I got pulled over this morning!

True story.

On my way in this morning, I was heading southeast bound on Elston towards the Wellington/Rockwell intersection (those who aren't familiar, it's a 6 corners type thing). Anyway, I've rode the route enough (over 2000 times) to know the timing of the light, so I can cross right when it turns green.

So, this morning as I'm coming up on the intersection, I see the cop stopped at the light (heading in the same direction). I'm also watching the timing of the lights. So I slow way down (didn't have to too much as it was quite windy and a bit cold), and as soon as I see the light to my left turn red, I add a little steam to my pedaling so I can hit the green light right before I cross the white stop line.

As soon as I cross the line, the cop pulls up next to me and starts yelling "What does a red light mean?" confused, I say it means "stop." He then yells that again, and again I say "stop". He then forces me over to the curb and gets out of his car and starts getting really confrontational about the event. At this point I'm in shock and saying that I went through a green light and he told me "we wouldn't be having this conversation if that were true."

He then goes into how ALL cyclists think they can ignore traffic laws and yet give cops shit when they do something wrong. At this point I realize this guy has a chip on his shoulder (he also told me not to call him "man" when I was talking to him Sorry for being so informal). I also say that I don't have a problem with cops at all, in fact, the majority I've met are really nice people.

He then repeatedly asks me for ID and then says this: "I hope you don't have ID." WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN!?!?! I say that I have ID and if it's ok, I need to reach into my bag to get it out. He gives me this look like I'm crazy, but quite frankly I'm not taking my chances with this dude (unfortunately the cold zaps my GOPRO battery or I'd have a nice video for you guys).

He takes my ID and gets back in his car. I sit there in the cold wondering what's about to happen. He then gets out about 2 minutes later and asks if I think I'm getting a ticket (power trip much?). I say, if I ran a red light, I would expect that. He lets me off with a warning, saying he put me in the system and if I get pulled over again, I'll most likely get a ticket.

I say thank you and ask to shake his hand and he says "no, we're good."

All this being said, I honestly thought I timed the light right. If anything I went a .5 second early, but the fact he was immediately generalizing all cyclists and cop interactions was the cue to just let him do his thing. If I did run the light, I would expect a ticket - I'm not above the law, nor do I think cyclists are.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 7, 2014 at 2:54am

This is just crazy talk, man!  Just be aware that thoughtful, rational speech like this will get you booted out of this blasted "community."

Kevin C said:

You have a maddening unwillingness to even consider the possibility that you are doing something wrong. You may lack sufficient bike handling skills, experience, physical capabilities, and/or temperament which make you more susceptible to "harassment" as you report on an almost daily basis. Everybody's just trying to get where they're going, be they bikes, cars or pedestrians. Contrary to what some chainlinkers seem to think, there are mercifully few homicidal maniacs out there trying to off cyclists. If you have as many conflicts as you report on this forum, I am of the opinion that the problem, (and the solution) is you. 

Adam Herstein said:

What it really boils down to is that I am sick and tired of being harassed and intimidated without any legal or reasonable way of fighting back. I get angry out of frustration. Every time a driver passes too close and honks, my heart races and epinephrine surges. The fact is that there is no way to fight back against these kinds of people and it's maddeningly frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 7, 2014 at 3:11am
I'll present you with a (true) scenario:

Yesterday, I was riding east down Oak towards Michigan Ave. I was riding in the middle of the lane because the street is full of potholes and I was riding outside the door zone — this area has a high parking turnover. Car traffic was average — not too congested, but not wide open either. A man in an SUV honks at me and swerves around me, coming within inches, and gets stopped at the red light 500 feet ahead at N Michigan (where the road widens to accommodate left and right turn lanes).

If my behavior is to blame, as you suggest, what should I have done differently in this situation to avoid getting honked at and passed too closely?

Craig S. said:

This is just crazy talk, man!  Just be aware that thoughtful, rational speech like this will get you booted out of this blasted "community."

Kevin C said:

You have a maddening unwillingness to even consider the possibility that you are doing something wrong. You may lack sufficient bike handling skills, experience, physical capabilities, and/or temperament which make you more susceptible to "harassment" as you report on an almost daily basis. Everybody's just trying to get where they're going, be they bikes, cars or pedestrians. Contrary to what some chainlinkers seem to think, there are mercifully few homicidal maniacs out there trying to off cyclists. If you have as many conflicts as you report on this forum, I am of the opinion that the problem, (and the solution) is you. 

Adam Herstein said:

What it really boils down to is that I am sick and tired of being harassed and intimidated without any legal or reasonable way of fighting back. I get angry out of frustration. Every time a driver passes too close and honks, my heart races and epinephrine surges. The fact is that there is no way to fight back against these kinds of people and it's maddeningly frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on March 7, 2014 at 3:20am

Adam, have you considered taking TS 101?

I've been riding all my life including almost daily for the last 6 years in Chicago. I did TS 101 last fall (as a prerequisite for my LCI certification). I found it very useful. I was under the impression that I knew everything I needed but I learned a bunch of stuff about correct positioning on the road.

