Grrrr . . . .
I just watched three Tucson bike cops blow a stop sign.
They slowed, looked both ways, and leisurely proceeded on. They obviously were not heading anywhere in a hurry, they just didn’t want to stop. They put themselves in no danger. But what they did would have gotten any of us a ticket on University Avenue.
There is something very erosive and toxic that happens when the police force is above the law, even in minor ways like this. It speaks to the arbitrariness of the law and the finality of power — two things that our civilization has spent a lot of time and energy in the past two and a half centuries to avoid. And two things you see a lot of in countries where corruption, vendetta, and violence rule the polis.
–Erik Ryberg
Update: I just saw them do it again! They blew right through the stop sign in front of my apartment on Convent. They seem to be in the neighborhood today. To clarify, I blow through that stop sign too, just about every day, but each time I do it I risk getting a ticket. They don’t.
–EBR
September 16th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Not to mention the numerous times I have seen officers riding down the sidewalks against traffic. That is definitely not a good lesson to teach other cyclist.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I like the motorcycle cops who enter my neighborhood through the DO NOT ENTER, one way only access point by UMC. I see it at least 5 times a week.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I personally appreciate when the motorcycle cops ride on the sidewalks to avoid intersections especially under and around I-10. Impunity must be amazing.
September 16th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Hey Erik, Maybe one of those cheap video cameras that you can hook up and record on your computer would do the trick. Nothing sweeter than video evidence.—D
September 17th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I’ve heard others say this, and it’s happened to me: After seeing bike officers blow through a stop sign and asking them about it, their response is to laugh and say, “We don’t have to”.
September 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am
well…
I do not believe that bicyclist need to stop at stop sign
but rather view them as yield signs
but what I think does not matter
it is what how the law is written, interpreted, and enforced
police break the speed limit in their cars and the roll through stop signs
they talk on their cell phones even though it is banned here in Washington DC (unless you have a hands free device)
hypocrisy?
yes
September 18th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Seriously? *shakes head*
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I think more web cams which just happen to be pointed in the directions of the offendeers would be the ticket. After all teh answer to a crime wave is to call for more surveilence. Even if it can’t be proved to work at reducing crime. You couls up the embarasment co-efficient.