B2theC

I work in downtown San Antonio and commute on a Trek 7.3fx. I am not allowed to take the bicycle in to work and the closest secure bike racks are in front of the San Antonio Bike Patrol station (2 of them).

Now, there are two bike racks, one that is generally for just bike patrol officers (or so it seems as two very rude bike cops told me not to lock my bike on that rack, but the rack a few feet from it) or they would cut my locks and remove the bike. I apologized and told them it wasn't my intention to cause such a big deal and that I would park my bike on the other bike rack.

Now fast forward two weeks since the incident...after work when unlocking my bike a different police officer came out of the station and asked if I usually park my bike there and I replied,"Yes officer I do." He rudely responded that I should stop locking my bike there...(even though I'm not the only person who parks my bike there) as it sometimes gets crowded and is inconvenient.

Now, I could lock my bike a few blocks down the road in a less "secure" location but it would add more time getting to and from work and I'm much more paranoid locking my bike up there...what do you guys think...is it even legal for them to remove a registered bike properly locked up to a bike rack...even if its directly in front of a police station?

bhdavis1978

I'd consider contacting your local elected representatives. It seems unreasonable to me, but I think your local rep would be able to help you out, one way or the other.

JonnyHK 

On the assumption that these racks are city owned and public access, then you should work this out politely with the cops.

First, confirm the legal status of the racks (signage, ask City Hall but don't mention the cops, ask your local bike advocacy group).

Secondly:Go in to the station, ask to see someone senior, be polite and ask them to clarify what they think the status of the racks is. Compare this to what City Hall etc told you. If you should have access, firmly insist on it but be willing accept some conditions (eg only on one particular rack) because as a good citizen you want to help the cops. Perhaps mention the threats you've had from the officers...You don't want to break a law or cause trouble, but you shouldn't be bullied off from a public facility unfairly.

If the cops get prissy about it, you can file a complaint or go back to City Hall and demand that they a) put signage on rack about 'cops only' or b) install another rack that the public can actually use. Local officials or elected reps would be next.

The threat to cut your lock and confiscate your bike is probably just that. Intimidation with no legal backing.

KD5NRH

First, find the council members for your district and the district you're having a problem in. https://www.sanantonio.gov/council/ Any time you contact a city official about a problem, you should also let your council member know. The other may not respond, but it can't hurt. I would also contact the Senior Customer Service Rep ann.barrera@sanantonio.gov and ask if they have a bicycle or transportation specialist who can help.

Contact the police chief regarding the officers' attitudes, and the fact that, if the rack is really for police use only, it needs a sign stating that. If you call, record the call. You don't need to notify them that you're recording in Texas. If you email or send a letter, send a copy to your council member.

While you're at it, according to https://webapps2.sanantonio.gov/Boar...Vacancies.aspx they're looking for members for the Community Development Advisory Committee and Parks and Recreation Board, so you might either see if you can find the time, or find some other cyclists who would be willing to apply for those.

KD5NRH

I guess I should mention this; if you don't get a response fairly quickly, make time to attend the next council meeting and bring up the issue during the citizens' general discussion. If you do get good responses, use that time to thank the people who helped. That sort of public praise makes a good impression and ensures that they'll be likely to help next time something comes up.

akohekohe

Is there room for a third bike rack? Seems if the two that are there are getting full then they should add another one if possible.

jjermzz

Go to their superiors. They follow the chain of command.

radshark

That and the police should have acted on this as well instead of threatening to cut locks.

frantik

just park your bike someplace else.. even if it's a city rack, do you want to pick a fight with the cops? do you want to leave your bike in front of their station if you win the fight?

SouthFLpix

Can you lock up to something like a parking meter or railing or some other static object? I generally prefer that rather then using racks.

robyr

That is a terrible opinion to take on this issue, or any issue of misuse of power. That is precisely the way to encourage further intimidation.

mconlonx

Pick your battles. You can be 100% in the right and come out to find your tires slashed, maybe a rim kicked in, and no cop saw a thing...

frantik

this is the smallest, most chicken-sh/t abuse of power ever.. who cares, really? just park someplace else and forget about it. write a complaint if you want, but don't park your bike there any more.

if it were just some business owners and they all had bikes and rudely told me not to park there, I wouldn't park there either.

HardyWeinberg

If one (or both) racks are police station parking only they should be flagged as such.

KonAaron Snake 

At a guess...this sounds like police being territorial and making threats with absolutely no standing. Unfortanately, there is no good answer...

If you complain and start calling supervisors, you're on their radar. Retaliation is possible and you generally don't win a pissing contest with cops unless you're willing to go to the mat and take it to court.

The way I'd handle it is very politely saying you were unaware it was their rack and ask to see what policy makes it a private police rack. My next move would depend on their response and how much it annoyed me.

Mr IGH

Here in Chicago, you do what a cop tells otherwise expect to be harressed, if you're lucky. A random beat down and arrest is always possible....

bluefoxicy

eh?

dmcdmc

i live in ny and work downtown...last year during the yankees ticker tape parade, i was locking my bike on my normal pole, which is along the sidewalk that follows the parade route. A cop came up to me and said I couldn't lock my bike there. I asked why and he just repeated himself and said that he might have to clip it if it gets in the way. I asked for his badge number and when he asked why, i said, "im just trying to get to work and i need your number so i know who is going to steal my bike so i can report them". He just walked away.

Cops like to get in people's faces but often when faced with having to explain themselves, especially to superiors, they will lay off your case.

AngelGendy

If they cut your lock and remove your bike from public or private property they are guilty of bicycle theft.

bluefoxicy

Maybe you should consider the amount of disorganization that a parade route causes with crowds and people and floats and paraders and whatnot, and how hard it is to keep order. If the bike gets in the way of people he might have to remove it; alternately, maybe the crowd of unruly people will get mashed against your bike as they jumble about chaotically, destroying the derailleurs and bending your wheels, and maybe stealing your cycle computer because someone realizes it's not bolted down and hey why not?

Have fun with that.

Maybe he should have explained there's a parade route there and they're trying to clear the streets. Maybe that's about all he knows and he hasn't been given the briefing on the full logic, and hasn't had time or desire to sit and think about what problems a bike chained to a post could cause, including problems for the bike's owner (this is often missed in these considerations). It's like being told you can't park your car in an area designated for an orderly protest tomorrow; your car isn't in the way, but orderly protests have a way of getting out of hand and your car may wind up on fire.

wphamilton

Did I read this right: there's public bike rack, but don't park your bike there because it's in the way? I think the cops dislike you, therefore I wouldn't get in a pissing match on their own turf were I you. If you want to make noise about it - I would want to - I think I'd start whining to the city about more bike racks and better locations.

frantik

obviously they dislike him.. they have seen the same bike there every day and at times it probably has been an inconvenience and they probably are tired of looking at it. cops are used to being bullies so they aren't going to ask nicely about anything.

JeffS

I'm embarrassed for you.

nashcommguy

+1 on this. Cops for all the good they do can be real territorial and curt. Your situation reminds me of speeding on the interstate w/a whole group of cars and being singled out for a ticket. You just happened to be in the wrong place when whatever his mounting frustrations are came to fruition. The chances of you running into him again are rather slim, so I'd continue to park there. Just make sure your bike has all the necessary licenses and sales receipts required in case it gets impounded.

qmsdc15

Nice to hear they do occasionally enforce a law.