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Biking and Walking for Transportation Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program www.bikewalktwincities.org Photos courtesy of www.bikesbelong.org
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?
Health
• Moderate daily exercise (like biking and walking) can significantly reduce the risk of many diseases.
• 10 minutes of bicycling = reduced depression and improved mood• 30 minutes of bicycling = 50% reduced risk for stroke and heart
disease
What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?
Your Wallet (businesses and employees)
• $9,641 / year = AAA estimate for the cost of an average car (not including parking)
• $120 / year = League of American Bicyclists estimate of the cost of a bicycle• Physically active employees have less workplace absenteeism/sick leave• Walking is even more affordable.
What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?
Environment
• Vehicles are one of the largest sources of pollution, contributing to poor local air quality and respiratory disease.
• Walking and biking emit NO pollutants
• Walking and biking infrastructure require far less energy per user to build and maintain
What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?
Family
• In just one generation the percentage of U.S. kids who walk or bike to school has dropped by 70% and childhood obesity has tripled. Parents are children’s primary role models.
What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?
Community
• Biking and walking help to build community in the workplace and beyond.
• Places that encourage bicycling and walking are more enjoyable, attract people to the streets, and are good for business.
What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?
Fun
• Riding a bike or going for a walk are two of life’s great joys; you get to experience that all the time if you bike and walk daily.
How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?
IT’S NOT ABOUT BEING A BIKE NUT (though that’s ok, too)!!!
It’s About Using The Right Tool for the Right Trip• 40% of all trips in the Twin Cities are 2 miles or less.
– That’s about 12 minutes on a bicycle!
• Many trips are a mile or less, perfect for both biking and walking!
Learn More!
• Visit www.bikewalktwincities.org – Education Calendar – Events– Tips
• Visit your local bike shops (The Hub, Freewheel, Erik’s, Varsity)
How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?
Talk to your Co-Workers
• 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 Workplace) Get Started?
Sign Up for Bike Walk to Work Day (May 14th)
• Visit www.bikewalkweek.org and sign up. Workplaces can sign up as Bike Walk Teams and compete with other worksites.
How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?
Hold an Event on Bike Walk to Work Day
• Join a bike or walking bus with other employees.• Get free breakfast at metro locations.• Attend the morning celebration at Government Center
Plaza, or after-work gatherings at sites around the City.
How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?
• Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
• Bicycle Rack Cost-Share Program
• Bicycle Commuter Tax Benefit– Businesses can give employees using bicycles as
primary transportation modes up to $20/month; works the same way as parking and transit benefits.
– Visit www.bikeleague.org for more info.
• New Bicycle Parking Requirements for New Construction and Renovations.
What Government Programs Exist to Help?
• “On-Road” Bicycle Education Classes• Brown bag talks about biking and walking• Guided bike rides and walks• “Walkability” & “Bikeability” workplace assessments• Maps, brochures, and other information• Maintenance clinics for bicycles• Help setting up your own bicycling and walking program
What Can the Bike Walk Ambassadors Do For My Workplace?
*The Ambassador Program serves Minneapolis and its neighboring cities, however we have project partners who can help to deliver similar information to worksites elsewhere in Hennepin County.
David PetersonMinneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
www.bikewalktwincities.org612-333-3410
Bike Walk Week 2009 (May 10-16th)Bike Walk to Work Day (May 14th)
www.bikewalkweek.org
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.
