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News Release
June 7, 2011

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Minnesota Department of Transportation
Office of Communications
395 John Ireland Blvd.
Mail Stop 150
St. Paul, MN 55155-1899

 

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State agencies remind public to share the road

Gov. Dayton declares Minnesota Bike/Walk Week June 4-12

 

ST. PAUL, Minn. —The Minnesota Department of Health and Minnesota Department of Transportation remind all travelers to share the road and follow all traffic safety laws as Minnesota celebrates Bike/Walk Week June 4-12.

 

Bike/Walk Week encourages bicycling and walking as healthy, environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives for commuting to work or school, as well as regular physical activity.

 

Communities across Minnesota are hosting events to encourage and increase awareness of safe bicycling and walking, including:

 

Silver-Level Award Celebration Bike Ride - Thursday, June 9
7 a.m. – begin on the west side of the Lake Street Bridge in Minneapolis
7:45 a.m. – arrive at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul for Bike/Walk to Work Day celebration

 

This community bike ride will celebrate Minnesota’s accomplishments for retaining its spot as the fourth most bicycle friendly state in the nation and upgrading to a silver-level designation. Both honors were achieved in 2011 because of statewide bicycle safety accomplishments in education, enforcement, encouragement, engineering and evaluation. 

 

For a complete list of events throughout the state, visit www.bikewalkweek.org/.

 

Officials expect a continued surge of bicyclists and pedestrians in 2011. It is important to ensure their safety, especially those who may be new to bicycle or pedestrian commuting. 

 

The law is clear—bicyclists and motorists share responsibility. There are eight “rules of the road” to improve bicycle safety:

  1. Bicyclists may ride on all Minnesota roads, except where restricted — such as interstates.
  2. Bicyclists should ride on the road and must ride in the same direction as traffic.
  3. Motorists must maintain a three-foot clearance at all times when passing a bicyclist.
  4. Bicyclists must obey all traffic control signs and signals, just as motorists.
  5. Motorists and bicyclists must yield the right of way to each other.
  6. Bicyclists must signal their turns and should ride in a predictable manner.
  7. Bicyclists must use a headlight and rear reflectors when it’s dark.
  8. Bicyclists should always wear helmets and bright reflective gear.

 

For information about the “Share the Road” bicycle safety education program, bicycle crash statistics and resource materials, visit www.sharetheroadmn.org/index.html. Safety videos for adults and kids are available at www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/safety.html.

 

Gov. Dayton’s proclamation is available at www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/pdfs/mnbikewalkweekgovproclamation.pdf.

 

 

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