On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 1
December 2007/January 2008

Access Minneapolis Through...Access Minneapolis

The stated goal of the City of Minneapolis’ 10-year transportation plan, Access Minneapolis, is to prioritize transit, walking, and bicycling in the downtown area. The goal is a livable, walkable city that is easily accessible to residents and visitors...but everyone has a different idea of what this means.

Right now, a key part of this plan will shift express buses off Nicollet Mall by constructing double bus lanes along Marquette and 2nd Avenues in 2009.

These double lanes will pull 40 percent of the bus traffic off Nicollet Mall, and Metro Transit plans to convert the Mall’s remaining buses—all of them with local operating service—to hybrid gas/electric vehicles. Once the mall has only local buses, Metro Transit also plans to allow all downtown-bound buses to serve as local circulators, connecting the Convention Center to the Hiawatha light rail transit line.

To encourage transit use along Marquette and 2nd Avenues, the City Council recommended 
expanding the sidewalks to handle the number of people using the buses. Their decision 
also called for the elimination of the bike lanes that run against traffic on these streets. 
Instead, bicyclists will be provided with 24/7 access to Nicollet Mall. Currently, bicyclists are 
restricted from using the mall between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Under the Council's plan, bicyclists could also use the 
passing bus lane on Marquette/2nd Avenues during 
off-peak hours. The Minneapolis Bike Advisory 
Committee has endorsed opening those passing bus 
lanes to 24/7 bicyclist access during a one-year test 
period. The City of Minneapolis is also exploring 
creating turn lanes for bicyclists at Nicollet Mall bus 
stops, allowing bicyclists to pass buses on the safer 
left side of the bus.  




Transit for Livable Communities staff have expressed support for 
greater pedestrian access on high-traffic sidewalks, the shared 
bike and bus lanes, and for reopening Nicollet Mall to bicyclists,
but have also noted that there could still be room for regular-flow
bike lanes on Marquette and 2nd Avenues simply by narrowing car 
travel lanes. The bike lanes that run against traffic have been
problematic in the past because so many bicyclists ride the wrong 
way. 

“Since bicycles and buses travel at approximately the same speed, it would be
a good idea to try the 24-hour access in bus lanes,” says Steve Clark, Bicycling & Walking Program Manager at Transit for Livable Communities. “And if the City can also provide bike lanes on the other side of each street, it's a win-win situation for everyone."

For more information:

Access Minneapolis 10 Year Transportation Plan

Downtown Action Plan: 10 Year Transportation Action Plan