Biking and Walking for Transportation

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Biking and Walking for Transportation
Photos courtesy of www.bikesbelong.org

• Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
• www.bikewalktwincities.org

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Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program
Our Mission

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

Photo courtesy of BOB trailers.
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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

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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.

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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

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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 childrens primary role models.

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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.

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What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking?

• Fun

• Riding a bike or going for a walk are two of
  lifes great joys you get to experience that all
  the time if you bike and walk daily.

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How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?

• ITS NOT ABOUT BEING A BIKE NUT (though thats
  ok, too)!!!
• Its About Using The Right Tool for the Right
  Trip

• 40 of all trips in the Twin Cities are 2 miles
  or less.
• Thats about 12 minutes on a bicycle!
• Many trips are a mile or less, perfect for both
  biking and walking!

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How Do I (and My Workplace) Get Started?

• Learn More!

• Visit www.bikewalktwincities.org
• Education Calendar
• Events
• Tips
• Visit your local bike shops (The Hub, Freewheel,
  Eriks, Varsity)

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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!

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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.

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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.

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What Government Programs Exist to Help?

• 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.

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What Can the Bike Walk Ambassadors Do For My
Workplace?

• 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

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.
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• David Peterson
• Minneapolis Bike Walk
• Ambassador Program
• www.bikewalktwincities.org
• 612-333-3410
• david.peterson2_at_ci.minneapolis.mn.us
• Bike Walk Week 2009 (May 10-16th)
• Bike Walk to Work Day (May 14th)
• www.bikewalkweek.org

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws

1. Motor vehicles shall leave at least 3 feet
   clearance until safely past the bicycle or
   pedestrian.
2. 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.
3. Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in
   crosswalks.
4. Riding on sidewalks within business districts is
   prohibited unless locally permitted.
5. It is illegal to hitch rides on other vehicles.

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Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws

• 10. Only one person on a bike unless its
  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.