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Taking the Lane

Submitted by DancingWithTheSharks on October 30, 2011 - 3:51pm
in

Advocacy from a unlikely place.....a bicycle police officer!

I was riding with my partner taking the only single lane on Jarvis, near Queens Quay, when a car turned in the lane despite the fact that we were riding in the centre. I blew my whistle to warn the car, which was ignored. A nearby bicycle officer, alerted by my whistle, witnessed the event. While the car was waiting at the light, the officer walked over to confront the driver about cutting us off. The driver basically told the officer we were in the wrong because we weren't on the right edge of the lane. Amazingly, the officer explained we had a right to be in the centre of the lane. The officer had to repeat this to the disbelieving driver a few times :). Sure is nice to see the bicycle police backing us up!

‹ Looking for cyclists that have been in accidents wtih cars... PWIC 2011-11-03: Who's going? What will you talk about? ›

Great story - I guess the bike cops face the same issues as we do and are just as frustrated.

Thanks for posting this!

simplicius2wheels October 30, 2011 - 5:29pm #

Last Thursday, I saw a LOT of police officers riding in a different style - ie. we would get tickets. Clumps, wrong way and sidewalk cycling...

hamish (not verified) October 30, 2011 - 10:27pm #

Great story! At least there are more cops on bikes who understand things a bit better from the cyclists' perspective.

I'm always amazed by some people's reasoning that because they perceive someone else as being in the wrong that that gives them the right to completely endanger their lives by cutting them off or swerving into them. I had one woman tell me that I wasn't supposed to be next to another cyclist when she actually shoved my bike over as she drove by me. Even if I was in the wrong position does that mean it is now open hunting season on me? Go ahead I don't deserve to live.

herb October 31, 2011 - 2:57pm #

It would be interesting to hear a psychologist analyze what drives the hate towards cyclist - once that's the tenor of someone's attitude they find enough reason to justify putting you into trouble.

simplicius2wheels October 31, 2011 - 5:25pm #

It may surprise some people but Police officers are people to and they have families and take their kids riding. They even ride bikes when they are not working, some cops are even bike advocates.

Thanks from
Former human being (for 40 years) now Police Officer. ;)

Random cyclist (not verified) October 31, 2011 - 8:42pm #

It may surprise some people but Police officers are people to and they have families and take their kids riding. They even ride bikes when they are not working, some cops are even bike advocates.

Thanks from
Former human being (for 40 years) now Police Officer. ;)

Random cyclist (not verified) October 31, 2011 - 8:49pm #

lol i just think the cars are jealous they can't be out enjoying some fresh air and exercise. even on my overpowered 50kph electric road bike i get honked at for taking up a lane when im going faster than them!

Random Cycliist (not verified) November 2, 2011 - 5:20pm #

Grow up and use a real bicycle or go get a motorcycle and a m licence. Twit.

dances_with_traffic (not verified) November 6, 2011 - 12:06am #

I just don't understand the hate towards fellow cyclists, aren't we both against cars?

A2B Metro (not verified) November 6, 2011 - 5:44pm #

Hear Hear!!! Great advice for cycling safer!
http://accozzaglia.ca/2011/11/07/you-own-your-space/

DancingWithTheSharks November 7, 2011 - 9:30pm #