Biking and Walking for Transportation

Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Programwww.bikewalktwincities.org

Photos courtesy of www.bikesbelong.org

Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program

• Encourage people in Minneapolis and its neighboring cities to bike and walk more, and drive less

Our Mission

Photo courtesy of BOB trailers.

What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?

Personal HealthYour PocketbookThe EnvironmentYour FamilyYour Community

Have More Fun!

Words of the Wise…People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a

miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle. –Thich Nhat Hanh

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems. -Mohandas Gandhi

So You Have Some Barriers?Hygiene and clothingLength of timeNowhere to goDon’t know the routePersonal security & safetyDangerous trafficBicycle securityIt’s uncomfortableNeed to carry things

These may not be as big a deal as you think…

How can you bike more, walk more and drive less?

• Bike More– Know your rights and responsibilities – Gain traffic skills & understand safety issues– Gear & clothing can help!

• Walk More– Think differently about your trips– Keep making places that are good for walking– Gear & clothing can help!

Know Your Destinations• Density of goods and services (right here at Central &

Lowry!)– grocery, restaurants, clothing, home goods, places of worship,

worksites • Accessing the destinations

– Good sidewalks, streets designed for biking, connected streets or trails

• Enjoyable Transportation Experiences– Build your bicycling confidence by learning about your rights &

responsibilities, and getting the skills you need to feel comfortable

• Visit www.walkscore.com (Central & Lowry district scores 80 out of 100 points)

Choosing Your Route• Cyclopath online route-finding tool

(www.cyclopath.org)• Hennepin County

Bike Map• City of Minneapolis Biking and Walking

web resources (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles and www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/pedestrian

• Try it on a weekend – explore!

Northeast Minneapolis

What You Need To Know – The Basics

Bicycles are traffic, and are safest when operating as a vehicle.

Yield to other vehicles when they have the right-of-way Obey all signs and signals Signal your intentions

Correct lane positioning and taking the lane Keep to the right Pass on left

???

10 feet

8 feet

EXERCISE YOUR OPTIONS!!!

• Bike & Transit• Walk & Transit

*People who use transit for any reason nationwide are less likely to be obese or sedentary than non-users.

Bike Security Tips

Keeping Your Bicycle Safe

• Bike Lockers– City, County, Metro Transit

• Use covered parking when possible• Is it possible to bring your bicycle indoors?

Bike Security TipsKeeping Your Bicycle Safe• Learn how to properly

lock your bike and where to do so.

Always Wear a Helmet!Why?• Helmets prevent injury and

save lives• One in eight reported cyclist

injuries involve a brain injury• Two-thirds of cyclist deaths are

from traumatic brain injury• Majority of crashes are falls

NOT involving autos – it can happen at any time.

This lucky fellow had his head run over by a truck! (Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet – probably worth replacing this one.)

Learn More!• Organize a group to talk about biking and walking• Put together some community walks and bike rides in

the spring (or winter, if you have a group of brave souls)• Organize a group to help clear snow this winter!• Visit www.bikewalktwincities.org

– Education Calendar – Events– Tips

• Visit local bike shops [nearest – Behind Bars (13th Ave & 2nd Street)]

• Contact Ambassador to ask questions – bikewalk@ci.minneapolis.mn.us or 612-333-3410

How do I get started (#1)?

Talk to Friends & Family

• Friends and peers are often the very best teachers. They can tell you what works for them, and why they choose to bicycle or walk.

• You probably already know a bike walk champion!

How do I get started (#2)?

David PetersonMinneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program

www.bikewalktwincities.org612-333-3410

david.peterson2@ci.minneapolis.mn.us

Winter Biking Tips• Go slowly• Ride defensively around motorists• Take off-street trails when you can• Be visible• Use a beater bike• Dress in layers• Fingers, toes, ears and nose• Call in problems – 311, or report on the City’s

website – www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us (reports & complaints menu on right side)

• Use transit• Seek out more info on winter biking• We’re Minnesotans – EMBRACE WINTER!

Winter Walking Tips• Go slowly, wear shoes with grip• Walk defensively around motorists• Shovel your sidewalks, help a neighbor, adopt a transit

stop, FREE SAND (1801 Washington St. NE)?!!• Be visible• Dress in layers• Fingers, toes, ears and nose• Call in problems – 311, or report on the City’s website –

www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us (reports & complaints menu on right side)

• Use transit• Seek out more info on winter walking• We’re Minnesotans – EMBRACE WINTER!

Winter Scenes

Share the Roadhttp://www.sharetheroadmn.org

Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted.

Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic.

Motorists must at all times maintain a three-foot clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists .

Share the Road http://www.sharetheroadmn.org

Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to each other.

Bicyclists should signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner.

Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light.

Bicyclists should always wear helmets.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws1. Ride on the right with traffic; obey all traffic signs and

signals; bicyclists have all rights and duties of any other vehicle driver.

2. Lights and reflectors are required at night.

3. Arm signal is required during the last 100’ prior to turning, unless arm is needed for control.

4. Bicyclists may ride two abreast on roadways as long as it does not impede normal & reasonable movement of traffic.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws5. Motor vehicles shall leave at least 3 feet clearance until

safely past the bicycle or pedestrian.

6. Ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of roadway EXCEPT when overtaking a vehicle, when preparing for a left turn and when necessary to avoid conditions.

7. Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks.

8. Riding on sidewalks within business districts is prohibited unless locally permitted.

9. It is illegal to hitch rides on other vehicles.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws

10. Only one person on a bike unless it’s equipped for more or a legal baby seat is used.

11. It is illegal to carry anything that prevents keeping one hand on handlebars or proper operation of brakes.

12. Bicycle size must allow for safe operation.

13. Unless locally restricted, parking on the sidewalk is legal as long as it does not impede normal movement of pedestrian or other traffic.

14. Legal Parking on a roadway, that doe not obstruct legally parked motor vehicles, is allowed.

Basic Maintenance – ABC Quick Check

A is for Air

Check your tires for air

ABC Quick Check

B is for Brakes

ABC Quick CheckC is for Chain, Chainrings, Cogs, Cranks

• Chains shouldn’t be “dry” or skip when you pedal

• Cranks need to not move laterally

• Chainrings and Cogs should be parallel, not bent toward each other.

ABC Quick CheckQuick is for Quick Releases

• Quick release cam levers need to be closed.

• Bags- backpack or messenger bags start at $10• Racks (front or rear)- start at $10• Baskets (front or rear)- start at $20• Panniers- start at $39• Trailers- start at $90

Riding Comfort:Carrying Your Gear