Being a Badass Bike Cop Takes Hard Work

Last week, I saw Bridgeport bicycle cops training in the art of two-wheeled kung-fu and was actually fairly impressed. But we all know that riding the beat entails more than just dispensing beat-downs; it's also important to have massive shows of force. Luckily, the Bridgeport bike cop training regimen has that covered, as I witnessed yesterday afternoon:



Because I love freedom, justice, bikes, and Bridgeport, I feel I should offer a few tips to these new constables concerning the laws of the great state of Connecticut:

• Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-286b(b): "Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles."
• Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-286a(a): "Every person riding a bicycle, as defined by section 14-286, upon the traveled portion of a highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle . . ." So, like, stopping at the white line so as not to obstruct the crosswalk - that's something bikes have to do.
• If you guys think you're exempt from the rules just 'cause you're cops, you're only half right: Connecticut General Statutes Section 286e(a) tells us that "Any police officer, firefighter or emergency service personnel operating a bicycle in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 14-286, 14-286a, 14-286b, 14-286c and 14-289 . . ." but, "The exemptions granted in subsection (a) of this section shall apply only when such bicycle is making use of an audible warning signal device, including, but not limited to a siren, whistle or bell."

So next time, my dear Bridgeport bike cops, ride double file, stop at the stop line, and only break the rules while tooting on a whistle. See you on the streets!