Bored Motorcycle Cops at Lynn Street

[pfunkallstar]

Saw two Arlington motorcycle cops hanging out at the dreaded Lynn Street intersection this morning, they looked RIDICULOUSLY bored. As far as I could tell the sum effect was that bicyclists were crawling across the intersection leading to a cacophony of horns from the Georgetown-bound folks waiting to make a right. Going out on a limb, I would guess that Falls Church will have some guys out on the trail during the commute home tonight.

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[Mark Blacknell]

On the flipside, I’ve seen public mentions (at ARLnow.com) of them being helpful in managing traffic there this morning. Here’s hoping that there’s more of that than this.

[GuyContinental]

Herndon has large cyclist enforcement signs up indicating that tickets would be given for disobeying traffic laws.

Real question- do I have to carry an ID when riding a bike? If for instance I’d been nabbed for stopping and then crossing a deserted Elden St. against the signal at o’dark-thirty this morning, how would the officer verify my identity?

[CCrew]

@GuyContinental 17360 wrote:

Herndon has large cyclist enforcement signs up indicating that tickets would be given for disobeying traffic laws.

Real question- do I have to carry an ID when riding a bike? If for instance I’d been nabbed for stopping and then crossing a deserted Elden St. against the signal at o’dark-thirty this morning, how would the officer verify my identity?

You are not required to carry ID (although wise if you keel over unannounced) although you are required by law to identify yourself if asked to by a law enforcement officer. Lack of ID in that case the police are allowed to detain you to prove your identity if they choose so it’s a bit of a catch-22. There are those that will say you don’t have to but you’re not going to win that confrontation.

I’ve been stopped *numerous* times in the wee hours of the am since I’m on the bike around 2am. I ride the W&OD into downtown from Ashburn to Reston (depending on my mood). I’ve on all occasions except one been asked for ID. I didn’t produce my license by choice, since I have much more fun producing my work ID, which to a LEO apparently is much more intimidating and always has me on my way in less than a minute.

To add, they’l simply verify by radio if they choose with your name and DOB that there are no active arrest warrants and send you on your way.

[brendan]

@CCrew 17362 wrote:

You are not required to carry ID (although wise if you keel over unannounced) although you are required by law to identify yourself if asked to by a law enforcement officer. Lack of ID in that case the police are allowed to detain you to prove your identity if they choose so it’s a bit of a catch-22. There are those that will say you don’t have to but you’re not going to win that confrontation.

I suppose one could carry a passport card (used for US<->Canada&Mexico, etc.) to be in a better position to avoid potential driver’s license-related issues?

Brendan

[CCrew]

@brendan 17406 wrote:

I suppose one could carry a passport card (used for US<->Canada&Mexico, etc.) to be in a better position to avoid potential driver’s license-related issues?

I’m sure any Government issued ID would pass muster. Funny, son just got his US Passport, I was actually surprised that he had to submit less documentation than he did to get his VA Drivers license.

[JeffC]

You know I saw them again today around 7:45 am and I think they were actually doing something useful, namely calibrating the walk signals. Usually for the past several years I get stuck headed eastbound at the red light on Ft. Myer and when I can cross Ft. Myer by the time I get to Lynn St the signal is flashing red so I step not wishing to play a human “Frogger” video game while 5 cyclists fly past me in the face of angry motorists.

Today though as I got to Lynn St the signal was still on to cross and it looked like the motorcycle cops were trying to set the signal so that more cyclists coming from Ft Myer St could make it through Lynn on a clear signal rather than a flashing red hand.

[pfunkallstar]

There was a solid line of bicyclists at Lynn Street this morning around 8:10 or so, probably about 6 or 7 deep – no wonder they need to calibrate the lights.

[consularrider]

Let’s see, last week I would stop at Lynn St heading west and starting with the begining of the walk signal would make my left turn on N Ft Myer Dr with the walk light counting down to 10 or 12 seconds. So far this week I am hitting the yellow to red light at N Ft Myer three days running. And no, it’s not because I can’t get started without my morning coffee.

Didn’t see the officers this morning at 8 am, but there was an ACPD motorcycle parked and blocking most of the eastbound lane on the trail/sidewalk about fifteen feet west of Lynn.

[americancyclo]

@consularrider 17580 wrote:

Let’s see, last week I would stop at Lynn St heading west and starting with the begining of the walk signal would make my left turn on N Ft Myer Dr with the walk light counting down to 10 or 12 seconds. So far this week I am hitting the yellow to red light at N Ft Myer three days running. And no, it’s not because I can’t get started without my morning coffee.

Didn’t see the officers this morning at 8 am, but there was an ACPD motorcycle parked and blocking most of the eastbound lane on the trail/sidewalk about fifteen feet west of Lynn.

Heading west the Lynn and Ft. Myer lights seem out of sync, used to be able to get both, but now getting stuck at Ft. Myer more often as well.

[Author]

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