Cities earn bike-friendly honor
Rosemount and Apple Valley’s effort to build more trails recognized
by Tad Johnson
Thisweek Newspapers
Rosemount and Apple Valley were the only two Minnesota cities outside of Minneapolis to earn designation by the League of American Bicyclists for having bicycle-friendly facilities and policies.
The organization recognized both cities with honorable mention status for their efforts regarding safety, education, and posting signs.
Minneapolis won the group’s gold designation. There were also silver and bronze level honors. Twenty-one cities were recognized by the group, which requires cities to apply for the program.
The cities’ work to build more trails also was a factor in the recognition.
Rosemount is implementing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, approved last year by the City Council.
The plan’s intention is to create a community where choosing walking and biking is safe, convenient and enjoyable for all users, according to the city.
Apple Valley released the city’s trail and sidewalk plan called Bike Walk Apple Valley in September 2010. The 72-page report lays a foundation for improving the trail and sidewalk network.
Apple Valley Parks and Recreation Director Randy Johnson said the city is very proud to have received the honor and has worked very hard for it.
“The city has a strong commitment to encourage people to get out and exercise and use non-motorized ways to get around Apple Valley,” he said.
The city is inviting residents to participate in the Bike Friendly Community Event and Bike Ride on Sunday, June 12 to help celebrate the award.
People can find more information in the Apple Valley Summer Brochure or contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (952) 953-2000 for details.
Rosemount
In Rosemount, an internal group of city staff is reviewing proposals and projects that may be implemented in the next 20 to 25 years.
Among the projects emphasized in the plan are:
• building an underpass at Highway 3 to connect the schools and community center to Erickson Park,
• a pedestrian/bike plaza in front of Rosemount High School,
• extending the current high school trail to the community center,
• building the Rosemount Interpretive Trail, and
• creating connections to the future downtown park-and-ride.
Apple Valley
In Bike Walk Apple Valley, 40 gaps in the existing sidewalk and trail network were identified and assigned a score to suggest their priority for completion.
Among the high-priority routes for completion are:
• the west side of Johnny Cake Ridge Road from 140th to 150th,
• the south side of County Road 42 from Flagstaff to Dupont, and
• an L-shaped link north of 140th on the west side of Cedar, and east of Cedar on the south side of 140th to Galaxie Avenue.
Apple Valley completed the report using a $25,000 grant from Dakota County.
To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/.
Tad Johnson is at editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.
