Annoying cop has nothing better to do?

[notfred]

I just got stopped on my bicycle by a police officer. It was about 1:00AM, and I made a left turn from a road with no bike lane, onto a road with a bike lane. I made the left turn with a green left-turn signal.

He stopped me and told me "You're supposed to use the bike path". He didn't seem to understand that the road I was on didn't have a bike path, despite the fact that he could trun around and see it behind him. He insisted that "there's a bike path on this side of the street", which is where I was riding when he pulled me over. He seems to think that there was some magic way I could have crossed the street while riding in a nonexistant bike path to get to the bike path that I was riding in when he pulled me over.

Then he complained that I don't have a rear light on my bike. I don't, it's true, but then California law doesn't require me to have one. Lots of people ride with them, as they make you more visible at night, but the law still doesn't require one.

Then he asked if I had ID. I said no. He asked how old I was. I said 25. He said something like "You old enough to know you're supposed to carry ID". I had to argue that point. I told him there's no law that says I have to carry ID while riding a bike. He kept implying that I had some obligation to carry ID to make his job easier. He asked for my name and date of birth. Then he told me I could go.

He didn't give me a ticket, he let me go after I argued with him for 5 minutes, but still. WTF? He must be bored out of his mind.

 

[brxndxn]

cops like that give real cops a bad name..

He was probby having a bad day so he decided to try to make yours a bad day. I hate how cops really get mad when you actually know your rights.

 

[dxkj]

Maybe he thought you were planning another Italian Job, can't blame him for being suspicious.


But seriously, he was probably hoping for a lucky catch, you being on drugs or carrying something, when he didnt find it he had to explain his way out of it.

 

[LordMaul]

Did he find the mad bag of rock you had in your back pocket on the way to the delivery point?

@#$%ing kids...

 

[stnicralisk]

I cannot say that I have ever had a positive experience with a police officer. There have been times when I have needed the aid of an officer and they never seem to really be very interested in helping.

My sister teaches 3rd grade, last month some gang members came on school property and began to break into vehicles. They notified the police and went on lock down. The police showed up 3 hours later.

When I was just out of High School some of my friends and I decided to go to Krystals at about 2 AM. We got pulled over by police who stated that some people were stealing cars and they thought we seemed suspicious.. I was able to park outside of my house because I was almost home. I explained to the officer that my father owned the vehicle and that the house I was parked next to was my own. I handed him my license and registration. The officer asked me what I was doing out so late and told me that I shouldnt be out at that time of night to get food... um its my MFing right to be out at 2 AM. Then he began to check the ages of others within the vehicle even though I was over 18 at the time and driving. He asked my friend what his name was and my friend being very blonde was spaced out. He asked the officer, "Who me?" The officer said no the other jerkstanding behind you - yeah you. My friend said that he didnt have to be rude. The officer put cuffs on him and put him into the back of the vehicle.

Luckily my mother came out and raised hell with them.

 

[biggestmuff]

Too bad Proletariat wasn't with you! hehe

 

[imported_MattG]

Always make sure there is a Dunkin Donuts on your bike route...you'll never have a problem again!

 

[dxkj]

PSD would put an end to issues like this.

 

[DurocShark]

Most states have ID requirements if you're over 18. Some if you're over 16 or in high school. (Carrying enough cash is often enough to cover the lack of ID though since the law is an anti-transient law and having enough $$ to get a motel room shows you're not a transient.)

I wonder about cops bugging people on bikes. Seems to happen way too much. I got a ticket for riding on the wrong side of the road once when I was in high school. There was no handicapped ramp at an intersection, so I pulled into the street at the last driveway before the corner and back onto the sidewalk at the first driveway on the other side (this is a residential area). Cop saw me between the two driveways. While he's writing me the ticket a girl on a bike goes by going the wrong way, but on the sidewalk as I was. I asked, "What about her?" He replies, "She's on the sidewalk." WTF? I tried to explain that I was too, just wasn't willing to curbhop with a friggin 10 speed bike. He didn't care.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Most states have ID requirements if you're over 18. Some if you're over 16 or in high school. (Carrying enough cash is often enough to cover the lack of ID though since the law is an anti-transient law and having enough $$ to get a motel room shows you're not a transient.)

