Word on the Streets

7/22/2015 Minneapolis BAC Meeting

7/22/2015 Minneapolis BAC Meeting, 4-6pm

1. Member sign-in and Introductions

2. Approve BAC Agenda and Minutes

3. Discussion from Bike Friendly Communities Visit from the League of American Bicyclists (Nick Mason)

Steve Clark from Bike Friendly Communities came to visit Minneapolis Friday, July 17, and had three recommendations for the city:

Continue to expand the bike network and increase network connectivity through the use of bike lanes, protected bike lanes, bicycle boulevards, and way-finding signage.
Expand evaluation of bicycle crash statistics and produce a specific plan to reduce the number of crashes.
Market/brand Minneapolis as the Bicycling Haven that it has become "The winter bicycle capital of the world."

posted by | July 29, 2015

North Minneapolis Greenway Demonstration

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.

posted by | July 22, 2015

Health Connections: “Active Transportation" Report Summary

Summary written by Melody L. Hoffmann, Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition's Diversity and Equity Committee member

What’s keeping people from riding? A new report highlights some reasons

Behavior from passersby, lack of education, and the political process all noted barriers to involvement in riding and bicycle advocacy

The Health Connections coalition recently released a report titled “Active Transportation: From our own perspectives and voices.” The report is based on focus group conversations held around the Twin Cities, where community members discussed biking and the related political processes needed to access bicycle amenities. Healthy Connections specifically engaged communities of color including American Indian, Muslim African-Americans (including Somali), and Hispanic (Latino).

What is the impetus behind the report?

“We believe that there is a more fruitful, less painful way for communities of color and transit authorities to work together on projects to build infrastructure and increase access to transportation through inclusive governance models that respect and support cultural interest and priorities,” the report states.

The focus groups touched on a lot of themes around access to biking but a few stood out as crucial indicators to why particular communities may not be involved with bicycling as much as we’d like to see. Here is a link to the report, or for those who do not want to read the details, here is a link to the report summary. The report includes the full notes from each focus group which is a further goldmine of information not found in the summary or report findings.

In my summary of the report here, I have also integrated questions for you, the reader, to contemplate while taking in the findings. I welcome you to post your comments so we can engage with this material further.

posted by | July 21, 2015