Twin Cities Streets for People

The 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be celebrated Monday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis, MN. Read more >

For years I use to commute through Prospect Park on my daily Journey into the City. So it was a nice surprise when I came across this NYCDOT proposal to make Prospect Park West, which currently is a mini hiway (think Portland and Park in Minneapolis), to take away one lane to create a two-way bike path. This would be a huge benefit to residents, park users, pedestrians, and even the drivers themselves.

Can this sort of complete streets treatment be applied to the Twin Cities? We have numerous one-way three lane streets that function as mini hiways right through the heart of residential neighborhoods. While some do have curb side bike lane, would a larger lane with a buffer be more inviting for cyclists while also calming the traffic. To take it a step further, would it not make sense to see a two-way bike lane on some of our larger and wider streets.

A new elementary school in Canada requires its students to walk, bike, skate or scoot to school.  The program addresses issues ranging from child obesity to traffic congestion.  

A few weeks ago, Lisa brought up a point about the city's new Central Avenue bike plan. The plan looks great for the northern part of the street, from Spring Street north all the way up Central Avenue.

But at the most important part of the plan, the stretch through the busy, dense, and commercial district around Hennepin and University Avenues, the city is proposing a "shared bike and through lane" that would be even less safe than the current awkward arrangement on Hennepin Avenue. 

What do you think should happen here? I've one suggestion after the jump. Read more >

In response to Metro Transits claim the LRT is safe and well-lit. I took this tonight ~ 7:30PM to prove how unlit and dark this area is.

Earlier this month the City of St. Paul released a new draft of the Bike Walk Central Corridor Action Plan. There’s a lot to like in the draft, which lays out an attainable plan that will help direct the transformation of a major corridor at the heart of our cities.

A lot of plans like this come and go without much impact, something we all know too well, but it looks like this action plan is different. It has already helped direct funding to improve biking and walking in the corridor.

That’s why it’s so important for Complete Streets advocates to comment on the draft and make sure the plan is as robust as possible. St. Paul will present a revised plan to the City Council in late November and this is a critical time for our voices to be heard. So read the report, and then tell St. Paul what you think. Comments go directly to Emily Goodman, who works for the City of St. Paul.

Some thoughts on the plan after the break Read more >

Add your thoughts to today's question on MPR -- "Recent changes to traffic flow on Hennepin and First Avenues in downtown Minneapolis have also moved bike lanes close to the curb. Planners hope a parking lane that separates bicycles from traffic will offer bikers some protection. What change would be most effective in helping cars and bikes share the road?" Read more >

The City of Minneapolis presented vastly improved plans for adding bicycle facilities to Central Avenue NE at a public meeting last night.  The proposals divide the corridor into four portions, based on exisiting conditions.  Bicycle lanes are proposed for two of the segments and shared lanes are proposed for the other two segments.  The proposals are all a huge improvement over the existing conditions, but it is the most southern portion of the corridor, south of 8th Street SE, where the current proposals do the least to improve cyclist safety and comfort.  You can send comments in support of this project to the Minneapolis DPW (see the project page for contact info) and include any ideas you have for improvement. Read more >

Last week, Twin Cities Streets for People officially joined the newly formed Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition. Below is an update on the Coalition's start. I hope that you will join us! Read more >

There's a nice article in today's Star Tribune about the possibility of turning Park and Portland Avenues back into two-way streets in South Minneapolis. the piece suggests the need for a balance between "accessibility and liveability", and points out some of the history of the street. But, to my mind, it doesn't put enough on the table.

  Read more >