Cops are usually trained to approach a stopped car in a specific way, walking as close to the driver's side as possible. That way a perp would have to turn 180 degrees to aim a weapon over their left shoulder. Walking up to the passenger side is like wearing a target on one's uniform.

I agree that motorist should use common sense when approaching an emergency vehicle, But the same common sense should be used by the police officers in our fair city. More than once I have witnessed our police officers pulling people over in areas that not only endangered themselves but other motorist as well. One morning I witnessed an officer pull over a motorist at the light on 74 and Kelly, they were going southbound and pulled into onto Kelly going west. The officer pulled motorist over and stopped as they turned right. They were both in the turn and half in the road and stayed there and proceeded with his stop. Now in other cities as in Atlanta if the motorist pulls over in an area that is not safe the officer gets on his loudspeaker and tells the motorist to move to an area ahead, thus not putting himself and the motorist in danger.
Common sense is needed by both parties involved.

Obama's weapon of Choice!

Before moving here from Minnesota 12 years ago, my wife and I were avid bicyclists. We lived in Northfield, a small college town, that opened out into wonderful countryside for cycling. I could hop on my bike in the driveway and, in under five minutes, be out on a country road with wide shoulders and little traffic. There were also several great bike trails--made from old RR beds. One close by--the Cannon River Trail, ran right along the river of that name, with great scenery. (A favorite way to spend the day: drop the bikes off at a take-out point downstream, drive back upstream 8 or 10 miles and put the canoe in, paddle to the take-out point, leave the canoe, pedal back to the car on the trail, and then run back down with the car to get the canoe.

All of this to say that biking was an activity that we absolutely loved.

All that pretty much came to an end when we moved here. The roads are narrow, and the few times that I've gotten out on to ride, motorists have scared the bejeebers out of me, passing at mach speed right at my left elbow.

Bummer.

Motorist should be aware of bicyclist and look out for them but, cyclist should obey traffic rules also. Every day about 5:30/5:45 some guy on a bicycle comes riding down the Parkway going south between Walt Banks and 74. He rides down the middle of the road just daring motorist to hit him (traffic backs up 15-20 cars deep). This is the kind of behavior that puts a black eye on cyclist. He should move over to the side where his 3-4 ft area is as stated by State law and everyone would have a much easier/happier ride home (not going to recommend that he ride at a different time because that would open another can of worms).

Obama's weapon of Choice!

Agreed. And, I wish our local law enforcement would be a little more proactive about cyclists that are riding outside of the Georgia Vehicle Code (GVC). BTW, the GVC states:

(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling, when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle, when traveling at the same speed as traffic, or while exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction; provided, however, that every person operating a bicycle away from the right side of the roadway shall exercise reasonable care and shall give due consideration to the other applicable rules of the road. As used in this subsection, the term "hazards to safe cycling" includes, but is not limited to, surface debris, rough pavement, drain grates which are parallel to the side of the roadway, parked or stopped vehicles, potentially opening car doors, or any other objects which threaten the safety of a person operating a bicycle.

But, and here's the interesting part, the GVC allows cyclists to ride two abreast.

Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

So go figure. It is a bit ambiguous.

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Interesting article about a deputy sherriff deciding arbitrarily that bicyclists riding two abreast is a crime:

"That's a tasering, bicycle boy!"

I'm aware of this case. The tasering thing aside, the issue of what constitutes a legal order is interesting. The court, I feel, made the right decision in that if the cyclists were not "breaking" any laws than the officer was issuing an unlawful order. The civil case shall be interesting.

Now, let’s move a few states north to Minneapolis, Minnesota. A gentleman gets off a flight and retrieves his collapsible bicycle and begins to ride to his house as he has done several times before. Well he never made it out of the airport.

A couple of airport police officers were on their way to a report of an runaway child (their claim) and came across this gentleman as he cycled and they told him that he could not ride on the road and to dismount and walk. Well, he didn't and to make a long story short there was some words said which led ultimately to his teasring and arrest. The DA pursued trumped up charges that mainly revolved around the idea that he broke the law because he shouldn't be bicycling at the airport (there was no signs prohibiting cycling at the time - they were put up later) and failure to heed a lawful order.

Well, the jury trial threw out all the charges except the lawful order. This was appealed to the next higher court and they agreed with the lower court that it was a lawful order. Their idea was that the officers were looking out for the safety of all road users and this gentleman was a risk to himself and everyone else. So much for the cycling laws in Minnesota that acknowledges bicycles as vehicles. So a subjective call from a police officer can prevail over the law, well at least in Minnesota.

Anyways here's the story link.

BTW, we missed you this morning.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.