Biking and Walking for Transportation Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program Photos courtesy of

Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program Encouraging people in Minneapolis and its neighboring cities to bike and walk more, and drive less Our Mission Photo courtesy of BOB trailers.

What are the Benefits of Biking and Walking? Personal Health Pocketbook Environment Family Community AND It’s Fun!

Biking, Walking and Faith? Caring for Yourself Caring for Your Family Caring for the Community Caring for Creation

Words of the Wise… People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child -- our own two eyes. All is a miracle. –Thich Nhat Hanh The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems. -Mohandas Gandhi Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. –Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This is NOTHING NEW

THIS is new. Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

So You Have Some Barriers? Hygiene and clothing Length of time Nowhere to go Don’t know the route Personal security & safety Dangerous traffic Bicycle security It’s uncomfortable Need to carry things

Choosing a Route Resources Cyclopath online route-finding tool ( Hennepin County Bike Map City of Minneapolis Biking and Walking web resources ( and Try it on a weekend

What You Need To Know – The Basics Bicycles are traffic, and are safest when operating as a vehicle.  Yield to other vehicles when they have the right-of-way  Obey all signs and signals  Signal your intentions  Correct lane positioning and taking the lane  Keep to the right  Pass on left

EXERCISE YOUR OPTIONS!!! Bike + Transit Walk & Transit

Bike Security Tips Keeping Your Bicycle Safe Bike Lockers –City, County, Metro Transit Use covered parking when possible Is it possible to bring your bicycle indoors?

Bike Security Tips Keeping Your Bicycle Safe Learn how to properly lock your bike and where to do so.

Always Wear a Helmet! Why? Helmets prevent injury and save lives One in eight reported cyclist injuries involve a brain injury Two-thirds of cyclist deaths are from traumatic brain injury Majority of crashes are falls NOT involving autos – it can happen at any time. This lucky fellow had his head run over by a truck! (Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet – probably worth replacing this one.)

Learn More! Organize a group to talk about biking and walking here Put together some community walks and bike rides in the spring Organize a group to help clear snow this winter! Visit –Education Calendar –Events –Tips Visit local bike shops How do I (and my place of worship) get started?

Talk to Friends & Family Friends and peers are often the very best teachers. They can tell you what works for them, and why they choose to bicycle or walk. You probably have some bike-walk champions among you! How do I (and my place of worship) get started?

David Peterson Minneapolis Bike Walk Ambassador Program

Share the Road Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted. Bicyclists should ride on the road, and must ride in the same direction as traffic. Motorists must at all times maintain a three- foot clearance when passing a bicyclist. Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.

Share the Road Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right- of-way to each other. Bicyclists should signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner. Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it's dark. To increase visibility, add a rear flashing light. Bicyclists should always wear helmets.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws 1.Ride on the right with traffic; obey all traffic signs and signals; bicyclists have all rights and duties of any other vehicle driver. 2.Lights and reflectors are required at night. 3.Arm signal is required during the last 100’ prior to turning, unless arm is needed for control. 4.Bicyclists may ride two abreast on roadways as long as it does not impede normal & reasonable movement of traffic.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws 5.Motor vehicles shall leave at least 3 feet clearance until safely past the bicycle or pedestrian. 6.Ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of roadway EXCEPT when overtaking a vehicle, when preparing for a left turn and when necessary to avoid conditions. 7.Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks. 8.Riding on sidewalks within business districts is prohibited unless locally permitted. 9.It is illegal to hitch rides on other vehicles.

Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws 10. Only one person on a bike unless it’s equipped for more or a legal baby seat is used. 11. It is illegal to carry anything that prevents keeping one hand on handlebars or proper operation of brakes. 12. Bicycle size must allow for safe operation. 13. Unless locally restricted, parking on the sidewalk is legal as long as it does not impede normal movement of pedestrian or other traffic. 14. Legal Parking on a roadway, that doe not obstruct legally parked motor vehicles, is allowed.

Basic Maintenance – ABC Quick Check A is for Air Check your tires for air

ABC Quick Check B is for Brakes

ABC Quick Check C is for Chain, Chainrings, Cogs, Cranks Chains shouldn’t be “dry” or skip when you pedal Cranks need to not move laterally Chainrings and Cogs should be parallel, not bent toward each other.

ABC Quick Check Quick is for Quick Releases Quick release cam levers need to be closed.

Bags- backpack or messenger bags start at $10 Racks (front or rear)- start at $10 Baskets (front or rear)- start at $20 Panniers- start at $39 Trailers- start at $90 Riding Comfort: Carrying Your Gear