Police riding parallel
 

i have seen this at least a half a dozen times this summer-two cycle police riding side by side and chatting. Is this legal? I was alwYs under the impression that you could ride staggered but not parallel. And I am not receding to a motorcade escort, just two officers having a chat while riding.
I don't really have issue with it, but am curious if it's something I can do, or if police get special rights.

Motorcycle or bicycle?

Motorcycle = OK

Bicycle = Not OK

I saw 4 rcmp bicycle cops doing this last night riding down no. 3 road blocking the right lane

who cares? why does this matter. if it is a matter of calling the police out on doing illegal things how about we at least call them out on important things such as getting drunk and beating up people just cause.

one thing to remember.. as a police officer, these men and women show up at horrible scenes, have to see people dying, injured, or already dead. This is what they work with, trying to keep people safe. and yet because they are cops and they sometimes give out "iffy" traffic tickets, people hate them.... yet the firefighters and paramedics are seen as heros?

I still think that the police need to follow the rules carefully as an example to others. I didn't feel it was right to write a ticket if you couldn't follow the rule yourself.

The difference is firefighters and paramedics don't have the the power to harass citizens.

I'm not saying all cops are guilty of this though. In fact, only a small portion of them are but unfortunately they create a very negative image for the rest of the guys.

`God created Cops so Firefighters could have heroes``...saw that bumpersticker somewhere....probably on a Cop`s car..

While riding a Police MC on duty with other Police riders we ride as you saw them. It allows communication, sometimes vocal, other times by hand signals. It also allows large groups to take up less roadway and presents a smaller package. I do N OT ride this way on my own bike when in a group. I always ride staggered as it's too dangerous to give up 1/2 of your space cushion to another rider. When I'm on duty I know the level of training of the other Police rider and understand the need for communication. I accept the increased risk as just another risky element of my job but don't volunteer to do it when it is not required.

When I see untrained MC riders doing this, specially the Harley Types, very few who have ever taken any training, it scares me. I know it's a testosterone thing but it's just stupid. I know they have not had any courses because they would not ride that way if they had. Their technical ignorance of the danger involved and overconfidence in their skill level is going to lead to disaster eventually.

We practice riding that way as zulutango has said it allows the two riders to communicate with out using (tying up the radio). There are specific rules we follow while riding in this fashion to avoid crashes. It also allows the bikes to perform enforcement duties without worrying about the guy if he was behind you...... as you alway know where he is. I would never ride this way with people who were not trained to do this, I am not familiar with or I do not trust. (there are a few riders (police) I have met I would not ride like this.

So when did I run you through the course...or was it the other way around? :)