eric aldinger

"Remember it was just that one guy. Not all the officers."

Since I race against at least one Portland PD racer I know for a fact that
not all cops are biased against cyclists or citizens minding their own
business. I have been generally impressed with the demeanor of the cops that
have pulled me over for general vehicular chicanery.

On Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 4:06 PM, Ron and Dorothy Strasser <
rondot@spiritone.com> wrote:

> Scott,
> The interaction is finished at this point, but my understanding with regard
> to Portland Police, is they are supposed to give you their name or business
> card or some such ID requirement now. Maybe it has not started yet. I am
> pretty sure I would not be trying to take a photo of an officer while he/she
> is in control of the situation... which even when this type of escalation
> takes place... the officer is the boss. If what you describe about your
> interaction with this person is accurate, he was a bit off the charts in my
> opinion. Anybody stopping along that bluff creates a potential hazard.
> Especially a motor vehicle. And you would think a police officer would
> recognize this more than a Joe or Jane Citizen. This officer knew that
> anyone coming along would need to go around you guys (and thus into
> traffic).... probably causing much more danger than what he said you
> caused. I think this guys was on edge. Many people ride this area and do
> what you describe.
> I pass riders along that section of Willamette Blvd. all the time in the
> same manner. This has never happened to me. I have been passed there as
> well, but am less apt to pay much attention to when the next motor vehicle
> also comes by from behind. I am always on my guard in that area along the
> bluff because there is real danger there around the potential crashes from
> motor vehicles turning left and the ones behind them either rear-ending them
> or skidding into bike lane / riders. Keep your eyes on the skid marks on
> that section of roadway and you will see what I mean. A few years ago I
> stopped while riding that section (put my bike over on a grass section) and
> cut blackberries back that were hanging in the bike lane. A patrol car went
> by while I was doing this (driver slowed and looked at what I was doing) but
> did not stop. The next day a city crew was out mowing and weed-eating. I
> do not know if my work had anything to do with that, but I did it because I
> see a large number of riders along that lane who are pretty intimidated by
> the fast moving traffic. They do not need additional obstacles. *Traffic
> safety* in that bike lane (in-bound toward the city center) is very much
> impacted by anything (people on blades / skateboards, joggers, busses
> stopped at pick up areas, cars driving or stopped in it, especially any of
> the above going the wrong direction. To be honest, my most dangerous
> situations have been when coming upon the UP cross country team out running
> / training. I even talked to their coach about how dangerous it was to have
> 6-12 riders running in that lane. I told him I was not as concerned about
> riders that were very competent on their bikes, but riders not as
> experienced and the fact that one is never sure what auto drivers will do
> when those situations arise. The posted speed there is 35, but I know for a
> fact that 40-45+ is the norm especially for commuters in the morning and
> afternoon. His response did not satisfy me (but I have to admit I have not
> seen groups (as large) of his team running since) in that his solution was
> to have his runners move into the lane of traffic to let riders go by. This
> can really confuse "everybody". I say a heads up in that area almost all
> the time.
> Hope your blood pressure is good and the rest of your day is much better.
> Since police officers are "people" as well, I hope his BP is lower and he is
> having a better time about now. Maybe even coming to grips with the fact he
> overreacted. Remember it was just that one guy. Not all the officers. No
> I am not at all employed by the police dept and do not have any family
> employed by them or other departments (although my mom told my I had an
> uncle who was a Texas border patrol officer).
> take care out there.
> ron
> ps.......You probably handled it much better than I would have. I might be
> sitting in a cell right now.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Scott Fitzwater
> *To:* obra@list.obra.org
> *Sent:* Monday, January 18, 2010 1:22 PM
> *Subject:* [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
>
> This is simply unbelievable. I was on a 2 hr bike ride on an unexpectedly
> pleasant day of sunshine. Riding on N Willamette Blvd just past U of P on
> the bike path toward downtown. I was riding about 22 mph and approached
> another bike rider in the bike lane who was riding significantly slower. I
> looked over my left shoulder, saw that I has safe distance from the auto
> traffic behind me, signaled with my left hand/arm that I was coming out,
> went around the other bike rider, merged back into the bike lane and
> continued on at my 22 mph pace.
>
> Next thing I know, there is a vehicle behind me siren blipping and lights
> flashing. Huh, is this guy pulling me over? I guess he is. I stop, the SUV
> size vehicle pulls over and the cop jumps out saying I failed to yield when
> I left the bike lane, entered his lane and passed the bike rider. His voice
> was raised and he's acting angry. I kid you not!! I asked him to calm down
> and he gets madder. I told him that I felt I safely executed the pass by
> looking behind, saw the safe distance and signaled. He disagreed again and
> threatened to ticket me. He asked for my ID. Luckily, I'd forgotten to bring
> any and he yelled "god damnit" when I told him. The "discussion" was
> devolving into "yes you did, no I didn't" and he was obviously in control
> (at one point he said "you're not free to go") so I finally said ok, you're
> right and just stared at him. He then called on his radio and asked if a car
> was nearby (presumably to arrest me??). I guess none were since one didn't
> show up.
>
> The dude (who is a Sargent, by the way) then takes down my name, address,
> phone number and goes back into his vehicle. This whole time we're pulled
> over on the right, the cop vehicle is blocking the bike lane and all bike
> riders are having to leave the bike lane, enter the traffic lane and ride
> around us. Finally, he returns and has written me a warning. I ask what it
> meant and he said "nothing". I said I was sorry for the hassle, he said
> nothing so I rode off. Weird experience.
>
> Portland's finest? Oink oink.
>
> Scott
>
> ------------------------------
>
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--
Eric Aldinger