The bike is a viable means of transportation
Hennepin County supports bicycle use as a choice for general transportation including commuter, utilitarian and recreational trips.
To put support for the bicycle into action, the Transportation Planning Division of the Department of Transportation maintains a Bicycle Transportation Plan. This plan articulates a vision of what role the county can and should play in providing bicycle planning services, in designing and constructing bicycle facilities, and in supporting the provision of other bicycle amenities and accommodations. The Bicycle Transportation Plan Executive Summary is available at right.
The focus of the plan is to provide the infrastructure necessary to allow the bicycle to become a viable transportation option.
Existing bicycle route map
Approximately every two years Hennepin County releases an updated bicycle route map depicting bicycle routes within and directly adjacent to Hennepin County. This map is on the reverse of the County Highway Map. The purpose of this map is to indicate those existing routes that the Hennepin County Department of Transportation feels meet the criteria set down in the Hennepin County Bicycle Transportation Plan. Also depicted are routes that are either under construction or to which funds have been committed. The overall map or printable segments may be downloaded using the links at right. A paper copy of the Highway/Bike Map may be ordered by calling 612-596-0352 or using the online order form.
It is the rider's responsibility to determine suitability of any route as to safety and appropriate skill level.
Future bicycle system plan map
The bicycle plan includes a system map identifying where future facilities should be placed. While many of these facilities do not exist today, new segments are being added each year through the cooperation of cities, Hennepin County, and the Suburban Hennepin County Regional Park District. The Bicycle Transportation System Plan map is available on the Bicycle Transportation System Plan web page (see link at right)
This map is for information only, it should NOT be used as a guide for actual bicycle travel.
Ongoing system evaluation
On October 2, 2001, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners initiated the study of gaps in the bicycle transportation system. The bicycle transportation system as a whole is composed of the regional county, regional park (Three Rivers Park District), and individual city bicycle systems. The Bicycle System Gap Study is recognition of the significant strides that have been made since the county adopted its Bicycle Transportation Plan in 1996. As many miles of county, regional park district, and city bikeway facilities have been built, focus needs to be directed to ensuring that these systems interconnect. In addition, attention needs to be aimed at locations that continue to be a barrier to bicycle travel such as freeway interchanges, major river crossings, and other missing segments of the bicycle system. This report documents the identification and prioritization of gaps in the overall bicycle transportation system. An implementation plan that puts special emphasis on closing these gaps is included. The report is currently in the process of being updated. The previous version of the report is available by contacting Bob Byers (612-596-0354).
Hennepin County Bicycle Advisory Committee
The Bicycle Advisory Committee ( BAC) advises the County Board of Commissioners regarding bicycle issues. The committee's charge is to promote and encourage bicycle usage. Regular meetings of the BAC occur on the 3rd Monday of each month at various locations around Hennepin County. Often, a bike tour follows the meeting in order to view a particular facility or issue area. For the upcoming agenda and meeting location contact Bob Byers (612-596-0354) or Ned Nelson (612-596-0359).
