1. sports
2. bicycling
3. mountain biking

Bike Minneapolis
CED
Downtown Biking Guide
Bike MPLS
I bike because the combination
of cost savings, environmental
friendliness, and increased
feeling the sun and the wind as
I use my own two legs to get me
home.
Council Member Betsy Hodges
Minneapolis City Council
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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BIKE PARKING
Bike Parking Rules
Bike Lockers & Showers
LANE POSITIONING
BIKE ROUTE MAP
Bike Lanes & Racks
BIKE TRAIL ACCESS
Hiawatha Light Rail Trail
Cedar Lake Trail
SECURITY
Locking Tips
Locking Your Bike
SAFETY
Rules of the Road
Turn Signals
RESOURCES
BIKE PARKING
Bike Parking Rules
Bicycle parking is PERMITTED on all bicycle racks, street signs and bicycle lockers.
Bicycle parking is NOT PERMITTED on lamp posts, street lights, trees, fire hydrants,
parking meters and as posted.
Downtown Bike Guide | 3
BIKE PARKING
Bike Lockers & Showers
The City of Minneapolis, ABC Ramps and Metro Transit operate bike lockers
throughout downtown. Lockers may be rented ANNUALLY or SEASONALLY
(April 1- November 30). ABC Ramps also offers shower facilities located in Ramp
A. Shower rentals include a bike locker, access to shower facilities, and a small
locker for clothing. Please call to inquire about availability.
ABC Ramps
(612) 333-9031
SEASONAL ................................ $30.00
ANNUAL ...................................... $50.00
+
SEASONAL ................................ $80.00
ANNUAL ...................................... $100.00
City of Minneapolis
(612) 339-2560
SEASONAL ................................ $35.00
ANNUAL ...................................... $50.00
Downtown Bike Guide | 4
BIKE PARKING
Metro Transit
(612) 373-3333
ANNUAL ...................................... $48.00
Refundable Deposit ................ $40.00
Metro Transit Bike Lockers are located at many Park & Ride lots,
light-rail stations and other popular Twin Cities destinations. Bicycle
to your Park & Ride or for part of your trip and take the bus the rest of
the way. Visit www.metrotransit.org to find Bike Locker locations near
you.
`
Bike Storage & Shower Tips
Before renting a locker check with your building manager, building
concierge or employer to determine if secured bike storage and
shower facilities are available in your building. Some employers and
buildings offer secured storage and showers as a free service to
tenants.
Many health clubs in the Twin Cities have locations in downtown.
Check to see if you can use your health club membership to access
showers and lockers downtown.
If shower facilities are not availalbe consider taking your bike on the
bus in the morning and riding your bike home in the evening. All
regional buses and trains have bike racks.
Downtown Bike Guide | 5
LANE POSITIONING
When you approach a multi-lane intersection, think about where you would
position yourself if you were driving a car.
Generally speaking, as a bicyclist, you should be in
the right-most lane that goes in the direction you
are traveling. As a bicyclist, though, you also have
three positions within the lane to choose from: the
right third, the center, and the left third. The
specific portion of the lane depends on the distinct
characteristics of the intersection.
3-2-1
1-2-3
The diagram below show correct lane positioning for a variety of different
scenarios.
2
Indicates: Look behind, signal and make
your maneuver as traffic permits.
5
Basic Maneuvers
1 Straight Through
4
1
3
2 Right Turn
3 Left Turn
4 Overtaking
5 Passing Parked Cars
In order to successfully change lanes in traffic the cyclist must:
• Plan ahead
• Scan
• Signal your intention
• Move carefully and smoothly
• Negotiate with motorists as necessary
• Make eye contact
Make two moves per lane (as shown in the following illustration).
Source League of American Bicyclists: Road 1 Student Manual - www.bikeleague.org/
Downtown Bike Guide | 6
SECURITY
Locking Your Bike
Locking Tips
At home, store your bicycles inside if possible.
When stopped, if you can’t take your bicycle inside, always use your
lock.
Always lock your bicycle in a high traffic and well lit area to an
unbreakable and immovable object. Be certain to secure the frame
and both wheels.
