Stories by Bob Mionske

• Posted: Thu, Nov 30th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: The importance of being conspicuous
  Dear Bob,I’m a triathlete and regularly enjoy reading your column. Your recent column on lights and reflectors (see "ReflectedGlory") reminded me of a topic of debate between me and some friends. We’re hoping you can settle it. One day, during a particularly heavy fog, I ...
• Posted: Thu, Oct 26th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: Reflected glory
  Bob,I have a question regarding riding at night. I'm a Minnesota commuter and commute using a generally accepted excellent setup – a Niterider 15 watt headlight with a Niterider blinking taillight. But Minnesota statutes 169.222 subsection 6 says:(a) No person shall ...
• Posted: Thu, Oct 12th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: When is a crosswalk not a crosswalk?
  Dear Bob,Your September 7 column on crosswalks (See "CrossingGuard") hit close to home here in Minnesota. Under Minnesota law andas discussed by the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices}, mid-blockcrossings can (and of course do) exist. The MUTCD explicitly states thatwhen ...
• Posted: Thu, Sep 7th
  Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske: Crossing guard
  Dear Bob,I don't remember if you've covered this question. This has come up a number of times in our club lately. Is it legal to ride across an intersection in the crosswalk? Are you considered a pedestrian or bicyclist if you are hit by a vehicle while riding your ...
• Posted: Thu, Aug 17th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: How do you defend yourself in a doping case?
  Dear Readers,Last week we looked at the process in an anti-doping violation case [See Thestraight dope on the Landis case]. I received more e-mail about this column than any other I have submitted for publication. Much (nearly all) of the correspondence was appreciative of the ...
• Posted: Wed, Aug 9th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: The straight dope on the Landis case
  Dear ReadersThis week, because of all the legal questions raised by the racing news, we’ll be taking a look at a legal issue I haven’t covered before—the anti-doping code in professional cycling. The Anti-Doping Code has its origins in the Olympic movement; as a result of ...
• Posted: Thu, Aug 3rd
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: The need for speed
  Dear Bob,I live in the Minneapolis, Minnesota metro area. The city of Minneapolis has had for several years a 10mph speed limit on city trails. In some areas this limit does make sense such as around the chain of inner city lakes where the density of people, skaters and bikes is ...
• Posted: Thu, Jul 20th
  Legally Speaking with Bob Mionske: The BUI blues - Redux
  Dear readers;Last column, in "TheBUI Blues", we had a letter from J.C. in Oregon, who asked about the difference in penalties between a DUI and a BUI. This column, we have more letters from readers about DUIs. It’s gotta be the hot days and cold beers and stiff ...
• Posted: Thu, Jun 15th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: The BUI blues
  Dear Bob,In your recent article Whenis a bicycle more than a bicycle? you were writing with regardto California Law; is the law similar in Oregon? Mostly, I'm interestedin the distinction between infractions and misdemeanors. So, gettinga DUI on a bicycle doesn't ...
• Posted: Thu, Jun 1st
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: Two-by-two
  Dear Bob,In Texas, is it legal to ride two abreast or must all riders be single file? I appreciate your help,T.B.,Texas Dear T.B.,Grab yer ridin’ pardner, T.B., because riding two abreast is legal in Texas. Yee-Haw! To find out why, let’s mosey on over to the Texas ...
• Posted: Thu, May 18th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: When is a bicycle more than a bicycle
  Dear Bob;I have a question that has been a long standing debate over many beers at the pub, and every one seems to agree I am wrong except me. If you could set me straight I would be grateful. This is a true story. Like most cyclists I have my regular routes, designed for hills, ...
• Posted: Thu, May 4th
  Legally Speaking - with Bob Mionske: Minimum speeds?
  Dear Bob,I live in Minnesota and am kind of new to cycling, so I read with great interest your article on impeding traffic. In your article, you mentioned a “minimum speed limit.” Are there roads in Minnesota where a minimum speed limit means “no bicycles allowed?” Can ...