Motorcyclist eludes officers through several towns

August 4, 8:24 AMManchester Motorcycle ExaminerChris Greenleaf

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Rollinsford, NH Police Cruiser, Source: Wikipedia

On Monday evening, a motorcyclist fled from officers trying to stop him (or her) in Chester, NH.  Authorities in Chester alerted nearby communities, and soon local departments such as Epping were on the hunt for this elusive rider, going so far as to even update their Twitter page hoping residents or motorists might find this reckless individual. 

The rider was actually spotted in Epping, and when officers signaled for him (or her) to stop, they refused.  In the name of safety, officers decided not to chase.

When I started riding several years ago, I'd have laughed at this story in total misunderstanding as to why officers didn't chase, and in my immaturity as a rider likely would have cheered this rider on. With a lot more experience on the road, and some firsthand experience how unforgiving our sport is of mistakes, I applaud the officers for not chasing this time.

Perhaps the story is different on a straight and open Florida interstate, but not here in southern New Hampshire.  Officers here realized that chasing this motorcycle would likely result in a life-threatening crash involving the bike, the police cruiser, an innocent commuter, pedestrian, or all of the above. 

Sadly there are a few riders on the street today that set a sour reputation for other riders.  The reality is most police departments (specifically officers) understand the differences between a motorcycle and a car and allow for that difference when they decide who is driving dangerously.  Just a few weeks ago, I was also stopped in a small New Hampshire town; after exchanging a few short respectful words back and forth, the officer and I had a short laugh or two before he sent me on my way.

Let's bring a little common sense to the table:

• If you want to drive at excessive speeds, hit the track.  You can do it safely and legally there. (Visit my Houston colleagues article Track Days: why not?
• If you are asked to pull over by an officer, DO IT!  Chances are if you're not being dangerous and reckless they will spend more time 'coaching' you on what you did than fining you. (This is not to say you will never get a citation, the officer is required to use his or her judgment in each case).
• Don't create a dangerous situation.  Don't flee - period.  If it is unsafe to pull over where you are, engage your hazards, (or use hand signals) to indicate you acknowledge the officer and travel at a safe speed to a place where it is safe for both you and the officer (keeping in mind you may be asked to dismount the motorcycle.
• Encourage your local departments to start using tools such as Twitter and other networking sites.  Reckless individuals count on there only being a handful of officers who can catch them, but if 50% of a town is also on the lookout, there may not need to be a chase at all!

Great job to Chester and Epping departments last night for not creating a doubly-dangerous situation out of this one hoodlum!