With its numerous bike trails and strong network of bike-friendly cities and towns, Minnesota has a thriving biking community. But Minnesotans also excel at community involvement and supporting causes. Here are five awesome biking nonprofits you can support!
5 Minnesota Biking Nonprofits to Get Involved With
1. Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
Do you envision a world where every person everywhere can safely walk, bike and move as part of a healthy lifestyle? So does the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.
This organization provides education and resources for bike safety and engages the surrounding community through events, knowledge sharing and more. They also advocate for walk and bike-friendly legislation and aim to support people of all ages and abilities with safe walking and biking routes.
There are so many ways to get involved with the Bicycle Alliance. You can participate in their events, become a volunteer, use their resources or simply sign up for their newsletter to stay informed.
2. Full Cycle
Located in South Minneapolis, Full Cycle is a bicycle recyclery that offers support and connection to homeless youth. Through their youth employment training programs, they support individual and community health by recycling, refurbishing, and reintegrating used bikes back into the community at affordable prices.
Besides buying a quality used bike or refurbished bike parts from this organization, you can donate a bike or make a financial contribution to support their programs.
3. Saint Paul Bicycle Coalition
To make the streets of Saint Paul better for biking, walking, rolling and public transit for everyone, the Saint Paul Bicycle Coalition (SPBC) works to reclaim space from cars. Since 2010, they’ve partnered with citizens, businesses, community groups, government agencies and elected officials.
Led entirely by volunteers, they hold monthly advocacy meetings where you can meet local cyclists and learn about the latest in upcoming bicycle infrastructure improvements. You can also discover how to make cycling safer for everyone through education, advocacy and other tools.
4. Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN
Do you know kids in need of bicycles? Then connect with Free Bikes 4 Kids MN, a non-profit organization that provides bikes to children to help promote a healthy, happier childhood. You can also sign up to volunteer, donate a bike or contribute financially to support their mission.
5. Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling
The Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling (TCAC) is an adaptive bike sharing program for youth and adults with disabilities. With over 30 kinds of adaptive bikes, their staff and volunteers help instruct adaptive cycling newcomers and provide tandem pilot services.
To increase biking accessibility, TCAC provides regular use of their bicycles and equipment at a low cost as well as opportunities for group rides. You can apply to be a volunteer, donate or sign up for a ride.
Don’t Forget Bike Law Minnesota!
Even though Minnesota is a bike-friendly place, it also has high rates of bike crashes. Bike Law Minnesota promotes awareness of bicycle safety and advocacy for more protection for cyclists through legal representation, education, community outreach and more.
Attorney Daniel J. Brazil of Brazil Law Group is an experienced personal injury attorney with offices located in Uptown. He’s also a member of the Bike Law Network. He has a passion for the outdoors, especially cycling and climbing. Learn more about Dan and his practice by following him on Twitter (@LawDanielBrazil and #MplsBikeAttorney).