You might find it useful.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on March 7, 2014 at 4:02am

Since 1990 when I moved to Chicago, I've been using my bicycle on a mostly daily basis in all weather for transportation/commuting/fun/exercise and whatever else isn't covered.  For most of that time, it was without the "safety" of some painted lines on a street, what pathetically passes as a bike lane.

I've honestly never had nearly as many issues/problems as you've had in a few short years. Perhaps you should stop riding your bike, for your own safety but please keep posting, your incessant whining is quite entertaining.

I'm gonna take that TS101 web class, looks interesting and I'm sure I can learn something new.



Adam Herstein said:

I'll present you with a (true) scenario:

Yesterday, I was riding east down Oak towards Michigan Ave. I was riding in the middle of the lane because the street is full of potholes and I was riding outside the door zone — this area has a high parking turnover. Car traffic was average — not too congested, but not wide open either. A man in an SUV honks at me and swerves around me, coming within inches, and gets stopped at the red light 500 feet ahead at N Michigan (where the road widens to accommodate left and right turn lanes).

If my behavior is to blame, as you suggest, what should I have done differently in this situation to avoid getting honked at and passed too closely?

Craig S. said:

This is just crazy talk, man!  Just be aware that thoughtful, rational speech like this will get you booted out of this blasted "community."

Kevin C said:

You have a maddening unwillingness to even consider the possibility that you are doing something wrong. You may lack sufficient bike handling skills, experience, physical capabilities, and/or temperament which make you more susceptible to "harassment" as you report on an almost daily basis. Everybody's just trying to get where they're going, be they bikes, cars or pedestrians. Contrary to what some chainlinkers seem to think, there are mercifully few homicidal maniacs out there trying to off cyclists. If you have as many conflicts as you report on this forum, I am of the opinion that the problem, (and the solution) is you. 

Adam Herstein said:

What it really boils down to is that I am sick and tired of being harassed and intimidated without any legal or reasonable way of fighting back. I get angry out of frustration. Every time a driver passes too close and honks, my heart races and epinephrine surges. The fact is that there is no way to fight back against these kinds of people and it's maddeningly frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 7, 2014 at 4:41am

Take a different street.  Oak is one lane in each direction there.

Either that or just suck it up and accept the fact that sometimes you'll get passed a little too close for comfort.  (It's kind of a big city, and other people do live here too.)

Adam Herstein said:

I'll present you with a (true) scenario:

Yesterday, I was riding east down Oak towards Michigan Ave. I was riding in the middle of the lane because the street is full of potholes and I was riding outside the door zone — this area has a high parking turnover. Car traffic was average — not too congested, but not wide open either. A man in an SUV honks at me and swerves around me, coming within inches, and gets stopped at the red light 500 feet ahead at N Michigan (where the road widens to accommodate left and right turn lanes).

If my behavior is to blame, as you suggest, what should I have done differently in this situation to avoid getting honked at and passed too closely?

Craig S. said:

This is just crazy talk, man!  Just be aware that thoughtful, rational speech like this will get you booted out of this blasted "community."

Kevin C said:

You have a maddening unwillingness to even consider the possibility that you are doing something wrong. You may lack sufficient bike handling skills, experience, physical capabilities, and/or temperament which make you more susceptible to "harassment" as you report on an almost daily basis. Everybody's just trying to get where they're going, be they bikes, cars or pedestrians. Contrary to what some chainlinkers seem to think, there are mercifully few homicidal maniacs out there trying to off cyclists. If you have as many conflicts as you report on this forum, I am of the opinion that the problem, (and the solution) is you. 

Adam Herstein said:

What it really boils down to is that I am sick and tired of being harassed and intimidated without any legal or reasonable way of fighting back. I get angry out of frustration. Every time a driver passes too close and honks, my heart races and epinephrine surges. The fact is that there is no way to fight back against these kinds of people and it's maddeningly frustrating.
Permalink Reply by Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) on March 7, 2014 at 5:53am

This goes both ways. Cyclists live here too. As cyclists, I think we have a reasonable expectation to have a safe ride - that includes not having drivers come within inches, road hazard avoidance, etc.

How are we as cyclists going to gain any traction (pardon the pun) in our efforts to share the roads, if we have people on this very forum saying that we should take different roads?

I cannot vouch for Adam's riding, as I have not met him, but I'm a fairly defensive rider and I get honked at - in the bike lane - at least once every other week. Education for road rules goes both ways.

I am going to check out that TS101 link.

Either that or just suck it up and accept the fact that sometimes you'll get passed a little too close for comfort.  (It's kind of a big city, and other people do live here too.)

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 7, 2014 at 6:12am

Oh, I don't know. I've ridden on Western and Ashland and North Avenue, but I generally avoid roads that have really bad pavement and fast traffic. Are you saying I'm supposed to ride on bad streets when there are better alternatives just because I need to assert my right to be there? 

Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) said:

This goes both ways. Cyclists live here too. As cyclists, I think we have a reasonable expectation to have a safe ride - that includes not having drivers come within inches, road hazard avoidance, etc.

