Reseda Sharrows Traffic Stop
Thread started by
jeshii at 03.15.12 - 10:44 am
We were rolling TNS two nights ago down Reseda just north of Sherman Way (SFV). Of course, we were taking up the right hand lane. There's even sharrows and shit right there. Some jeep tailgates us for a while and I tell him to go around us and honk him (horn on bike, FTW) when he eventually does. An LAPD cruser sees the whole thing and pulls ME over. Not the jeep that's tailgating the bike pack, but the leader of said bike pack.
I didn't get a ticket or anything (wtf would they charge me with anyway? Probably "resisting arrest" or "disobeying police orders" or something), but SHARROWS ain't worth shit apparently. I pointed them out to the cops and they were like, "You still gotta ride all the way to the right."
Fuck. If it had happened on my commute, I'd gladly get into it with them, but as it was a party ride, I figured best to get it over with and keep the police involvement to a minimum.
Sent a complaint to Sgt. Krumer already, but I didn't really get the officers names or anything. That's all, I just wanted to complain. Next time I see news about sharrows going up and how innovative they are, I'm gonna fucking puke.
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Sharrow is no different from any other type of road sign or marking. They are only as good or useful as the people who choose to follow abide by them correctly. Police are just as ignorant as anyone else on the street. People are given a driving test and written test only once in a long while and are never challenged to keep up with the rules - So why should we expect any of it to actually be effective? Cops are only interested in serving their quotas and protecting the rich and privileged. Bike issues are irrelevant to them.
I like the concept of sharrows. However, in this car-centric world we ride in, sharrows or other bike guidelines/infrastuctures will never be respected. We're fucked. We may see some improvments in cycling rights and a few more bike lanes here and there in the future. Ultimately, we are still the bottom scum that's slowing down their hummers. Don't expect it to change.
Joe Borfo03.15.12 - 11:27 am
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Excuse my blatant cynicism. It's just my outlook lately.
Joe Borfo03.15.12 - 11:46 am
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What did the police say was the reason for the traffic stop?
I'm curious if they mentioned the
honking or use of the horn on your bike. California Vehicle Code Section 27001 prohibits unnecessary honking, but that only applies to "a motor vehicle" not a bicycle.
icbx03.15.12 - 1:57 pm
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lol, interesting. Yeah, I guess it wasn't necessary honking. But I don't think that was it. They didn't turn on their lights until I pointed out the sharrow, which means to me that they were thinking, "Oh, this kid's talking back, let's get him." At least that's what it feels like. I'm actually surprised they didn't try to search any of us. I hear that's pretty typical of a bike stop. They were probably surprised by how old I am. Both officers were about my age or younger.
jeshii responding to a
comment by icbx
03.15.12 - 2:03 pm
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Riding in Austin is sooo much better! Drivers actually respect cyclist here!
louisiana03.15.12 - 4:38 pm
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fuck me for missing out on Austin yet again!!! grrrrrrr
Roadblock responding to a
comment by louisiana
03.15.12 - 8:19 pm
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What's a sharrow? Is that where you buy a pizza and a bunch of hippies all take a slice, leaving you with nothing?
I've learned to expect nothing but complete awfulness from the cops and I'm never disappointed.
I love Reseda.
rev106 responding to a
comment by Roadblock
03.15.12 - 8:46 pm
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Apparently, this honking regulation was drafted by Attorney General Spicolli- cause you know, dudes shall not honk that is some total chick behavior... so sayeth the gender specific language of
V C Section 27001 Use of Horns
Use of Horns
27001. (a) The driver of a motor vehicle when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation shall give audible warning with his horn.
(b) The horn shall not otherwise be used, except as a theft alarm system which operates as specified in Article 13 (commencing with Section 28085) of this chapter.
Amended Ch. 993, Stats. 1977. Effective January 1, 1978.
icbx03.16.12 - 12:54 am
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jeshii:
Hate to mention it, but you probably weren't searched because to a cop, your skin color suggests you are an upstanding citizen and you were simply swayed by the temptation of sin to ride your bike that night.
I also sent an email to Sgt Krumer about this incident and haven't gotten a response. Sort of frustrating. Even though we know what the response will be, it would be nice to get one. Maybe he has his plate full with other incidents of police misconduct and there aren't enough hours in the day to deal with all of them.
outerspace03.18.12 - 9:55 am
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