Hand Signal Nightmares

[Aint Doody]

I think that one thing that really got me was the policeman telling me I made an illegal signal! What an idiot! I was soooo glad that I'd called and made absolutely sure before I called the police.

[Trekhawk]

I think that one thing that really got me was the policeman telling me I made an illegal signal! What an idiot! I was soooo glad that I'd called and made absolutely sure before I called the police.

What can you say about idiots like that except that they are taking up way too much space on this planet.

Im with bikeless I can think of some lovely hand signals they might prefer.

[Susan Otcenas]

I think that one thing that really got me was the policeman telling me I made an illegal signal! What an idiot! I was soooo glad that I'd called and made absolutely sure before I called the police.

This type of thing really burns me up. We rely on our police officers to protect our rights, but many are uneducated about what our rights (and responsibilities) are.

You should write a letter to the chief of police AND the local newspaper editor. A few months ago, a police officer in Hillsboro made an erroneous statement (quoted in the newspaper) regarding when a cyclist was allowed to ride on the sidewalk.

I wrote a letter to the mayor, the chief of police, and the editor of the paper. (I told the editor that not only was the police officer wrong, but that by printing the statement in the paper without chicking it's validity, that readers would assume it was a fact!). I received both a phone call and a letter from the police, who researched the issue and admitted they were wrong.

If you want a copy of the letter to use as a "template", let me know. I'll email it to you.

(BTW, congrats on your new bike commuting routine!! Don't let this get you down...)

Susan

[fixedgeargirl]

Texas Vehicle Code:

Sec. 545.107. Method of Giving Hand and Arm Signals.

An operator who is permitted to give a hand and arm signal shall give the signal from the left side of the vehicle as follows:

(1) to make a left turn signal, extend hand and arm horizontally;

(2) to make a right turn signal, extend hand and arm upward, except that a bicycle operator may signal from the right side of the vehicle with the hand and arm extended horizontally; and

(3) to stop or decrease speed, extend hand and arm downward.

Besides all that, it just seems so logically obvious: "I am going this ------> way, the way I am pointing." It seems it would be *natural*, and quicker, to recognize a person's intention if they are pointing somewhere they intend to go, rather than try to recall an arcane set of rules about bent elbows.

[Aint Doody]

You know, Susan, I think a letter to the editor is a really good idea--especially since we have our big ride coming up Memorial Day Week-end. That way many more people will see it who will actually be driving the streets of Pendleton. I can't do much about the morons who don't read, however.

So all y'all TE girls out there--let's do that! We can educate the masses--at least those who read newspapers.

[Susan Otcenas]

Here's the letter I wrote to the police chief:

______________________
Dear Commander Bonnett:

I was dismayed to read the following quote in the Hillsboro Argus on Tuesday, March 28th:

"At a sidewalk crossing, a bicyclist is supposed to dismount and walk across," [Lt. Michael] Rouches said.

This statement is not factually or legally accurate, and I am concerned that our Hillsboro Police officers are apparently not receiving adequate training in how to enforce laws pertaining to bicyclists.

In fact, there is no such requirement under Oregon law. Under ORS 814.410, “a bicyclist on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk.” There is a clause which requires cyclists to slow to no faster than a walking speed while using a crosswalk, but that in no way means that cyclists must dismount and walk through a crosswalk.

As a Hillsboro business owner, and regular bike commuter into Hillsboro from Beaverton, I count on the Hillsboro Police to protect me and defend my rights when necessary. Please get back to me soon and let me know how you intend to make sure that Hillsboro Police receive improved training on laws that apply to bicyclists.

Sincerely,


Susan Otcenas
President
Team Estrogen


CC: Mayor Tom Hughes, City of Hillsboro
Evan Manvel, Executive Director, Bicycle Transportation Alliance
Gary Stutzman, Editor, Hillsboro Argus
______________________

The BTA is a statewide organization. You should feel free to cc: Evan. The letter can be modified pretty easily to fit the circumstance.

Baseically
1) State what happened
2) State why it's wrong
3) State what you want them to do about it.
4) Let the reader know you are a "constituent". Carries more weight.

Hope this helps!

Susan