Being stopped by a Trooper...

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Also, why would a police car passing me on a narrow road, low traffic,
plenty of visibility, no other traffic coming and not automatically
slow down to the speed limit a little before getting to me?

If he had a blow out, or the wheel slipped, or someone suddenly came
up and lurched at a side street, I'd be toast at 40mph (limit was 25).

Now almost -everyone- speeds there, b/c it's -right- off the
Interstate (around two bends, a past a gas station and a few houses,
and you still have that skewed perception of driving 65.

But, seriously, I'd expect more out of a professional driver.

Quoted message said:

mad:

What the hell are you talking about?

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Exactly what signal would that be for a car driver? The never-ending
blinker? IME, that pisses them off, so I just pull over immediately (or
within 1.4 mile or so). Channeling Hunter S Thompson [1] is not wise, in
general.

In your case, point to where you intend to go. Turn your head and make eye
contact, if possible.

So, why did he pull you over, anyway?

Quoted message said:

Also, why would a police car passing me on a narrow road, low traffic,
plenty of visibility, no other traffic coming and not automatically
slow down to the speed limit a little before getting to me?

Ignorance. Just keep your mouth shut when dealing with the trooper, and
then write a nice letter to the opinion page of your local newspaper. You
could try his supervising officer, but if the whole department is like this
guy, that won't do you any good.

Quoted message said:

But, seriously, I'd expect more out of a professional driver.

He's a professional cop, not a professional driver.

[1] "Make the [censored] chase you; he will follow".

--

__o Kristian Zoerhoff
_'\(,_ [email hidden]
(_)/ (_)

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Also, why would a police car passing me on a narrow road, low traffic,
plenty of visibility, no other traffic coming and not automatically
slow down to the speed limit a little before getting to me?

If he had a blow out, or the wheel slipped, or someone suddenly came
up and lurched at a side street, I'd be toast at 40mph (limit was 25).

Now almost -everyone- speeds there, b/c it's -right- off the
Interstate (around two bends, a past a gas station and a few houses,
and you still have that skewed perception of driving 65.

But, seriously, I'd expect more out of a professional driver.

😠

When I've been stopped by troopers and have driven a little farther to
get to a safer spot to pull over, they've never had a problem with it.
As long as you slow down and let them know you do intend to pull over,
it usually isn't a problem.

Smokey

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Also, why would a police car passing me on a narrow road, low traffic,
plenty of visibility, no other traffic coming and not automatically
slow down to the speed limit a little before getting to me?

If he had a blow out, or the wheel slipped, or someone suddenly came
up and lurched at a side street, I'd be toast at 40mph (limit was 25).

Now almost -everyone- speeds there, b/c it's -right- off the
Interstate (around two bends, a past a gas station and a few houses,
and you still have that skewed perception of driving 65.

But, seriously, I'd expect more out of a professional driver.

😠

I was stopped by two cops one night last week for riding with no
lights after I went through two red lights and and given a telling off
wich was very nice of them as I'd drank about four or five pints of
beer and could hve been in real trouble but before they drove off,
hopefully to deal with real crime, they told me that for the last six
years here in Britain, it has been illegal to ride a bycicle without
one of those silly looking plastic helmets that only complete fannies
actually wear. This is very sad. It's like taking nail clippers off
you at the airport in case you try to hijack the plane but you can go
right on through with a glass bottle of vodka that you bought in duty
free! It's just another waqy to make you do as you are told. I'm
afraid the [censored] are inheriting the earth and Eric the red is glad
that he's a long time dead. I'm afraid the numbers up for us real
men.When the feminists see us riding pushbikes looking like dorks they
will know, they've finnaly got us by the balls.

"Campsie" wrote: (clip) you can go right on through with a glass bottle of
vodka that you bought in duty

Quoted message said:

free! (clip)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If it will make you feel any better, that isn't allowed in the US (and I
would be surprised if it is allowed where you live), ever since it was
learned that terrorists can make explosives out of common liquids. I
believe, also, that the restriction on nail clippers has been eased.

"Biker52" wrote: (clip) do I have the same right as a car driver to signal
to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby service station before
dismounting?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes. Neither of you has that *right,* although the cop has the discression
and requirement to allow you to do what is reasonable and safe. It's not
written down anywhere, as far as I know--it's just the way things work.
But, after a few miles of following you with his red light on, he may decide
that things have gone far enough.

Oh, and: "car driver rolling to rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?" I would like to see this hypothetical
driver dismount. I guess if he was driving a 1901 Hupmobile.....

In article <[email hidden]>,

Kristian M Zoerhoff said:

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Exactly what signal would that be for a car driver? The never-ending
blinker? IME, that pisses them off, so I just pull over immediately (or
within 1.4 mile or so). Channeling Hunter S Thompson [1] is not wise, in
general.

The standard way is to reduce speed slightly and wave your right hand
across the rear-view mirror area. This is a pretty visible signal
acknowledging the presence of the officer.

