ST. PAUL, Minn. – The public, local government officials and transportation supporters are invited to provide input for Minnesota’s statewide bicycle planning study at one of eight meetings statewide.
Feb. 28 in Mankato – MnDOT Mankato Office, 2151 Bassett Drive, Mankato, Minn.
Feb. 29 in St. Paul – Hamline Midway Public Library, 1558 W. Minnehaha Ave., St. Paul, Minn.
March 1 in Bemidji – Bemidji City Hall Council Chambers, 317 Fourth St. NW, Bemidji, Minn.
March 6 in Rochester – University Center Rochester, Heintz Center classroom HA 102, 1926 Collegeview Drive SE, Rochester, Minn.
March 12 in Willmar – Willmar Municipal Utilities, 700 SW Litchfield Ave., Willmar, Minn.
March 13 in Detroit Lakes – Detroit Lakes Public Library, 1000 Washington Ave., Detroit Lakes, Minn.
March 14 in St. Cloud – Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, Minn.
March 15 in Duluth – Duluth City Hall Council Chambers, 411 W. First St., Duluth, Minn.

All meetings will take place from 4 to 6 p.m., and attendees should plan to stay the entire time. The event will begin with a brief project description followed by a series of group discussions.

Those unable to attend in-person may join a statewide webinar discussion on Wednesday, March 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Webinar details will be posted at www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/study.html.

“Minnesota is often recognized as one of the top bicycle-friendly states in the country, and the best way to continue improving is to learn from constituents who use the highways, bike lanes and shoulders to bike,” said Tim Mitchell, MnDOT bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.

Participants will provide input on:
What is working to make bicycling a safe and usable transportation option
What needs to be improved to make bicycling a safe and usable transportation option
Ideas for future bicycling accommodations on Minnesota roads
Barriers to making improvements

All feedback will help MnDOT improve and develop consistent policies and practices for including bicycle components, such as wide shoulders or bike lanes, on future highway and bridge construction projects. It also will help MnDOT develop a new electronic and printable statewide bicycle map. Future public comment opportunities will take place as the project moves forward.

The public also may submit written comments on the project website, email greta.alquist@state.mn.us or mail to Greta Alquist, MnDOT Office of Transit MS 315, 395 John Ireland Blvd., St. Paul, MN, 55155

To request an ASL or foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, call Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 or 1-800-657-3774 (Greater Minnesota); 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). Alternatively, send an email to janet.rae.miller@state.mn.us. Please request at least one week in advance.

For more information on the project, visit www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/study.html.