NYPD clamp down on bikes - any comments ?

[BruceP]

I was forward this from BMW-K.COM :: View topic - Is NYC Police getting tougher on motorcyclists? by a friend, as I will be riding my bike through there in 22 days time, I wondered if any locals had any comments ?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>NYPD Anti-Motorcycle Campaign Update<<<<<<<<<<<<
Highway Division is having a heavily expanded program targeting motorcyclists. The program is very aggressive. The program IS NOT condoning ANY contact between a NYPD Unit, marked or otherwise, and a motorcycle, nor is it condoned. If such contact has happened it is an accident. The major goal of this program is to see how many bikes can be impounded but it was stressed that only illegal machines or machines used to wilfully and flagrantly violate the law were subject.

The primary modus of the program is unlicensed operators, unregistered/uninsured machines and reckless operation. Motorcycles under scrutiny are generally those that might otherwise fall into the ?Jap-Bike?, ?Crotch Rocket? or ?Chopper? themes.

Generally those bikes that we could call ?Dresser?, ?Touring? or ?Cruiser? will not be scrutinized, as much. Roadblocks during popular riding times, in popular riding occasions are to be expected on a weekly basis and daily in some areas of special interest, no comment on where those might be other than Buro? interchanges and higher speed highways.

The various Highway Division patrol units are having a fraternal and highly unofficial competition to see who can hook the most bikes, one officer has about 30 thus far. They are taking this seriously. And the most important part of the discussion, lane splitting or using the shoulder is as of now an arrestable offence. They are not going to be issuing warning or citations or field appearance tickets, no they are going to be arresting even if it means arresting 15 guys and impounding all of their bikes.
NYPD is cracking down. Don't ride like a fool. Do keep your legals up to date. Don't split lanes. Arrest sucks. Impound officers don't care how much you paid. And NYPD is not condoning, encouraging or allowing wilful unit/bike contact.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>End of Transmission<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

[yuma simon]

You have to realize that New York is not like the rest of the US. It is its own (communist-leaning) country that happens to be in the US, and it tries to impose and force its evil ways on the rest of the country. I am sure that its politicians and police officers are in glee over how many pieces of private property they can get their grimy, corrupt hands on.

That being said, if you have seen what one of the newest trends in the US and New York in particular lately, is "freestyle" motorcycling. Think of skateboard and BMX bicycle stunts performed on older, slightly modified GSXR 750's in parking lots and you start getting the picture.

This has been a newer trend among the city's "urban" youth, as well as others. However, with the increasing interest, there will be those who obtain their bikes in questionable fashion, or who should not be riding (i.e. unlicensed riders with unregistered bikes). The bikes are not trailered to where the youth gather to watch and/or participate, but are ridden through the streets.

So while most cities and states would and should try to reduce reckless and illegal riding, I can only imagine how many innocent people will be caught up in the nets set up by the People's Communist Republic of New York and lose their pride and joy?

[trevor daly]

I grew up in the bronx for 16 years and can tell you personally that the NYPD have always targeted bikers.In New York City there isn't anywhere for
kids to ride there dirt bikes,so they ride all over the streets.I'm guilty or that too.From where i lived to the woods that we would ride in was about 8 miles so we would ride our dirt bikes there on the street and we knew that the NYPD would take our bikes if we were stopped,so we would just run from them if the attempted to stop us.We figured that if we all split up they can only catch one of us.(YOUNG AND DUMB)Now the difference between my bikes and other kids in NYC was that my bikes were always bought and paid for.I always had a title.A lot of bikes in new york back then were stolen and the police knew that.So it made all bikers a target.I don't think that things have changed much in 10 years and i know when in NYC always have several different locks on hand.Security is a big issue take it from me i have had 2 bikes stolen from me there.Best advise i can give is just have your papers in order and ride normal and you should be fine.Just watch out for all the potholes.

[BruceP]

Once out of NY, I will go back to my normal policy of giving citys a miss

[Smellybiker]

Forgive my ignorance (I'm a Brit).....lane splitting, thats riding between the lanes and its illegal in the US ?

If so, is that just in moving traffic or can you move to the front of a stationary traffic queue ?

[mmaarten]

Hi Bob,

Yep, riding in between the lines of cars in a traffic-jam, that is what they
call lane-splitting and it is (as far as I know) illegal in all states except
California.

For me the largest problem was the difference in laws between states,
so I just rode conservative and that worked just fine.

The only interaction I had with the law was when they showed me a good camping-spot.
Even at one time, when I had camped illegal along the "white rim trail" in Canyonlands NP
(how was I to know you needed to apply for a permit months in advance? ) and
a ranger asked me where I had camped (and I told him the truth) he just asked if I needed a
permit for the next night or if I could make it out of the park in time.
The same ranger gave a citation to a dirt-biker who fell of his bike 10 minutes later
(unable to maintain control over the vehicle, 100U$):confused1:

For me, nothing but praise for the strong arm of the law. BUT!!!! I did not go to the bible-belt or the east.
Things seem to work different there.

Enjoy,

Maarten