When the cager is a policeman

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:45 pm

I am still shaking.

I was going on LOS Angeles Avenue west to my MSF class on my Buddy. Suddenly the patrol car appears behind me. I immediately looked at my dial and it showed 45-that is the limit. I kept at that speed,intermittently looking at the dial and the rear mirror. He was still following me at eh same speed. he only left when I made my left turn to go to the riding range place in Simi Valley.

I felt harassed and i wondered, if they don't see any probable cause to stop you... Why did he have to do that? This experience cost me the second MSF class attendance since I could NOT ride that afternoon. I was angry and nervous and a wreck for the whole afternoon, thinking how unfair it was. I wonder:

Did he not know that the scoot was street legal and wanted to make certain (i have plates)?

Did he want to provoke a mistake?

If he did not see anything wrong, why did he keep at it?

Should I complain?

-- It is unfair when you are doing the right thing to be harassed like this by the police.

BEWARE Los Angeles Avenue (Simi Valley) drivers (cars or MCs), police is over the place this pre-Halloween week, issuing tickets for “blinking while driving”.

Get the F---K out of my back and target those “texters while driving”. I have seen a lot!

Still enraged

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:57 pm

How long was he behind you? How close was he?

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:03 pm

He was behind me around 3-4 minutes,closer to 4 I would say.. the whole way from probably Tapo street to Blackstop St.(Adult school for the locals).

He was very close. Close like “I am going to stop you and issue a ticket”. You know that distance when you know you are going to be stopped? That distance!

digital-entropy · Post by **digital-entropy** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:12 pm

I'm not saying you're wrong, but objectively speaking, is 3-4 minutes that long? I have had cops behind me before and could it just have been that the route you were taking partially aligned with his.

I realize it is a bit unnerving but it isn't obvious that he was out to get you or anything.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:22 pm

Why so nervous??

There may have been a call out for a stolen scooter and he/she was checking the stats, or maybe they just didn't have any reason to go around you for a while. I know in Ohio they are cracking down on unlicensed riders, motorcycle and scooter, so they might've been watching to see what cc it was, and how you were riding in general.

Unless you were doing something or had something that could have gotten you arrested, I don't understand why you were so freaked out. If he pulls you over, no reason to cite you, no problem.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:23 pm

Well, for a newbie who is still unacquainted to riding,It felt long. It was probably more, I guess and it felt pretty long. In addition to that it was really windy, it was my second ride on that avenue, going to my MSF course (not that he knew all this, but ... What is the reasoning to follow someone that is not braking the law? You have to have probable cause to follow.

My feeling: If I was not braking any law, ANY amount of time is LONG.

You always expect a police car to follow you when he sees a probable cause for stopping you. like careless driving, missing requirements, etc. None of that was happening on my case. And they have posted sevral patrol cars along teh route.

The classmates on the MSF course kept asking “why so many patrol cars here?” You be the judge.

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:27 pm

So going with traffic is harassing you?? Sorry, but they were probably just doing their job, and not passing you, is not the same as following you. Sometimes cops are just people in city owned cars.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:28 pm

Maybe he was looking for the "Hot Donuts Now!" sign and didn't realize he was that close.

I remember back in the bad old days when a cop would get behind me and I would turn left and he would turn left and I would turn right and he would turn right and on and on until the paranoia set in and I just knew that he was going to pull me over and I was going to jail for 15 or 20 years and omg why did I let myself do this or that

and what about this

and then he turned and that giant sigh of relief escaped and all was right with the world again.

I've got a lot of great almost pulled over paranoia stories from the old days. They're funny now, but they weren't then.

But I gotta say, I never knew there was a certain distance they followed to pull you over.

He might have been thinking, "C'mon, speed up, I'm late for (fill in blank).

Is harassment the only reason you fear being pulled over?

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:31 pm

[quote="bluebuddygirl"]Why so nervous??

