I think you meant this.

Just walked my bike across the bridge and saw a kid getting a ticket. Sad...

The security monitors hide in the alcoves where you can't see them.

Yesterday I coasted 100 ft or so into the hallway (because there was nobody there). I dismounted and walked the rest of the way. As I neared the other end, a security monitor jumped out and told me I was lucky to not be getting a ticket.

I wonder if they give tickets to people who ride up on mopeds, dismount, and then walk the moped through the WAB enclosure?

That is soooo cool! People getting paid to hide and jump out at bikers.

Is this a "real" ticket or a U of M ticket? Would I, not being a student, have to pay said ticket?

I was wondering the same thing. When I went through there today, I noticed the dudes handing out the tickets were in the same uniform that the U security guards wear. So I get a ticket, then what? I'm not a student now and really want to see what would happen. If I wasn't planning on going back next semester, I'd give it a crack.

It's pretty shady how they hide...

i would wager no. I think you have to be a real cop to issue 'true' tickets, or I sure as hell hope so. If not paying a ticket means you get a warrant and go to jail, they better be from real cops IMO and the issuer held to the same (albeit nearly nonexistant) standards real police offers are held to.

If you or anyone you know has received a citation while crossing the bridge on your bike and wish to be interviewed for a news story please contact me at ajaxholler@aol.com

Police can only issue tickets.

Phyllis Kahn wrote a letter today:
http://www.mndaily.com/2008/09/17/letters-editor

Her assumption is that UMN security doesnt count as a local authority but only the local PD would count. Is that a safe assumption for her to make?

Just in case some people are confused.

There is a thing called the UMPD. They are police, duh, who's precinct is the U of M Minneapolis Campus. They are not security guards.

I have no idea if the people handing out tickets are police officers, but if they are not they should go back to writing tickets to cars parked at expired meters. Mainly because they have no business interacting with the public in a enforcement capacity.

Phyllis Kahn also said,

"Of course, bikes can clearly use the lower roadway. In that case the applicable state law (MS169.18 Subd. 3 (3)) requires that cars leave a safe distance (not less than 3 feet) when passing. I would hope that the police will enforce this reasonable safety law with equal vigor."

When I went there a week or two ago, the posted signs stated otherwise. Has this changed?

The biker vs pedestrian attitude in the comments of the Daily article are exactly what we, as bikers, don't need more of. No group is really better than the other and that sort of attitude accomplishes nothing but turning people away from the idea of biking/walking.

That said, people standing in the bike paths.... wow. Pretty much a sure fire way to pick out a freshman. Just look for the deer in the headlights look. LOL.

Um, if there are signs (I only question because I have never been there nor have I seen pix, but I assume there are), then, no, a bicyclist may not use the lower deck. Statute 169.305 says the commissioner of transportation or public authority may prohibit or control any kind of traffic that is incompatible with the normal and safe flow of traffic on a controlled access roadway. Disobeying the signs that control use of a controlled access roadway is guilty of a petty misdemeanor. These types of roads must be signed.

Seems like a good idea but not going to happen. The level of transit bus traffic alone between 7-10am and 3-6pm alone would make it difficult and the reopening of the 35W bridge isn't going to make that big of a difference. The railing on the outside lane isn't even close to high enough. I just rode the lower level at 3:30pm today; I am NOT going to do that again. Seriously scary stuff. If you want to take those kind of chances, try something thats actually fun, like surfing railroad cars or BASE jumping.

Best hope is that they can get enough work done to reopen the temporary bike lanes on the top sooner than later.