Grass Roots Bike Advocacy

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Originally uploaded by Snak Shak

A new bike advocacy group is taking shape in Minneapolis. The as-yet-unnamed group is focused on Minneapolis cycling issues only (not pedestrians, not the Twin Cities, not Minnesota and not transit).

I think it's about time a group like this came together in Minneapolis. We have seen the City and elected officials give lip service to being pro-bike (Yay - We're Number 2!), and they through quite a bit of support behind Bike/Walk Week, but they have pretty consistently failed to plan for and accommodate cyclists in their construction projects, have failed to deliver on promises made during the planning of the Hennepin/First Ave. projects and are now offering sub-par solutions on that project, and they don't effectively promote bike boulevards and other options to promote cycling as an effective way to get cars off the road.

I think a vocal group that shapes policy, promotes cycling and calls for accountability from the City will only benefit Minneapolis cyclists. The next planning meeting will be Saturday, December 5. If anyone wants additional information on the group or would like to participate in the next planning meeting, post a comment or send me an email and I"ll be happy to pass on the relevant information.