So I got pulled over by the police today.

I went up to my organic community garden, picked some tomatoes and lettuce for the weekend and headed home. As I went through the last stop sign before my house, a siren went off behind me. The police were pulling me over.

I pulled over and just sit on my bike along the curbside as the two of them got out of the squad car. One of them started the “Interview”, while the other just kind of “observed” from about 10 feet away.

“Dismount you bicycle please...”
“Aaaa...yes sir.”

“Put it on the sidewalk and lay it down on it's side.”
“Ok.....”

“May I have your identification please.” (Los Angeles cops can be so polite.) I don't always take my wallet with me, this time I did and I got my drivers license out and gave it to him.

“Is there anything in your pockets that is dangerous?”
“No sir.”

“Keep your hands where we can see them.”
“Yes sir.”

“Do you know why we pulled over.”
“No sir.”

“We have been following since the top of Inglewood hill.” (my 10 % grade hill) “You ran 4 stop-signs.”

I started thinking about it and sure-enough I had run all four stop-signs from the top of the hill home.
I thought I was dead and that I was sure to get a ticket... As the first cop took my license to radio in my name and number to see if I was a wanted man, the second cop who had been watching things popped the question.

“Is that an electric bike?”
“Yes Sir.”

Well to keep the story short, he asked me all the normal questions, speed, price, range, where to get the parts. I told him everything that I could think that might be interesting. I even mentioned Endless-sphere...

By the time I was done explaining all the ins and outs, both policeman were listening like we were all good friends. So when the station cleared me over their radio (as I am not a wanted man.) I got a small lecture on stop-signs and away they went. I think the second cop was really thinking about getting an e-bike.

I do believe my e-bike saved the day. :lol:

So how was your day today?

It's a good policy to slow or even stop and assess street conditions before proceeding. It seems like folks on bikes can "California stop" right in front of cops here with no trouble. Coasting through a stop sign at a sauntering pace also seems to arouse no special attention. But jam through a red light or a signed intersection at full tilt, and you could easily get a ticket-- especially if the cop's on a bicycle or your skin is brown.

I don't feel any ethical obligation to conduct myself according to rules that were designed to mitigate hazards caused by motor vehicles, but due care is a good idea all the way around.

Chalo

Phew, coulda gone over worse man. Watch those stop signs, its got a motor for a reason mate :wink:

Cool story bro!... (No I really mean it this time, Cool story!!)

I wonder how the conversation went in the car during they "follow" portion.

Cop1: Hey, that dude just ran the stop sign... should we?
Cop2: Nah... let's see if he does it again. I don't want to get razzled by the guys for giving out bike tickets.
Cop1: Ok... But damn, he's going pretty fast.... wait, is that one of those e-bikes?
Cop2: I've always wondered about those things... let's flash him, I want to ask questions... But you do the interview.
Cop1: Ok... let's give him a couple more intersections......

*woooooop*

IIRC, in some states you don't have to stop at stop signs on a bicycle.

But you should always be careful. IMHO, if you didn't see the cop cruiser behind you, then you weren't being careful enough!

I run stop lights and signs ALL the time. BUT I DON'T BECAUSE NO ONE IS EVER THERE TO SEE ME DO IT.

Chalo said:

It seems like folks on bikes can "California stop" right in front of cops here with no trouble. Coasting through a stop sign at a sauntering pace also seems to arouse no special attention.

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Yup..California stops...in front of cops....that's what I was doing. :lol:

auraslip said:

IIRC, in some states you don't have to stop at stop signs on a bicycle.

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That's traffic lights. It's called the Idaho Stop Law

cal3thousand said:

Cool story bro!... (No I really mean it this time, Cool story!!)

I wonder how the conversation went in the car during they "follow" portion.

Cop1: Hey, that dude just ran the stop sign... should we?
Cop2: Nah... let's see if he does it again. I don't want to get razzled by the guys for giving out bike tickets.
Cop1: Ok... But damn, he's going pretty fast.... wait, is that one of those e-bikes?
Cop2: I've always wondered about those things... let's flash him, I want to ask questions... But you do the interview.
Cop1: Ok... let's give him a couple more intersections......

*woooooop*

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Word! When I bought my first hybrid back in 2001, a Honda Insight, I got the same thing too: Pulled over in Georgia at 2am, all they wanted was to ask about the car and the gas mileage. It's happened to me 3 times while I've owned/driven the car. I honestly think that's exactly how the conversation went right before the traffic stop...

e-beach, It's same thing with cops here in Quebec, Canada.

I would say they are impressed by that technology and power we can have on these two wheels

Once they discover itMs an electric bike they smile and ask question just like if they would be in an ebike store!

ONe day one asked me the famous question: "How fast can you go with?".. and i said ( for the first time ever) : "113kmh sir".. and they was just more impressed and made that famous joke:" and you dont go on highway with right?"... and i said "Oh no sir !!" it's too dangerous... "and they said so where the hell did you goes 113kmh ???"... and i said "on a drag race lane!" and they all smiled 8)

I have to say that i have a very god relationship with them since 5 years now... they nearly all know me or ever heard about me with the newspaper or TV.

