2016.08.15 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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o Enhancing local economy. Represents a modest opportunity for businesses to profit from new or more frequent bicyclists seeking local services. o Improving health. Encourages healthy, active transportation and recreation. In addition, seek to reach a new audience of bicyclists, particularly those identified as "interested but concerned", to help create a demographic mode shift. o Improving neighborhoods and communities. Includes equity and diversity as factors in route planning and decision-making, with the intent to help increase bicycling in underserved/non-traditional neighborhoods. o Cost effectiveness. Uses existing bicycle facilities, which require no additional land acquisition or development costs. o Adventure. Introduces visitors and residents to exploration and new experiences. o State and national significance. Connects communities to the state bikeway network and to the U.S. Bicycle Route System. • For those most comfortable bicycling off-road, USBR 41 will include many segments of continuous trails and paths. Maps will clearly identify those segments. Designating and Promoting U. S. Bicycle Route 41 • MnDOT seeks willing partners; success depends on partnerships—from developing to promoting the route. • Designation requires a resolution of support from local road and trail authorities where USBR 41 is located. • USBR 41 will be part of Minnesota's statewide bicycle network. MnDOT will continue to lead USBRS work. As part of the USBR 41 project, MnDOT is developing a Minnesota guide that will identify protocol for planning, implementing, managing and promoting state and U. S. bicycle routes. • If all U.S. Bicycle Route 41 planning and map work is completed this summer, MnDOT intends to designate the route in October 2016. If not complete, MnDOT will submit an application to designate the route at the next scheduled date: May 2017. Relationship to State and Local Trails and Bicycle Facilities • U. S. Bicycle Route 41 will combine existing roads and trails. In some cases, USBR 41 may provide an interim roadway connection within a local or state bicycle trail network, closing a gap until funding is available to fully build continuous trail segments. • USBR 41 may bring additional value to existing and planned bicycle facilities. For example, a local trail typically serves bicyclists from nearby, but if common with USBR 41, it also may serve bicyclists from afar or travelling long distances. By serving multiple users under a joint purpose, USBR 41 may help future local bicycle initiatives more easily raise funds and be constructed more quickly. • USBR 41 will evolve. It will change as viable, locally -led improvements occur that are compatible with USBR 41 route criteria and better -serve a broad range of bicyclists. USBR 41 info: httn://wwwdot. state.mn.us/bike/usbr4l/ Contact: Liz Walton; Minnesota Department of Transportation. Liz.walton@state.mn.us; 651-366-4186