My Buddy is the least common color: WHITE. I don't think they had a report on a stolen WHite SCOOTER. Also, scooters are very scarce in my town. Lots of MCs. No scooters.
Nervous: because I am a newbie.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:35 pm

walky08 wrote:
bluebuddygirl wrote:Why so nervous??

My Buddy is the least common color: WHITE. I don't think they had a report on a stolen WHite SCOOTER. Also, scooters are very scarce in my town. Lots of MCs. No scooters.
Nervous: because I am a newbie.
If there were only two white ones, who's to say one didn't get stolen. Lighten up, give yourself a break.
You didn't have a crack pipe in your pocket did you? Just kidding.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:42 pm

Dennis D , what do you mean by this? “Is harassment the only reason you fear being pulled over?” I hope you know what you are implying and keep your evil thoughts to yourself. Do you have some experience with that?

I don't have a specific reason to fear, just the facts of what he did. When I have been stopped for valid reasons, I know what I have done and I go along with the experience easily, calmly, I know they are doing his job. It is only fair that they stop you in this case.

Some people are known to abuse their power, that Is something to fear.
And BluebuddyGirk: It is not going with traffic when there is ample space, no other cars in view and he follows you closely. You were not there.

I will leave you all to your own interpretations of a situation you did not witness. Go on with your alternate stories. They show your own biases. Enjoy!

JSharpPhoto · Post by **JSharpPhoto** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:45 pm

I must be missing something. How is "being followed" enough to scare you into not taking your MSF class. I don't see how those were in any way related. It's scary out there (and i'm of course talking about real dangers, not being "followed"). What are you going to do if you have a near miss with a cager? freak out? as a scooterist, you have to be aware of things you can and can't control. How YOU react to a situation, is really the only thing you can control. People will pull in front of you, even if they see you. They'll ride your ass, even though you're both aware of the distance. You can't control any of those. If you get so rattled by even the slightest thing, maybe scootering isn't for you. It's not a dare devil sport, sure, but it does take the ability to be cool under pressure. Maybe you just don't have it. Prove me wrong. Grow a pair, get back out there, and ride your buddy like it was meant to be ridden. And if you really can't handle riding in such "risky" situations, don't ride in them. It's not rocket surgery. You obviously aren't comfortable riding in them, so don't set yourself up for failure.

Am I being to harsh? It seems to me like we're discussing a "non-issue"

I will leave you all to your own interpretations of a situation you did not witness.

you're not really doing that, now are you. did you come here looking for guidance in this matter?

ScootStevie · Post by **ScootStevie** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:47 pm

Walky, I think you let your nerves get the best of you. Just relax, they could have just been cruising. I don't care if a cop follows me, if I know I'm not doing anything wrong there's no problem. Maybe they were trying to make you nervous, who knows. Just don't let them win

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:50 pm

walky08 wrote:Dennis D , what do you mean by this? “Is harassment the only reason you fear being pulled over?” I hope you know what you are implying and keep your evil thoughts to yourself. Do you have some experience with that?

I don't have a specific reason to fear, just the facts of what he did. When I have been stopped for valid reasons, I know what I have done and I go along with the experience easily, calmly, I know they are doing his job. It is only fair that they stop you in this case.

Some people are known to abuse their power, that Is something to fear.
And BluebuddyGirk: It is not going with traffic when there is ample space, no other cars in view and he follows you closely. You were not there.

I will leave you all to your own interpretations of a situation you did not witness. Go on with your alternate stories. They show your own biases. Enjoy!

Yes, I have tons of experience with this and as far as my evil thoughts, well it was a legitimate question. Maybe you had 38 parking tickets, who knows? Hey, lighten up. Or not. I'm through.

But I do have some really great entertaining stories along these same lines.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:54 pm

JSharpPhoto

Your words are encouraging--though it may not seem so. I think I will have to grow that pair and walk with cowboy stance. I will get back there on my Buddy again. Maybe what I needed was encouragement and a little support. Thanks
Much appreciated. Really

Who does not need some type encouragement when one starts doing something new, like riding?

bluebuddygirl · Post by **bluebuddygirl** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 6:57 pm

I'm out too, apparently you are happier if you were being harassed. We tried to present you with alternative options as you seemed really stressed by this. Won't bother in the future. Have a great day.

