Weird scenes
Walking back to my car from lunch on Churton St. earlier, a young man on an expensive bike rode by, followed, casually a few seconds later by a squad car. They had a conversation about 50 - 75 yards up King St. where i was parked in front of the old Colonial Inn, which was still going on when i walked past.
Turned out the police officer was telling the young man he could not be riding on the street without a helmet, and if he didn't get off the bike and walk it home, he was going to have to cite him.
Never saw that before.
Turned out the police officer was telling the young man he could not be riding on the street without a helmet, and if he didn't get off the bike and walk it home, he was going to have to cite him.
Never saw that before.
Since 1949, Durhamites have slept soundly, secure in the knowledge that, in our town, erection can be depended upon. Now, thanks to the power of the internets, we can spread that security all over the world.
8 Comments:
I was once pulled over and given a warning for making a right turn at a stop sign without stopping and signalling on a street in Great River, NY, that was deserted except for me and the police car.
Seems silly, since I was never once in the (empty) car traffic lane, but it was a good reminder that even cyclists are supposed to obey the rules of the road.
By
Anonymous, at 3:46 PM
No study I'm aware of has shown conclusively that helmets actually improve overall cyclist safety to any measurable degree. It's nice to see that the cops have nothing better to do than discourage people from engaging in alternate means of transportation.
At least the state law in NC only applies to minors under the age of 16. If this guy was over 16, then no law could have applied - unless Durham has its own helmet laws that I'm not aware of (and frequently violate).
By
JeremyT, at 4:20 PM
Should have been clearer - this was in Hillsborough.
By
Barry, at 4:31 PM
I was this ->|<- close to getting a ticket at dusk one time for not having a tail light, as an adult. I actually questioned the existence of such a law (ask me if I think this is a good general practice) because it sounded made-up and the officer did pull it out of a little book and show me.
By
Valerie at We Love Durham, at 9:03 PM
When you say "young man" do you mean someone under the age of 16? B/c if he's over 16 he's not required to wear a helmet.
By
skvidal, at 9:13 PM
What are the courts going to do? Put him in jail? Fine him into the poorhouse? Take away his bicycling license? Geez.
OTOH, it sounds like the bicyclist was *not* cited, correct?
By
Joseph H. Vilas, at 9:45 PM
He appeared borderline 16 to me. Could have been as young as 14 or as old as 18.
He was walking his bike on the sidewalk when i got into my car, so i assume he was young enough to be cited.
By
Barry, at 10:05 PM
@jeremy t regarding:
No study I'm aware of has shown conclusively that helmets actually improve overall cyclist safety to any measurable degree.
This is a non-scientific study with an N of 1 (and as a scientist, I'm fully aware of the lack of statistical significance): Not long ago I witnessed my <16yo son fly over his handle bars and crack the front of his bike helmet (literally) on the pavement. He got up, shook it off, and remarked "Dad, I think I need a new helmet". Not having a proper control in this study, it is difficult to state unequivocally that 'bike helmets save lives', but I can assure you that this one saved a measurable amount of pain, anguish, and expense.
This is a good law, and one that is not followed often enough. To suggest otherwise is foolish.
Kudos to the cops for doing what the parents did not! (assuming this young man was under 16)
By
BullCityGopher, at 12:38 PM
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