scott Plasma single
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 77 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times
in
11 Posts
Good to hear that other policemen stick up for cyclists!
Had some high schoolers whoop/holler/blow horn at us; then they threw something at us while we were riding our tandem on a main road.
Person with a cellphone in a car saw what happened and called the local police . . . unbeknownst to us.
About 5 miles up the road squad car puts on siren and pulls us over!!!
Could not figure out what we had done wrong. Cop relates story of cell phone call and caller had given license number, etc. of the culprits' car. Cop asked if we would be willing to file a complaint; said yes. He said we'll nail the kids in school and they'll get an earful.
We make it a habit when out riding our tandem to always wave if we see a police car . . . never know when you might need 'em!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
Had some high schoolers whoop/holler/blow horn at us; then they threw something at us while we were riding our tandem on a main road.
Person with a cellphone in a car saw what happened and called the local police . . . unbeknownst to us.
About 5 miles up the road squad car puts on siren and pulls us over!!!
Could not figure out what we had done wrong. Cop relates story of cell phone call and caller had given license number, etc. of the culprits' car. Cop asked if we would be willing to file a complaint; said yes. He said we'll nail the kids in school and they'll get an earful.
We make it a habit when out riding our tandem to always wave if we see a police car . . . never know when you might need 'em!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem
10-21-05, 05:01 AM
#35
Corsair
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Posts: 247
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by slvoid
I think more of us should be cops
10-21-05, 06:35 AM
#36
Sumanitu taka owaci
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,945
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
At about 6:30 every morning, there are two 35 mph. lanes going my direction and very light traffic. I ride in the center of the right lane so nobody squeezes me. Once in a while, someone will honk at me who doesn't think I should be there, but I also see police from as many as five different jurisdictions (county and city) and none of them ever bother me.
__________________
No worries
No worries
10-21-05, 06:54 AM
#37
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,249
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
Originally Posted by Satyr
I'm still waiting for one of us to make a lot of money and buy some small landmass in hospitable climate and set up a car-free country.
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
10-21-05, 08:31 AM
#38
Burnt Orange Blood
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Dripping Springs, Texas
Posts: 825
Bikes: Trek 7200, Lashout Electric Bike, Raleigh Talon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Wow, I missed this yesterday so I'm really glad it got bumped.
This story really makes my day! Your officer's reaction makes me feel legitimate! And it also makes me very proud to be a Texan. Thanks for sharing!
This story really makes my day! Your officer's reaction makes me feel legitimate!
And it also makes me very proud to be a Texan. Thanks for sharing!
10-22-05, 06:53 AM
#40
unaangalia nini?
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Arlington MA
Posts: 1,136
Bikes: Jamis Quest (Ultegra components,Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels and Reynods Ouzo Pro Fork), Gary Fisher Tassajara
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by acrafton
So, I drop my six year old off at school (we ride a tandem every morning) and I am headed back home in front of the school where there is a lane in each direction and traffic is very slow due to the line of parents in SUVs (mostly) dropping there kids off at school. I am taking the entire line because there is no shoulder and with the lane opposite me stop and go there is no room for both me and a car.
So I am crusing along at 17 MPH or so (in a 20) and this guy behind me thinks he is Johann Bruneel and 3-5 from the back of my bike honking his horn. I look back and then hold my left arm (palm down) in a "slow down jesture". He continues and keeps honking. I only have about 300 yards more to go so I shrug and keep riding. As I am getting ready to turn into my sub I notice a police car in the sub and think about saying something to him but as I turn the police car puts on his flashers and pulls out behind the guy and pulls the guy over. I ride back out on the main street to watch.
Net/net, the guy gets out of his car pointing at me and asking the officer "did you see him, did you see him?", "he was riding in the middle of the street, not the sidewalk", etc. . .The officer tells him (I am close enough to hear) that I was doing the right thing and he was doing the wrong thing, that cyclists have a right to the road and can take the whole lane where safe (Texas law). The guy is going ape sh** and the officer very calmly tells him to go back to his car and get his license, registration. He comes back and hands his stuff over and is again pointing at me (the officer asked me to hang around for my info as he suspects this guy will contest the ticket). The officer points out that it is a school zone with a 20mph limit and I was going almost 20.
