Got Pulled Over For Speeding...

... ON MY BICYCLE!

Today at lunchtime, like I do on most nice afternoons, I took the bike out for a 5-6 mile spin just to get the blood flowing in my legs after a long morning of sitting at the computer.

I have a few different routes that I like to take, but the one I decided on today is my favorite. It's a total of a little more than 6 miles, starting at the western shore of the Barnegat Bay in Toms River, NJ with a turn-around through Cattus Island State Park and then back to the bay.

I always keep the ride at a moderate pace until Cattus Island.
The park entrance is a 3/4 mile, flat, straight road where I get into the aero position and really let fly. Today, I mashed the gears at a high rate and got my speed up to 26 mph. As I passed a side access road, I spied a vehicle sitting there out of the corner of my right eye. Didn't think much about it. At the end of the road, I turned it around to head back to my truck parked by the bay. Approaching the access road on my way out, I can see now that the sitting vehicle was a police car... and the officer was standing in front of his car, motioning for me to stop and chat with him.

He started the conversation the same way he would for a regular automobile traffic stop.

"Any idea how fast you were going?"

--------- "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I got it over 26, this time!"

"You know, the speed limit on this road is 15 miles per hour... that applies to bikes, too."

--------- "You're kidding, right?"

"I'm very serious... It's dangerous to be going that fast here. And, you're not wearing a helmet, either."

--------- "Okaaaaay... So, are you actually gonna give me a ticket?"

"No, but you need to slow it down and obey the same laws that you would in your car... And, you really should be wearing a helmet."

--------- "Alright, I'll pay attention to the speed limits from now on. But, I'm pretty sure the helmet law only applies to kids under 14."

"Actually, it's 17, now."

--------- "Well, I passed that mark over 20 years ago, so I guess, legally, I can keep my helmet at home."

"Whatever... I don't wanna see you flying through here like a bat outta hell again."

---------- "Point taken... have a good day."


WTF???
Never in my life have I heard of such a thing.
I would have put up more of a stink, but I think I gave him a little more 'tude than I should have as it is.

Just had to vent and share my bizzarre little afternoon tale.

Guess, I'm gonna have to change my favorite lunch hour bike route, now.

Be Well
A.J.

AJ, If you ever do get a ticket for speeding on your two wheeler, please take the ticket to traffic court. Seeing that judges face would be worth the price of the ticket.  Q-Would a ticket on your bike go against your "car" insurance, record?  That's F'n bizarre, man!! Ron

With an attitude like that..thank God you don't live in NYC...they'd take out a club and go bronx on your arse.... Glad you didn't get a ticket though!!!! Scott

Heh. Reminds me of a Paula Poundstone bit where she remarks how great it would be if we were simply proud of the wrong thing: Officer: "Do you have any idea how fast you were going?" PP: "Yep! Got it up to 80 that time. I was really moving!"

She's one of my all time favorites.  Do you remember this one:  "People on the right, look out the window.  Don't everyone do it all at once.  We don't want the people on the left to know what you're looking at.  You are the best people on this plane.  Just look at them, sitting over there.  We HATE the people on the left!"

Dude! It’s your "Hippie-Hair!" "You ain’t from ‘roun-here are ya boy?’ Speedin on a Bike! That’s a new one for the "OH Goals Page." Keep it Up! Best Wishes- Dx

Last time I went over 20mph on a bicycle I was trying to chase down an ice cream truck that wasn't stopping. Thanks for sharing that one, "hell on wheels". DD PS Can they get you for reckless driving if you pop a "wheelie" or ride "no-handed"?

First, we can't have you running over the Mountain Lions that are stalking you!   Second,  I remember going through Georgia in a beat up Volkswagen Beetle with hair like yours in the 70's, it wasn't real fast and the dude in blue wasn't real happy either - he didn't like my bumper sticker, 'Down with pigs' either.  I didn't tell him to chill I just said yessir and no sir,  he said, "we've got places for PEOPLE LIKE YOU, ooh whoo....yessir.  LOL

Now I have truly heard it all!  What a bizarre incident.  I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being pulled over on a bike before and lectured for speeding.  I would guess you are probably the first cyclist he has ever had that conversation with. The best thing is to probably take it as a compliment and get yourself a fuzz buster for your bike, Speedy! Ken

I think the attitude was warranted.  The key is to pu**** to the line without crossing it which you seem to have done well.  I work with guys who bust balls for the sake of busting balls.  It gets really annoying, really quickly.  Keep on trucking Scott