I am so done.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:03 pm

The best advice I've ever heard for dealing with a following car is the same advice I never think of when I'm actually riding (I have gotten better at it, though). Let them pass. If it's a 2 lane road, pull into the other lane and ease off the throttle. If the PO were to pull you for that "suspicious" maneuver, just tell them you thought they might be in a hurry and you were not. You should know before you ride if you're doing so legally (tags/inspection up to date, proper licensing, obeying safety laws and obeying traffic laws). If you're in the wrong you know it. If you're in the right, you've got nothing to fear. Believe it or not, there's been MB members who have been pulled over before to inquire about the scooter. Granted, that's a little abusive of their powers, but it's not exactly ill-willed. Sometimes they're just curious. You've got to admit that the white Buddy looks pretty slick.

Well done for taking JSharpPhoto's advice so well. It may seem a little harsh, but it's dead on.

JSharpPhoto · Post by **JSharpPhoto** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:33 pm

walky08 wrote:JSharpPhoto

Your words are encouraging--though it may not seem so. I think I will have to grow that pair and walk with cowboy stance. I will get back there on my Buddy again. Maybe what I needed was encouragement and a little support. Thanks
Much appreciated. Really

Who does not need some type encouragement when one starts doing something new, like riding?

I'm glad I didn't come off as too much of a jerk. you have to find the perfect balance of joy rider vs thrill seeker, to be a really competent scooterist. Confidence is necessary, cockiness can be deadly. You're on your way to confidence, which is important. Better to be too careful in the beginning, than to cocky. Scooters aren't toys, they're a way of life.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:41 pm

bluebuddygirl wrote:I'm out too, apparently you are happier if you were being harassed. We tried to present you with alternative options as you seemed really stressed by this. Won't bother in the future. Have a great day.

I am so done.

bluebuddygirl,

I always appreciate your posts, alternative options, insights, and the valuable constructive criticism that you have written for others and myself at this site. I've become a better more informed rider from your posts as well as that of others.

hcstrider · Post by **hcstrider** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:49 pm

I am OK with being followed by a police officer but what really scares me to death is if I am being followed by a Domino’s Pizza delivery car.

The Domino’s drivers only have 30 minutes to deliver that pizza so if that driver wastes 3 or 4 of their precious minutes following me then I am absolutely convinced that they will have to just plow right through me and my Buddy in order to get that pizza delivered on time. Every time that I see a Domino’s pizza delivery car I break out into a cold sweat.

Sorry for stealing your thread.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 8:51 pm

DennisD wrote:
bluebuddygirl wrote:Why so nervous??

My Buddy is the least common color: WHITE. I don't think they had a report on a stolen WHite SCOOTER. Also, scooters are very scarce in my town. Lots of MCs. No scooters.
Nervous: because I am a newbie.
If there were only two white ones, who's to say one didn't get stolen. Lighten up, give yourself a break.
You didn't have a crack pipe in your pocket did you? Just kidding.

As scooter riders, we have to frequently deal with unfair situations (cagers, driving laws, weather, road conditions) often daily, that are outisde of our control and to deal with them in an accepting flexible way.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 9:39 pm

hcstrider wrote:I am OK with being followed by a police officer but what really scares me to death is if I am being followed by a Domino’s Pizza delivery car. The Domino’s drivers only have 30 minutes to deliver that pizza so if that driver wastes 3 or 4 of their precious minutes following me then I am absolutely convinced that they will have to just plow right through me and my Buddy in order to get that pizza delivered on time. Every time that I see a Domino’s pizza delivery car I break out into a cold sweat.

Sorry for stealing your thread.

You're supposed to be behind them, not in front of!

