In an important affirmation of cyclists’ rights, an Orange County judge rules police don’t have a right to turn your bike over without permission or probable cause.
Homeless rights advocate Igmar Rodas was charged with violating Santa Ana’s bike licensing requirement after he was stopped for riding on the sidewalk, which is banned in the city. Police then turned his bike over to look for a license sticker; when they didn’t find it, they ticketed Rodas for sidewalk riding and not having a valid bike license.
However, the judge ruled that the act of overturning the bike constituted an illegal search, which is banned by the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution.
The case serves as a reminder that police may legally ask for identification when they stop you for a moving violation while you’re on your bike.
But unless they have probable cause to suspect you’re breaking the law — such as seeing you attempt to hide a weapon or drugs, for instance — they can’t search you, your bike or your possessions without your permission, any more than they can search your car if you get stopped for speeding.
Nor can they take any action against you for refusing permission for a search, which is your right under the law.
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Had a great visit with the friendly and knowledgeable folks at the new Timbuk2 store on Abbot Kinney in Venice Thursday afternoon.
I’ll have a more detailed report later.
But if you’re in the area, stop in and say hi and check out the full line of Timbuk2 messenger bags, backpacks and suit cases — even a smartly designed women’s pannier that converts to a shoulder bag.
Not to mention what promises to be LA’s first bike share program, with free loaner bikes available on a first-come, first-serve basis starting this September. Yes, free.
And mark your calendar for their official Grand Opening ceremony August 16th and 17th.
They’re going to be a great addition to the LA bike scene.
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LocalStreetsblog and LA Walks want your help to win funding for a Vision Zero plan for the City of Angels. They’ve got my vote.
Levi’s Commuter pop-up store opens in DTLA next week.
Culver City Walk & Rollers hosts a Family Ride this Sunday.
A proposed pipeline could result in the final link in San Gabriel Valley’s Emerald Necklace bikeway system.
Carson receives a $1.26 million grant for a new bike/pedestrian path.
State
A planning and development website offers a technical look at what comes next when California moves away from using Level of Service to measure traffic flow.
A pair of letter writers call for action to improve safety for Laguna Beach bike riders.
A cyclist is moderately injured in an Anaheim collision.
The Big Bear Cycling Festival runs through this Sunday.
A collision survivor says Sacramento is pretty coldhearted when it comes to justice for homeless cyclists hit by cars.
National
The Bike League offers advice on how to create a safe and inclusive learning environment from LA bike advocate and Licensed Cycling Instructor Maria Sipin.
A writer for the Daily Beast offers an open apology to Greg LeMond for pushing the Armstrong lie.
New $1,295 aerial drone promises to follow your rides with an airborne GoPro camera.
A Texas town proposes turning a smuggling path into a bike trail.
Shockingly, a Florida driver is fined just $200 for killing a cyclist — despite 29 traffic violations.
International
A Brit cyclist says he was almost run down by a texting truck driver; unfortunately, the video of the incident has been removed.
UK driver posts video of bad bike behavior online after a rider damages his car while weaving through traffic.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon rides a bike to promote urban cycling.
Finally…
For reasons known only to him, stunt cyclist Danny MacAskill jumps Playmates at the Playboy Mansion. And a St. Louis writer says, wisely, if a cyclist does something you don’t like, don’t honk or yell; just stay calm, because the streets belong to all of us.
