Minneapolis is the Top Bike City... Where's St. Paul?

Bicycling magazine recently released its rating of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities and Minneapolis came out on top displacing a number of other epic bike cultures for which I at least have nothing but respect. So rather than take this opportunity to gloat I’ve got two questions. First, how did this happen? Second, where is the other Twin City? After all many of us regularly cycle from one city to the other. For that matter many of us cycle further afield to Eagan, Minnetonka and other cities. Wouldn’t it be cool if both of the Twin Cities registered on the bike-ability scale. As a transplant to Minnesota I don’t get too bent out of shape that Saint Paul and the surrounding cities gets lumped under the title “Minneapolis” but in this case Saint Paul is woefully behind.

It turns out the answer to both questions is bike advocacy. And the moral of the story is that if you enjoy the bike scene in Minneapolis you owe a pretty huge debt to all the advocates who gave so generously of their time to help make that possible. Pay that forward by getting involved. By helping Saint Paul catch up. The movement is already happening but you can help. There are a few upcoming meetings to push forward efforts for bike-ways in Saint Paul. For instance, Jefferson Ave. from downtown to the river. There is a public hearing coming up on Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. at 15 Kellogg blvd (in the City Council chambers) Email me for more info if you are interested in more info. Or just show up so the powers that be can see that the human powered set is passionate about the ride-ability of both cities.

More on other projects coming soon but you can also download the Central Corridor Bike Walk plan and see if you want to get involved with this effort. Coincidentally, the latest issue of Momentum magazine (free at One On One) has an article on bicycle advocacy.

posted by Todd on Apr 15, 03:41 PM. Filed under  

Comment

  1. April 21st for comments on Central Corridor Bike Walk Plan.

    April 20 at Macalester for support of Jefferson Ave!! 7:00 p.m.

    — cindy · Apr 15, 03:57 PM · #

  2. Saint Paul gets a big ol goose egg and a raspberry from this guy. 2 years ago they relaid 12 blocks of Selby Ave—sidewalk, curb, gutter, street and blvd—but nary a bike lane to be seen. boo hisss ffffpppppppttt.

    Happy Earth Day!

    — bill · Apr 22, 09:44 AM · #

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