8)

Life is good... touching wood!

Doc

My experience was a little different. I got pulled over the other night doing my nightly exercise ride. I knew I had done nothing wrong and was more than a little pissed off, as I've heard of th cops here harassing cyclist for not having a taillight at night, which isn't required by law BTW. I sat on the bike for what seems like about 3 minutes before the cop came up to me. I was so mad i don't know if he said anything first, but I asked him why he pulled me over. I think I had to ask about 2 or 3 times before he answered with you don't have a taillight. I told him only a dot approved reflector was required per state law and then told him to go look up Texas transportation code 551.104. At this point I was so mad I was literally shaking. He asked if I had any id and I said no. Then he asked for my name and where I lived and I told him. He had me wait. I stood there for a long time and and finally noticed another cop car. The second cop, I assume his supervisor, came up and I started reading him the riot act. he didn't know the law either since he said they would check it out. In all I was unlawfully delayed about 15-20 minutes. When I got home I shot an email to the police department. Here's the reply:
Wes,

Thank you bringing this to my attention, I will make sure I send something out to all the sergeants to insure they speak with all their troops.

We have had a lot of our burglars riding around at night on bicycles and wearing backpacks to hold all the stolen property. I know a lot of attention is spent on individuals on bicycles at night for this reason, but the Probable Cause for the stop should be of legal reasons.

Thanks again for making me aware.

Axxxxxx Hxxxxxxxx
Patrol Lieutenant

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 26, 2012, at 3:15, "Wes Newell" <w.newell@verizon.net> wrote:

> > I'm tired of the Wylie police department pulling me over without legal cause while I'm out riding my bike at night.When asked why he pulled me over, the officer stated because I didn't have a taillight. A taillight is not required on a bicycle in the state of Texas to ride at night. Here's link to the law.
> > http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.551.htm#551.104
> > I quoted this to the stopping officer. I then had to wait for another officer to arrive. I don't know why that had to happen. Please make sure your officers are informed of the law regarding lighting on bicycles.

No apology at all. Now mind you I'm a 66 5'6" 270 lbs and can't walk more than 100 yards without having to get off my feet. I was wearing shorts with no back pockets and a short sleeved knit shirt. No back pack. No saddle bags. No place to to put any loot at all. I'm still pissed off about it. I've seriously considered filing a civil rights violation against the city and police department. And If I get hassled one more time, you can bet I will take more action. I still get upset just typing about this. The funny part is that I did have a taillight on the bike. I just don't use it on residential streets when I'm riding 10-12 mph pedaling.

The differences between nations stand out in this short exchange.

I doubt very much if any police officer here would ask for ID straight out (we don't need to carry any ID here anyway) but he/she might ask politely for a name, but they probably wouldn't do a PNC check, in fact I doubt they'd have cause unless they had reasonable grounds to suspect you'd committed a crime (rather than a minor traffic offence).
It'd be very odd indeed to be asked if you "have anything dangerous in your pockets" here for a routine traffic stop like this, in fact it's be so unusual as to really make you wonder if we'd been invaded from another country.
The rest is pretty much as it'd go here, except I doubt you'd get pulled here for this offence on a bike. Running stop signs isn't really enforced here the way it is in the US, certainly not if the road's clear, there's no hazard and you're on a bike, most of the time a stop sign would be treated as a give way sign, so if you slowed, took a good look and carried on I doubt any police officer would even notice you'd not actually stopped.

You probably would get pulled here for riding after dark without lights (the law here requires front and rear lights on a bike after dark), but the chances are it'd just be to tell you to get off, stop riding without lights and just push the bike.

That's the problem. I didn't commit any traffic offense. A taillight is not required here, just a dot approved red reflector, which I had. I had a headlight on. Either both cops are just stupid or they are using that as an excuse to make illegal traffic stops. The sad part is even if I had been a crook with loot in my pocket, all the evidence would have not been allowed because it was an illegal stop. Want5 to know the quality of police here? google wylie police porn.

Just realized you were talking about the other persons stop.

+1 on what Jeremy said.

Although technically the law here requires halogen lights on the bike (no LED's), as if any copper is gonna give you a hard time for only having leds on your bike

Wish they'd enforce it around here a bit more, along with people riding on the footpath/sidewalk...

:?

There is no law here in the UK that cycle lights have to be halogen, LED bike lights are certified for road use here in the UK the only provision being that flashing lights must not be fixed to the bike i.e. can be worn on clothing, only steady illumination when fixed.

And in fact cycle lights such as some of the halogen lights you mention do not offer any side illumination and must be used in combination with lights that do i.e. LED lights.

Generally though a policeman would not pull you over for it though, you would certainly get pulled for not having them on in my town.