But even assuming you meant 1/4 mile or so, I have to wonder under what
circumstances anyone would be likely to drive further than that? Maybe
on a bridge or in a tunnel, but that would be completely acceptable to
any peace officer (unless of course they were pulling you over because
they suspected you of attempted regicide or something).

Quoted message said:

In your case, point to where you intend to go. Turn your head and make eye
contact, if possible.

So, why did he pull you over, anyway?

--
Ryan Cousineau [email hidden] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

"Campsie" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Biker52 said:

Quick question on procedure. If I'm stopped riding along not having
done anything, bike legal, low traffic road do I have the same right
as a car driver to signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?

Also, why would a police car passing me on a narrow road, low traffic,
plenty of visibility, no other traffic coming and not automatically
slow down to the speed limit a little before getting to me?

If he had a blow out, or the wheel slipped, or someone suddenly came
up and lurched at a side street, I'd be toast at 40mph (limit was 25).

Now almost -everyone- speeds there, b/c it's -right- off the
Interstate (around two bends, a past a gas station and a few houses,
and you still have that skewed perception of driving 65.

But, seriously, I'd expect more out of a professional driver.

😠

I was stopped by two cops one night last week for riding with no
lights after I went through two red lights and and given a telling off
wich was very nice of them as I'd drank about four or five pints of
beer and could hve been in real trouble but before they drove off,
hopefully to deal with real crime, they told me that for the last six
years here in Britain, it has been illegal to ride a bycicle without
one of those silly looking plastic helmets that only complete fannies
actually wear. This is very sad. It's like taking nail clippers off
you at the airport in case you try to hijack the plane but you can go
right on through with a glass bottle of vodka that you bought in duty
free! It's just another waqy to make you do as you are told. I'm
afraid the [censored] are inheriting the earth and Eric the red is glad
that he's a long time dead. I'm afraid the numbers up for us real
men.When the feminists see us riding pushbikes looking like dorks they
will know, they've finnaly got us by the balls.

Stop worrying and have another pint for me.

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Biker52" wrote: (clip) do I have the same right as a car driver to
signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby service station before
dismounting?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes. Neither of you has that *right,* although the cop has the
discression and requirement to allow you to do what is reasonable and
safe. It's not written down anywhere, as far as I know--it's just the way
things work. But, after a few miles of following you with his red light
on, he may decide that things have gone far enough.

Oh, and: "car driver rolling to rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?" I would like to see this
hypothetical driver dismount. I guess if he was driving a 1901
Hupmobile.....

What did the trooper finally end up charging you with or lecturing you on?

smn said:

"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Biker52" wrote: (clip) do I have the same right as a car driver to
signal to tell the cop I'm rolling to the nearby service station before
dismounting?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes. Neither of you has that *right,* although the cop has the
discression and requirement to allow you to do what is reasonable and
safe. It's not written down anywhere, as far as I know--it's just the way
things work. But, after a few miles of following you with his red light
on, he may decide that things have gone far enough.

Oh, and: "car driver rolling to rolling to the nearby
service station before dismounting?" I would like to see this
hypothetical driver dismount. I guess if he was driving a 1901
Hupmobile.....

What did the trooper finally end up charging you with or lecturing you on?

You talking to me? First time, in the park

First Officer: 'do you have a horn or bell on your bike'.
Me: point to obvious horn on handlebar.
Second officer: 'I didn't even know it was legal to ride in the park'.
Then they frisked me and found a bike tool. After that, I rode on
home. Probable cause? I -think- me wearing a jacket and balaclava on a
60 degree day (windy, spring just starting, wore that all winter)

Second time 'did you see a kid riding down here pulling another bike
behind him'.
Me: "nossir".

Neither time should they have stopped me, imo. In the future I'll be
carrying a picture of me and the Deputy Chief shaking hands (he's an
old workout buddy) and a letter from the Chief about bikes being
considered lawful traffic. Then we'll get pictures of all of us
arm-in-arm, and maybe I'll get 'em to put their hats on backward for
one. 🙂

Quoted message said:

When I've been stopped by troopers and have driven a little farther to
get to a safer spot to pull over, they've never had a problem with it.
As long as you slow down and let them know you do intend to pull over,
it usually isn't a problem.

I had this situation once where the trooper hit his lights just as I
(we) were at an exit (from highway). There was no room to pull over on
the ramp (one lane), so I figured I'd go to the end & pull over just
after. He didn't wait, he zoomed around me & did a "Hawaii 5-0" hard
brake cutting me off (& blocking the ramp). The only thing he didn't do
was draw his gun. My "crime"? I didn't signal a lane change moments
earlier when I suddenly came up on a road crew blocking my lane (in
heavy traffic). I didn't get a ticket, but it was an adrenaline experience.

Peter Cole wrote:
:: [email hidden] wrote:
::
::: When I've been stopped by troopers and have driven a little farther
::: to get to a safer spot to pull over, they've never had a problem
::: with it. As long as you slow down and let them know you do intend
::: to pull over, it usually isn't a problem.
::
:: I had this situation once where the trooper hit his lights just as I
:: (we) were at an exit (from highway). There was no room to pull over
:: on
:: the ramp (one lane), so I figured I'd go to the end & pull over just
:: after. He didn't wait, he zoomed around me & did a "Hawaii 5-0" hard
:: brake cutting me off (& blocking the ramp). The only thing he didn't
:: do was draw his gun. My "crime"? I didn't signal a lane change
:: moments earlier when I suddenly came up on a road crew blocking my
:: lane (in
:: heavy traffic). I didn't get a ticket, but it was an adrenaline
:: experience.