I wonder about cops bugging people on bikes. Seems to happen way too much. I got a ticket for riding on the wrong side of the road once when I was in high school. There was no handicapped ramp at an intersection, so I pulled into the street at the last driveway before the corner and back onto the sidewalk at the first driveway on the other side (this is a residential area). Cop saw me between the two driveways. While he's writing me the ticket a girl on a bike goes by going the wrong way, but on the sidewalk as I was. I asked, "What about her?" He replies, "She's on the sidewalk." WTF? I tried to explain that I was too, just wasn't willing to curbhop with a friggin 10 speed bike. He didn't care.

Links showing the "most states" have a law requiring you to carry ID please? There is a difference between requiring you to identify yourself when asked, carrying a drivers license when operating a motor vehicle, and requiring an ID at all times.

 

[djheater]

Originally posted by: brxndxn
cops like that give real cops a bad name..

He was probby having a bad day so he decided to try to make yours a bad day. I hate how cops really get mad when you actually know your rights.

No, cops that do take downs on idiots in grocery stores give cops a bad name.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: Linflas

Links showing the "most states" have a law requiring you to carry ID please? There is a difference between requiring you to identify yourself when asked, carrying a drivers license when operating a motor vehicle, and requiring an ID at all times.

You're kidding, right? Sigh.

A quick search brought up this one. Most of the links google gave me were regarding voter identification laws, which don't apply here.

Nevada

Call your local PD and ask if there's a law about carrying identification if you plan on going out without ID. I know I got a ticket in CA for not having ID once when I got tagged for littering. . .

EDIT: That link is more about providing a name than official documentation. I need to get ready for work though so can't dig any further.

 

[jjones]

I thought in Cali you had to carry ID.

 

[Rayden]

Originally posted by: notfred
I just got stopped on my bicycle by a police officer. It was about 1:00AM, and I made a left turn from a road with no bike lane, onto a road with a bike lane. I made the left turn with a green left-turn signal.

He stopped me and told me "You're supposed to use the bike path". He didn't seem to understand that the road I was on didn't have a bike path, despite the fact that he could trun around and see it behind him. He insisted that "there's a bike path on this side of the street", which is where I was riding when he pulled me over. He seems to think that there was some magic way I could have crossed the street while riding in a nonexistant bike path to get to the bike path that I was riding in when he pulled me over.

Then he complained that I don't have a rear light on my bike. I don't, it's true, but then California law doesn't require me to have one. Lots of people ride with them, as they make you more visible at night, but the law still doesn't require one.

Then he asked if I had ID. I said no. He asked how old I was. I said 25. He said something like "You old enough to know you're supposed to carry ID". I had to argue that point. I told him there's no law that says I have to carry ID while riding a bike. He kept implying that I had some obligation to carry ID to make his job easier. He asked for my name and date of birth. Then he told me I could go.

He didn't give me a ticket, he let me go after I argued with him for 5 minutes, but still. WTF? He must be bored out of his mind.

Doesn't sound like he knows anything. In California, bikes are considered vehicles and are entitled to do everything cars do except ride on freeways (highways?). This also means you have the same responsibilities. Even if there is a bike path I think you are allowed to ride on the street, IN THE LANE, if you so desire. I recommend riding out of the way of cars and using a light if it is dark.

As far as carrying an ID, sounds like 1984 to me.

 

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: DurocShark
Most states have ID requirements if you're over 18. Some if you're over 16 or in high school. (Carrying enough cash is often enough to cover the lack of ID though since the law is an anti-transient law and having enough $$ to get a motel room shows you're not a transient.)

It's also good for buying the pigs off.

 

[FoBoT]

if you were prolietariat, he would have morphed into a female officer and beat you up

 

[Toasthead]

Originally posted by: notfred
I just got stopped on my bicycle by a police officer. It was about 1:00AM, and I made a left turn from a road with no bike lane, onto a road with a bike lane. I made the left turn with a green left-turn signal.

He stopped me and told me "You're supposed to use the bike path". He didn't seem to understand that the road I was on didn't have a bike path, despite the fact that he could trun around and see it behind him. He insisted that "there's a bike path on this side of the street", which is where I was riding when he pulled me over. He seems to think that there was some magic way I could have crossed the street while riding in a nonexistant bike path to get to the bike path that I was riding in when he pulled me over.

Then he complained that I don't have a rear light on my bike. I don't, it's true, but then California law doesn't require me to have one. Lots of people ride with them, as they make you more visible at night, but the law still doesn't require one.

