BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

You're allowed to carry locks, just not with the intent of or in the act of committing a crime.

funny you should ask. this is the response i received from a city of pittsburgh planning department gai:

I have gotten some feedback on bike locks. The issue is about intent. There is not stated restriction on bike locks at this time. If there is an intent to utilize a lock for anything other than locking the bike, then it could be excluded from entry.

So it's like what buzz1980 said... If it's on your bike and you're using it with the intent to secure your bike for parking, then it's cool. However, if you're wielding your lock around like you're fighting tina turner in beyond thunderdome, then the police will add an additional summary offense and fine for using a such instrument for mayhem.

Not going to point park, got soaked came home. sorry

Think we'll just leave the locks at home. We just want to ride around and take pics, don't want some over zealous law enforcement seeing intent where there is none.

If we stop somewhere we'll use the best bike lock there is, someone standing there watching.

The rain just stopped, great.

How about if you carry two locks, as is sometimes recommended to properly secure your bike? Will they automatically assume the other is for "anything other than locking the bike"?

Good point.

What about the people I see with menacing chains over their shoulders or around their waists? I know that its their bike lock but, a non-rider might assume its a weapon and the riders intention is to hurt someone.

Judging someone's intent is so subjective its ridiculous.

Well I hang a cable w/ lock and a U-lock from my seat and I'm planning on commuting through downtown to get to my office in the strip on thursday and friday.

I'll post if I have any issues... from jail.

wait...so is it still legal to carry a gun downtown...during the g20?

surely the nra wouldn't have allowed a gun ban.

bike locks, those are dangerous. can't have people locking themselves to a building that will be closed for 4 days.

According to the PG article on the subject, projectile launchers (guns should qualify?) would only be cited if they "seem likely to try to block public areas or foil police crowd control."

I also find it a bit odd that there is a 3 day waiting period to apply for a marriage license in PA, but you can buy a handgun with a 3 minute computerized background check.

@sloaps: Have you got the ACLU office's phone number memorized?

Pennsylvania is an open carry state other than Philadelphia. You can openly carry a handgun downtown, yes. At least to the letter of the law you can. And interestingly enough, I'd guess that getting arrested for open carry and attracting the attention of the NRA would achieve far more than what the ACLU is going to be able to push now or after the fact to stop police harassment.

all the nra has to do is say they'll never have their convention here ever again.

Have you got the ACLU office's phone number memorized?

877-pgh-aclu

say it with me...

I think it's time to come to grips with the situation at hand: Pittsburgh is under martial law for the next week. If you have to ask, surely at least one cop will be asking you a similar question. Also, the police and guardsmen serving their sworn duty for the region are vexed at the opportunity to participate in the city's temporary stardom, and may be a little grumpy as a result.

@Renny well said.

Hmm, the website for The Pittsburgh G-20 Resistance Project appears to have been taken down. Like just now.

+1 Renny

Edit: No, sorry, it's back. Some links don't work, though.

From the G-20 Resistance Project website:



Friday, September 25, we'll be working to undermine the G-20 summit by attacking their power, making connections to the local manifestations of their neoliberal agenda.



This would be protesting Starbucks and Victoria's Secret, correct?

The temptation to pedal by the protests, sipping a mocha frappuchino and wearing a nice lacy teddy while towing a B.O.B. full of coal, is nigh-irresistible.

Reddan, you do the lacy teddy thing, I wanna get pics.

Really.

Mick

Well, it is casual Friday...

Dan I will buy you that teddy. But really, it can't be any more shocking than seeing you ride down the Jail Trail on an upright

But really, it can't be any more shocking than seeing you ride down the Jail Trail on an upright

Depends on the teddy, really.

The ACLU also has a G-20 helpline, 412-562-5015.