Today I passed by:
* A Golden Gate Bridge Patrol going 70 in a 45
* A State Park Peace Officer going 65 in a 35
* Another Park Officer going 55 in a 30
* A CHP officer going 95+ in a 55
In each of these cases, I was riding within my limits and in a way that I judged to be safe for conditions. That being said, the letter of the law is what counts, and I was definitely breaking the law. But none of these officers pulled me over. I was sure that the CHP officer would. He basically hid himself on 101 South around a bend, apparently waiting for a speeder. If 95mph isn't enough for him to pursue me, than what speed is he looking for?
This has been my experience since I started riding 3 years and 25k miles ago. Every time I wonder:
* Did he not see me?
* Is he busy?
* Do Bay Area cops just let bikers do their thing?
* Are they thinking that it's not worth the risk of a chase?
I pulled over behind some stopped cars on Highway 1 a couple days ago to take a picture. Within a minute, there was a San Mateo County Sheriff there to write tickets for violating the COVID-related parking restriction. She told me to move on while she wrote ($1000!) tickets for the two cars, both with the driver in the car.
I understand that every officer and every department is different, and that no blanket statement can be 100% correct. But my impression is that cops in the Bay Area are cool with bikers and generously cut them a break. As a LEO, is there a policy like that in the Bay Area, official or otherwise? Or have I just been extremely lucky, with my luck destined to run out?
If you wondering where I'm riding, I usually go as far north as Stinson Beach, as far south as Woodside, and as far east as the Oakland Hills.
* A Golden Gate Bridge Patrol going 70 in a 45
* A State Park Peace Officer going 65 in a 35
* Another Park Officer going 55 in a 30
* A CHP officer going 95+ in a 55
In each of these cases, I was riding within my limits and in a way that I judged to be safe for conditions. That being said, the letter of the law is what counts, and I was definitely breaking the law. But none of these officers pulled me over. I was sure that the CHP officer would. He basically hid himself on 101 South around a bend, apparently waiting for a speeder. If 95mph isn't enough for him to pursue me, than what speed is he looking for?
This has been my experience since I started riding 3 years and 25k miles ago. Every time I wonder:
* Did he not see me?
* Is he busy?
* Do Bay Area cops just let bikers do their thing?
* Are they thinking that it's not worth the risk of a chase?
I pulled over behind some stopped cars on Highway 1 a couple days ago to take a picture. Within a minute, there was a San Mateo County Sheriff there to write tickets for violating the COVID-related parking restriction. She told me to move on while she wrote ($1000!) tickets for the two cars, both with the driver in the car.
I understand that every officer and every department is different, and that no blanket statement can be 100% correct. But my impression is that cops in the Bay Area are cool with bikers and generously cut them a break. As a LEO, is there a policy like that in the Bay Area, official or otherwise? Or have I just been extremely lucky, with my luck destined to run out?
If you wondering where I'm riding, I usually go as far north as Stinson Beach, as far south as Woodside, and as far east as the Oakland Hills.
