Ridefreemc

I've never read him and will pick up his short stories book at the library. Cool that you got to meet him.

Similar is the Planetwalker. If you have to read this true story I'd put it on your list. Awesome story.

Ekdog

You mean this guy? No, I'd never heard of him, but just skimming over his biography in Wikipedia, he sounds incredible!

Ekdog

From Wikipedia:

He is the author of Planetwalker: How to Change Your World One Step at a Time. He lives in Point Reyes Station, California with his wife and two sons.

His life story was optioned by Universal Studios in 2006 for a movie release, with rumor of Will Smith expressing interest to play the role of John Francis.

Ridefreemc

Yes that is the guy. He does a TED talk if you want the short version, but of course I recommend the book. After reading it I asked my three kids if they wanted to spend a day in silence and they enthusiastically said yes (weird huh?). Then I added that instead of staying home we were going to travel the county, on a bus, and interact with people all day. It was a very memorable day, with many challenges, but we had a lot of fun. I know I learned a heck of a lot that day (one thing was that people would almost yell when trying to converse with you after they realized that you were not talking or hearing).

Ekdog

Some people do that when you speak a foreign language haltingly.

supercharger

Back to topic I've been stopped for not putting my foot down at a stop sign when the opposing traffic was clear. It is rather annoying especially getting stopped by the stereotypical overweight deputy. I kept my mouth shut, my hands in clear view and remained contrite (on the surface). I have come to learn some places are very strict about enforcing traffic violations so I will be more mindful when biking out of state.

Wilfred Laurier

I have had similar interactions with strangers and near-strangers when travelling in the USA, and also never had the police hassle me. Ahh, it's nice to be white

mconlonx

mconlonx

JReade

The guy who robbed my house took mostly small, easy to carry things, and filled my luggage with them. Then wheeled it right on down the road.

Walter S

I never get hassled by the police. I run lights, stop signs, and violate other traffic laws (while observing due caution). Never a peep.

Hypno Toad

This!

I never had issues biking to/from school with my daughter back in the day. However, if this happened to me, I'd be annoyed.

I live in the 'burbs west of Minneapolis and I have to ask why they still have school buses, they're damn near empty. And god forbid your ride past a school at start or end of day.... the traffic jam of frantic/stressed parents in vehicles is terrifying. Why the hell does EVERYBODY drive the kid to school these days? (sorry, kinda off topic).

roninguy

So the guy asked you a simple question and you didn't answer it? In stead of simply saying Im here to pick up my kids you went full smart ass? I assume you are white by the fact I didn't see a video online of you being tased or body slammed by the cop. Just answer a simple question and move on equals no drama. Now he followed the book and made you sign in the way he is supposed to make everyone but doesn't bother with the people in the cars. You want attention now you have to deal with getting the by the book treatment when ever he wants to. It is too much drama for a simple question at a school. Congratulations you are now on a first name basis with Barney Fife that you don't need.

Ridefreemc

I said I was irked. I said I answered his question, although reluctantly. How is that "full smart ass?" He made up the "you must sign in" stuff. It's not required. I also doubt that I'm "on a first name basis" with him. If he wants to start hassling me regularly for being lawful, or reluctant to answer his question I'll just talk with his supervisor, the Sheriff himself, or the school administration. If he were to do that he would be out of line and abusing his authority and position.

FeltF2Tarmac

With a parking lot full of other waiting parents I think his purpose goes without saying. Had this been midway and it was only the OP waiting around, that might be different. The cop was out of line. I used to ride to the school and meet my kids and I was greeted by school staff not a cop. Maybe the cop should go grab a desk an learn something.

Machka 

Sigh.

Ekdog

Agreed. Sixth months of directing traffic would give that haughty copper some time to think.

Ridefreemc

I like the European, and worldwide for that matter, flavor/input of this forum. A "haughty copper" isn't something we'd here much of, if at all, here in the US

ironwood

A number of towns and cities have put some police on bikes because bikes are useful in many situations. I guess I'm lucky to live in a town that has some police on bikes. I've never had any disrespect from a cop in my town because I was on a bike.

Ekdog

I have lived outside of the English-speaking world for over twenty-five years now, so my choice of words is not likely to be up to date.

Ridefreemc

I personally knew the previous Sheriff, have access to the current Sheriff, and know many police chiefs (and fire chiefs) throughout the county (as well as their bosses) and have great respect for their jobs and duties.

Is "COP" referred to as a Constable on Patrol in parts of Europe, elsewhere? Often times here we lump all law enforcement into the term "COP."

Years back, when we had our own police force they would set up at a MUP intersection and ticket cyclists not stopping at the stop signs. They could do hundreds a day (thousands on weekends) if they wanted to, as the intersections were residential side streets with very little automobile traffic. However, the more critical (IMO) intersections with heavy cross traffic were not patrolled and close to 100% of the automobiles crossing these intersections did not stop. So, I was ready to get involved, as the results of a bike/car crash at these faster speed roads would be much worse and have a greater chance of occurring than the low volume/low speed side streets. However, the electorate voted to replace the police with the Sheriff right about that time. The Sheriff seems to be much more reasonable and realistic in his approach to law enforcement. At the school it was a little different. They seem to be much more on guard. With all those high schoolers around and angry/agressive parents I can understand that.

Rowan

I think the police officer has been targeted in this thread, but really, don't police usually respond to a complaint by the public? Perhaps the other parents in the area were concerned about the OP and called the police to check him out.

This just seems to me like a major storm in a teacup.

Ridefreemc

Here we go again, "a major storm in a teacup" this time (last time I was accused of going "full smart ass"), but I said I was irked and now most of us are having fun discussing around it, with some giving similar experiences. I did not blow it out of proportion, and even admitted in the beginning post that my ego was involved. Anyway, I like forums and the ability to discuss stuff, sometimes in detail. However, it is quite interesting to read some posts that suppose so much happened and really go off the rails with comments (I don't believe that yours did Rowan, but the earlier one I noted did).

Besides, even if another parent called, the result would have been the same. Law enforcement may observe more if they get called (things get pointed out to them, which is good community involvement), but if someone is acting lawfully that person should not have to explain themselves - whether another parent called in, the school administration called in, or the principal called in. They don't own the property that I'm lawfully on, they just work there, so I should have the right to go about my business without being questioned by a Sheriff's Deputy. Had I been doing something like committing a crime or trespassing, then that changes things.

Rowan

Most criminals loiter waiting for their opportunity before committing a crime or trespassing. It obviously annoys you enough that you are stretching circumstances to justify your angst, and in particular stir up the members here to think this is an attack on the rights of those who use bicycles... or at least know their law so well, that they call into doubt the constitutional integrity of the interaction.

Hell, I could have come here and made a big deal out of a cop car stopping in the middle of the night at a remote country location on a recent randonnee and asking what we were doing. Rather, I felt more secure knowing that law enforcement was taking an interest in what was happening and that they were doing their job in patrolling the area.

By the way, the fact that your are using the BD and giving kids a lift on the back is unusual activity in some (many?) parents' eyes. Do you know the other parents in the parking lot? Do they know you? For all you know, they think that someone hanging around a school parking lot offering kids rides on something that is admittedly very unusual in their world, is a means to molestation.

I still maintain that police react to reports from the public and in this case he likely was responding to parents... and it might be a good idea to get to know them a little better to allay their fears... if that is the case.

Rowan

And seeing my next to previous post was the first in this thread, you should clarify that I wasn't the one to call you "full smart ass". One, I don't use the term ass, prefering arse, and secondly, I've just been branded by association... just like you were in the parking lot.