1. 2009 Clean Energy Resource Teams Conference
Community Engagement to Change Transportation Culture
A case study with the Bike Edina Task Force / Community Design Group
February 10, 2009

2. Case Study Overview
A more sustainable transportation

culture change in the making
Engaging the community to create a
 Photo courtesy CDG on location in Edina
high-quality Bicycle Plan…and make it
happen
What we learned / group discussion

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Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson

3. Culture Change Needed…
Some challenges Edina were recognized in 2006 when
considering biking as a sustainable, healthy
transportation choice….
Car-based infrastructure

No on-road bicycle lanes

No published bicycle routes

No designated “Safe Routes to Schools”

routes
Bicycle parking inadequate at many parks,
 Image from City of Edina
Comprehensive Bicycle Plan
schools, work places
No community bicycling groups or advocacy

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4. Culture Change Supported…
In 2006 a catalyst was the 2006 Community Attitude & Interest
Citizen Survey for Edina: “Walking and Biking Trails” most
important overall
As a result, Edina’s leadership (Mayor, City Manager, Engineering, Park & Recreation,
and others supported the overall needs with high-level planning)
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5. Culture Change: Help from the top-down
2008 City of Edina Comprehensive Plan objectives:
“Develop and maintain a coordinated and balanced

transportation system that provides a variety of choices
among transportation modes.”
“Improve community health and fitness.”

“Maintain a quality, sustainable environment.”

Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson
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6. Culture Change Initiated …Part I of II
In 2006 the City of Edina initiated the Bike Edina Task Force,
whose vision was “…a progressive bicycle-friendly community
where citizens can integrate cycling into their daily lives.”
Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson
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7. Culture Change Initiated …Part II of II
In 2007 the City of Edina allocated grant money from Blue
Cross/Blue Shield to hire Community Design Group to work with
the Bike Edina Task Force to develop a Comprehensive Bicycle
Transportation Plan with these goals:
Increase safety for cyclists

Improve connections within Edina

Improve connections to adjoining

communities and regional bicycle
networks
Photos courtesy Kirk Johnson
Increase opportunities for active living
 A portion of BETF and Community Design Group
members in spring of 2007 to commence building the
Increase opportunities for bicycling as City of Edina Bicycle Plan

transportation option
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8. Community Engagement
The Bike Edina Task Force joined forces with Community Design
Group and other stakeholders to engage the community in a variety
of ways to build awareness about our transportation goals.
Approaches that worked for us (examples on next slides):
1. Group Rides
2. Education
3. Relationships with City staff
4. Partner with local groups
5. Seek citizen input
Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson
6. Assist with implementing the plan
7. Communicate via digital tools
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9. Engagement Activity #1: Lead Community Rides
BETF led weekly community rides (26 total) in the first half of
2007 to gain awareness, promote interest and visibility. We’ve
established several annual events and ongoing ride activities.
Photo courtesy S. Jefferson
Edina 1st Annual Polar Bear Ride
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10. Engagement Activity #2: Educate Young & Old
BETF preparing to present Bike
BETF partnering with youth organizers
Commuting topics
for a “Bicycle Rodeo”
Photos courtesy Kirk Johnson
BETF members educated at dozens of public forums including
adults, kids, bicycling clubs, and several journalism forums 2007-8
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11. Engagement Activity #3: Build Rapport with City Staff
BETF enjoys “Ride with the Mayor” in 2008
Photos courtesy Alex Johnson
Discussing multi-purpose trail near rail line…
City Council members, City Engineer, Educators, residents, and more participated
BETF members met with City Council informally over coffee, breakfast, and frequent
communications to build relationships, get input, and socialize parts of the Bike Plan
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12. Engagement Activity #4: Partner with Local Groups
BETF joins local Rotary Club on
various biking progress and
BETF Partners with South View
opportunities
Middle School bicycling
community service project
Photos Courtesy Kirk Johnson
BETF partnered with many local and neighboring community groups in 2007-2008
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13. Engagement Activity #5: Seek Citizen Input
BETF/CDG Bike Plan Input & Bike Art Open Houses: Input on Nine Mile Creek Trail
“Design Charrette” with Three Rivers Park
District
Photos Courtesy Kirk Johnson
BETF hosted information tables at all City Comprehensive Planning Quadrant
Meetings, various public forums, and engaged citizens to attend specific City Hall
meetings
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14. Engagement Activity #6: Prioritize, Divide, and Conquer
Every priority requires community support for success: BETF updates and
communicates formally its priority plans and progress to City Manager, Mayor, City
Council, Transportation Commission, and other stakeholders
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Excerpt from 2008 BETF Meeting Minutes

