Portland Copwatch to host ‘Your Rights, Bikes and the Police’ seminar

N17 protests

Interactions happen. Knowing the law and
your rights can make them smoother.
(Photo © J. Maus/BikePortland)

Portland Copwatch announced a seminar event today that’s aimed at people who ride bikes. “Your Rights, Bikes and the Police” will be an informational event that will feature local attorney Mark Ginsberg and members of Portland Copwatch, a non-profit, “grassroots group promoting police accountability through citizen action.”

Here’s more about the event:

“Do you have to carry ID when you ride? What kind of lights and reflectors are required by law? What do you say when an officer asks to search you? If you’ve ever wondered, come to this seminar and get answers to these and many other questions!”

The issue of how to relate to police officers while riding your bike is one that demands knowledge and understanding. While a solid grasp of the law might not be enough to avoid a messy situation (as emotions on both sides during an event or a traffic stop can quickly trump rational thought), a greater understanding of the law is always needed.

Mark Ginsberg is a Portland lawyer who specializes in bike-related cases. He goes way back in Portland’s bike scene and has extensive experience in representing people in bike injury and law cases. Ginsberg has also participated in many bike events over the years from races to bike parades, and Critical Mass. He also has a long history of working with the Police Bureau. Ginsberg organized a summit between the Portland Police and Zoobombers in 2007 after a clash about riding on Highway 26, he represented Ayla Holland in the infamous fixed-gear brake case, and he represented Ben Ramsdell in the Clinton Street road rage case of 2009.

The Portland Copwatch event is free and takes place on Monday, February 18th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at Velo Cult Bike Shop (1969 NE 42nd). More info here. The flyer is below:

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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Todd Boulanger
Todd Boulanger
11 years ago

Mark & Cop Watch – thanks for holding the event. Does one need to RSVP?

dmc
dmc
11 years ago
Reply to  Todd Boulanger

I am also curious about RSVP

9watts
9watts
11 years ago

That is one hilarious photo and caption, Jonathan.

BellaBici
11 years ago

Darn! Can’t make that time. I sure hope that this presentation will be videoed and placed on a venue like YouTube. (crossing fingers)

Andrew K
Andrew K
11 years ago

I won’t be able to make it either but I dig the event.

Informed citizens are good citizens.

NW Biker
NW Biker
11 years ago

My first thought about the photo was to wonder why the person on the bike was carrying a cactus.

JNE
JNE
11 years ago

Not my cup of tea … but props to Velo Cult once again for being at the center of PDX bike culture. Talk about re-defining retail.