The City of Edina Bicycle Transportation Plan

Relatively small investments can yield significant improvements for Edina cyclists.
Image: Photo illustration of a potential configuration for Vernon Avenue.

Providing safe routes to and from Edina schools was an important priority for this Plan. A hub (shown in green) formed by several Primary routes provides high-quality bicycle facilities to the City's public schools.

The purpose of this Plan

The purpose of the Bicycle Transportation Plan is to improve conditions for cycling in Edina by reducing hazards, by developing and improving Edina's bicycle transportation infrastructure, and by inviting Edina residents, workers and visitors to include this safe, comfortable and convenient transportation option into their daily mobility habits.

The Plan seeks to increase access and mobility options for all of Edina's citizens, and to foster opportunities for active living and improved community health.

Community Design Group was hired by the City of Edina, a Twin Cities first-ring suburban community with a population of approximately 47,000 people, to develop its first ever Bicycle Transportation Plan.

The Plan, which envisions a fine-grained network of bicycle routes throughout Edina, aims to provide Edina's citizens easy, safe and convenient connections to schools, parks, shopping and entertainment, as well as access to regional bicycle transportation and recreation routes.

Towards a bicycle-friendly future

Working closely with Edina citizens and city staff, we developed a framework and a set of recommendations to support the city's gradual transformation into a "progressive bicycle-friendly community where citizens can easily integrate cycling into their daily lives."

The Plan presents a fine-grained network of bicycle routes and treatments that further this vision, and also includes specific recommendations for developing and improving other aspects of Edina's cycling infrastructure.

Among these are recommendations and guidelines for the provision of bicycle parking and other end of trip facilities; for improving bike-related signs, signals and wayfinding; for furthering the integration of bicycling and transit as a way to increase convenience for cyclists and lowering demand for automobile transportation; for conducting education and encouragement programs that increase safety and invite new users to Edina's bicycle transportation system; and guidance for operation and maintenance of the system.

A framework for implementation

In addition, the Plan provides guidance for implementation, including a recommended prioritization and timeline for development and a set of recommendations to ensure that Edina cyclists can continue to be active participants in the implementation of this and other transportation initiatives.

We are presently working with members of the Bike Edina Task Force to present the Plan to the various City of Edina commissions as part of the Plan's review process. The Plan is expected to go before the Edina City Council in early 2008.

Resources

Gordon Hughes, City Manager
City of Edina
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424-1394
Email: ghughes at ci.edina.mn.us
Office: 952.826.0401

Contact: