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Group rides explore bike-friendly Como Avenue; join us August 4th to visit the Hmongtown Marketplace
More than 30 cyclists joined us on a group ride last month to experience recent bike-friendly improvements made along Como Avenue. The ride was from the St. Anthony Park Library to the Mill City Farmer's Market.
You can follow our route by reading Bike Walk Move's synopsis of the farmer's market ride.
View more photos of the ride on Facebook or Flicker.
Join us for a second group ride on Saturday, August 4th from the Como Park Pavilion to the Hmongtown Marketplace. This ride will include a tour of the Marketplace and overview of Hmong culture by Hmongtown Marketplace staff. Learn more and reserve your spot to explore Como Avenue.
Both rides are part of our work with Bike Walk Twin Cities to promote BWTC-funded biking and pedestrian improvements to Como Avenue. We've also produced a map highlighting bike and transit routes and the great destinations along Como. The maps are available at local businesses on and near Como Avenue or via download.  |
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Advocates say transportation bill a step backward
 Many local and national sustainable transportation advocates expressed disappointment with the new Federal Transportation bill (MAP 21) that passed with bi-partisan support and was signed by the President last week. Though the two-year bill preserved funding for transit,it significantly reduced funding for biking and walking programs and decreased the ability for cities and counties to set priorities for funding for local projects.
"We're pleased that the bill maintains transit funding at current levels, but are disappointed that it doesn't provide significant support for other modes that improve community vitality, personal health and the environment," said Smart Trips Executive Director Jessica Treat. "And lack of local control in how funds are spent could hurt efforts to increase biking and walking in our region."
Read commentary about the bill from Transit for Livable Communities and Streetsblog.
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A morning to celebrate St. Paul's active commuters
More than 100 active commuters joined Smart Trips in Rice Park June 7th to celebrate St. Paul's Bike Walk to Work Day. Thanks to all the bicyclists, walkers and transit riders who stopped by for a cup of coffee or some complimentary Great Harvest bread and healthy snacks from Whole Foods. Thanks also to the bike shops and organizations who joined us that morning. Some participants traveled impressive distances, biking in to downtown from Blaine, Apple Valley and Eagan. One ambitious walker, Mike Johnson, left his Woodbury home at 4 a.m. for a nine-mile walk to work in St. Paul. Hear from Mike and others in our video below.  See photos from the celebration on Facebook or Flicker. Watch a Bike Walk Week interview with Executive Director Jessica Treat on KARE11. |
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Follow east metro transportation plans with SPACC
 The Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce is highlighting east metro transportation planning for business and community leaders and members with the launch of a new online resource, Connect & Go East Metro.
The initiative shows that multi-modal transportation planning is a priority that will benefit the region's economic development efforts. An interactive map links to resources and updates about transit development plans throughout the east metro.
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Help the Met Council collect bike route information
You can help the Metropolitan Council gather information that will help make the region become more bike friendly. The Council has licensed the use of CycleTracks, a free smartphone app that uses GPS to record routes and collect data on actual bike trips from users who volunteer to share their information.
The information will help the Council better understand cyclists' routes and patterns and aid in future transportation planning for the region. Participants can access personalized data about their routes and ride statistics. Learn more about CycleTracks from the Met Council and MPR.
Download the CycleTracks App for Android or iPhone.
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