Bike lanes: Balancing act or win-win?
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It’s urbanist dogma that you can build a city for either cars or people, but not both. Now there’s evidence to question that dualistic assumption. Continue Reading
Bicycle infrastructure: Minneapolis vs. Saint Paul
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In January this year, when the Draft Saint Paul Bikeways Plan was released to the public, people in the media called to ask me what I thought of the plan and why I thought Minneapolis was so far ahead of Saint Paul when it came to bicycle infrastructure. I couldn’t comment on the plan because I hadn’t seen it but I told them that, unlike Saint Paul, Minneapolis had the “Holy Trinity” of forces necessary to get stuff done– an eager mayor and elected officials, a willing Public Works Department, and lots of money. Minneapolis also had more bicycle culture and a public that supported cycling. Continue Reading
Bike lanes in the Twin Cities
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Making bikers feel safe and recognized on the road has become a priority for policy makers in the Twin Cities. By implementing protected and buffered bikeways, bicyclists gain more elbow room and separation from cars. There have been a number of different changes to bikeways in the Twin Cities over the past few years with more in the works, so it’s important for drivers and cyclists alike to understand these changes.
Major Taylor cycling club promotes biking in Twin Cities’ African-American community
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Minneapolis’ love for cycling has in recent years drawn national attention — and those who closely watch biking activities across the country have proclaimed the city one of the best for biking in the country.
Forget about biking to the State Fair
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Every year I remember the loveliness of the bike ride to get to the state fair. And then I’m reminded of the horror that is the last one tenth of one mile to the bike corral. This is particularly problematic for anyone arriving on the U of M Transitway, which is the obvious way to ride there from Downtown, Dinkytown, or most of south Minneapolis. Continue Reading
TC Spotlight | Bike shops in the Twin Cities
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Bike shops get the spotlight this week, which may seem odd considering the typical biking season is winding down. But we’re talking about the Twin Cities, where a sizeable portion of the bike community rides 365 days of the year. Around these parts, all seasons are bike seasons.Below we’ve highlighted just a few of the many diverse bike shops in the Twin Cities. Use the comment section to tell us your favorite shops. If you’re a bike shop owner, feel free to use the comment section to tell us more about your shop, and use our calendar to spread the word about any upcoming events.Alley Cat Cycles1621 Harmon Place, Ste 150B, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | 612-486-5807Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri 11am – 7pm; Sat & Sun 11am – 6pm; Closed TuesdaysAlley Cat Cycles, formerly Kitsune Cycles, is a hidden gem tucked, appropriately enough, in the alley just south of Hennepin Ave., between Utrecht Art Supplies and Joe’s Garage near Loring Park. Continue Reading
Open Streets Minneapolis – Sustainable transportation, Seward businesses and even cute dogs
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Well, the Open Streets Minneapolis Franklin Avenue event was certainly a success. It was filled with local produce, Seward businesses, bicyclists, pedestrians, Nice Rides, concessionaires, cute dogs, a puppet show and even a player piano. Rain did clear some people out but that didn’t happen until well over 4 hours into it. Continue Reading
Bike ride offers tour of Minnesota’s African American history
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Saturday, August 23, presents a great opportunity to have an historical experience relative to the African American communities’ presence in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Major Taylor Bicycling Club is offering its Second Annual Dark 2 Dawn: A Ride Through African American History.
A tale of two bike paths
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*Comments here are in my individual capacity and not representative of the Jordan Area Community Council*
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a neighborhood events where bike path options have been brought forward–a presentation by the city of Minneapolis about 26th Avenue North, and a Jordan Area Community Council listening session on the Humboldt/Irving Avenue proposal. While I could go into elaborate detail about each project, that’s a topic for another post or two. Instead, what intrigues me as of late is the community perception of each plan. Continue Reading
Refining an idea: 26th/28th Streets
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Starting next year, Minneapolis plans to repave 26th and 28th Streets between I-35W and Hiawatha Ave, continuing west to Hennepin Ave in the future. Though nominally a repaving project, the city has also budgeted $400K for bicycle improvements on the two streets and is undertaking a planning study on how to potentially reconfigure the street, with a public meeting to share design concepts scheduled for this Wednesday, the 6th. Continue Reading