2012

Recovering your own stolen bike is legal—but be careful

By Bob Mionske

It was a classic sting operation—and when it was posted on YouTube, Jake Gillum’s bike-recovery videowent viral. The cyclist from Portland, Oregon, had spotted his stolen bike …

The last weekend in September was ushered in by warm and sunny autumn weather in California—and across the state, cyclists were out in force. In San Francisco, 5,000 cyclists from around the world gathered to celebrate the 20th anniversary of …

What you need to know about e-bikes and the law

By Bob Mionske

For cyclists who ride for fitness, electric-assist ­bicycles, or e-bikes, may seem to miss the point. But when it comes to pedaling for transportation, more people might …

Cyclists ride for a lot of different reasons. For some, it’s for the love of sport. For others, it’s is an economical way to stretch a tight budget. There’s also the environmental benefit.

And of course, many people ride for …

You may be taking legal responsibility when you organize a group ride. Here’s what you need to know.

By Bob Mionske

In the eyes of the law, there’s a difference between participating in a sport and riding your bike to …

Yes, there is such a thing as cycling insurance. Here’s what you need to know—and why you might need it.

For years, I’ve advised bike riders to piece together cycling insurance through a combination of other types of policies, such …

The social network Strava has been linked to two cycling-related deaths. But can the online service really be held liable for its members’ behavior?

By Bob Mionske

On June 14, the San Francisco district attorney announced that cyclist Chris Bucchere…

A new type of anti-harassment law holds aggressive drivers accountable for their behavior

By Bob Mionske

Although the roads belong to everybody, some motorists don’t see it that way. Maybe you’ve had a run-in with a driver who threw something …

More bikes on the road means safer roads, as drivers learn to keep their speeds legal and to drive more carefully. But before the roads get safer, there’s a learning curve where drivers adjust their habits and take cyclists into …

I’ve received many questions about the legal technicalities relating to the cyclist-pedestrian case described in last week’s Road Rights column. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked inquiries.

Q: What is the cyclist being charged with?
A: Felony …