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<font face="Corbel">interesting information!</font><br>
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<td>FW: Minnesota ranks second in nation for
bicycle-friendly states</td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">Date: </th>
<td>Thu, 1 May 2014 19:45:52 +0000</td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">From: </th>
<td>Gillach, James (DOT) <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:james.gillach@state.mn.us"><james.gillach@state.mn.us></a></td>
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<th align="RIGHT" nowrap="nowrap" valign="BASELINE">To: </th>
<td>#DOT_ALLCOMM <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:ALLCOMM.DOT@state.mn.us"><ALLCOMM.DOT@state.mn.us></a></td>
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Minnesota
Department of Transportation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">News
Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:9.0pt"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">May
1, 2014
Contact: Sue Roe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">
651-366-4268<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:.5in"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:.5in"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:.5in"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right:.5in"><b><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Minnesota
ranks second in nation for bicycle-friendly states<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span
style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">ST.
PAUL, Minn.<b>
</b>–<b> </b>Kicking off National Bike Month,<b> </b>the
League of American Bicyclists today announced that Minnesota
ranks as the second most bicycle-friendly state in the
nation. Last year, Minnesota also ranked second. This is a
jump from the number four slot achieved in 2011 and 2010.
Prior to that, Minnesota ranked fifth in 2008 and 2009.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“This
ranking is recognition of the work on behalf of bicycling
being done by both the public and private sectors throughout
the state,” said Dorian Grilley, executive director, Bicycle
Alliance of Minnesota. “It is not only because of the good
work that is being done by the Minnesota Department of
Transportation, but because the Department of Health,
Explore Minnesota Tourism, Department of Natural Resources,
other public agencies, local governments and many of our
state's businesses, both big and small, are all engaged in
making bicycling better in Minnesota,"
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nearly
half of Minnesotans rode a bicycle last year, according to
the Minnesota Department of Transportation 2012 Omnibus
Transportation Survey.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#222222;background:white"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black">The
Bicycle Friendly States
</span><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">ranking
is based on key indicators, including infrastructure and
funding that provide safe places to bike; education and
encouragement programs that promote cycling; and passage and
enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and
comfortable for people of all ages and abilities to ride.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#222222;background:white">"We
are excited and encouraged to see real progress in states
like California, Minnesota and Utah," said Andy Clarke,
president of the League of American Bicyclists. "Overall, we
still see a lot of opportunity to realize the huge potential
of bicycling to promote health, economic development, and
quality of life." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Washington
remains the top ranked state for the seventh year in a row,
followed by Minnesota, Wisconsin, Delaware and Oregon.
Minnesota received its ranking because of many reasons,
including:
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Partnerships
among several state agencies and local/statewide advocacy
groups that are encouraging increased commuter and
recreational bicycle use and leading the Safe Routes to
School program. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Recognition
as the “Best Trails State” in the nation in 2012. The state
features more than 600 miles of paved trails managed by the
Department of Natural Resources. The DNR adds about 10 miles
of paved trail to the system each year. National, regional
and local governments manage thousands of additional trail
miles.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Nice
Ride Minnesota, the first large-scale bicycle sharing system
in the nation, expanded into St. Paul in 2012.The program
has more than 1,500 bicycles and 170 kiosks in Minneapolis
and St. Paul. Expansion is also planned in Greater
Minnesota.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.5in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The
Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, Minnesota Department of
Transportation and the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross
and Blue Shield of Minnesota published “WALK! BIKE! FUN!” —
a comprehensive curriculum with engaging lessons for kids in
kindergarten through sixth grade. Through classroom
activities and on-the-bike skills practice, instructors can
teach young people how to travel safely in their
communities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The
state has high rates of bicycle commuting and recreational
use.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"
style="margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0
level1 lfo2">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span
style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt
"Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The
nationally recognized bicycle safety education campaign, “</span><a
moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.dot.state.mn.us/sharetheroad/"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Share
the Road</span></a><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">,”
helps improve awareness of bicycle laws for both motorists
and bicyclists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Several
state agencies, including the departments of Health, Natural
Resources, Transportation and Tourism invest in bicycling as
an important component of Minnesota’s transportation system.
Bicycle tourism has a positive impact on Minnesota’s economy
and being physically active can decrease the risk of a
variety of diseases such as heart disease and stroke,
diabetes, depression and certain types of cancer.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">“This
year’s bicycle friendly state announcement is a great
acknowledgement of the dedication and commitment of our many
agency partners, advocates and bicyclists from across the
state towards making Minnesota a bicycle friendly state,”
said Tim Mitchell, Minnesota Department of Transportation
bicycle and pedestrian coordinator.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">He
said the Minnesota Department of Health has helped elevate
interest in biking in the state. “Their Statewide Health
Improvement Program has assisted more than 250 communities
to increase access to bicycling and walking opportunities
over the past few years, making the healthy choice an easy
choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Mitchell
said while the ranking is a great achievement, there is work
to do. “We can do even better,” he added. “The best way to
continue to improve is to learn from constituents who use
the highways, bike lanes and shoulders to bike.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">MnDOT
is asking the public’s input into developing a statewide
bicycle system plan. Feedback will help MnDOT identify and
recommend routes, improve existing facilities in the bike
system and more effectively address the needs of bicycle
riders in the state.To participate, interested persons can
go online at
</span><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.mndot.gov/bike"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">www.mndot.gov/bike</span></a><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span
style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">#
# #<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Bradley
Hand ITC"">Judy Jacobs <o:p>
</o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Public Affairs Coordinator <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>MnDOT District 8<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2505 Transportation Road <o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Willmar, MN 56201<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>320/214-6426 (office)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>320/212-6132 (cell)<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:Judy.jacobs@state.mn.us"><b>Judy.jacobs@state.mn.us</b></a><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img id="Picture_x0020_1"
src="cid:part4.09050300.03010005@moramn.com"
alt="http://www.dot.state.mn.us/mediaroom/logos/logo_downloads/atob/atob-email.png"
border="0" height="93" width="381"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Bradley
Hand ITC""> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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