He writes the ticket and hands it to the guy who sees it and starts screaming "what the f*** - reckless driving?". At that he tells the guy to either get in his car and leave or he will arrest him for disorderly conduct. The guy got in his car and drove away.
I was pumped! The cop told me he is done being nice to drivers that act like he did - he said if he wasn't honking and driving in an almost threatening manner he would have let him off with a warning. I thanked the officer!
Adam
So I am crusing along at 17 MPH or so (in a 20) and this guy behind me thinks he is Johann Bruneel and 3-5 from the back of my bike honking his horn. I look back and then hold my left arm (palm down) in a "slow down jesture". He continues and keeps honking. I only have about 300 yards more to go so I shrug and keep riding. As I am getting ready to turn into my sub I notice a police car in the sub and think about saying something to him but as I turn the police car puts on his flashers and pulls out behind the guy and pulls the guy over. I ride back out on the main street to watch.
Net/net, the guy gets out of his car pointing at me and asking the officer "did you see him, did you see him?", "he was riding in the middle of the street, not the sidewalk", etc. . .The officer tells him (I am close enough to hear) that I was doing the right thing and he was doing the wrong thing, that cyclists have a right to the road and can take the whole lane where safe (Texas law). The guy is going ape sh** and the officer very calmly tells him to go back to his car and get his license, registration. He comes back and hands his stuff over and is again pointing at me (the officer asked me to hang around for my info as he suspects this guy will contest the ticket). The officer points out that it is a school zone with a 20mph limit and I was going almost 20.
He writes the ticket and hands it to the guy who sees it and starts screaming "what the f*** - reckless driving?". At that he tells the guy to either get in his car and leave or he will arrest him for disorderly conduct. The guy got in his car and drove away.
I was pumped! The cop told me he is done being nice to drivers that act like he did - he said if he wasn't honking and driving in an almost threatening manner he would have let him off with a warning. I thanked the officer!
Adam
Sometimes the good guys win
10-23-05, 12:56 AM
#41
i chew straws
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: sf
Posts: 603
Bikes: scattante road bike, raleigh rush hour, khs flite, schwinn stingray
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Reminds me of my ride last weekend when I was trackstanding in a righthand turn lane waiting for the light to switch. Some girl was obviously a bit rushed and decided to honk at me. I just turned around and stared at her, didn't move and waited for the light to switch. Pure bliss.
10-23-05, 06:21 AM
#42
The Improbable Bulk
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,379
Bikes: Many
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
Thanks for the ray of hope!!!
A letter to the editor of each of your local papers would be a nice step as well (I forget if I read anyone else suggesting this). This may encourage the officers, and awaken any cagers on the verge of awakening.
I am in the midst of composing an email to the editor to respond to a brain dead cager that wrote a letter complaining that sometimes he has to actually hit his brakes instead of whipping around bicycles... The writer's proposal was to get bikes off the road rather than slowing down. I was asked about this article by two people at work, since they know I have alreadt published at least one letter concerning the rights of cyclists to be on the road...
Letters to the editor do good, especially when they are well thought out.
Praise the officer publicly and also take advantage of the slight chance to counteract the story the cager is undoubtedly spewing to those that will listen (if anyone that hears the story reads the paper).
Again, thanks for the good news from Texas!
A letter to the editor of each of your local papers would be a nice step as well (I forget if I read anyone else suggesting this). This may encourage the officers, and awaken any cagers on the verge of awakening.
I am in the midst of composing an email to the editor to respond to a brain dead cager that wrote a letter complaining that sometimes he has to actually hit his brakes instead of whipping around bicycles... The writer's proposal was to get bikes off the road rather than slowing down. I was asked about this article by two people at work, since they know I have alreadt published at least one letter concerning the rights of cyclists to be on the road...
Letters to the editor do good, especially when they are well thought out.
Praise the officer publicly and also take advantage of the slight chance to counteract the story the cager is undoubtedly spewing to those that will listen (if anyone that hears the story reads the paper).
Again, thanks for the good news from Texas!
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA
People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
10-24-05, 09:38 AM
#43
I'm made of earth!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 2,025
Bikes: KTM Macina 5 e-bike, Babboe Curve-E cargobike, Raleigh Aspen touring/off-road hybrid.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by ghettocruiser
Extra points for the Johann Bruneel reference.
