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Life on two wheels
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| Stephan Orsak uses his portable bicycle for commuting, running errands and even rides it out to the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport. Photo by Paul Dols |
Biker battles airport police in court
by Mike Morgan
Staff Writer
MAHTOMEDI - Stephan Orsak rides his green foldable bicycle to the grocery store, work and even the Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport.
"It's the most convenient way to get around town," Orsak said.
A professional violinist, Orsak travels extensively to perform with various orchestras and attend music conferences.
When in town he plays with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra and the Minnesota Opera. He takes his bike from Mahtomedi to performances in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, sometimes riding in his requisite tuxedo.
A trip to St. Paul takes about an hour, with no need to venture onto the freeway, Orsak said. When he arrives at a destination, he folds up the bike in a snap and carries it wherever he needs to.
The foldable bike has proved especially convenient for going to and from airports. Many American and international airports have bike trails leading right up to their doors, Orsak said.
But the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport doesn't, and that led to an experience last September that has proved to be a big headache for Orsak.
After returning to Minnesota on a flight from California, Orsak retrieved his bike out of a duffle bag and headed out.
Soon after he began riding, an Airport Police car stopped him and said bikes weren't allowed on the road he was on.
Orsak contends there were no signs prohibiting bicycles. According to Orsak, he asked the officer what rules he was violating. The officer didn't take kindly to his questions, according to Orsak, who eventually got tasered by the officer.
Airport Police ended up charging Orsak with obstruction of justice and several other violations, all of which he denies vehemently and calls ridiculous.
Believing he was unfairly targeted and treated in an abusive manner, Orsak started a website to share his story and began preparing to challenge the charges.
The trial started July 16 in Hennepin County Court in downtown Minneapolis. Orsak rode his bike to court.
In the run up to the trial, cyclists from around the world have written notes of support on Orsak's blog.
The legal trouble hasn't dampened Orsak's enthusiasm for cycling. He's hoping bicycles will become a more common mode of transportation in the United States - and he'd like to see the Twin Cities Airport provide a route for cyclists.
As a professional musician, Orsak has traveled to cities all over the world and in most countries bicycles are a much more common mode of transportation than they are in the United States.
He thinks that more and more Americans soon will use bikes to commute and run errands in an effort to save money on gas and avoid congestion.
"It's a matter of time," Orsak said.
If Orsak's prediction comes true, people who decide to use their bikes to get around may be surprised at all the benefits.
The more he bikes the less money he spends and the more exercise he gets.
"I feel good at the end of the day," Orsak said.
Mike Morgan can be reached at 651-407-1218 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com
"It's the most convenient way to get around town," Orsak said.
A professional violinist, Orsak travels extensively to perform with various orchestras and attend music conferences.
When in town he plays with the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra and the Minnesota Opera. He takes his bike from Mahtomedi to performances in downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, sometimes riding in his requisite tuxedo.
A trip to St. Paul takes about an hour, with no need to venture onto the freeway, Orsak said. When he arrives at a destination, he folds up the bike in a snap and carries it wherever he needs to.
The foldable bike has proved especially convenient for going to and from airports. Many American and international airports have bike trails leading right up to their doors, Orsak said.
But the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport doesn't, and that led to an experience last September that has proved to be a big headache for Orsak.
After returning to Minnesota on a flight from California, Orsak retrieved his bike out of a duffle bag and headed out.
Soon after he began riding, an Airport Police car stopped him and said bikes weren't allowed on the road he was on.
Orsak contends there were no signs prohibiting bicycles. According to Orsak, he asked the officer what rules he was violating. The officer didn't take kindly to his questions, according to Orsak, who eventually got tasered by the officer.
Airport Police ended up charging Orsak with obstruction of justice and several other violations, all of which he denies vehemently and calls ridiculous.
Believing he was unfairly targeted and treated in an abusive manner, Orsak started a website to share his story and began preparing to challenge the charges.
The trial started July 16 in Hennepin County Court in downtown Minneapolis. Orsak rode his bike to court.
In the run up to the trial, cyclists from around the world have written notes of support on Orsak's blog.
The legal trouble hasn't dampened Orsak's enthusiasm for cycling. He's hoping bicycles will become a more common mode of transportation in the United States - and he'd like to see the Twin Cities Airport provide a route for cyclists.
As a professional musician, Orsak has traveled to cities all over the world and in most countries bicycles are a much more common mode of transportation than they are in the United States.
He thinks that more and more Americans soon will use bikes to commute and run errands in an effort to save money on gas and avoid congestion.
"It's a matter of time," Orsak said.
If Orsak's prediction comes true, people who decide to use their bikes to get around may be surprised at all the benefits.
The more he bikes the less money he spends and the more exercise he gets.
"I feel good at the end of the day," Orsak said.
Mike Morgan can be reached at 651-407-1218 or whitebearnews@presspubs.com
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