Bike commuting in Minneapolis is continuing to rise, according to the latest Census data released this week. The latest info from the American Community Survey shows that about 5 percent of city workers now bike commutes, a slight increase over the year before.
Bicycle commuting rising in Minneapolis and St. Paul
Newly released American Community Survey data show both cities at their highest-ever rates, and Minneapolis among nation's highest
The uptick comes as the city has boosted its investment in bike lanes, particularly those that are protected from cars. The city has the densest bike lane network in the nation, according to a national advocacy group, with 226 miles of them as of earlier this year.
Minneapolis' share of bike commuters ranks third in the nation among cities of more than 100,000 people who are employed. It falls just behind Madison, and about 2 percentage points behind Portland. Among all cities, Davis, Calif. has the highest share of bike commuters – a whopping 19 percent.
Minneapolis has a goal of reaching 15 percent by 2025.
St. Paul, meanwhile, is playing catchup. Two-point-one percent of St. Paul workers bike commuted there in 2015, which was a record for the city. That's about double the share in 2006.
Steve Brandt contributed to this story.
The governor said it may be 2027 or 2028 by the time the market catches up to demand.