![A cop nearly smeared me across the bike lane. Here’s what went wrong [Video]](https://the-future-automobile.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cop-car-cyclist-header-860x450.jpg)
As a renowned electric bike reviewer, I’ve spent countless hours navigating metropolitan streets, frequently pondering whether this will be my ultimate exit strategy. As I navigated the road yesterday, my quest for an answer was nearly thwarted when a police cruiser suddenly swerved into my path, forcing me to rapidly adjust my trajectory across not one, but three lanes of traffic.
As I filmed an assessment of the Velotric Breeze 1 electric bike, it struck me that… Having the rare chance to capture a similar moment on camera allowed me to reflect on my actions and identify areas for improvement, as well as consider how I could have done things differently to avoid the situation altogether.
What’s the purpose in perpetuating such self-critique, anyway? Let’s reflect on my Sunday night analysis of our previous moves.
Bike enthusiasts often fret about their cherished two-wheelers’ vulnerability to theft and damage, prompting concerns over the efficacy of current locking measures.
As cyclists, we’re arguably the most vulnerable highway users on the market. Given the circumstances, that legal obligation offers a unique vantage point – significantly more comprehensive for individuals who occasionally operate a vehicle.
I’d like to think of myself as a reasonably holistic highway user; just an hour earlier, I caught an uncomfortably close view of a police cruiser’s grille while driving my household’s borrowed minivan, and only an hour afterward, I was accelerating from 0 to 60 in three seconds on my LiveWire electric motorcycle.
As I ride my electric bicycle along the unprotected bike lane, a mere strip of paint separating me from the fast-moving traffic on the adjacent highway, constant vigilance is my only defense against potential hazards. As seen in the accompanying video, I had approximately one to two seconds’ notice before a police cruiser suddenly accelerated hard and blew past a red light to merge across three empty lanes on a busy highway. One minor inconvenience was the presence of a dedicated bike lane, which I happened to be utilizing with great frequency.
What lies beneath the surface of this enigmatic video?
What occurred?
The police cruiser appeared to be moving with some urgency. I’m hesitant to determine whether the police car was officially responding, as it lacked both sirens and lights; yet, the vehicle was clearly holding a lane in anticipation of an impending turn. As I stood there, I initially detected the sound of an engine revving before actually catching sight of the vehicle, and it was clear that the driver wasn’t planning to slow down despite the stop sign at the end of the intersection?
The moment I registered the sound of the engine and turned to track the vehicle’s path, I was already slamming on the brakes. With the Velotric Breeze 1’s impressive hydraulic brakes, I noticed a significant reduction in speed, and my riding experience was transformed overnight. As I slammed on the brakes, the cop’s eyes locked onto my frantic deceleration, prompting him to initiate an impromptu stop of his own – his cruiser careening wildly across the stop line and into the pedestrian crosswalk?
As I perceived his sudden brake application, I quickly assessed the situation and realized he had enough time to stop safely; accordingly, I released my brakes and continued down the bike lane without incident, smoothly bringing my bike to a halt. I considered various alternatives, but ultimately decided it would be wiser not to engage the officer directly, lest I risk incurring a charge of “attempting to damage authorities’ property using my already fractured femur”.
I understand that the footage appears less thrilling at first glance; nonetheless, I’m confident that witnessing 5,000 kilograms of police cars hurtling towards you on a bicycle has the potential to leave you with an unforgettable experience, quite literally making tracks in your own wake.
What went proper… and improper?
Incidents involving cyclists are alarmingly common, affecting countless individuals daily. As a seasoned motorbike reviewer, I’m grateful for the opportunity to showcase my rides with the luxury of a 360-degree camera capturing every angle, as well as a platform to share these experiences with others. Why not seize this opportunity to gain a valuable lesson from the situation and capitalize on your growth?
Let’s examine what went awry to begin with. While the officer’s mistake was the primary issue, I’m still partially responsible for what happened.
The principal difficulty lies in the fact that the officer was operating the vehicle with reckless abandon on a peripheral road, intentionally attempting to disregard a stop sign before merging across three lanes of traffic onto a major thoroughfare, all while displaying a lack of vigilance regarding the surrounding traffic flow. If he had been addressing someone in particular, that could have influenced his tone and language. When responding to an emergency call, police officers are exempt from standard traffic laws and regulations, allowing them to disregard speed limits and stop signs in order to prioritize the timely resolution of the crisis. Despite this, the reason sirens and lights are used is to notify various highway users. The officer failed to respond to a call by name and neglected to activate his lights or sirens while on duty. As the driver narrowly avoided pancaking me, it’s telling that he didn’t trigger his lights or siren, suggesting he wasn’t attending to a priority call; instead, he was likely speeding down a side street simply because he could.