Great canaries, delivery drivers.
Good instincts about which lane's moving faster, too.

narcoleptic · Post by **narcoleptic** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:11 pm

I am assuming that the road you were on is heavily traveled. You say that the cop was behind you until you turned, which means that the cop continued on his original route. It seems as if you being in front of him was incidental. I'm not sure why you are so paranoid about it, but a cop following you does not constitute harassment. Seems to me that your nerves got the best of you, and maybe you were paranoid because you weren't sure if you did something wrong. Nervous + paranoia + scooter does not equal a good mix.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:22 pm

I think you need to lighten up. No reason why having a police car drive down the road behind you for three or four minutes should send you into a total tailspin or have you threatening to charge them with harassment. If it was bothering you that much, why didn't you just pull over?

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:26 pm

Judging by some of your previous posts you do not yet have your endorsement. If this is not the case I stand corrected. Do you at least have a permit?

If your riding without your endorsement or learners permit...well you have nothing to whine about.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:55 pm

Walky, I think you let your nerves get the best of you. Just relax, they could have just been cruising. I don't care if a cop follows me, if I know I'm not doing anything wrong there's no problem.

I agree with this. But I'd add that any time a police car is behind a person, they (myself included) tend to get a lot more cautious about their driving. There is a little paranoia in most, if not all, of us in that situation--even if we haven't done anything wrong! Being a new scooter rider just heightens that feeling.

Deep breathes, my friend!

Consider the positive side: the regular insane cagers are far less likely to run you over with a cop right behind you!

brape · Post by **brape** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:59 pm

I'm with the he was just driving group fo things. Most buddy spedos are off by at least a little, mine is off by a lot. Maybe you where just going really slow and he wanted to get moving. Nest time turn into an empty parkinglot or the next side street or whatever and let him go ahead in front of you. Nothing to get worked up about. I have cops behind me often enough in town, they're just doing their thing and I'm doing mine.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:01 pm

I understand how it feels to be followed by a cop. It's nerve-wracking. Plus, I've had cops do worse things to me than follow me for a few minutes,* so I'd be nervous as hell in that situation... even knowing that I wasn't doing anything wrong. But unless there's more to this incident than I can tell from your account of it (such as Scooting While Black with a white officer, in which case you may be right), I don't see how a cop driving in a straight line behind you for a mile or two could be considered harassment.

*I'm not talking about the expired-plates nuisance back in March. I'm talking about (for example) getting a ticket for driving faster than my little 4-cylinder car actually could go, just after I left a civil rights demo.

You have to have probable cause to follow.

The police need probable cause to search a vehicle, because there's a Constitutional prohibition against unreasonable searches. It says nothing about unreasonable following.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:06 pm

hcstrider wrote:The Domino’s drivers only have 30 minutes to deliver that pizza ...

Domino's dropped the 30-minute promise to avoid liability for the accidents that were being caused by drivers trying to beat it.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:09 pm

walky08 wrote:This experience cost me the second MSF class attendance since I could NOT ride that afternoon. I was angry and nervous and a wreck for the whole afternoon, thinking how unfair it was. Still enraged

As someone who has somewhat recently transitioned out from being a newbie, I understand clearly how nervousness, lack of confidence, etc can affect a new rider.

Bottom line: You have only yourself to blame for your emotional state and for not attending your second MSF class. Accept responsibility. Personally, I found nothing unfair based on your claim. Even if it was unfair, deal with it. As a scooter rider, you will encounter many unfair and unsafe riding experiences. Get used to the realities of riding on the road. How are you going to maintain your emotional composure, conquer your fear, and stay focused when you encounter real unsafe and unfair riding conditions way beyond that little affair with the police car?

I'd rather have a police car following me around an urban area than an unknown cager who probably has less understanding and concern about cycles and scoots than a police officer. If a cop wants to follow me for 15 minutes plus, I'm fine with that since cagers will behave better and the cop will probably not plow into you.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:13 pm

Hell, I get nervous when I'm being followed by a Crown Vic and it ain't a police car. I'll take the blue line over the blue hairs any day of the week.

LisaLisa · Post by **LisaLisa** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:18 pm

Shoot, a cop pulled me over for "failing to come to a complete stop" because I had not put my foot down at a stop sign.

