Get Credit for Your Commute
Anything that encourages commuting by bicycle is a good thing, right? That’s what’s behind the ZAP Twin Cities program, according to Andrew Rankin of the Commuter Connection program. Minneapolis and St. Paul are the first cities in the country to try this, and it will be running in mid-August after the beta-testing period is complete.
Attach a small tracking device to your bike and ride next to a ZAP Reader on your daily commute. Your device will record your presence and give you mileage credit. You don’t have to stop, simply ride within 15-20 feet of the device to get your tag "zapped."
Some details:
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You have to get your tag at public event, and you’ll need to have your bike with you. (There’s quality control element here: The staff will attach it to your bike so that tags aren’t just attached to your car keychain.) -
According to Rankin, they placed the nine initial zap stations at the busiest thoroughfares in Minneapolis, using the city's bicycle count data to determine the busiest areas. This won't address all commuting routes, but with the initial rollout, they had to pick their spots. -
When future funding is secured they will expand the program. The initial rollout has nine stations downtown, 20 at the University of Minnesota, and seven in downtown St. Paul. -
You only get one zap per day, so do it in your morning or afternoon commute. -
10 rides gets you an initial prize, with monthly drawings thereafter.
Look for an official announcement from Commuter Connection in the coming weeks. Right now they are testing all the stations, and finishing the final details.
Bike near this station as you commute into downtown Minneapolis to get credit for your ride.
Coalition
At the most recent Bicycle Advisory Committee Engineering Subcommittee meeting were advocates from the Midtown Greenway Coalition, asking for support for maintaining safe access to the entrance ramp to the greenway from Park Avenue S.
In addition, the BAC also provided recommendations for bike lanes on Harmon Place and connecting biking facilities from Portland Avenue S to Richfield past Highway 62. Here are some specific updates:
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Midtown Greenway and Park/Portland Avenues: The Midtown Greenway Coalition requested support from the subcommittee to create a safe, accessible connection between the Park and Portland thoroughfares and the Midtown Greenway. Hennepin County will be resurfacing Park and Portland Avenues this fall and is considering moving the bike lane to the right side of the street. The Midtown Greenway Coalition supports moving the bike lane to the right side of the street but wants to ensure safe access to the ramp, which is on the left side of Park Avenue S. The BAC recommended bike lanes on either both sides of the street from Lake to 28th street, with one or two upgraded crossing complete with way-finding. -
---An update after the full BAC meeting last Wednesday: The full BAC took a less specific position on Greenway access from a right-sided Park Avenue bike lane. Instead of listing a specific solution, the full BAC’s position calls for the County to upgrade the access to the Greenway and offers several potential solutions discussed to date--- -
Harmon Place: The BAC solidified a resolution regarding Harmon Place as a “quieter alternative” to the bustling Hennepin Avenue facilities. Specifically, bike lanes were recommended to be incorporated into the City’s repaving project for Harmon Place. The project will take place this summer, and is considered a better utilization of the wide right-of-way on Harmon Place. -
Connecting Portland Ave S to Richfield: Another recommendation was passed, following the Minneapolis Bicycle Master Plan’s calls for bike facilities on Portland Avenue S all the way to Highway 62. The City of Richfield already has connecting infrastructure south of Highway 62 and they have plans for future street bike routes on Portland from 69th Street north to Highway 62. Hopefully, with a bit of collaborative effort, this facility can be implemented, increasing the ever-growing connectivity of biking facilities with neighboring communities.