Published Article

My first newspaper article published in March 2007: "Bike Edina Task Force keeps rolling along"

Bike Edina Task Force keeps rolling along

By Kirk Johnson - Guest Columnist
(Created: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:30 PM CDT

MN Sun-Current

According to survey work completed by the Bike Edina Task Force, bicycling is an important activity to many Edina residents.

More than 18,000 residents indicated that they ride their bikes each year. Even though Edina is home to these thousands of bicyclists, for the first time we are seeing specific efforts to create a sense of community for Edina bicyclers. This is an exciting time for bicycling in Edina.

All residents are invited to consider themselves a part of the Bike Edina community. How can you specifically be involved in the Bike Edina community?



Some simple steps include joining one of many Edina group bicycle rides, using the Bike Edina website (explained below), visiting Edina's local bike shop, and taking part in various classes, seminars, and other educational activities.

There are now biking activities during all seasons, even in the winter. Even if you are not a biker, you can appreciate the benefits of biking. Additionally, if you are a motorist, you can offer courtesy to bicyclists on the road: Minnesota state law gives bicyclists full privileges to ride on the road, so remember to be kind and share the road.

To give more visibility to biking and offer a social group outlet for bikers in Edina, several community residents are involved in ride-leader training with the Hiawatha Bicycle Club. The result is more group rides originating in Edina.

Already this year, Edina enjoyed its inaugural Polar Bear Ride: Starting near City Hall, a group ventured out for a brisk 12-mile ride on Jan. 1. Additionally members from the Bike Edina Task Force have organized a Winter Ride Series that runs through March. Another spring series will start in April and run through May.

All riders are invited, and different rides have different focuses for speed, distance, and terrain. For example, one ride was designed around some of the steepest hills in Edina. Another ride recently featured a slower, flatter pace and looped around Lake Harriet and was suitable for children accompanied by adults.

Where can residents find news, learn about group rides, meet other bicyclists, share tips on commuting, and engage in interesting bike-related discussions? For the first time in Edina's history, we now have our own community website and interactive forums to accomplish all of those things.

At www.BikeEdina.com, the Bike Edina community can engage in the interactive forums area, stay informed on the latest community news, plan for upcoming rides and seminars, ask questions about bicycle safety and maintenance, etc. The site features information on commuting as well.

Another way to engage in the Edina bicycling community is to visit Edina's one and only local bike shop, Edina Bike and Sport, on Valley View Drive. The shop has been kind enough to sponsor the Bike Edina website and some related efforts. This is a great source of advice, products, and service for biking and other sports.

Edina Public Schools offers community education for all ages. The website is http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/ces/, plus you may have received periodic catalogs. The recent catalog features some bicycle classes such as bicycle commuting and a class on bicycle maintenance.

Additionally, clubs like the Hiawatha Bicycle Club offer "Smart Cycling" events where you can learn more about specific topics such as training, touring, safety, etc. The Club's site is www.hiawathabike.org.

For a consolidated list of events and education specifically related to or located in Edina, visit the BikeEdina.org site and register in the Forums area to view the calendar.

Steve Rusk is chair of the Bike Edina Task Force and can be reached at BikeEdina@earthlink.net or 952-929-9771.

Kirk Johnson, is an organizer of several group rides in Edina and is also a bicycle commuting advocate and webmaster for the BikeEdina website. He can be reached at Kirk@BikeEdina.org or 952-922-3344

Muchacha y Su Cabello

Here is my sister's recent horse and person portrait, completed March 2007 in oil. I think it is one of my favorites of this type. Comments anyone?

Fun with Artem

Here are a few pics of recent fun activities with Artem. His vocabulary is increasing. Instead of asking "Are we going back to that thing?" while on a ride around Lake Harriet getting back to the bandshell structures, he actually asked, "Are we getting closer to that little stadium?" Also, we watched some snow windsurfers, and instead of commenting on "Those people doing those things" he asked if we were getting near the people doing the "winter activities." Great!

So, here is Artem clowning with Dad after dinner with the big arms. Also pictured before riding off to Lake Harriet. The photo by the door is on his way to an old fashioned school study trip. Snow tubing. Aliya's half birthday. And the guy doing that thing back at the thing.