Probably every cyclist on the road has had the uncomfortable sensation of having a car pass so close that the mirror nearly hits them (I actually have had my handle hit by a side view mirror). This local Fox news investigation shows one cyclists who - with two cameras - has been recording drivers who violate Wisconsin's three foot safe passing distance law. As GGW, who also got this story, points out, "Sadly, Milwaukee's Fox 6 News doesn't make it possible to embed or even link directly to the video; you can see it by going here and scrolling to 'Dead Right (9-30-08)'."
For a local TV news story, it's pretty good. It has facts, multiple opinions and they look up the law. It gets pretty shocking when the police tell him he had "no right to be in an active traffic lane if [he's] not going the speed limit". And then the town prosecutor agreed. Oy vey.
Ironically, just this morning, I had a car behind me as I took the lane start honking and revving its engine. Once it was safe I pulled over and let them pass. At the light I caught up to him and he yelled at me "You need to get out of the way if you aren't going the speed limit." I said, "only when it's safe. I'm allowed to take the lane." Then he told me, "I'm a police officer, I know the law and you can't do that." Do you?
Addendum: I hate that firefox does not spell check the title. If it did I would have caught the Milwaukie-Milwaukee thing
No, really? There are still that many ignorant people out there?
Maybe that was the cousin of the overweight police officer who is so fond of giving out the tickets on the one-way street near NH Avenue?
When I see an obese police officer like the one on that original post on the ticket scam I always wonder how they meet physical fitness guidelines...
Posted by: Eric | October 09, 2008 at 10:06 AM
It's sad that the police officers are not setting the examples, and don't know their laws either... I hope he was lying about being a police officer, otherwise, what a shame!
Posted by: Carla | October 09, 2008 at 10:11 AM
It does make you wonder. Bike law is just this little corner of the law I happen to know something about, enough to realize that a lot of people who should know something about it don't.
Of course, what's worse than the ignorance is the certainty in their ignorance.
Posted by: Contrarian | October 09, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Somehow I doubt a real police officer would honk and rev his engine. I regret the fantasy I'm having right now about what I'd have done in your situation.
Posted by: webg | October 09, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Wouldn't it be nice if intimidating a law-abiding cyclist by honking or yelling were a ticketable offense.
Posted by: Jack | October 09, 2008 at 02:52 PM
I think you could argue it is technically assault, but I doubt you could get anyone to take you seriously.
Posted by: Washcycle | October 09, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Last week I had a white SUV honk, go nuts, and almost run me into a food truck on 17th St NW & Constitution as I took the lane to move over a lane in order to avoid the food truck lane. Wonder if this was your guy..
Anyway, interesting link.
Posted by: Ren | October 09, 2008 at 04:51 PM