It was also a "cop wannabe Rambo" experience, from the sounds of it.

Campsie said:

I was stopped by two cops one night last week for riding with no
lights...

Bad idea.

Quoted message said:

after I went through two red lights...

Another bad idea.

Quoted message said:

and and given a telling off...

Good.

Quoted message said:

wich was very nice of them as I'd drank about four or five pints of
beer and could hve been in real trouble...

Yet another bad idea.

Quoted message said:

but before they drove off,
hopefully to deal with real crime, they told me that for the last six
years here in Britain, it has been illegal to ride a bycicle without
one of those silly looking plastic helmets that only complete fannies
actually wear.

If so, they lied. It's never been illegal to ride without a helmet
anywhere in Britain, AFAIK.

- Frank Krygowski

On Sep 12, 12:25 pm, Biker52

Quoted message said:

Neither time should they have stopped me, imo. In the future I'll be
carrying a picture of me and the Deputy Chief shaking hands (he's an
old workout buddy) and a letter from the Chief about bikes being
considered lawful traffic.

Anybody else find the above logically self-contradictory?

Somehow, I think if the chief had been an old workout buddy of mine,
there wouldn't be a need for the photo, because there would not be a
"next time."

Austin

Campsie said:

they told me that for the last six
years here in Britain, it has been illegal to ride a bycicle without
one of those silly looking plastic helmets that only complete fannies
actually wear. This is very sad.

you obviously don't have much that a helmet would protect. go
ahead and be another darwin stat as far as i'm concerned.

On Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:25:46 -0700, AustinMN <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On Sep 12, 12:25 pm, Biker52

Quoted message said:

Neither time should they have stopped me, imo. In the future I'll be
carrying a picture of me and the Deputy Chief shaking hands (he's an
old workout buddy) and a letter from the Chief about bikes being
considered lawful traffic.

Anybody else find the above logically self-contradictory?

Somehow, I think if the chief had been an old workout buddy of mine,
there wouldn't be a need for the photo, because there would not be a
"next time."

Austin

First, I was inserting some humor. I worked out with him in the '70s
and we've lost contact, but he'd remember me. Even so, I wouldn't
mention this; it's over and nothing happened. If I got a pic, eh,
maybe I'd carry it. Who knows, maybe this would tweak some of them.

Second, the current Chief did write a letter about 'lawful traffic' in
1999, and I finally found it, printed it and it's in plastic in my
jersey pocket, along with info about not needing to carry ID, or give
SS#. I do carry a picture ID, for medical reasons, though.

I'm hearing lots and lots of stories about cyclists being stopped, and
these are not criminals, they're white collar guys not doing anything
wrong. Why are the cops bothering with someone who is clearly not a
problem? Maybe they're jealous of people 'playing' on a bike while
they're working? I've been told that.

If it's not absolutely necessary, I really don't want to be stopped on
my ride by anyone, cops, peds, gawkers, gangs. Do you?

Quoted message said:

I'm hearing lots and lots of stories about cyclists being stopped, and
these are not criminals, they're white collar guys not doing anything
wrong. Why are the cops bothering with someone who is clearly not a
problem? Maybe they're jealous of people 'playing' on a bike while
they're working? I've been told that.

If it's not absolutely necessary, I really don't want to be stopped on
my ride by anyone, cops, peds, gawkers, gangs. Do you?

==================================================================

When a policeman stops you, do the "Gay" thing. That is: act, sound,
display,,, be GAY.

The more homosexual you sound the better. This does not work as well for
women unfortunately.

Policemen are deathly afraid of homosexual men. The reason? Most policemen
are closet [censored]'s themselves.

When confronted with a Gay bicyclist, they start getting aroused. The old
Billy Club .. ??

==

If this does not work;;;

Keep a banana in your front bag. Slip in into your bike shorts as you get
off the bike.

This will show up as a huge ... you know.

The policeman will get very excited and disturbed that you have such a huge
"bottom braket".

===

One warning..

Don't to either of the above if you live in Tennesee. Or Georgia, Alabama,
...

You may find yourself sitting in a bucket of warm crisco.. if you get my
meaning...

"Sir Thomas of Cannondale" wrote: (clip) Policemen are deathly afraid of
homosexual men. The reason? Most policemen are closet [censored]'s themselves.
(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oy! Have YOU got a wrong numbah.

My point exactly..

You sound like a policeman and are deffinitely Gay.

==========================================
"Leo Lichtman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Sir Thomas of Cannondale" wrote: (clip) Policemen are deathly afraid of
homosexual men. The reason? Most policemen are closet [censored]'s
themselves. (clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oy! Have YOU got a wrong numbah.