Then he asked if I had ID. I said no. He asked how old I was. I said 25. He said something like "You old enough to know you're supposed to carry ID". I had to argue that point. I told him there's no law that says I have to carry ID while riding a bike. He kept implying that I had some obligation to carry ID to make his job easier. He asked for my name and date of birth. Then he told me I could go.

He didn't give me a ticket, he let me go after I argued with him for 5 minutes, but still. WTF? He must be bored out of his mind.

haha welcome to Davis.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: jjones
I thought in Cali you had to carry ID.

Then show me the link to the law.

 

[JDrake]

lol
i got pulled over once with my gokart and we got off scot free

 

[acemcmac]

Our town's PD has a policy that the cops will turn a blind eye to your riding on the sidewalk as long as you aren't barreling down it like a bat out of hell because they'd rather see you get a pinch flat doing all of that curb hopping than get pinched flat run over by the insane traffic around here. This is one of the only good policies I have ever heard of from the local PD :thumbsup:

 

[BoomerD]

Let's see...1 a.m. on a bike, no ID...maybe the cop wanted to be certain you weren't stealing the bike...it does happen y'know...sux when they hassle you, but it would also suck if it was your bike, and it had been stolen...

Here are the Kahleeforneeya laws:

California Bicycle Laws
Learning the rules of the road is key to being a safe bicyclist. The following are important excerpts from the California Vehicle Code (VC) relating to the operation and equipping of bicycles.

Bicycle Defined. VC 231
Defines bicycle as a device upon which any person may ride, propelled exclusively by human power through a belt, chain, or gears and having one or more wheels. Specifically provides that persons riding bicycles are subject to Vehicle Code provisions specified in Sections 21200 and 21200.5 (see below).

Bicycle Use. VC 21200
Every person riding a bicycle upon a street or highway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, including the provisions of law dealing with driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs, except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.

Bicycling Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. VC 21200.5

Provides that it is unlawful to ride a bicycle upon a street or highway while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or drug or the combination of alcohol and a drug, punishable by a fine of up to $250. A person arrested may request a chemical test. If the person is under 21 but over 13 years of age, his or her driving privilege will be suspended for one year or delayed for one year once the person is eligible to drive.

Equipment Requirements. VC 21201
a) No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

b) No person shall operate on the highway any bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate their hands above the level of their shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

c) No person shall operate upon any highway a bicycle which is of such a size as to prevent the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.

d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped with the following:

A lamp emitting a white light which illuminates the highway and is visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and the sides of the bicycle.
A red reflector mounted on the rear of the bicycle and visible from 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle.
A white or yellow reflector mounted on each pedal visible 200 feet to the front and rear of the bicycle and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with side reflectors. All reflectorized tires must meet DMV requirements.
e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in place of a lamp attached to the bike.

Duty of Bicycle Operator: Operation On Roadway. VC 21202
a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

When overtaking and passing another bicycle or motor vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
b) Any person operating a bicycle on a one-way street or highway with two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.

Hitching Rides. VC 21203
No person riding upon any motorcycle, motorized bicycle, bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or themselves to any streetcar or vehicle on the roadway.

Riding On Bicycle. VC 21204
a) No person operating a bicycle on a highway shall ride other than on a permanent and regular attached seat.

b) No person operating a bicycle on a highway shall allow anyone to ride as a passenger other than on a separate attached seat. If the passenger is four years old or younger or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall adequately retain the passenger in place and protect him/her from the bicycle's moving parts.

Carrying Articles. VC 21205
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

Permitted Movements from Bicycle Lanes. VC 21208
a) Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride in the bicycle lane, except under the following situations.

When overtaking or passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
When necessary to leave the lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.
b) No operator of a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until it can be done safely and then only after giving an appropriate hand signal in the event that any vehicle might be affected by the movement.

Parking. VC 21210
No person shall leave a bicycle lying on its side on any sidewalk, or shall park a bicycle on a sidewalk in any other position, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic. Local authorities may prohibit bicycle parking in designated areas of the public highway, provided appropriate signs are erected.

Obstruction of Bikeways. VC 21211
No person shall place or park a bicycle or vehicle so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist on a bikeway or bicycle path or trail unless the placement or parking is necessary for safe operation or otherwise in compliance with the law.

