Even when I'm going wide open, if I even THINK I see a roller, I pedal.

I have pedalled while the engine was obviously running past a few city police and had no problems.
When you are going slow enough, I think when they hear the engine pulsing with each pedal stroke they think you are pedalling a weird fake motorcycle toy thing, and feel embarassed....

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If it ain't broke, and you mess with it long enough, it will be.