Wow. You should post this to the action alert forum in Bike Pittsburgh. I'm glad they didn't arrest you (not that you deserved to be), but it still sucks that you received that type of treatment. Did you happen to get their badge numbers? The Crit-Mass event has already been beaten to death to the point where I don't think anyone can do much more about it. The PPD claim they've already disciplined the officer in question so there's nothing else they can do. However, since this is a new incident, this may cast a shadow over how the Pittsburgh Police are treating bikers in general.
I think they treat everyone like that, not just bikers....my husband had a bad experience a couple of weeks ago, pulled over without being given a reason, sworn at, accused of having drugs....then, let go without even an apology. =-/
I've had encounters with Pgh Police similar to this in the past, although it wasn't about biking. Their attitude and actions may well be the norm and rightly or wrongly I can't get too excited about that sort of behavior anymore. Given the state of things in the nation I would be reluctant to argue with the police while out on the street even if I knew I was in the right. Might end up tasered and in jail.
At other times I've also had good interactions with Pgh. Police. When you are in desperate need of a cop, there's no good substitute.
I'm sure you'll follow your best judgment in all this. Me, it wouldn't rise above the bitch-about-it stage. I understand your frustration.
i'm past the bitch-about-it stage. now i'm at the doing-something-about-it stage.
most of my friends are cyclists, messengers, commuters, pro racers, semi-pro racers, weekend warriors, etc. we don't deserve to be treated like second class citizens because we commute by bike.
Okay. My point is that many Pgh cops are equal opportunity abusers. I don't think you were singled out because you were biking. Now, if you want to go ahead and try to do something about it anyway, more power to you. It's been this way around here for at least 20 years, in my experience. 'Course, I've had the same or worst experiences in Philadelphia.
i don't feel i was "singled out", but i have witnessed enough incidents where the cops messed with bike people to know what the sentiments of the cops are toward us.
i was telling this story to my buddy who owns and operates a local bike shop, and he said he's been stopped by the police at least 60 times. no tickets though. now why'd they have to stop him? you'd think a bike shop owner would be pretty experienced cyclist and know the laws. i think they are definitely screwing with cyclists for no good reason.
i realize that it has been bad around here, but it was a lot better when the federal consent decree was in effect. remember when that woman was strip searched by a male officer in front of her children alongside the roadway? heard any stories like that lately?
Did anyone hear about the cruiser that hit a Greenfield *bank* last year? Yep, he somehow missed the corner, jumped the curb, and plowed into the building. I could understand if it was icy (ice usually forms on that corner), but the road was clear!
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I've had encounters with Pgh Police similar to this in the past, although it wasn't about biking. Their attitude and actions may well be the norm and rightly or wrongly I can't get too excited about that sort of behavior anymore. Given the state of things in the nation I would be reluctant to argue with the police while out on the street even if I knew I was in the right. Might end up tasered and in jail.
At other times I've also had good interactions with Pgh. Police. When you are in desperate need of a cop, there's no good substitute.
I'm sure you'll follow your best judgment in all this. Me, it wouldn't rise above the bitch-about-it stage. I understand your frustration.
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most of my friends are cyclists, messengers, commuters, pro racers, semi-pro racers, weekend warriors, etc. we don't deserve to be treated like second class citizens because we commute by bike.
Reply
Okay. My point is that many Pgh cops are equal opportunity abusers. I don't think you were singled out because you were biking. Now, if you want to go ahead and try to do something about it anyway, more power to you. It's been this way around here for at least 20 years, in my experience. 'Course, I've had the same or worst experiences in Philadelphia.
Reply
i was telling this story to my buddy who owns and operates a local bike shop, and he said he's been stopped by the police at least 60 times. no tickets though. now why'd they have to stop him? you'd think a bike shop owner would be pretty experienced cyclist and know the laws. i think they are definitely screwing with cyclists for no good reason.
i realize that it has been bad around here, but it was a lot better when the federal consent decree was in effect. remember when that woman was strip searched by a male officer in front of her children alongside the roadway? heard any stories like that lately?
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