A Guide to Bicycle Transportation in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area: The Processes, the Players, the Potential

This report 1) describes the potential for improving bicycle transportation in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, 2) identifies the common barriers and limitations to bike transportation as described by metro area transportation officials and bicycle advocates, and 3) provides an overview of the organizations involved. The cities of Boulder, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; and Toronto, Ontario, Canada have built reputations for being bicycle friendly and were reviewed to provide examples of innovative bicycle programs. This guide serves as a starting point in describing bicycle transportation in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Management of the transportation system in the Twin Cities metropolitan area is based on a multi-agency, regional approach. The Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the counties and the cities all have responsibilities related to transportation in their jurisdictions. Important areas for development in order to make bicycling a viable transportation choice include: bike facilities, leadership, communication, planning, networks, research, measurement, partnerships, funding, information sharing, and customer needs.