I said, "no, I was stopped and balanced."
He said, "no, I ride motorcycles and that's not possible."
I said, "this is a scooter, watch this".

He said, "yes, but you're spending all your attention on balancing and none on watching for traffic, and you don't have all the control you would have if you had a foot down."

I said, "You're right, I'll make sure I put my foot down."
He didn't charge me. And he could have- because it's my word against cop. Not fair, but that's the way it is.

Personally, though, I think he pulled me over because I was in a college zone on a flowery scooter and wearing a pink jacket and a flowery helmet, and was possibly... oh, what's the word for it... nubile? And he didn't expect to see an adult under that helmet.

Dibber · Post by **Dibber** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:20 pm

The best part about driving within the posted speed limit and riding legally is that you have no reason to be worried. Very few scooters get pulled over even when we ride to fast. You need to calm down and enjoy your ride. Don't worry about the police behind you, as you are doing nothing wrong.

Portland_Rider · Post by **Portland_Rider** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:22 pm

LisaLisa wrote:Shoot, a cop pulled me over for "failing to come to a complete stop" because I had not put my foot down at a stop sign.

I said, "no, I was stopped and balanced."
He said, "no, I ride motorcycles and that's not possible."
I said, "this is a scooter, watch this".

He said, "yes, but you're spending all your attention on balancing and none on watching for traffic, and you don't have all the control you would have if you had a foot down."

I said, "You're right, I'll make sure I put my foot down."
He didn't charge me. And he could have- because it's my word against cop. Not fair, but that's the way it is.

Personally, though, I think he pulled me over because I was in a college zone on a flowery scooter and wearing a pink jacket and a flowery helmet, and was possibly... oh, what's the word for it... nubile? And he didn't expect to see an adult under that helmet.

Main Entry: nu•bile
Pronunciation: \ˈnü-ˌbī(-ə)l, ˈnyü-, -bəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: French, from Latin nubilis, from nubere to marry — more at NUPTIAL
Date: circa 1642
1 : of marriageable condition or age
2 : sexually attractive —used of a young woman
— nu•bil•i•ty \nü-ˈbi-lə-tē, nyü-\ noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nubile

brape · Post by **brape** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:32 pm

Dibber wrote:The best part about driving within the posted speed limit and riding legally is that you have no reason to be worried. Very few scooters get pulled over even when we ride to fast. You need to calm down and enjoy your ride. Don't worry about the police behind you, as you are doing nothing wrong.

I drive with cruise control set to 65 on the highway. (According to my GPS my car spedo is very accurate) I always laugh when everyone around me slows waaaaaaay down for a cop. Like down to 50.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:40 pm

narcoleptic wrote:I am assuming that the road you were on is heavily traveled. You say that the cop was behind you until you turned, which means that the cop continued on his original route. It seems as if you being in front of him was incidental. I'm not sure why you are so paranoid about it, but a cop following you does not constitute harassment. Seems to me that your nerves got the best of you, and maybe you were paranoid because you weren't sure if you did something wrong. Nervous + paranoia + scooter does not equal a good mix.

Not incidental since there were no other cars or vehicles in view. That is the only reason I rode on the avenue on a Sunday. The Avenue was free of traffic. There was not a car or scooter, or MC on view for hundreds of feet. During weekdays it is heavily transited.

Don't tell me you old riders that you were once as scared as I was. I have 80 miles on my scoot and 50% of them were because of the first day of the MSF practice. He had plenty of room, lanes, space, to maneuver and NOT be behind me. Police cars have the liberty to go over the limit, so he did not have to be behind a 45 mph small scooter for even a second, unless he had a reason to do so.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:44 pm

QUOTE

[quoteI'd rather have a police car following me around an urban area than an unknown cager who probably has less understanding and concern about cycles and scoots than a police officer. If a cop wants to follow me for 15 minutes plus, I'm fine with that since cagers will behave better and the cop will probably not plow into you.[/quote]

Hell, I agree with that.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:56 pm

Dooglas wrote:I think you need to lighten up. No reason why having a police car drive down the road behind you for three or four minutes should send you into a total tailspin or have you threatening to charge them with harassment. If it was bothering you that much, why didn't you just pull over?

