Posts from — August 2007

This week, Bob Mionske’s Legally Speaking column discussed the issue of cyclists needing to produce ID for law enforcement, particularly if said cyclists behave in ways they really shouldn’t — like, say, blowing stop signs. While the column discussed a Texas incident, the following caveat was included:

Keep in mind that this requirement will vary by state. For example, in California, if a person can’t produce a driver’s license or other government-issued I.D. when the officer has probable cause to make an arrest, state law requires the law enforcement officer to take that person into custodial arrest-that means the person is taken to jail instead of cited and released. Because identification laws will vary by state, it’s important for cyclists to know what’s required in whatever state they’re riding in.

Minnesota doesn’t seem to have such a requirement. Reading the column, and based on a past experience involving an officer who was really unclear on crosswalk law as it related to trail crossings and cars right-turning on red, I thought I’d check statute. This is what I found:

171.08 LICENSEE TO HAVE LICENSE IN POSSESSION.
Every licensee shall have the license in immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display it upon demand of a peace officer, an authorized representative of the department, or an officer authorized by law to enforce the laws relating to the operation of motor vehicles on public streets and highways. Unless the person is the holder of a limited license issued under section 171.30, no person charged with violating the possession requirement shall be convicted if the person produces in court or the office of the arresting officer a driver’s license previously issued to that person for the class of vehicle being driven which was valid at the time of arrest or satisfactory proof that at the time of the arrest the person was validly licensed for the class of vehicle being driven. The licensee shall also, upon request of any officer, write the licensee’s name in the presence of the officer to determine the identity of the licensee.

While bicycles have vehicular status in Minnesota, they are not motor vehicles. There is no license issued for their operation. Thus, I think it’s safe to say cyclists need not carry ID.

In the wake of the I35W Bridge disaster, numerous bikeways and bridges are also to be impacted indefinitely. While cycling is encouraged, both now and ongoing as a way to ease congestion, certain routes are not open options.

The City of Minneapolis has announced the closure of the following roads and bridges that impact cyclists:

WEST RIVER PARKWAY
Closed between 13th Ave S to 1st St S
Local access only between 11th Ave and 13th Ave S
Local access between 4th St and 1st St S

2nd STREET SE
Closed between 8th Ave SE to 11th Ave SE
Local access between 3rd Ave SE and 8th Ave SE
Local access only on 11th Ave SE between University Ave and 2nd St SE

STONE ARCH BRIDGE
Closed until further notice

BRIDGE #9 - DINKYTOWN BICYCLE CONNECTION
Closed until further notice