Do you use bicycles or similar modes of transportation, or would you like to use them more often? The Minnesota Department of Transportation would like to hear from you.
MnDOT recently opened a public comment period for its draft Statewide Bicycle+ System Plan. The public comment period closes on Friday, October 23. Once final, the plan will develop the vision, goals and strategies for MnDOT’s role in supporting bicyclists and other riders by identifying MnDOT’s role in improving bikeways on trunk highways and routes that cross them, reinforcing MnDOT’s role in facilitating local and regional biking efforts, building internal capacity within MnDOT to advance biking, and responding to current and emerging trends with e-bikes and bike-like devices
MnDOT last updated its bike system plan in 2016, and has since added a “+” to the plan’s name to include the emergence of e-bikes and other battery-powered transportation devices.
“Bicycling and bike-like modes contribute to the quality of life for people of all ages and abilities in Minnesota by connecting them to daily activities, strengthening local economies and creating access to the state’s amenities,” said MnDOT Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger. “This plan will help MnDOT and local partners to align policies that deliver many different types of improvements for active transportation in Minnesota.”
The draft plan is based in part on several rounds of public engagement with a variety of stakeholders, groups and the public. Following the public comment period, MnDOT will hold final meetings with each project committee to present the results of public feedback and any proposed revisions.
Minnesota is one of the country’s best states for transportation, and investments in active transportation and pedestrian safety are two reasons why. During the Walz-Flanagan Administration, MnDOT launched Minnesota’s Active Transportation Program, adopted Minnesota’s first Statewide Pedestrian System Plan, stood up a new Active Transportation Advisory Committee, and developed On My Way!, a new model pedestrian/bike training program for students in grades K-8.
