Long, Steve

The person that just posted this is out of line.

From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of john
Sent: Monday, August 01, 2011 9:36 AM
To: Obra
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Interesting Encounter with an Off-duty
PoliceOfficer

"...should I have done anything differently?"

Mmmm. yes, you should have not been breaking the law, and should have
been in the shoulder... ?

"the shoulder is littered with rocks, glass and other miscellaneous
debris"

I am sorry, but IMHO, This does not sound like a safety hazard. A
higher chance of a flat tire is NOT a safety hazard. (And if you think
getting a flat tire on a biycle is a safety hazard, then you shouldn't
be riding a bicycle).

Just because someone choses to ride with lightweight training or racing
tires, does not entitle you break the law and not ride to the right.

And to be honest, if I am a white-lining and get left a foot or two and
the speeds aren't that high, it's business as usual.

That said, the police officer was right to feel sheepish about getting a
little too close. Its a job where you can't even give the impression
that you are being un-safe or dangerous.

On Sat, Jul 30, 2011 at 7:49 PM, Jeremy wrote:

Dear OBRA,

Long-time listener, first-time caller... I had a very interesting
interaction with someone who said she was a police officer today on a
training ride.

I was white-line riding over an overpass over I-5 where the shoulder is
non-existent widens a bit for the overpass then narrows down. As these
sections get swept about once every 2-5 years, the shoulder is littered
with rocks, glass and other miscellaneous debris. I was passed safely
by one car then buzzed by a dark gray Ford Bronco towing a trailer about
a foot from my shoulder. I swung my left hand to signal the driver to
give more room. She took her arm out the window and waved over to
indicate that I should have been over more to the right. Knowing then
that she knew exactly what she was doing, I hauled tail, got the license
plate and called 911 when she turned onto the highway.

911 was friendly and helpful and asked repeatedly if I was okay. I said
physically I was fine but I was pretty shaken. They took all my info
and we parted company.

I rode on and took a turn I have taken maybe twice ever, and there was
the Bronco, parked in a driveway, lights on and garage open. I asked
the woman in the garage if that was her car. She said it was her
daughter's and I said that car buzzed me about 15 minutes earlier. She
went in to the house and fetched her daughter.

As I talked to the driver, I asked her if she knew she buzzed me. She
said yes. I introduced myself and asked her if she understood that
buzzing me was not within the law. She replied she was a police officer
and asked if I knew that I have to ride as far right as the road allows.
I kindly informed her that wasn't how the law read and I was as right as
the conditions allowed. Further talking with her brought out that she
was having a bad day and lost her uncle. I expressed condolences and
politely asked her to think about how her actions could have made her
bad day my bad day and that I have children that I do happen to love and
who would miss me should something terrible happen because someone tried
to make a point by putting my life in danger. She then said something
to the effect of "when I see a bicyclist" at which point I kindly said,
"My name is Jeremy. I am not 'a bicyclist'. I am father and husband."

At first, she wanted not to identify herself and I repeatedly told her
she didn't have to if she didn't want to, I just wanted to talk. In the
end, she apologized and offered a business card, which I refused. After
another 2 hours of riding and thinking, I'm wishing, perhaps, I had
taken that card, but I really hope she took what I said to heart. A
part of me wishes I had a nutshell citation of the statutes involved
with where we are "supposed to ride" when there is no bike lane I could
have handed her because, in hindsight, I think I am more scared that an
officer of the law would attempt to make a legal point in that manner
than simply pull me over and cite me, if I were really in the wrong
(which I don't think I am).

I consider myself very fortunate that 1) the driver didn't wing me with
her mirror, 2) the driver was actually willing to talk to me, and 3)
that kind of buzzing happens to me really infrequently.

Besides actually taking her card, should I have done anything
differently?

-Jeremy Everitt
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