15. Engagement Activity #7: Communicate & Presence
BETF promotes a “brand” and connects with residents via websites, blogs, and other
digital media. Objective is to ensure transparency and continuous news & feedback for
a growing bicycle community.
Blog with Comment Area (developing)
Community Website
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16. What Did We Learn?
Because the community was engaged, we
were able to build a quality Bicycle
Transportation Plan that included a bikeway
route network based on specific rationale.
Grassroots “bottom-up” support was critical.
City staff and leadership deserve significant
credit in empowering the BETF to gather
community opinions and needs. Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson
Our community involvement and interest
supported the City to hire our consultants
from the Community Design Group to show
us what was possible – to imagine a better
future, plan it out, and then actually work on
making it happen.
Examples of planning and
vision that are now
represented in the Bike Plan: Photo courtesy Alex Johnson
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29. Outcome
Ultimately the hard work paid off: The plan
was submitted in 2007 and approved in
2008. Today, in 2009, the BETF still exists
and is 14 members strong.
Because of community engagement and
support…
Edina implemented its first on-road bicycle
lanes on Interlachen Boulevard.
Edina designed and implemented its first
“Share the Road” signs for Wooddale Avenue.
Edina applied for additional grants and the
BETF is actively pursuing 10 bicycle projects
related to education, infrastructure, and
promotion.
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30. Key Lessons Learned
Courtesy Minneapolis Bike Love
…Work with City leadership to get formal support when possible. Find
advocates and work constructively together.
…Organize citizens and local stakeholders for bottom-up, grassroots change.
Getting expert consulting to leverage community needs proved to be vital in
producing a workable Bike Plan. Consider engagement activities shown
above (re-cap):
Activities related to your cause (art projects, fun activities, etc.)
•
Education
•
Build relationships with City leaders…partner closely
•
Partner with local groups (Rotary, environment groups)
•
Seek citizen input (open houses, charrettes)
•
Assist with implementing the plan: Formalize projects with City staff
•
Brand your cause and communicate digitally, in print, cable TV, etc.
•
Questions / Discussion Time
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31. Contacts
Matthew Lang is a Community Design Group Partner. He is an
experienced, passionate livable communities advocate who
works assisting communities in developing pedestrian, bicycle
and transit-friendly land use and transportation policies.
Car-free since 2001, Matthew has traveled extensively to
people-oriented cities in Europe and the US (including
spending a year living in Paris, France where he studied at
the Parisian Center for Critical Studies), and has developed a
deep expertise in urban design standards and practices,
transportation and land use research, and best practices.
Photo courtesy CDG
Office: 612-354-2901
Kirk Johnson is an all-season bicycle commuter since 2006.
As a citizen volunteer, he chairs the Bike Edina Task Force,
serves on the Hennepin County Bicycle Advisory Committee,
and is on the Board of Directors for the Twin Cities Streets for
People.
Kirk is involved with bicycle transportation as a lifestyle and
is committed to improving the viability for biking as a popular
transportation option for current and future generations. Kirk
is a software project manager and has a wife and three
school-aged kids.
Kirk.Johnson@LoganLogic.com
Cell: 612-916-9966
Photo courtesy Alex Johnson
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