Plan for 30 miles of protected bike lanes gets Mpls council approval

The proposal will be added to the city's long-term bike plan.

By eringolden

July 10, 2015 at 5:05PM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A plan to add another 30 miles of protected bikeways to Minneapolis streets by 2020 was approved by the City Council on Friday.

The update to the city's long-term bike plan follows a year of discussion and public input on which areas are most in need of safer spaces for bike traffic. The proposed bike lanes would be separated by vehicle traffic by buffers of planters, curbs, parked cars or plastic posts.

The plan suggests adding in the new bike lanes in phases, beginning with 15 miles of streets. Some of those proposed updates already have received funding in the city's budget, but the first phase is estimated to require between $2.4 million and $3 million in additional funds.

Above: A cyclist uses a protected bike lane on First Avenue N. last year. STEVE BRANDT/ STAR TRIBUNE

about the writer

about the writer

eringolden