I thought the whole thing was almost too incredible to be true: cops in Columbia Heights stopping people on bikes, asking to see proof of ownership and confiscating the bikes if none could be provided.

Well, apparently, the NBC4 report that made such claims was slightly exaggerated. According to Shane Farthing, the executive director of the Washington Area Bicyclists Association, “This…is not true. MPD stopped a robbery suspect on bike, questioned him, and proceeded accordingly (including finding that the bike was stolen). There is no indication MPD is stopping cyclists generally or impounding bikes.”

So go on, ride those bikes down Irving Street. No one in an MPD uniform is going to stop you and ask for proof that you own it.