Comments on: Stuff to check out: Freeway bicyclist, kid hit by car, atheist ads on buses

By: DI

DI — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:32:11 +0000

Every metro freeway entrance has a black on white (regulatory) sign that prohibits pedestrians, bicyclists as well other nonmotorized traffic. Minn. Statutes, Chap. 169.305, Subd. 3, states “Any person violating the provisions of this section or any order or ordinance promulgated or enacted by the commissioner of transportation or a public authority pursuant thereto is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.”

By: DrivingInAKilt

DrivingInAKilt — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:42:46 +0000

I have always wondered that if I am carrying my bike on the back of my car and break down, can I take my bike off and use it to get myself off the freeway? Probably not; I guess I would have to walk the shoulder with my bike on my shoulders.

Yes, there are interstates where cycling is legal, but obviously not here. I think the officer misspoke and meant he couldn’t get put into jail, but I am sure fines could have been assessed.

By: Joe Schmoe

Joe Schmoe — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:13:57 +0000

I also thought it was illegal to bike on the interstate. And that is one of my retorts to anti-biking people - that we built this big expensive interstate system just for cars so don’t complain about bikes on regular streets. Unless they’re going the wrong way and through a red light.

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:43:47 +0000

How I’d love to be able to take the highway to work on my bike. Nice direct route. No red lights or stop signs. No cross traffic. No pedestrians, rollerbladers, or strollers (maybe). Hmmm, seems like a scene from the future.

By: Prof. S.

Prof. S. — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:05:45 +0000

From the story: The man was taken to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and will likely not face any charges, Hutchins said. “There’s no crime,” he said. “I think we’re taking him out for his own safety.”

So, the story did say (implicitly) that it was legal. Leaving aside the impeding of traffic and failure to maintain the minimum speed, I’m not so sure that’s correct.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:33:41 +0000

Whoops–pardon the double speak.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:32:59 +0000

Some places there is only a freeway with no other route. But I 94? Poor dude must have been really lost.

They didn’t say it was legal–just that sometimes it happens.

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:32:05 +0000

Some places there is only a freeway with no other route. But I 94? Poor dude must have been really lost.

By: Nic

Nic — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:02:35 +0000

Just an alternative perspective. I too, would have thought, how crazy for someone to bicycle on the interstate. After spending some time in China, where the driving is much more aggressive than anywhere I have even driven (though similar to US Coastal style), and seeing that bicycles and pedestrians were allowed on the highways… and seeing that it actually works (no, traffic is not impeded, even on ramps) was quite the eye opener.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:19:30 +0000

20+ years ago I came to the cities on bike from Northfield via Cedar Ave. I’m not from here, it was before Googlemaps, and I probably should have paid more attention to the map.

That said, imagine my surprise when country road 77 / Cedar turned into a freeway!! (Yikes!!) I got off my bike, turned around quickly, and found a better route.