Bikers Encouraged by Infrastructure Improvements in Edina

Edina bicyclists are encouraged by recent improvements in the town’s biking infrastructure. Improving physical fitness and reducing the burden on health care costs, decreasing reliance on motorized transportation and reducing fuel emissions are some of the reasons residents are taking to the road on two wheels. Biking is also fun. The city of Edina devised a comprehensive bicycle transportation plan in 2007. Since then, the city has improved local biking infrastructure. The addition of dedicated and advisory bike lanes, as well as bike racks in commercial areas, are among the most visible changes. Edina resident Peter Kelley is chairperson of the Bike Edina Task Force. The task force was originally formed to assist with the city’s comprehensive bike plan. “We decided to stay together to encourage education during implementation of the plan,” Kelley says. Kelley fell in love with cycling while living in Amsterdam. He bikes for exercise and enjoyment on city streets and park trails. He also bikes for errands like going for a haircut near 50th and France. “I’m not a hard-core cyclist,” says Kelley. “And I would never suggest Edina should look like Amsterdam. We just want to lessen the barriers for entry for cycling in our city.” Kelley says he is committed to biking more and driving less but knows that it is not always possible. “I’m not interested in taking away driving. I drive. Building a better biking infrastructure doesn’t take anything away. It adds a benefit to all residents and hopefully will make our roads safer for everybody.” Edina resident Marty Mathis has been biking to work in Minneapolis three to four days per week, year-round, for the past 10 years. “I’ve always been a recreational biker,” Mathis says. “I’m now 52 years old and still enjoy food. So I realize, now more than ever, how important biking is to my overall fitness.” Mathis believes Edina has turned a corner in awareness and acceptance of bicyclists. “Our neighbors in Hopkins, Bloomington and Eden Prairie all seemed to have more bike trails and bike friendly streets than Edina. No longer. Our City Council and mayor have been great about moving forward with transportation improvements.” Mathis describes his daily commute to Minneapolis as a lovely ride through the most beautiful suburb in the Twin Cities. He lives on Wooddale Avenue, which has been updated with advisory bike lanes. From there, he pedals through the Country Club district and then jumps onto designated trails. “Wooddale used to be the scariest part of my ride, especially after dusk,” Mathis admits. “The added bike lanes have slowed motorists and made them more aware of cyclists. The wider berth helps bikers feel safer and more comfortable.” Lori Richman grew up in Edina and has biked to her job in Bloomington for the past five years. “I primarily bike for improved physical and mental health,” Richman says. “I’m in my late 50s, and biking has helped me keep my weight down and avoid the high cholesterol and high blood pressure that run in my family.”  From a business perspective, biking has also helped Richman’s employer save on health care. “You don’t have to ride much for significant health benefits,” Richman says. Healthier employees translate into overall health care savings. Richman says the improved biking infrastructure in Edina helps her feel safer, since motorists are more alert. “I appreciate the markings as a motorist, too,” Richman says. “Bike lanes indicate where I should pay attention to cyclists when I’m driving.” Acceptance of the changes is difficult to track. But Richman likes to think things are improving. She says, “I rarely get annoyed responses from drivers when I’m biking on the road.” Edina resident and former Bike Edina Task Force chair Kirk Johnson notes that the biking culture in Edina is expanding because of improved infrastructure. “A 2006 city survey indicated that additional access to biking and walking was ranked the No. 1 requested transportation improvement,” Johnson says. “The city values this. And because of it, Edina has earned honorable mention as a bike-friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists.” The next award level is bronze, which Johnson hopes Edina will earn in a couple of years. City Council member Mary Brindle notes that the strength of cities is increasingly being measured by factors such as livability, neighborhood connectedness, and recreation and fitness opportunities. “Keeping pace with the public’s changing transportation needs and desires will not only help to keep our residents healthy and safe,” she says. “It will also help Edina continue to be competitive now and well into the future.” Cyclists and members of the Bike Edina Task Force think the city has done a great job of welcoming and listening to all contributors on the topic of bike transportation. Hope for additional improvements includes the Nine Mile Creek route that passes by three schools. “It might be nice to get more kids on bikes so they can ride to school where possible,” says Mathis. “More through routes that connect Edina to other communities would also be nice for commuters and recreational bikers. And vehicle traffic around business districts like Southdale Mall is pretty treacherous for bicyclists. I’m not sure what could be done to improve that. But any improvement that helps bikers access those businesses might be nice too.” Kelley hopes to expand cycling education in Edina. Bike Edina Task Force hopes to sponsor more bike rodeos. These are events that teach bike handling and traffic skills so that cyclists can enjoy bicycling more and reduce the likelihood of injury. Johnson notes that cyclists have the same responsibility as motorists to understand and follow traffic laws. “A combination of education and law enforcement will hopefully encourage all cyclists to use signals and stop at stop signs.” The Bike Edina website, bikeedina.org, has a tab called “rules of the road.” Any cyclists interested in learning more about safely coexisting on the roadways with vehicle traffic are encouraged to check it out. The added biking infrastructure is a learning experience for Edina cyclists and residents, according to Mathis. “Things like bike routes and racks aren’t only for racers and commuters,” he says. “They are for everybody. They are another feather in our city’s cap when it comes to helping keep our people fit.”&Learn more and get involved. bikeedina.org bikeleague.org bikesbelong.org   Map a recreational or commuter bike route. mapmyride.com