Six Miles of Protected Bikeways in Minneapolis This Year

The City of Minneapolis has designated $750,000 towards constructing protected bikeways in Minneapolis in 2016. Six miles of protected bikeways have been installed this summer, and next year we hope to double that! The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition and Bikeways for Everyone partnering organizations have a goal of building 30 miles of protected bikeways by the year 2020.

Not everyone feels comfortable and safe riding on a busy street, even with a regular bike lane. A protected bikeway creates a more comfortable space to ride that is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. A separated facility can attract a wider demographic of riders and the City sees protected bikeways as an important tool to increase bicycling in Minneapolis.

It is time again for the Bikeways for Everyone monthly get together! Every month, an open meeting to all interested Bikeways for Everyone supporters happens at the Coalition. This month’s meeting has been rescheduled from the normal time, (the third Monday of every month), to next Tuesday, October 20th, 6-7:30pm at the Coalition office (1428 Washington Ave S, Suite 204).

If you live in North Minneapolis, by now you may have heard people talking about a proposed North-South greenway that would most likely run the length of North Humboldt and/or Irving Avenues between 44th Avenue North and Glenwood Avenue North, eventually connecting with Van White Boulevard.

This proposal is currently in its third year of outreach in the North Minneapolis community and the City of Minneapolis is now considering bringing a greenway demonstration project to some of the residents on the proposed route so that people can see how a greenway could be used. The demonstration (which could last up to a year) aims to take place on Irving Avenue North between Folwell Park and Jordan Park. It would convert the street to a space for bicycles and pedestrians with low-cost elements that can be installed and removed easily. This demonstration would give you and your neighbors a chance to try it out and see for yourself how a greenway could possibly fit into your community. If the temporary greenway is successful, it may be possible to convert the space to a permanent greenway in the future.