New Releases

MINNEAPOLIS (June 7, 2007). Minnesota’s first bicycle roundabout. Four to three lane road conversions that make neighborhoods more welcoming for pedestrians. Colored bicycle lanes, never before used in Minnesota, designed to make city streets safer for bicyclists.

Under its Bike/Walk Twin Cities initiative, Transit for Livable Communities’ board of directors recently awarded $7.3 million to make these and other innovative projects a reality on Twin Cities streets. Bike/Walk Twin Cities is part of a national Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project administered by Transit for Livable Communities in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The program is part of a four-year, $21.5 million initiative in four states that was backed by Congressman Oberstar in the 2005 federal transportation bill, SAFETEA-LU.

“I am delighted to see this funding used innovatively and in ways that will help communities become safer and more pleasant places to walk and bike,” says Congressman James Oberstar, a champion of the NTP legislation. “These projects are a major step forward for the Twin Cities region.”

“Many of these projects are located in areas with not enough places to safely walk or ride bicycles,” says R.T. Rybak, Mayor of Minneapolis. “This funding allows the city to expand the miles of walking and bicycling infrastructure that connects our neighborhoods and makes Minneapolis a great place to live, work, and play.”

Funding decisions were made with the input of an advisory committee consisting of representatives from neighborhood organizations, non-profits, small businesses, citizen activists, elected officials, and agency partners. As a nonprofit deeply rooted in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Transit for Livable Communities was committed to developing a decision-making process that incorporated transparency and accountability into funding allocation decisions.

“Through its research and advocacy, Transit for Livable Communities has a long history of engaging people in transportation decision-making,” says Greg Pratt, board president of Transit for Livable Communities. “We know that people who deeply care about their communities are the best people to make recommendations that impact the future of those communities.”

“From the beginning, Transit for Livable Communities has been very committed to a strong community involvement process,” says Katie Hatt, chair of the Bike/Walk Twin Cities advisory committee. “The funding decisions reflect the thoughtful work of our committee, TLC staff and advisors, and we are confident they will make this region a better place to walk and ride bicycles."

Transit for Livable Communities will be holding another Bike/Walk Twin Cities funding round in fall 2008. It is also leading an intensive education and community outreach program to complement the investments in bicycling and walking infrastructure and planning efforts.

###

Transit for Livable Communities is a non-profit organization that works to improve the quality of life in Minnesota communities through a balanced transportation system that encourages transit, walking, biking, and transit-oriented development.

The Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program was established in 2005 as part of the six-year federal transportation bill known as SAFETEA-LU. The law provides $21.5 million to four pilot communities nationwide (Columbia, MO; Marin County, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Sheboygan County, WI) to evaluate how investments in planning, infrastructure, and public education can increase rates of bicycling and walking and reduce driving. Transit for Livable Communities was designated by federal law to administer the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program for Minneapolis and its 14 adjoining communities.

City of Minneapolis

New Releases

RSS Available for Mayor's News

Bike/Walk Twin Cities Announces $7.3 million in Bicycle and Pedestrian Project Funding

New initiative provides funding for innovative bicycling and walking projects in Minneapolis and its neighboring communities