Comments on: Police: Ignorant of Bike Laws? Make Them Up!! http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/ Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:46:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Alex Thompson http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-607 Alex Thompson Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:36:17 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-607 Jader: 1) He can't search you without probable cause unless you give your consent. It doesn't sound like he had probable cause, did you consent to a search? Regardless, it seems unnecessary - file a complaint, either in person: http://www.santamonicapd.org/units/traffic.htm or online: http://www.labikemap.com/tickets 2) You do not need a driver's license to use a bicycle. However, if an officer believes you have committed a citable offense, and you cannot provide identification, then he can arrest you to verify your identity. I believe that at this point they have the right to search you, but, I think only if you are being arrested. Jader:

1) He can’t search you without probable cause unless you give your consent. It doesn’t sound like he had probable cause, did you consent to a search? Regardless, it seems unnecessary - file a complaint, either in person:

http://www.santamonicapd.org/units/traffic.htm

or online:

http://www.labikemap.com/tickets

2) You do not need a driver’s license to use a bicycle. However, if an officer believes you have committed a citable offense, and you cannot provide identification, then he can arrest you to verify your identity. I believe that at this point they have the right to search you, but, I think only if you are being arrested.

]]> By: Jader http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-606 Jader Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:25:48 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-606 An officer of SMPD threatened to arrest me yesterday for not having my driver's license while riding (then searched my bag). Is there a law about this? Do you know where I can post this question and get feedback? Thanks - Sitting Here with $160 Ticket An officer of SMPD threatened to arrest me yesterday for not having my driver’s license while riding (then searched my bag). Is there a law about this? Do you know where I can post this question and get feedback?
Thanks -
Sitting Here with $160 Ticket

]]> By: Alex Thompson http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-23 Alex Thompson Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:42:00 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-23 Sally,<br/><br/>If you took that long a pitstop in my family you'd be left chillin while my dad drove off to New Mexico. Have a great time in SF, and tell them they're cousins down here in LA are fighting the good fight.<br/><br/>AT Sally,

If you took that long a pitstop in my family you’d be left chillin while my dad drove off to New Mexico. Have a great time in SF, and tell them they’re cousins down here in LA are fighting the good fight.

AT

]]> By: Sally C http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-21 Sally C Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:50:00 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-21 Sigh. <br/><br/>Alex, keep fighting the good fight. I promise I'm not moving to SF because LA left me feeling defeated. I swear, I've always wanted to live in SF and this LA thing was just a pit stop on my way from VA. <br/><br/>Keep on pushin' Sigh.

Alex, keep fighting the good fight. I promise I’m not moving to SF because LA left me feeling defeated. I swear, I’ve always wanted to live in SF and this LA thing was just a pit stop on my way from VA.

Keep on pushin’

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-17 Anonymous Wed, 30 Jan 2008 23:48:00 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-17 I feel for that poor bastard that got the ticket for not having having lights (sic). haha! I feel for that poor bastard that got the ticket for not having having lights (sic). haha!

]]> By: SoapBoxLA http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-16 SoapBoxLA Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:31:00 +0000 http://www.westsidebikeside.com/police-ignorant-of-bike-laws-make-them-up/#comment-16 Called the Sheriff's Department @ 310-482-6000. <br/><br/>Deputy Hall tried a couple of times and I was finally able to speak to the watch commander. <br/><br/>Lt. Allende, took my comments, argued that they get complaints from locals that cyclists are taking over ths streets.<br/><br/>"It's a difficult task maintaining the balance of peace." <br/><br/>I reminded him that some complaints are opportunities to inform the complainer that the cyclists have the right to the lane, the road, to ride unharrassed.<br/><br/>Ultimately, well-intentioned but misguided instructions are still misguided and inappropriate.<br/><br/>Cyclists are entitled to the full use of the lane and are not bound to the bike lane if they are going the speed of traffic. <br/><br/>Woo Hoo!<br/><br/>He offered to include cycling sensitivity in his roll call. Called the Sheriff’s Department @ 310-482-6000.

Deputy Hall tried a couple of times and I was finally able to speak to the watch commander.

Lt. Allende, took my comments, argued that they get complaints from locals that cyclists are taking over ths streets.

“It’s a difficult task maintaining the balance of peace.”

I reminded him that some complaints are opportunities to inform the complainer that the cyclists have the right to the lane, the road, to ride unharrassed.

Ultimately, well-intentioned but misguided instructions are still misguided and inappropriate.

Cyclists are entitled to the full use of the lane and are not bound to the bike lane if they are going the speed of traffic.

Woo Hoo!

He offered to include cycling sensitivity in his roll call.

]]>