The Affinity Plus Credit Union branch at 2520 University Avenue SE has several drive-through lanes for motorists, one of which now doubles as a designated bike thru lane.
I talked with Amber Shanley, the branch manager, and Ben Hering, a business development specialist, about the drive-through. As far as they know it is the first bicycle drive-through in Minnesota. It was installed June 14th and they are monitoring use so they can make improvements.
Bicyclists have always been permitted in the drive-throughs, but they wanted to improve convenience to their members -- to do what's right. They think that the new drive-through will communicate to members that cyclists are welcome, and they expect to see improved safety by the increased awareness of cyclists the drive-through should bring.
Part of their motivation was to initiate a conversation about bikers in drive-up. They started with this branch because it is close to the highest biker-volume intersection in Minnesota. With the experience gained here they'll consider designating other drive-throughs as bike-throughs.
The credit union has 27 branches throughout Minnesota and is member run. They say they recognize a "natural alliance" with cyclists.
//www.youtube.com/embed/vlSNWJgPoj0
