By Torch on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 04:02 am:

Just 1 more day 'till I have all these twisty Muskoka roads to myself... BUT:

Riding north tonight I passed numerous bikes heading south and several northbound speed traps.

Not one biker warned me of an upcoming speed trap. (Fortunately, unlike Fjr13r, They were all either preoccupied or I spotted them in time. )

How many of you here warn other bikers about upcoming speed traps? For that matter, how many know what the traditional hand signal is for "cop ahead"? Do I just look like an idiot tapping the top of my helmet when I see other bikers about to crest the hill hiding Johnny Law? 

By Bernie on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 04:23 am:

In Australia, we flash headlights to warn of speed traps, or any other danger. 

By Sharp on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:37 am:

I have seen and done two things.....flash lights or made a hand signal , palm down pushing to the road , like "slow down". Something like the traffic saftey ladies do at construction zones. Saved my bacon in Utah. (thank you unknown BMW rider) 

By Atlas on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 06:51 am:

Hi Bernie,

That works fine when they are stationary, but the mobile ones are a problem....

So far I have encontered 3 M/bike cops going the other way, I knew I was gone , but just waved like I would toany other biker (yes Hogs included !!) and they just kept going. Don't know if that is just luck, or they have filled their quota for the day, or know the feeling of being on an open highway on a bike... Whatever it is, I will just keep on waving

Cheers,

Atlas
Brisbane 

By Bernie on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 07:28 am:

I don't think the bike cops have mobile radar, they have to stop and use a hand held radar or lazer unit 

By Gilbo on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 09:48 am:

We use a hand like a duck shutting it's bill atop of the helmet rapidly after a comedian made the gesture famous after his many run ins with the law as well as the customary flash and nod unless it's a Harley or cruiser{F*** them} 

By David1300 on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 12:10 pm:

I always warn everyone - bikes, cagers, even trucks. Maybe they'll warn me back one day. Combination of flashing headlight and hand signal (like Sharp) - palm down , pushing the road.

On Saturday to young guys in a car were so keen to warn me of an umarked car with radar ahead that they flashed their headlights, waved, and looked like they would turn and give chase to slow me if I didn't slow of my own accord I appreciated their commitment and enthusiasm. 

By Barmy on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 09:59 pm:

Last week on Shap Fell near the Lake District I passed a police mobile laser camera and spent the next minutes warning oncoming bikes and cars that I thought they might be going a bit too quick. As I rode into the next village I did the same for a young lad driving his lovely new subaru turdo, and got a hostile response as his face squashed into a neandertal grimace and the stubble on his solid looking head bristled with anger,whilst he lowered his window and swore at me. I watched him floor it into the distance as he vented his fury towards the waiting camera..... 

By Bounce on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 11:53 pm:

Not all Subaru owners are jerks. I would have thanked you if you'd have warned me when I was in my WRX (if I could have caught up to you on that rocket bike). 

By Atlas on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 12:29 am:

Hi all,

Forgot to mention that when I first arrived in QLD, I saw the cop and duely flashed my lights at oncoming traffic, until there were more cops on my side of the road, pulled me over, asked me why I was flashing my lights at oncoming traffic... "Officer" I said, I maybe new in QLD, but I am a friendly sort of guy and was saying Hi to all my neighbours... There is no way they can be ALL your neigbours, at which time he issued me with a ticket....

Cheers,

Atlas 

By Torch on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 01:10 am:

Barmy,-

 

By Liquidsilver on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

I try to do it for cars and bikes... had a car flash me and save me from a pretty big ticket. Comes around... goes around.

 

By Barmy on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 08:54 pm:

I would love a WRX myself, I drive a fast car, but not as fast as those! I never see any vehicle as a problem, only some drivers. I have thought about the possibility of getting nicked for warning other drivers of traps, but I think the risk is small. Is there anyone out there who could give an opinion on the following. I would make no statement whatsoever about the 'offence'. If I were served a notice of intended prosecution I would not accept the guilty plea offered. Would I still get a summons?
I believe that it is my responsibility to deter or prevent crime when I can, and if slowing down a speeder is not doing that then what is?

PS I of course have never ever waved to or flashed at another rider to slow them down and have raised this topic as a purely fictional device in order to stimulate discussion! 

By Amain on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 06:36 am:

So it's OK for an officer to tell you to slow down by giving you a citation, but not OK for you to tell another driver to slow down? A prosecution argument like that would never fly in an American court. Try dumping tea in the harbor! 

By David1300 on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 06:57 am:

I think the citation here is for 'hampering/hindering a LEO in the execution of his duties' or some similar waffle. I was just warning the rider of the gravel hazard on the road, officer. 

By Barmy on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 08:11 pm:

Thanks to all those who live outside of the UK. We have to bear in mind that here
1 We are not British Citizens we are British Subjects. 2 We have no written constitution.
3 The authorities continually monitor our e-mAil and web conversations and intervene promptly to stop dissent and intervene promptly to stop unauthorised opin 

By Deanw on Thursday, September 04, 2003 - 09:43 pm: