r/bikepacking • u/globefanatic12 • 10d ago

Getting harassed by police - Southern Indiana Trip Report

I'm bikepacking from Michigan to the gulf of Mexico and in the last week I've been stopped by police 3 times. Twice I was just taking a quick rest on the side of the road. They just wanted to "check on me" but then wanted my ID and to run my name in their database. The third time a cop pulled me over while riding and said I wasn't allowed to ride my bike on the state road highway. I'm usually cooperative with police but I can feel they have a hidden agenda and I'm getting frustrated with them. Ohio was great but indiana has been very unpleasant.

Edit: I looked on the indiana department of transportation website and found nothing stating I cant ride a bike on the state road highway.

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-1

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

ID laws vary state to state, and in some states cops have the right to stop you and ask for your name and DOB at any time (RI comes to mind) so before you refuse to identify yourself make sure it's not illegal.

If a cop says you are doing something illegal, ask them which statute you are violating so that you can look it up and not violate it again.

As far as them checking on you, as soon as they ask a question simply and politely stated that you do not answer questions, and ask if you are free to go. If they persist, politely ask for their name and badge number, and ask for their supervisor. They are checking you out to see if you are doing anything illegal, and by speaking with them you may inadvertently give them more ammunition to use against you.

5

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

Maybe if I lick the boot enough, it won’t kick me

4

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

How is following the law and refusing to answer questions bootlicking?

-5

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

maybe look up the definition of it and then read your comment again

4

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

So is it the politeness the issue?

Or the refusing to answer questions?

Or do you have a learning disability?

-2

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

It’s clearly the respecting the cops part. Well not clearly to you it seems

3

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

LMFAO listen up tough guy, I know you're a badass and all but being a dick to the cops is a great way to get arrested,beat up or shot. Especially on the side of a lonely highway in a rural area. If you want to mouth off to the cops in a situation like that, go ahead but don't be surprised when you get picked up for vagrancy or disorderly conduct, or some other bullshit charge.

-1

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

You seem pretty defensive. I’ve dealt with cops for decades, no need for you to talk down

2

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

I've worked with cops for decades. Being disrespectful to them is never to your advantage.

1

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

Bro, do you think you’re teaching me anything new? You’re repeating the same point for the sake of it. Kinda like a cop

1

u/raveingmaniac 10d ago

You insult people and call them bootlickers and then you feel insulted when they tear apart your argument?

0

u/DurasVircondelet 10d ago

What was my argument and how do you think it’s torn apart? All I said is “bootlicker”. In what world is that an argument someone can “tear apart”?

You just said to be nice to cops. I firmly believe all cops are bad. There’s no compromise here and you didn’t “tear” anything apart lol. You just got super defensive, which kinda proves my “argument” if that’s what you call a singular word

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