That would have been more suspicious. I did ride well, he did not stop me. Now I think he was not aware Scooters this nifty and beautiful were street legal.
Changing the subject. Today, same avenue, I saw a scooter that said something like Valero , Velaro or Velero on the side. Anyone heard of them?. Rode behind it . Followed on the sides, but could not see anymore. 50 cc? 125? 150? I don't know, but it looked good .

So if he complains, it's part of riding,right? I was curious.

TVB · Post by **TVB** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:28 am

walky08 wrote:
Dooglas wrote:I think you need to lighten up. No reason why having a police car drive down the road behind you for three or four minutes should send you into a total tailspin or have you threatening to charge them with harassment. If it was bothering you that much, why didn't you just pull over?
That would have been more suspicious.

"Suspicious"? When people say "ride as if they're out to get you", don't take it literally. Pulling off to the side of the road, or making a turn is not in any way suspicious. Maybe your cell phone is ringing. Maybe you're stopping to buy a Slushie. Maybe you're going somewhere down that street. It's just something drivers do, and any cop who finds it "suspicious" isn't going to last a week on patrol without getting put on leave for a psych eval.

walky08 wrote:Police cars have the liberty to go over the limit

When they have reason to. The rest of the time they usually try to observe the speed limit, to set a good example. At least they do around here; I guess I don't know what the police are like in Oceania.

Major Redneck · Post by **Major Redneck** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 12:45 am

On a good day it takes about 3-5 mins. for the information to come back about your tag,,, name address, warrents,,, and NCIC (National Crime Information Center)...

dakotamouse · Post by **dakotamouse** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:05 am

Ya know cops are people too! Maybe he was just checking out your scooter.

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:09 am

Maybe the officer thought you were hot.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:10 am

Police do not have the "liberty" to speed. That's abuse of power. Yes, a goodly number of them do it, but that doesn't make it right.
You followed another scooter to check it out? Rode beside it, behind it, tried to figure out what it was because you were curious...how is that any different than what the officer did to you?

I don't think twice about a patrol car behind me until I've made three turns and they're still there. About then is when I pick a random parking lot or convenience store to pull into and smile/wave at them.
If you feel like you need an excuse to pull over, check your tires for debris, check your signals and lights, make sure your kickstart lever is folded, check the vents on your helmet, stretch your legs...whatever. If you got rattled, cloud-watch for a minute or find some roses to smell.
*edit* Or, if you have a camera with you, snap a pic of something completely random for future use in one of the games in the Scooter Gallery! I keep forgetting to do that.*/edit*

FIDO: Forget it, drive on.

patty · Post by **patty** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:39 am

Walky08 I think you just let your nerves and inexperience get the best of you.I live and work in Simi Valley and ride my scooter daily.I also am fairly new to riding and have gotten a case of the jitters a few times.What I have learned is relax and enjoy the ride.Simi police have never given me a problem nor have i ever felt like I was being followed because they happen to be driving on the same road, usually I get a nod and a smile.Lighten up and you will get alot more pleasure out of you buddy isnt that what you bought it for?

Ray Knobs · Post by **Ray Knobs** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:03 am

I don't know what your problem is, i would love a police escort. People do stupid crap around me all the time.

You should definitely complain, police love that.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:18 am

Portland_Rider wrote:
Main Entry: nu•bile
Pronunciation: \ˈnü-ˌbī(-ə)l, ˈnyü-, -bəl\
Function: adjective
Etymology: French, from Latin nubilis, from nubere to marry — more at NUPTIAL
Date: circa 1642
1 : of marriageable condition or age
2 : sexually attractive —used of a young woman
— nu•bil•i•ty \nü-ˈbi-lə-tē, nyü-\ noun

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nubile

Hottie??

