SAINT PAUL, MN (January 26, 2024) – Saint Paul Public Works continues to advance the city’s updated Saint Paul Bicycle Plan through the review and approval process for potential adoption by City Council in 2024. The Saint Paul Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Friday, February 2, 2024, for residents and businesses to comment on the Saint Paul Bicycle Plan.
The City of Saint Paul first adopted a bicycle plan in 2015. A bicycle plan is a guiding document that highlights future development for the bike network throughout the city. The bicycle plan and planned network will be used to make decisions about the design and function of streets for many years. In 2021, Saint Paul Public Works started more than two years of soliciting and analyzing public input and feedback that was used and incorporated in the proposed updated plan. The city’s updated bicycle plan is posted online at www.stpaul.gov/bikeplan.
“Saint Paul’s first bicycle plan has been used to add nearly 80 miles of bikeways across the city since 2015,” said Jimmy Shoemaker, Senior Planner in the Department of Public Works and project manager responsible for updating the bike plan. “Since then, national best practices for bikeway planning and design have evolved along with the community’s needs, and it is time to update our bicycle plan to help guide our efforts now and into the future.”
The updated bicycle plan proposes a connected bicycle infrastructure that calls for more off-street separated bikeways and paths throughout Saint Paul, which is consistent with national recommendations and best practices. The city has received significant feedback from residents asking for a bike network that makes biking more safe and comfortable for riders of all ages and abilities.
“This is an ambitious bike plan that includes off-street separated bikeways and paths along streets with higher traffic volumes. This plan aligns with our Saint Paul goals to be a multi-modal city,” said Sean Kershaw, Director of Public Works. “We are trying to build a sustainable network that connects our city and attracts new people riding bikes. We have heard repeatedly from many community members that they want to ride their bike but feel unsafe doing so in the current painted on-street bike lanes.”
The public is encouraged to submit formal comments in advance of the February 2, 2024, Planning Commission public hearing.
Name and address must be included with all comments to be recorded:
- In-person: Friday, February 2, 2024 at 8: 30 a.m. at the Planning Commission public hearing located in Room 40 City Hall, 15 West Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, MN 55102
- Email: bikes@stpaul.gov
- Mail: Send to Saint Paul Planning Commission, c/o Jimmy Shoemaker; 800 City Hall Annex; 25 West 4th St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Following the Planning Commission public hearing, Public Works staff may make additional changes or updates based on public comment. The updated bicycle plan will then go back through Transportation Committee and Planning Commission for approval before coming to City Council later in 2024 for final adoption.
For information about Saint Paul’s updated bicycle plan, including all the engagement activities and community feedback summaries, visit www.stpaul.gov/bikeplan.
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