Police Officer w/ Radar Gun spotted on Capital Crescent Trail

[GovernorSilver]

Apologies if this belongs on the Road and Trail Conditions forum…

Seen on bikeforums:

http://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/1022414-radar-gun-bike-path.html#post18039694

“police officer, was busy aiming a radar gun at cyclists coming down the path. There is a 15mph limit”

Topic

[Powerful Pete]

@Oldtowner 121390 wrote:

…snip… He didn’t have either a motorcycle or a bicycle.

So how will he pull cyclists over? With the “stop or I’ll say stop again” approach? :confused:

[GovernorSilver]

@Powerful Pete 121391 wrote:

So how will he pull cyclists over? With the “stop or I’ll say stop again” approach? :confused:

He won’t pull cyclists over, but the two other cops on carbon Trek Madones hiding a bit further up the trail will.

Okay, i just stole that joke from bikeforums.

[Mikey]

Most meters measurements not accurate in the first 10% and last 10% of their range. I’m sure the average radar detector reads up to 200 mph, so there is no way it can accurately read 15 mph. Probably could argue out of any ticket.

[Vicegrip]

This is true to some extent but the digital age might be changing that somewhat. Had a chance to play around with a certified regulation radar gun a few years back. It seemed to be quite accurate at lower speeds.

[Sunyata]

@Mikey 121396 wrote:

Most meters measurements not accurate in the first 10% and last 10% of their range. I’m sure the average radar detector reads up to 200 mph, so there is no way it can accurately read 15 mph. Probably could argue out of any ticket.

From someone who has been in public safety for close to ten years: Radars and lidars ARE accurate to below 10 mph. In fact, these instruments are utilized to calibrate speedometers on enforcement vehicles twice a year, with the starting speed of 10 mph and ending speed (for speedometer calibration methods) of 100 mph. When the devices themselves are calibrated, 5mph is the starting speed that is measured for accuracy.

That being said, I doubt any law enforcement officer is going to issue a citation for a speeding cyclist unless the cyclist is riding recklessly and/or has caused an accident. Most of these types of campaigns are for education, not necessarily enforcement.

[Author]

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