Youth Helmets. VC 21212
Prohibits persons under 18 from riding or being a passenger on a bicycle without wearing helmets meeting specified standards (ANSI or SNELL). Violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $25.

Bicycles on Roadways VC 21650.1
A bicycle operated on a roadway or highway shoulder shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to drive upon the roadway.

Bicycling on Freeways VC 21960
a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities may prohibit or restrict the use of freeways or any portion thereof by bicycles.

b) Such prohibitory regulations shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the freeway and the approaches thereto.

Hand Signals. VC 22111
All required signals given by hand and arm shall be given in the following manner:

Left turn-hand and arm extended horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle.
Right turn- left hand and arm extended upward beyond the side of the bicycle or right hand and arm extended horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.
Stop or sudden decrease of speed signal- left hand and arm extended downward beyond the side of the bicycle.
Toll Crossing. VC 23330
Except where a special permit has been obtained from the Department of Transportation, bicycles shall not be permitted on any vehicular crossing, unless the Department by signs indicates that bicycles are permitted upon all or any portion of the vehicular crossing.

Headsets and Earplugs. VC 27400
No person operating any vehicle, including a bicycle shall wear any headset covering, or any earplugs in, both ears. There are exceptions for persons operating authorized emergency vehicles, special construction or maintenance equipment and refuse collection equipment, and for any person wearing personal hearing protectors designed to attenuate injurious noise levels and which do not inhibit the wearers' ability to hear a siren or horn from an emergency vehicle or horn form another motor vehicle, and for any person using a prosthetic device which aids the hard of hearing.

License Requirement. VC 39002
a) A city or county may adopt a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution providing that no resident shall operate any bicycle on any street, road, highway, or other public property within the city of county, unless such bicycle is licensed in accordance with this division.

b) Any bicycle not licensed under this division may be additionally regulated or licensed pursuant to local ordinance or may be licensed upon request of the owner.

c) It is illegal for any person to to tamper with, destroy, mutilate or alter any license indicia (marking) or registration form or to remove, alter, or mutilate the serial number, or the identifying marks of a licensing agency's identifying symbol on any bicycle frame licensed under the provision of this division.

Throwing Substances On Highways Or Adjoining Areas. VC 23111 7 23112
No person in any vehicle shall throw or discharge from or upon any road, highway or adjoining area, public or private, any lighted or non-lighted cigarette, cigar, match or any flaming or glowing substance.

No person shall throw or deposit upon a highway any bottle, can garbage, glass, wire, nails, paper or any substance likely to injure or cause damage to traffic using the highway.

Note: Some of the sections of the laws listed above have been reworded slightly and/or abbreviated. For exact language, refer to the referenced sections in the California Vehicle Code.

In addition to these state laws, many communities have local ordinances. Check with your local police department regarding bicycle registration, licensing, and regulations (sidewalk riding, etc.) in your area.

 

[notfred]

Let's see...1 a.m. on a bike, no ID...maybe the cop wanted to be certain you weren't stealing the bike...it does happen y'know...sux when they hassle you, but it would also suck if it was your bike, and it had been stolen...

And how exactly is he going to do that? Ask if it's my bike? It's not like it has license plates on it.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: notfred

Let's see...1 a.m. on a bike, no ID...maybe the cop wanted to be certain you weren't stealing the bike...it does happen y'know...sux when they hassle you, but it would also suck if it was your bike, and it had been stolen...

And how exactly is he going to do that? Ask if it's my bike? It's not like it has license plates on it.

Oh NO!! An unlicenced bcycle? Deppending on where you live, THAT may have been illegal...Many towns and cities have bicyle licence requirements...
Actually, maybe he could just get the "feel" for whether you were stealing it or not...You know, not all hinkey and stuff...plus he did take your name and so forth, and we all know, no one would ever lie to a policeman...

 

[jjones]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: jjones
I thought in Cali you had to carry ID.

Then show me the link to the law.

Don't know if it's still true but it was at one time when I lived there years ago, that's why I was wondering.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: notfred

Let's see...1 a.m. on a bike, no ID...maybe the cop wanted to be certain you weren't stealing the bike...it does happen y'know...sux when they hassle you, but it would also suck if it was your bike, and it had been stolen...

And how exactly is he going to do that? Ask if it's my bike? It's not like it has license plates on it.

Serial number.