How are we as cyclists going to gain any traction (pardon the pun) in our efforts to share the roads, if we have people on this very forum saying that we should take different roads?

I cannot vouch for Adam's riding, as I have not met him, but I'm a fairly defensive rider and I get honked at - in the bike lane - at least once every other week. Education for road rules goes both ways.

I am going to check out that TS101 link.

Either that or just suck it up and accept the fact that sometimes you'll get passed a little too close for comfort.  (It's kind of a big city, and other people do live here too.)

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 7, 2014 at 6:27am

Personally, I don't feel like I am having multiple bad days a week, and I am not sure where you are getting this feeling from. I'd say maybe once every other month or so. I get honked at more frequently, yes, but I don't really consider that a "bad day".

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There are plenty of other similar posts, but they tend to be one offs. Everyone has a bad day now and then and feels the need to vent. The difference is that you seems to have several bad days a week. I honestly feel bad for you if the world is as constantly threatening as you make it out to be.



Adam Herstein said:

Likely I am more vocal about it and these kinds of things bother me more than it bothers other people. Perhaps venting online and seeking empathy is my way of emotionally coping. Do a search though, there are plenty of similar threads/posts made by others. How many people who are not on the Chainlink feel the same way I do? How many people are scared of riding a bike in the city because of the attitudes and actions of drivers?

And before someone says "if you can't handle people honking and yelling at you, then you shouldn't be riding a bike in Chicago in the first place":
Clearly I can handle it, otherwise I wouldn't still be riding. I'm just sick being honked and yelled at, and saying "just deal with it" doesn't excuse people's behaviors. Again, it's not as if I am purposely trying to provoke people.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on March 7, 2014 at 6:33am

That's not what he's saying at all. His point was that saying "take a different road" is not a solution to aggressive driving.

Kevin C said:

Oh, I don't know. I've ridden on Western and Ashland and North Avenue, but I generally avoid roads that have really bad pavement and fast traffic. Are you saying I'm supposed to ride on bad streets when there are better alternatives just because I need to assert my right to be there? 

Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) said:

This goes both ways. Cyclists live here too. As cyclists, I think we have a reasonable expectation to have a safe ride - that includes not having drivers come within inches, road hazard avoidance, etc.

How are we as cyclists going to gain any traction (pardon the pun) in our efforts to share the roads, if we have people on this very forum saying that we should take different roads?

I cannot vouch for Adam's riding, as I have not met him, but I'm a fairly defensive rider and I get honked at - in the bike lane - at least once every other week. Education for road rules goes both ways.

I am going to check out that TS101 link.

Either that or just suck it up and accept the fact that sometimes you'll get passed a little too close for comfort.  (It's kind of a big city, and other people do live here too.)

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 7, 2014 at 6:38am

He's probably getting that feeling from your incessant bitching about drivers on this forum.

Adam Herstein said:

Personally, I don't feel like I am having multiple bad days a week, and I am not sure where you are getting this feeling from. I'd say maybe once every other month or so. I get honked at more frequently, yes, but I don't really consider that a "bad day".

Cameron 7.5 mi said:

There are plenty of other similar posts, but they tend to be one offs. Everyone has a bad day now and then and feels the need to vent. The difference is that you seems to have several bad days a week. I honestly feel bad for you if the world is as constantly threatening as you make it out to be.



Adam Herstein said:

Likely I am more vocal about it and these kinds of things bother me more than it bothers other people. Perhaps venting online and seeking empathy is my way of emotionally coping. Do a search though, there are plenty of similar threads/posts made by others. How many people who are not on the Chainlink feel the same way I do? How many people are scared of riding a bike in the city because of the attitudes and actions of drivers?

And before someone says "if you can't handle people honking and yelling at you, then you shouldn't be riding a bike in Chicago in the first place":
Clearly I can handle it, otherwise I wouldn't still be riding. I'm just sick being honked and yelled at, and saying "just deal with it" doesn't excuse people's behaviors. Again, it's not as if I am purposely trying to provoke people.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 7, 2014 at 6:38am

While I appreciate the fact that you believe you know what everyone else is saying, it was really a question for Chris.

Adam Herstein said:

That's not what he's saying at all. His point was that saying "take a different road" is not a solution to aggressive driving.


Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on March 7, 2014 at 6:50am

Perhaps by being reasonable and not making a federal case out of every little incident that supposedly occurs.

Chris LaFrombois (8.5 mi - o.w.) said:

This goes both ways. Cyclists live here too. As cyclists, I think we have a reasonable expectation to have a safe ride - that includes not having drivers come within inches, road hazard avoidance, etc.

How are we as cyclists going to gain any traction (pardon the pun) in our efforts to share the roads, if we have people on this very forum saying that we should take different roads?

I cannot vouch for Adam's riding, as I have not met him, but I'm a fairly defensive rider and I get honked at - in the bike lane - at least once every other week. Education for road rules goes both ways.

I am going to check out that TS101 link.

Either that or just suck it up and accept the fact that sometimes you'll get passed a little too close for comfort.  (It's kind of a big city, and other people do live here too.)

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