Twin Cities Streets for People

Looking forward to upcoming webcast, "Complete The Streets: Making Roads and Streets an Integral Component of Sustainable Communities" on  April 6, 2011. Read more >

"Floating parking" and buffered bike lane examples from NYC via Streetfilms.  

Lowering the limit to 20 mph improves the way local streets function in more ways than one. According to the 20's Plenty for Us campaign, the change has produced wide-ranging benefits, including increased walking and biking, greater independence for children and the elderly, better health, and calmer driving conditions for motorists.

Also, check out this average speed simulation that demonstrates how driving slower is actually faster! 

Thanks to the Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, Saint Paul will be launching a complete streets planning process in the first quarter of 2011. Read more >

New film from Streetfilms highlights Portland's Bicycle Boulevards, now called "Neighborhood Greenways." They have elements of complete streets, as well as systems of integrated onsite storm water management. These types of treatments continue to give Portland national attention as a leader in bicycle infrastructure.

Complete Streets is the law in Minnesota - On May 15, 2010, Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the Omnibus Transportation Bill (SF 2540), which included Complete Streets language passed by both the House and Senate in late April. The bill passed by wide margins: 58-3 in the Senate and 109-25 in the House. Vayong Moua from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota shares his perspective. Read more >

From MPR:

About a month ago, Hennepin and First Avenues were converted from one-way, to two-way streets. The city made the switch on a weekend morning in order to minimize problems. City officials say so far the conversion has gone well, with a few exceptions.

"At first the cars were all parked, basically in the bike lanes," said Sophie St. Jacques on her bicycle as she prepared to continue north down First Avenue.

Have these changes made things better for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists? You can listen or read the story here. Read more >

A few weeks ago, Lisa brought up a point about the city's new Central Avenue bike plan. The plan looks great for the northern part of the street, from Spring Street north all the way up Central Avenue.

But at the most important part of the plan, the stretch through the busy, dense, and commercial district around Hennepin and University Avenues, the city is proposing a "shared bike and through lane" that would be even less safe than the current awkward arrangement on Hennepin Avenue. 

What do you think should happen here? I've one suggestion after the jump. Read more >

Copenhagen: City of Cyclists, Part 5 of 5: A fine farewell to the great city of Copenhagen. For work or play, young or old, rain or shine, one of the very best cycling communities in the world. Thanks to the City of Copenhagen for bringing us this program