Local Residents had the opportunity to have their opinions heard this afternoon for a statewide bicycling study.
MnDOT Pedestrian Bicycle Coordinator, Tim Mitchell says, " This is the beginning of MnDOT effort of an existing plan that we have looking at for now so we can accommodate bicyclists across the state."
Those who attended provided input on what is working to make bicycling safe and usable transportation options, as well as what they need to improve on.
Chantill Kahler Royer says, "Accessibility for bikes to get from residential areas to the commercial or offices areas and then have place to lock your bike up once you get to a restaurant an or an office or wherever you are destined to go could be really helpful and encouraging people to bike."
The group was asked to share their opinions on the strengths of the community's bike trails, weaknesses, threats and opportunities to make improvements, especially bike safety.
Royer says, "I think a lot of the conflict between bikes and cars is that cars always thinking to be looking out for bikes, they see other cars but don't always see someone riding their bike.
Chantill, who has been an avid bicyclist since she was a child, says she's happy to see such a large turnout and adds that the popularity in people choosing their bike over their car is going to continue to grow.
Royer says, "With gas prices getting higher I think a lot of people are starting to think about how they can get out of their cars and get where they need to be without filling up their tank."
All feedback will help MnDot improve and develop practices in the future and help with a statewide bicycle map.
Minnesota is often recognized as one of the top bicycle-friendly states in the country.
