gschreckchat@comcast.net
Actually, most of them are very nice and most times I deserved to be stopped anyway. I think some of this is a case of being tarred by the bad behavior of the many cyclists that do not follow the rules of the road. It is unfortunate.
----- Original Message -----
From: "eric aldinger"
To: "Ron and Dorothy Strasser"
Cc: obra@list.obra.org
Sent: Monday, January 18, 2010 4:21:27 PM GMT -08:00 US/Canada Pacific
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] I almost got arrested today while on a bike ride!
"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
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