Pulled Over!

Jemma Hawtrey · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 09:07 AM

After 2 years I finally ran into some bored policemen :s

apparently they were amazed at the speed I got up to on a roundabout - even though I have always followed the rules of the road etc.

I got a rant about wearing a helmet (I dont, dont know if people have noticed but its my brain, not the govt's) and how if I hit someone I would be in trouble.. and the obligatory threat about 'we could confiscate' etc.

The senior of the two of them did a check on my ID - found nothing at all (some people who know me will know why they didnt find anything lol). Though if he called me mate once more I was liable to get upset

I mean, really, its a pushbike with a strimmer engine - what in gods name is the point of insuring it - even if you could get a company who would do you insurance... and that would be hard enough these days

*sigh*

now, the question is, do I just ignore it and keep on using the bike (which is my only means of transport) or am I a good girl and allow my self to be put under the thumb of the govt (for my own safety...)?

Jemma xx

UVsaturated · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 10:49 AM

So did they give you a citation or just a verbal warning? It seems to me that police that just give you verbal warnings are bored, curious as to what you are doing, and want to give you the impression that they have the entire law contained inside their head for reference, when in fact they don't. Then when they investigate further to find that you actually haven't done anything illegal they reprimand you as if you are still the bad person and send you on your way with a hand slap.

If they didn't tell you that you could not ride the thing legally then I see no reason that you shouldn't as long as you don't get carried away and ride it foolishly - that would guarantee to draw attention to these bikes.

**Ilikeabikea** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 10:51 AM

Did they give you a citation or tell you not to ride it anymore? Unless they forbade me to ride it I would probably go ahead and ride. In fact I had a city cop tell me if I kept riding mine I would probably get in trouble. A state trooper told me I could ride it. I just ride anyway and if I see a city cop I kill the engine and pedal................

Jemma Hawtrey · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 01:33 PM

They didnt tell me it was illegal just that they didnt think it was - unfortunately for them it is because of the relevant changes I have made (some specifications are impossible due to the coaster brake set up).

I have realised why they got stroppy though and its sorta my fault in that I forgot a 20 yard stretch of road in town is one way and I went the wrong way - distracted I guess.

There was an unusual police car sitting there - a Ford S-Max and it was the same type of car that stopped me - so I guess it was just a scare her (and possibly a shes cute as well - love to see the look on their faces on *that* score...)

Im gonna keep riding it mainly because I dont have a choice at the moment - its either ride it or I cant get medications and treatment I need to say nothing of being able to do normal everyday things like shopping etc.

I just have to be more careful and less distracted I guess and avoid stroppy s-max police drivers...

Jemma xx

**Bikeguy Joe** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 02:22 PM

I say ride the thing Jemma.

deacon · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 03:25 PM

Get yourself a cheap bike helmet in a second hand store and ride the bike. The cops will always stop a pretty girl when bored to death. That and donuts are a given.

I ran a radar trap once and we set it ten miles over the speed limit when someone popped the buzzer we wrote the ticket, then reset the gun 20 over since we really didn't want to go to court on a speeding ticket anyway.

Same thing stopping someone out of boredom happens, ticketing them is inconvenient for the officer. I gave out a lot of warnings and wrote I think a half dozen tickets a year. Those people got the ticket instead of a warning for FAILING THE ATTITUDE TEST.,

That's just me though

Ride the bike have fun.

z wing · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 03:40 PM

No victim, no crime. As regulations grow, Freedom dies....

deacon · #8 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:31 PM

1. Insurance companies give politicians lots and lots of campaign money....
2. bikers with no helmets cost the insurance companies more money than bikers with helmets..
3. Helmet laws..

1.see one above.
2. Divers not wearing seat belts cost insurance companies more money than driver who wear them.
3. Seat belt laws.

I could go on for hours.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:32 PM

You sho' got that right.

Skyliner70cc · #10 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 04:36 PM

I personally object to helmet and seatbelt laws as infringing on my personal freedoms. However, I also believe it is not my reponsibility as a taxpayer to pay for someone elses healthcare bills becuase they were uninsured or underinsured and didn't wear a helmet in an accident.

That's the main reason why these laws have been passed. They save the government (taxpayer) millions in ER bills and they save those of us who do wear helmets money with lower auto and medical insurance rates.