I am writing to express my concerns for the 10-year transportation plan “Access Minneapolis.” I am concerned that the plan will reduce the accessibility of downtown streets to bicycles for the next 10 years. I am concerned for the following reasons: 1) Access Minneapolis is a comprehensive 10-year transportation plan for Minneapolis— it should recognize the "15% mode share by 2015" goal of the Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee and the five year city goal of Connected Communities that include integrated, multimodal transportation choices border-to-border that is walkable, bikeable, and swimmable. We believe that a truly comprehensive plan should include bicycles—legal vehicles in Minneapolis. 2) In an era of growing concern over global climate change, cost-of-living, and consumption of resources, bicycling should be embraced and championed as a healthy and environmentally friendly form of travel. Bicycling reduces the needs for right-of-way expansions, complements compact urban neighborhoods, and positively impacts the bottom line of local retailers. 3) Hennepin Avenue has the highest bike and motor vehicle crash rate of any street in Minneapolis with bike lanes. It also has a higher crash rate than most streets without bike lanes. Access Minneapolis must include a plan for increasing safety for bicyclists. Ensuring and providing space for expected use by cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians increases safety for all people who travel downtown. Please support the tremendous Twin Cities bicycle community and make sure you vote for an Access Minneapolis plan that includes safe bicycle facilities downtown and throughout Minneapolis.
Signed,
cc: Mayor R.T. Rybak