When locking your bike use two locks - a U-lock to secure your bike
frame, and a cable lock to secure your wheels.
Take with you any easily-removed accessories and components such
as pumps, cycle computers, lights, seat bags, etc.
To reduce the risk of becoming a target, never tempt thieves by
leaving your bicycle locked outside for long periods such as overnight.
Mark your bicycle so that you can easily prove it’s yours. You can also
register your bike at www.nationalbikeregistry.com.
Check with your building manager, building concierge or employer to
determine if secured bike storage is available in the building.
Downtown Bike Guide | 7
SECURITY
Locking Your Bike
Before riding your bike visit your local bike shop and purchase a quality lock. At
a minimum you will want to purchase a U-Lock. If you do not want to remove
your front tire you may also want to purchase a cable lock to secure your tires.
Visit your local bike shop for assistance purchasing a quality lock.
Using a U-Lock
1
Remove the front tire (check to see if
2
Thread the U-Lock through the tires,
wrapping the lock around the seat
tube and the object you are locking
your bike to.
3
Lock your U-Lock.
4
Remove any easily removable accessories
your front tire has a quick release before
locking your bike using this method).
(panniers, lights, pumps, water bottles, etc.).
Using a U-Lock and a Cable Lock
1
Thread the U-Lock through the front
tire, wrapping the lock around the
down tube and the object you are
locking your bike to.
2
Thread the Cable Lock through the
front and rear tire and attach both
looped ends of the Cable Lock to the
U-Lock.
3
Lock your U-Lock and Cable Lock.
4
Remove any easily removable accessories
(panniers, lights, pumps, water bottles, etc.).
Downtown Bike Guide | 8
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DOWNTOWN BIKE ROUTE & PARKING MAP
4t
St
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Target
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St
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Square
LRT
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Macys
LaSalle
Plaza
US
Bancorp
Midwest
Plaza
Target
Store
Loring
Pk
Apts
all
Target
Plaza
omas
Law School
225 S
6th St
Ameriprise
TCF
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St.
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Campbell
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Transit Hub
11
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Park
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S
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Minneapolis
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3rd
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Ritz
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Central
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35W
KEY
Regional trail
On road bike lane
Ce
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Shared on road bike lane
st
Hiawatha Light Rail
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US
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Post O ce Riv
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Federal
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4th
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Towle
Bldg
Gateway
Ramp
Federal
Courthouse
s
Mississippi
River
Depot
East
Mill City
Museum
WR
3rd
St
S
Government
Center
St
ton
Av
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Star
Tribune
LRT
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S
Metrodome
10
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11
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Fire
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Guthrie
Public
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Facility
LRT
Government
Center
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4th
City
Hall
iver
Pk
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S Bank
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ABC Parking Ramps
35W
Know of additional bike parking that
is not on this map? Contact:
help@mplstmo.org to have it added.
BIKE TRAIL ACCESS
Cedar Lake Trail
The Cedar Lake Trail runs westbound out of Downtown Minneapolis to the
western suburbs. Use trail to connect with Kenilworth Trail, Southwest LRT Trail
& the Midtown Greenway.
Access to Downtown
Trail is plowed during
the winter.
!
USE CAUTION!
Glenwood Ave bike lane
ends at 2nd Ave N. Use
10th & 11th St bike lanes
to access downtown.
1
From Cedar Lake Trail cross 3rd Ave N
onto Glenwood Ave using cross walk.
2
Get into right lane on Glenwood Ave.
3
Turn right onto 10th St S.
4
Access from Downtown
1
2
3
Downtown Bike Guide | 11
Follow 10th St S to access 1st Ave N,
Hennepin Ave, Park Ave and Portland
Ave bike lanes.
Follow 1st Ave N/Hennepin Ave bike
lanes to 11th St S bike lane.
Follow 11th St S to the intersection of
Glenwood Ave.
Wait for traffic signal or use cross walk
to access Cedar Lake Trail.
