Word on the Streets

Lowry Avenue Bridge Bike Safety Action Alert

Hennepin County is designing and building a new Lowry Bridge, which will finally reconnect North and Northeast Minneapolis. But, the $92.7 million project does not yet include a safe, inviting route for all types of bicyclists across the bridge. We need your help to let Hennepin County Commissioners know that this connection is important to bicyclists and that we need a safe design for the Lowry Bridge. This bridge is expected to last 80-100 years!

posted by | November 18, 2011

Update and Action for Safe Biking on the Lowry Bridge

In Summer 2012 the new Lowry Bridge will open to the public. Designed and built by Hennepin County, this $92.7 million project will finally reconnect North and Northeast Minneapolis. But there’s a problem, because Hennepin County still hasn’t committed to providing key safety features that bicyclists have requested. To be clear, Hennepin County staff have made positive steps in considering bicyclists, including a commitment to add bike lanes. This is real progress, and the County deserves credit for this. But important safety problems remain unresolved. This isn’t just bad for bicyclists, it’s also bad for motorists, as I’ll describe below. Please take action today for a safer Lowry Bridge (detail below)!

posted by | November 17, 2011

Help make biking better at the UM-Meeting on 11/14/11

If you have ideas on how to make biking better on the U’s East Bank, stop by the U on Monday, November 14, 12-1 pm, to join a meeting between a sub-committee of the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee and U officials.

The meeting will be held on at the U of M Transportation and Safety Building, Room 308.

The Transportation Building is located at 511 Washington Ave. SE (http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/maps/TSB/). The schedule is as follows:

12:00-12:10 meet at U of M room (TSB Room 308)

12:10 walk to scholars walk

12:30 walk back to U of M meeting room

12:30-1:00 discussion

With the transition of the Scholars Walk to a bicycle dismount zone and no clear signage or guidance on alternative routes, east-west biking across the University of Minnesota has been challenging and confusing for many this year. This meeting will focus on making bicycling easier and less confusing for those who travel east-west across campus. Another point of discussion will be the $115 fines that nearly 100 bicyclists have received for riding in the Scholars Walk dismount zone. There is some question as to whether this fine is excessive given the nature of the infraction and the existence of a different $25 fine for failure to obey signs.

Hope to see you there!

posted by | November 11, 2011