was that on a bike? pretty good

Nope, we're not there yet. You aren't required to carry ID, just identify yourself if stopped by the police. Without ID, the police can detain you until they're sure of your identity.

I got stopped once and before he checked my ID on his in car terminal he asked me 'Are you sure?'. He then warned me if the name did not match the description he would haul me in to sort it out. He also commented on my expensive bike and lack of lock. He said it would be a shame to have to leave it unlocked while we were away sorting it out. Needless to say I gave him my real name.

My experience with Toronto cops has varied from warnings, to chit chat, to tickets. I do however keep a whistle in my saddle bag to avoid the bell issue. Nothing says that it has to be mounted or accessible.

Cops are required to safeguard the property of anyone under their custody. If he hauls you downtown and leaves your bike to *wander off*, the police would be financially responsible for a replacement... even if he's writing you up for everything in the book.

I was briefly detained by a cop once for cycling on private property (a parking lot!) and I verified with him that you are not required to produce I.D. when you are just randomly out on the street.

They sometimes imply otherwise though, to decrease your odds of giving a false name.

I like Michael Moore and his films, but he does tend to stretch the truth a little when talking about Toronto.

Glad to hear that it's only about Toronto that he tends to "stretch the truth a little."

You need to find a lawyer fast. These fines may most you more than 200 bucks because the DMV may find out and add "points" to your license.

In New York City, there are lawyers right inside the Municipal Court and for 100 bucks, they can make red lights green. Try to find one of these guys and don't feel guilty because the motorists are using them to get off drunk driving tickets!

What a strange comment... Of course every other thing Moore has to say is pure Gospel.

Hmmm, I'm thinking that here in California, arresting someone for not having a bell on a bike might make the arrestee rich.

I've said this many times and will repeat...We, esp those who wear hi viz, are easy targets to cops..OK If you were a cop and had the choice between "enforcing" the bike horn law or pursuing a terrorist...who would you go after?

Bicycle tickets are real money makers for the force.

might not help your situation but most areas state that you must signal unless unable to do so when both hands are needed to control the bike.

plead that one. If you're pulling over fast out of traffic there's no way you can brake with one hand without crashing.

the horn.. um got stolen...

I think that gag was in Ontario. Not that it matters, particularly.

Haha... Toronto is in Ontario.

But the city he goes to is not Toronto, it's Windsor, also in Ontario. I believe Windsor has the distinction of being the only Canadian city south of the US/Canada border. Detroit is to the north, just across the river.

Little word of advice: never travel to Windsor with a naturalized citizen of Colombian descent if neither of you is packing a passport.

Sounds like Canadaia is just as bad a place as *******. Here I was thinking it was a nice place to be. I was even thinking of going for a bit. Guess it's that whole grass is greener thing.
Sorry to hear another country is as bad as this dump.

come down to VA. cops dont do squat. i've run reds, ridden without lights (only a few times), dont have a bell, let off for speeding (he didnt know how to write the ticket), etc.

Well. A couple of things to point out here....

1: running the red is not good, but that has been said. So everyone in Ontario knows, you are required to stop for an amber light IF IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. You cannot be ticketed for going through on a yellow if you would be in a collision if you stopped. Entering on the red, though, is an offence.

2: regarding lights: Motor assisted bicycles, bicycles and tricycles, lights on, etc.

(17) When on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, every motor assisted bicycle, bicycle or tricycle shall carry on the front thereof a lighted lamp displaying a white or amber light and on the rear thereof a lighted lamp displaying a red light or a reflector approved by the Ministry, and in addition there shall be placed on the front forks thereof white reflective material, and on the rear thereof red reflective material covering a surface of not less than 250 millimetres in length and 25 millimetres in width. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (17).

In other words, if it is day, and nice out, you dont need it. If it is cloudy, raining, and you dont have one, you be screwed. In reality, you can get away with just the lights. I have NEVER until now heard of someone getting nailed in ontario for lack of reflective tape and have NEVER seen a bike sold in that condition in a bike store here. Reflectors yes, but tape? not a chance. And there is no way in hell I would tape up a nice road bike either (blinkies/lights in a tool bag for if I get caught out yes, but tape up an italian race bike, yah right ;p)

3: regarding horns: Alarm bell to be sounded

(5) Every motor vehicle, motor assisted bicycle and bicycle shall be equipped with an alarm bell, gong or horn, which shall be kept in good working order and sounded whenever it is reasonably necessary to notify pedestrians or others of its approach. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 75 (5).

You do not need a horn. If the cop specifically stated that, and you had a bell/gong on the bike at the time, fight it cause he is dead wrong and you will win. I always equip my bikes with a gong - they are smaller than bells, and just as useless for warning anyone but a pedestrian but are a great way to avoid a fine. In fact, I refer to it as my "anti-fine" device.

4: ID and showing it: you need to identify yourself, but you do not need ID.

5: Someone mentioned the ticket showing you on a bike vs a car: double check that. If it says car, and you were on a bike, you win. It will be tossed out.

Another tip I have for you is to make sure that the cop in question followed the rules him or herself. If the cop was picking a fight with you (argumentative), broke several laws to pull you over (I have seen this done) or in anyway endangered the public, feel free to launch a formal complaint. The police have no right to pull someone over in a dangerous manner, and can be brought up for internal discipline if they do so. Say nothing to the cop, talk to his or her boss (that is, the chief - and do not stop until you get there - a buddy of mine just about caved in the back of a cruiser in Waterloo once when a cop pulled over someone on a blind curve - we were not speeding and were being totally reasonable - and when a complaint was issued, the cop received an official reprimand.)

Good luck

Except now the Canadian dollar is valued at about 90 cents US. The 10 percent discount doesn't go very far.

You should of just cranked it up to 400 watts, and dropped him like a dishrag. Just dont give him 'the look'. Pretend you dont know he's there then lose him in side streets. Then if he actually catches you, say you didnt know he was there cause your ipod was cranked.

Any cop that wants to make it home in one piece would think very seriously before applying the baton on a six foot four 240 pounds gorilla on a bicycle.

... long time no see!

Are people that bored they're bumping year old threads?

bump ...

It sounds like you understand exactly what happened, so you certainly don't need our preachin'. But thanks for letting us know. This is a good example about how cyclists (or anyone on the road) can turn a warning into $400+ in tickets.

I've been pulled over a couple of times in a car. So far, no tickets (one of the times I really deserved one). The key repeating over and over again in a respectful tone, "yes, officer," "no, officer," and "thank you, officer." Also, don't deny the obvious.

A certain Toronto LBS operator once suggested to me a gun licence as a practical alternative to a driver's licence

Edit: Geez, this thread is a year old??

A number of years ago I was stopped for doing 40mph in a 25 zone on my Nishiki. I still have the citation--framed.

What did you say to the cop? I can't believe he fined you for all that stupid stuff like not having a horn without some provacation on your part.

If I'm wrong, then perhaps Toronto residents should give up their bikes. God what an opressive government.