October Bike Walk Week kicks off in the Twin Cites

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TLC/BWTC organizers Owen Duckworth (far left) and Alicia Adams (middle) walked along Marshall Avenue in Saint Paul last fall to celebrate the new sidewalk and bike lanes.

With winter just around the corner, a week of Bike-Walk activities aims at keeping Twin Cities’ bikers and walkers on the roads, despite the soon-to-be slippery and snowy Minnesota streets.

Organized by a coalition of Twin Cities organizations and government departments, including Metropolitan Transit and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Bike Walk Week will challenge Twin Cities’ residents to cycle and walk more to promote healthier lifestyle choices.

An estimated 10,000 people registered for the June Bike Walk Week event, said Bike Walk Twin Cities Communications Associate Amber Collett.  A similar number is expected in October.

Bike Walk Week events
(compiled from information on www.bikewalkweek.org)

Monday, October 3

  • Bicycling as transportation presentation
    11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
    Commuter Connection, 220 S 6th Street Suit 230, Minneapolis
  • St. Paul Nice Ride MN Tour
    5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Nice Ride Station, Lexington/University, St. Paul

Tuesday, October 4

  • Winter biking safety class
    6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
    University of Minnesota Room TBA, Minneapolis
  • Winter biking workshop
    6:00 p.m. to 7:03 p.m.
    Amsterdam Bar Hall, 6 W 6th Street, St. Paul.

Wednesday, October 5
International Bike and Walk to School Day

  • Basic bike maintenance
    11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
    Commuter Connection, 220 S 6th Street Suit 230
    Minneapolis

Wednesday October 5

  • Downtown Minneapolis Bike Tour
    4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Loring Park 1382 Willow Street, Minneapolis

Thursday, October 6
Bike Walk to Work Day

  • Bike Walk to Work Day Open House
    11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    St. Paul Smart Trips, 55 East 5th Street, St. Paul
  • Downtown Minneapolis Commuter Fair
    11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    IDS Center, 80 S. 8th Street, Minneapolis
  • North Minneapolis Bike Rote Tour
    4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    Holmes Park, 301 4th Street SE, Minneapolis

Saturday October 8

  • Behind the big wheels: bicycle safety event
    10: a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
    2nd street and North between 17th and 18th Avenue, Minneapolis
  • Winter bicycling commuting classes
    10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
    Edina High School 6754 Valley View Road, Edina
  • Emerson and Fremont biking lanes grand opening (Minneapolis)
    11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 9

  • 1st and Blaisdell grand opening
    12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“Biking and walking are not only good for your environment and health,” Collet said. “They are good for your wallet.”  The average U.S. household spent $5,477 on gas and auto expenses in 2009, according to a Bundle Data report. With gas prices increasing, that number just keeps going up.

Bike Walk Week, held annually until 2010, is now held three times a year to give bike riders more chance to enjoy group biking, Collett said. Bike Walk Week will feature numerous activities, including free winter safety classes and basic bike maintenance skills, and will highlight the advantages of getting around the cities without a car.

Collett urged schools to register their students for the International Walk and Bike to School Day on October 5 to support happier and healthier students as well as to demonstrate safe walking and bicycling routes to get to school.

More than 29 schools in the Twin Cities have registered to participate so far, Collet said. Hiawatha Community School, which has been participating in similar events over the years, will send some of its K-5 students and their parents to participate in the International Walk and Bike to School Day.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage families to bike or walk to school,” said Hiawatha Community School principal, Deb Regnier. “The students are starting their day, ready to learn with both their bodies and minds.”

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