Twin Cities Streets for People

Bike Edina Task Force & Edina Police Department
Meeting Highlights
November 4, 2009
 
 
Online source: Source link here (http://tcstreetsforpeople.org/node/1068)
Present: Sergeant Phil Larsent, Kirk Johnson
Recorded by: Kirk Johnson
Distribution: BETF, also to be included in BETF meeting notes for regular monthly distribution
 
Background: Chief Siitari from the Edina Police Department appointed Sergeant Larsen as the contact person for the Bike Edina Task Force (BETF). Kirk Johnson (BETF Chair) and Sgt. Larsen met to discuss various ways to partner on the shared objectives of enforcement and education for bicycle users in Edina. Highlights are below.
 
1.    The BETF values partnership with the Edina Police Department; from page 81 of the City of Edina Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Plan: "The Edina Police Department can play an important role in improving safety for cyclists...for helping educate members of the public about the rights and responsibilities of cyclists on the road...Additionally, members of the police can help encourage young people’s cycling activities by attending and participating in rider safety trainings and other programs recommended in elsewhere in this chapter."
2.    The Edina Police Department has 51 officers, 6-7 of them trained as "Bike Officers" through a 1-week training course with the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). Edina Police Department owns 2 bicycles rigged for officer patrolling, typically high-density events such as the Edina Art Fair.
3.    Sergeant Phil Larsen (Edina Police Department) and Kirk Johnson met November 4th to discuss enforcement and education partnership opportunities. Sgt. Larsen agreed to be the Police Department liaison, working with the BETF Chair on specific opportunities in 2010 such as:
1.    Public Service Messages: One example is preparing jointly an About Town article with a focus on safety and enforcement; Carl Follstad offered to draft something for review and work with Sgt. Larsen via BETF Chair
2.    Safe Routes to Schools activities: BETF will work with Sgt. Larsen to inform of upcoming events such as Bike Rodeos so that some of the Bike Officers can attend.
3.    Other Enforcement/Education: There may be some opportunities for BETF to offer citizen-based traffic education for offenders at key locations -- this is to promote awareness for statute compliance per Minnesota Statutes 169.222 and 169.18. Jennifer Janovy stated that if a person riding on a bicycle and receives a citation, it can go on the person's driving record.
4.    Other topics can be explored beginning in 2010.
4.    For future partnership activities, the BETF Chair will coordinate with Sgt. Larsen. BETF members stating interest in supporting the above activities specifically included Carl Follstad, Carl Gulbronson, Alice Hulbert, Rob Erickson (SRTS), and Bob Fried.
 
Questions or corrections? please contact Bike Edina Task Force Chair, Kirk.Johnson@LoganLogic.com