THE UTTER FAILURE OF THE POLICE

[Papa Lazarou]

This isn't just about motorcycles.

Usually law abiding car drivers only ever come into contact with the police when they are stopped for (usually) minor traffic law infringements. Are motorcyclists more likely to be stopped? I don't think so-except for that time in Wales when an unmarked police car drove so far up my arse I had to go faster to get away from him-then he stopped me for speeding. Arsehole.

Do I trust the (UK) police? yes. They are mostly not corrupt and they are mostly fair. Yes, there is the odd tosser.

This article comes over as more whingeing by a biker. We are NOT simply victims-I utterly reject that pessimistic viewpoint that the author takes.

[DredheadV2.0]

Looks like Mr. Fancypants got a ticket.  

 

I've been riding for a quarter century now (holy crap) and I've never been stopped for any illegitimate reason.  This despite my appearance, which in many places would make me seem like everything I do is illegitimate (though moreso in the 80's).  The only non-speeding stops - once for a broken taillight (you should get that fixed right away; some guy speeding won't see you til it's too late!) and once for having no M-class license (kid, I'm happy to see you have insurance, and so I'm going to let you go with this warning: Your insurance is actually invalid unless you have the motorcycle endorsement) were actually quite helpful in maintaining my personal health and safety.

Yes, I've been stopped for speeding.  Because I was speeding.  I've gotten some warnings there too, and paid fines otherwise.  When I ride in traffic, I DO ride faster than some cars, but also slower than others, maintaining my presense in as many drivers' distracted minds as possible.  Going 20+ the flow of traffic isn't necessary to maintain safety, and if you're doing it with the conviction that it IS you're only one step removed from the Loud Pipes acolytes IMHO

[Mookie]

  I'm always speeding or otherwise being pulled over for good-ish reason, but I don't worry because I have a good lawyer.  

[Dan K]

THE UTTER FAILURE OF THE POLICE

...

For the most part, when a rider sees a cop car in his mirrors, he understands that in all likelihood he will be pulled up for a licence check, a not-so-random breath test and a healthy dose of rudeness, disdain and contempt by the armed Mensa-aspirant in a uniform. And that is the best-case scenario. The worst-case scenario is that the rider will be subjected to an entire barrage of fascist crap about his (subjectively) excessive speed, followed by some half-informed bullshit about his tail-tidy/cylindrical rego holder/aftermarket pipe, while car after car motors past with virtually every driver fixated by his on-board GPS or texting on his phone.
This is wrong on so many levels.

...

Wrong because not true, at least in CHicago.  I wave at almost every cop I see and 9 of 10 wave back.  Glad I don't live in Sydney.

- Dan

[ambientboy]

Certainly not an issue here in KC.  I see the cops regularly and have never been hassled, in fact, I usually give them a nod as I ride by.  Usually, I get a nod in response.  I have no problem with cops.

[Fourstring]

Wrong because not true, at least in CHicago.  I wave at almost every cop I see and 9 of 10 wave back.  Glad I don't live in Sydney.

- Dan

This.  In Illinois, they're just thrilled I'm wearing a helmet.

[Spanky]

I have been riding on the street for almost 30 years   mostly in Pennsylvania and I have only been pulled over one time that was bogus. I had a new bike with less than 500 miles on it and I was pulled over for an out of date inspection sticker - not. The police officer quickly admitted the mistake and I was on my way, no harm, no foul. There were many more times that I was pulled over for a legitimate reason and was given a ticket for less than I deserved. I may be lucky, but so far I am way ahead in terms of fines paid vs. fines deserved. I think your attitude and how you talk to the officer may play a large part in how they write the ticket - not every time, but most of the time in my experience. Be polite, be honest, it pays off in the long run.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

so you've never been pulled over for some made-up violation or bogus accusation? i have, although none have been while on a motorcycle.

Nope.  And I'm in my 50's.  

[bubba zanetti]

Nope.  And I'm in my 50's.  

Cop hat in the rear window ?

[Scratch33]

What's this thread about...?  

FTP, in so many words.

[Justin]

THE UDDER FAILURE OF THE COWS

How do feel when you suddenly, apropos of nothing, see a cow in your mirrors? Do you immediately breathe a sigh of relief knowing you will enjoy a glass of milk later? Are you comforted in the knowledge that the cows are ensuring a steady flow of milk and beef? Or do you start hyperventilating and wondering why there is f**king cow following you on the road? ...

 

[Mookie]

Nope.  And I'm in my 50's.  

I did all the time back when I lived in NC, not so much on the West coast.  Those cops were great at profiling yet really bad at actually preventing crimes.  

[ambientboy]

This.  In Illinois, they're just thrilled I'm wearing a helmet.

Same thing when I cut through the Kansas side...I'm the only guy with a helmet on.

[Formerly Known as Bigfoot]

Cop hat in the rear window ?

Nope.  No FOP stickers, tags or anything marking me as a former cop.  

[Hardware]

Blah, blah, fucking blah...


The above was penned by Mr Boris Mihailovic and first appeared in Australian Motorcycle News, March 2012.
It is specific to Sydney, Australia but applies to many other parts of the world.
Boris kindly gave his permission to reproduce it here.

Nice broad sweeping generalizations there.  I'll use the same BS style of rationale to conclude that all Aussies are fucking retards.

[viffergyrl]

Well you know... some people just have a 'way' with cops....

Edit: If you have been unjustly pulled over and harassed I hope you fought it and won.  

[Rogue]

I did.

Won one.  Took the other to traffic school (better to have a sure thing than lose).  

[cbsnbiker]

Well you know... some people just have a 'way' with cops....

Edit: If you have been unjustly pulled over and harassed I hope you fought it and won.  

On a few occasions, yes.

Other times, my lawyer said that I was going to be found guilty no matter the facts, so I might as well just plead it down and be done with it.

And I definitely do *not* "just have a 'way' with cops." I know that that wasn't directed at me, but I do want to emphasize that point. I am always polite and courteous.

[viffergyrl]

On a few occasions, yes.

Other times, my lawyer said that I was going to be found guilty no matter the facts, so I might as well just plead it down and be done with it.

And I definitely do *not* "just have a 'way' with cops." I know that that wasn't directed at me, but I do want to emphasize that point. I am always polite and courteous.

Correct - I was thinking of the attitude projected by the man being quoted in the OP and of several people I've run into in my lifetime. Like others here I've not had these instances where I felt that I was stopped without cause.

But it's not a perfect world and this is why the Internet is so powerful - information gets shared that can widen your view on a particular issue or topic.  

[GTS_Rider]

The OP is from Australia, things may be different there.

^^^ This!

From all I've heard, admittedly via interwebs, speed enforcement is over the top oppressive in kangaroo lands...

I don't know why everyone is giving him such a hard time. He's an oppressed brother of the moto-sect. How about a little support/compassion  here?

For sure, I know, he knows, the free-range opportunities of a well planned tour of California 'back-roads'. Eh, I've seen his videos...  

Sucks that he can't 'ride his own ride' in his own homeland without fear of license suspension or being thown in jail...

Any-case, I'd really like to do a moto tour in Australia, but I'm out. From all I've heard, the police are really hard-core on speed-enforcement there. Much easier to stick to homelands where one can still speed on empty minor roads without much fear of harsh fines and/or  license suspension...