TVB wrote:The police need probable cause to search a vehicle, because there's a Constitutional prohibition against unreasonable searches. It says nothing about unreasonable following.

Could unreasonable following possibly be termed "malicious meandering"? It sounds much more evil and threatening. Some cheesy lawyer would probably love it.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:32 am

[quote="Cheshire"]Police do not have the "liberty" to speed. That's abuse of power. Yes, a goodly number of them do it, but that doesn't make it right.
You followed another scooter to check it out? Rode beside it, behind it, tried to figure out what it was because you were curious...how is that any different than what the officer did to you?

I don't think twice about a patrol car behind me until I've made three turns and they're still there. About then is when I pick a random parking lot or convenience store to pull into and smile/wave at them.
If you feel like you need an excuse to pull over, check your tires for debris, check your signals and lights, make sure your kickstart lever is folded, check the vents on your helmet, stretch your legs...whatever. If you got rattled, cloud-watch for a minute or find some roses to smell.
*edit* Or, if you have a camera with you, snap a pic of something completely random for future use in one of the games in the Scooter Gallery! I keep forgetting to do that.*/edit*

___
I followed at a fair distance, which is different... Also, I was going at 45, the speed limit, and the scooter was beating me, so I let it go. No ticket for him. Since most of you think it is OK for the cop to do it, it is also cool that I do it. It is not OK for some and not OK for others. It is either OK or not OK. Go figure.

Well I did it because I can.

pdxrita · Post by **pdxrita** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:39 am

Walkie,
I understand where you're coming from. I had a cop do something similar to me one time after I'd been riding for about a month. Like you, I was afraid that he was looking for a reason to pull me over. My best guess is that I was pretty obviously an inexperienced rider, so he was waiting to see if I made a mistake. It did unnerve me a bit, but after a while, he dropped over to the next lane and passed me. It was definitely a relief. So maybe they did have malicious intent, but as others have said, you need to learn how to blow that off. I hope you are able to attend another MSF class to make up for the missed day. Good luck to you!

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:40 am

patty wrote:Walky08 I think you just let your nerves and inexperience get the best of you.I live and work in Simi Valley and ride my scooter daily.I also am fairly new to riding and have gotten a case of the jitters a few times.What I have learned is relax and enjoy the ride.Simi police have never given me a problem nor have i ever felt like I was being followed because they happen to be driving on the same road, usually I get a nod and a smile.Lighten up and you will get alot more pleasure out of you buddy isnt that what you bought it for?

Yes, nerves played a part on it, I agree. I said from the beginning, being new at this,etc. Why don't you ride with your scooter or MC this Sunday around 11-12 and look at how many policemen are there on the same street? See if they follow,stop or do anything unusual.

This is the latest from a friend that read this in the local newspaper”The Acorn“

Police:“ ... have an on-going contract dispute, as I was reading in Friday's Acorn, and they are 'imtimidating' the residents of Simi.
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Not my WORDS! It is a quote from somewhere in the newspaper.

walky08 · Post by **walky08** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:43 am

pdxrita wrote:Walkie,
I understand where you're coming from. I had a cop do something similar to me one time after I'd been riding for about a month. Like you, I was afraid that he was looking for a reason to pull me over. My best guess is that I was pretty obviously an inexperienced rider, so he was waiting to see if I made a mistake. It did unnerve me a bit, but after a while, he dropped over to the next lane and passed me. It was definitely a relief. So maybe they did have malicious intent, but as others have said, you need to learn how to blow that off. I hope you are able to attend another MSF class to make up for the missed day. Good luck to you!

of course.. I think the Sta Ana winds that were blowing hard that day made it difficult for me to look in control of the scooter. Just maybe...

Modern Buddy

When the cager is a policeman

When the cager is a policeman

How long

No law braking, no following...

Answers

Re: Answers

who cares

Re: who cares

Thanks,SharpPhoto

Re: Thanks,SharpPhoto

Re: Answers

Re: When the cager is a policeman

Clarification

Re: When the cager is a policeman

Valero? Velaro?

Re: Valero? Velaro?