Bikers go over the Hoan and directly to jail
For two bikers, a critical mass ride over the Hoan Bridge last week ended in the booking room of the Milwaukee County Jail.
Based on the sheriff's reports, anywhere from 50 to 150 bikers participated in the ride over the two-mile bridge, which is off limits to pedestrians and nonmotorized traffic. The outing was billed as a ride to protest "Gov. Scott Walker's Anti-Bicycling Agenda," and blocked traffic in both southbound lanes of I-794 about 6 p.m. on May 5.
Responding to a host of 9-1-1 calls, deputies caught and ticketed four of the participants. They booked one of them in the jail for resisting, and another to confirm his identity.
That was Juan Serrano, 23, from Covina Calif., who reportedly told the deputy: "I was supporting my friends who were protesting Luke Skywalker or something."
The others who were ticketed include: Samarah Hagagi, 19, of Kansas City, Mo., Caitlin Hamer, 21, of Milwaukee, and Donald Sanborn, 22, of Wauwatosa.
Their tickets carry fines of $178.
Hagagi also picked up the citation for resisting because she wouldn't stop for the deputy, according to the sheriff's report.
The ride was organized through the Milwaukee Bicycle Community, an informal advocacy group that shares information about group rides on the website www.mkebke.com.
Steve Roche helps run the site, and joined the group on the Hoan.
Their purpose was to generate attention and a spark a discussion about the merits of installing a lane for bicycles and pedestrians on the Hoan, he said.
In the decades since it opened, a number of cycling advocates and public officials have argued that the Hoan should be opened to non-motorists as a connection between Downtown Milwaukee and the south side neighborhoods and suburbs. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation rejected the idea, and proposed an alternate route using surface streets.
132 Comments for "Bikers go over the Hoan and directly to jail"
Scooter May 12, 2011 12:34 PM
default May 12, 2011 12:39 PM
frame313 May 12, 2011 12:40 PM
The world would be a better place with less stupid protests, most of which are not based on the facts, or are based on fairyland visions that are not practical in a real world.
Get a life and be happy for all the benefits you have to live in the USA. Visit a foreign country some time and you'll kiss the ground when you return.
Get a job in County Government and earn $52,000 a month.
AZ Retiree May 12, 2011 12:41 PM
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/121640199.html
Adding a lane to bike on the Hoan bridge makes the most sense from a commuter and safety perspective. Scott (I will spend billions on roads, but won't spend a dime on alternate forms of transportation) Walker could have easily added lanes for biking to the Hoan when he approved the new work for the bridge, but failed do so.
DJZesta May 12, 2011 12:41 PM
The statement, "Virtually no one uses the bus racks" is wrong.
"Virtually thousands use the bus racks" would be accurate.
T. Held May 12, 2011 12:43 PM
It's a common sight, really. The left get sad because funding gets cut because we're in a RECESSION. So they protest. That protest affect everyone around them, even those that don't support their views.
Tax payer dollars are used in order to pay the police to arrest and book them. Thanks LEFT!
Scottage Cheese May 12, 2011 12:43 PM
AZ Retiree May 12, 2011 12:46 PM
Likely a similar percentage of the protesters in Madison.
Muktown Resident May 12, 2011 12:48 PM
STB1 May 12, 2011 12:51 PM
You are spot on. I tried riding from my house to Bay View and it was a serious test of nerves. There's little reason not to include a bike lane in the Hoan improvements (other than purely political, of course).
I see people use the bus/bike racks every day. Very convenient.
Pretty sure "Luke Skywalker" was a joke.
Having said all that, I'm pretty tired of "protests" too.
dk mke May 12, 2011 12:52 PM
ronaldpotter May 12, 2011 12:53 PM