BIKE TRAIL ACCESS
3rd
Ave
N
2nd
Ave
N
Cedar Lake Trail
1
2
S
10th St
3
Ramp A
3
od Ave
Glennwo
Target
Center
2
Hawthorne
Bus Depot
4
394
S
N
ve
ts A
KEY
S
St
th
11
1
1
Cedar Lake Trail
N
ep
nn
He
Shared on road bike lane
in
On road bike lane
Av
e
h St
12t
94
E
W
S
Source: Google Earth
Downtown Bike Guide | 12
BIKE TRAIL ACCESS
Hiawatha Light Rail Trail
The Hiawatha Light Rail Trail runs Southeast from downtown along the
Hiawatha Light Rail. Use this trail to connect with South Minneapolis and the
Midtown Greenway.
Access from South
Trail is plowed during
the winter.
!
1
Follow 11th Ave S. bike lanes north
towards the river.
2
Cross Hiawatha Light Rail Tracks.
3
Trail entrance is on your right.
USE CAUTION!
Trail is not lit after dark.
Access from North
Construction is planned
for late 2010 to connect
trail to bicycle lanes
along 3rd St S.
Downtown Bike Guide | 13
1
Follow 11th Ave S. bike lanes south.
11th Ave S. bike lanes are accessable
via the 2nd St S. bike lanes or West
River Parkway.
2
Trail entrance is on your left. Use
Caution! Cross traffic does not stop.
BIKE TRAIL ACCESS
Hiawatha Light Rail Trail
KEY
2nd
St S
On road bike lane
Hiawatha Light Rail Trail
Hiawatha Light Rail Train
Bridgewater
Lofts
Ave
S
Wash
ingto
n Ave
S
12th
10th
11th
Ave
S
Ave
S
1
Valspar
VVa
als
alsspa
par
Valspar
2
35W
3
2
N
1
E
W
Metrodome
94
S
Source: Google Earth
Downtown Bike Guide | 14
SAFETY
Rules of 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 of traffic.
’
Motorists must at all times maintain a three-foot
clearance when passing a bicyclist.
Bicyclists and motorists must obey all traffic control
signs and signals.
Bicyclists and motorists must yield the right-of-way to
each other. Both must yield for pedestrians.
Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a
predictable manner.
A white headlight and red rear light are required when
riding at night.
Bicyclists should always wear a helmet.
Bicyclists are not allowed to ride on sidewalks in
Downtown Minneapolis.
Source Mn/DOT Share the Road - www.sharetheroadmn.org
Downtown Bike Guide | 15
SAFETY
Turn Signals
Start signalling 100 feet before your turn, or when changing lanes. If you are
making a turn that requires you to change lanes gradually work your way over
to the correct side of the street while signaling. You can also stop at a crosswalk,
get off your bike and walk your bike across the intersection. Plan ahead to avoid
last minute decision.
VIEW FROM BEHIND
I AM
TURNING LEFT
I AM STOPPING
OR SLOWING DOWN
I AM TURNING RIGHT
Safety Quick Tips & Other Signals
Eye contact: Remember even though you may make eye contact with
a motorist that does not mean they see you. Use multiple signaling
methods when riding to ensure safety.
Pointing: Clearly indicate to motorist where you intend to ride by
pointing. You may use this method instead of using hand signals in
certain situations.
Scanning: Before changing course or taking a turn look over your
shoulder. This is a good way to assess the traffic situation and indicate
your intentions to motorists behind you.
Downtown Bike Guide | 16
RESOURCES
Biking Information
Commuter Connection
www.commuter-connection.org/bike
City of Minneapolis Bicycle Website
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/bicycles
Bicycling as Transportation Guide
www.metrotransit.org/bike/transportation.asp
Bike Programs
Bike Walk Ambassadors
www.bikewalktwincities.org/ambassadors
Guaranteed Ride Home
www.metrotransit.org/riderPrograms/grh.asp
Downtown Bike Shop
One on One Bicycle Studio
117 Washington Ave N.
(612) 371-9565
www.oneononebike.com
Downtown Bike Guide | 17
I bike because I feel so much
better after a morning ride. I
can either be stuck in a car in
feeling free on my bike. That’s
an easy choice.
Mayor R.T. Rybak
City of Minneapolis
Commuter
CONNECTION
www.commuter-connection.org/bike
Version 4-2010-1