My experience with getting stopped by the police was fine, they didnt even notice the motor and all the wires, it was quite funny really..I never run stop lights on my ebike, i dont see the point its not like its any effort to get up to speed again like on a normal bike, on a high power ebike you need to play to the rules of the road to stay safe and avoid run ins with the law.

you would certainly get pulled for not having them on in my town.

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Not in my town (Blackpool - although I live outside it to the north but commute through it). During my winter commutes I see tons of bikes with no lighting and they never get stopped, even when being overtaken by a cop car.

Which is why I'm not worried one iota about riding an "illegal" 25mph ebike - they just don't care :lol:

I've for a few years now have taken the time to trim the overhanging branches and bushes and weeds that are obstacles for pedestrians and bicycles along my Baltimore commute. These are obstacles that were once a real PIA to maneuver by, and could pose a serious risk to everyone in the vicinity. I've yet to be ticketed for riding on the sidewalk even though it's technically illegal. I believe it's because they know how much of a good citizen I am.

I hope my luck stays as this new MD/MVA law goes into effect in October. :|

How honest were you in answering the cop's question about speed and power?

E beach, your situational awareness of what is going on behind you needs a LOT of work. The car behind you is the most likely to kill you. Check your 6 more often, and you will run less stop signs in front of cops.

Wes, your cops are very nice. Show that much tude in some places and you'd be tazered and cuffed too. Start a legal war with your local cops at your own risk. You were correct to tell the cop the light law, but you should work on staying calm while you do it.

Once it's game on with the cops, you can kiss riding a fast bike goodbye Wes. Texas law mirrors the lame fed one, 20 mph etc. You'll hate that for sure! Shut up, get over it, and continue to ride a fun bike with some power. Don't make the cop that got chewed out go look up the ebike law and go hunting for you.

melodious said:

I've for a few years now have taken the time to trim the overhanging branches and bushes and weeds that are obstacles for pedestrians and bicycles along my Baltimore commute. These are obstacles that were once a real PIA to maneuver by, and could pose a serious risk to everyone in the vicinity.

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Funny! I just purchased handheld tree pruning clippers to clip some of the branches that hang over the bike lane - literally put them into my bike bag today for their inaugural ride. Glad I'm not the only one sick of un-trimmed bush.

Sorry to go OT...

melodious said:

I hope my luck stays as this new MD/MVA law goes into effect in October. :|

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melodious, what are the new MD/MVA laws going into effect in October?

I live in Maryland...

Thanks!

Ooops, just realized I may be threadjacking! Reply off-line if you can!

Jeremy Harris said:

The differences between nations stand out in this short exchange.

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Both US and UK are modern police states, but the US police have a more pronounced military style and attitude than do their UK counterparts.

FYI, US citizens are also not required to carry ID. Cops still always ask for it, as they must conduct warrant checks on everyone (civilians are all presumed criminals).

+1 Dogman. Here in winnipeg, not much people outside of their coffins. So its pretty open for bikes I was ticketed on sidewalk , not peddeling, not watching my six, crusier was clocking behindme for a stretch before i noticed ,,,,was too late. That was a busy street deep in downtown, fullface, 50km on sidwalk.......
So now

A: no motorcycle looking stuff, no fullface (winter ok), took off my THE fenders
b) fake pedal at all times even if it looks stoopid (my buddy seys it does)
c) sitaware------at all times I would be the first to see the cop. this is key. If i see him first, I can play the bike part perfectly for example, hammer brakes or let off throttle at least. Continue fake peddeling and transition to real pedal . My bike is fairly stealth and since im white and look like them, i am immediatly profiled as an avid cyclist or at least an ebiker who is pedelling . Its all about profiling with them cops. they dont have much time to decide usually.

Another trick of mine is to find e-routes that are pretty much car free. I avoid all major roads. I take trails or paths near water, or residential streets. I take walking trails over bridges. In fact on a typical 20km commute though the city, i may only interact with mabye a few cars. it takes longer but is safer

In this way i avoid conferentation with LEO.

Can't get a certain "bike friendly" city to trim branches which force you into traffic (in a 50 mph zone) from a marked bike lane.
Rear view mirrors are good to spot cops following, and it's easier for them to hide and surprise motorists than cyclists.
Bicycle safety seems to be a grade-school level instructional day program for the police. They tend to harass people on bikes more at night.
So: Get mirrors and lights, and attend a bicycle safety rodeo in your area. Show them your certificate and promise to be careful. :wink:
Be glad you didn't ride a skateboard on the wrong side of the road!
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012...attorney-representing-trayvon-martins-family/

To be fair, the cop could have been way back there watching you run those signs. I doubt he was right on your ass.

Still pretty damn funny he was there to watch you do it for 4 blocks though. I breeze signs too, but not deep in town. Just out in th burbs where I live, and can see a cop easily in time to do a real stop.

The fingers said:

Be glad you didn't ride a skateboard on the wrong side of the road!
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2012...attorney-representing-trayvon-martins-family/

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When the L.A. police instruct me to do something I usually just comply because you don't know when they have been having a bad day and just loose on you.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-lapd-excessive-force-investigation,0,1085956.story