Poor highway design remains a significant obstacle to efficient and safe travel. The officer’s visibility was severely impaired due to the tall shrubs and retail signs on the adjacent avenue, which obstructed drivers’ views of oncoming traffic on the main thoroughfare; however, the bicycle lane I was using was an even greater concern: merely a painted strip on the shoulder with no physical separation from vehicular traffic. Lacking is any tangible barrier, worn or faded markings on roads, and a distinct visual demarcation at intersections where potential conflicts are more likely to arise. While the officer should still focus on highway users, including cyclists, the road’s design did little to facilitate this effort.
The final challenge, which rests squarely on my shoulders, was my tendency to wear dark colors, making myself almost invisible. Black attire, sans flashy embellishments – understated, even inconspicuous. I’m not a proponent of the notion that cyclists must don high-visibility clothing; it’s a victim-blaming mentality that reduces personal safety to sartorial choices, rather like parents who shift responsibility for their child’s misbehavior onto what she was wearing. While cycling, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of being excessively visible, thanks in part to Velotric’s vibrant bike color palette. Yet, I still feel compelled to wear a high-visibility jacket to prevent careless drivers from putting my life at risk.
What did we accomplish successfully? When riding a motorbike, it’s crucial for me to remain vigilant and aware of my surroundings at all times. When I stumble, I immediately remove my headphones and refrain from speaking on the phone. My gaze constantly sweeps my surroundings, and my ears remain attuned to detect potential dangers at a moment’s notice. While speaking directly to the camera during this assessment, I’m still glancing around, though you can’t quite see my face clearly; meanwhile, in the background, the sound of a police car’s engine revving hard catches my attention as it prepares to merge onto the road. I’d anticipated slowing down sooner than he was aware of my presence. Luckily, the driver ahead of me spotted my sudden presence at the last moment and slammed on their brakes just as I was about to need to perform a full-on emergency stop myself. Kudos are deservedly given to Velotric for equipping the Breeze 1 e-bike with reliable hydraulic brakes. To fully immerse yourself in a sensory experience, it’s crucial to maintain constant awareness of your surroundings and avoid neglecting any of your fundamental senses, including sight or hearing.
Previously, I was driving at appropriate speeds for the conditions. As I pedal my bike, it effortlessly reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour or 45 kilometers per hour, allowing me to indulge in the thrill of rapid acceleration on long, straight stretches of road and in conditions where safety permits. While the video demonstrates frequent entrances to cross avenues or retail parking zones, it’s unlikely that such coincidences would happen repeatedly without cause. Prior to this change, my pace was typically around 15-20 miles per hour due to the numerous intersections in the area, allowing me to have a few seconds’ worth of reaction time when encountering potential hazards. As I hurtled along at a reckless 28 miles per hour, I knew that my chances of braking in time to avoid catastrophe were nil, leaving me utterly dependent on the officer’s failure to act upon the red light ahead. Don’t take me literally; I genuinely enjoy zipping along, and that’s what I usually do. As situations warrant caution, I deliberately slow down, and in this instance, it proved to be a prudent decision.
As mentioned earlier, the bicycle I formerly rode was a striking, vibrant blue hue that caught people’s attention. Just moments before, another cyclist pulled up beside me and enthusiastically shared his admiration for the vibrant hue. As I rode past him on my bright blue bike, it’s probable that the officer’s attention was drawn to the vibrant colour before focusing on me. I’ve consistently argued in favor of vibrant e-bike designs, motivated by a strong objection to the notion that cyclists should feel compelled to wear conspicuous attire for their personal safety. While I’m drawn to vibrant and fun e-bike designs, I also recognize the added benefit of increased visibility regardless of my attire choice. I’ll also point out that I was wearing an appropriate bicycle helmet with a securely fastened chin strap. After a prolonged hiatus from cycling, I’ve had occasion to test my protective gear’s mettle; although not many wrecks in recent memory, those few have served as a poignant reminder of why a helmet remains an indispensable ally on the road.
The moral of the tale, if one can be gleaned, is that constant alertness is crucial for cyclists, and all the more vital for motorists. When driving an automobile, it is essential to exercise caution for your own safety. For individuals operating vehicles that imperil others on the road, the moral responsibility weighs more heavily on their conscience.
Despite the irony that those responsible for maintaining road safety are often the ones who pose the greatest threat, all motorists must take a more proactive approach in anticipating and respecting the presence of all highway users, including vulnerable groups like cyclists and motorcyclists.
As motorcyclists ourselves, we’re intimately familiar with the perils of the highway. Unfortunately, our plea for caution often falls on deaf ears, leaving only us few to take responsibility for our own safety.
In the near future, additional cities may implement more effective ways to physically segregate cyclists from motorized traffic by employing enhanced road infrastructure and protected bike paths. Until then, we’ll rely on our visual acuity, auditory discernment, and protective headgear.
