biking and walking for transportation minneapolis bike walk ambassador program photos courtesy of
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Biking and Walking for Transportation
Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
www.bikewalktwincities.org
Photos courtesy of www.bikesbelong.org
Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
• Encouraging 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 HealthPocketbookEnvironmentFamilyCommunity
AND It’s Fun!
Biking, Walking and Faith?
Caring for Yourself
Caring for Your Family
Caring for the Community
Caring for Creation
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
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This is NOTHING NEW
THIS is new.
Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX
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
Choosing a RouteResources• 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
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
EXERCISE YOUR OPTIONS!!!
• Bike + Transit
• Walk & Transit
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 here• Put together some community walks and bike rides in the spring• Organize a group to help clear snow this winter!• Visit www.bikewalktwincities.org
– Education Calendar – Events– Tips
• Visit local bike shops
How do I (and my place of worship) get started?
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 have some bike-walk champions among you!
How do I (and my place of worship) get started?
David Peterson
Minneapolis Bike Walk
Ambassador Program
www.bikewalktwincities.org
612-333-3410
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 Laws
1. 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 Laws
5. 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 Check
C 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 Check
Quick 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