Community Engagement to Change Transportation CultureA case study with the Bike Edina Task Force / Community Design Group

February 10, 2009

2009 Clean Energy Resource Teams Conference

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Case Study Overview

A more sustainable transportation culture change in the making

Engaging the community to create a high-quality Bicycle Plan…and make it happen

What we learned / group discussion

Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson

Photo courtesy CDG on location in Edina

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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,

schools, work places

No community bicycling groups or advocacy

Image from City of Edina Comprehensive Bicycle Plan

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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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Culture Change: Help from the top-down

“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.”

2008 City of Edina Comprehensive Plan objectives:

Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson

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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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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:

A portion of BETF and Community Design Group members in spring of 2007 to commence building the City of Edina Bicycle Plan

Increase safety for cyclists

Improve connections within Edina

Improve connections to adjoining

communities and regional bicycle

networks

Increase opportunities for active living

Increase opportunities for bicycling as

transportation option

Culture Change Initiated …Part II of II

Photos courtesy Kirk Johnson

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Community Engagement

1. Group Rides

2. Education

3. Relationships with City staff

4. Partner with local groups

5. Seek citizen input

6. Assist with implementing the plan

7. Communicate via digital tools

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):

Photo courtesy Kirk Johnson

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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.

Edina 1st Annual Polar Bear RidePhoto courtesy S. Jefferson

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Engagement Activity #2: Educate Young & Old

BETF partnering with youth organizers for a “Bicycle Rodeo”

BETF members educated at dozens of public forums including adults, kids, bicycling clubs, and several journalism forums 2007-8

BETF preparing to present Bike Commuting topics

Photos courtesy Kirk Johnson

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Engagement Activity #3: Build Rapport with City Staff

BETF enjoys “Ride with the Mayor” in 2008

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

Photos courtesy Alex Johnson

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Engagement Activity #4: Partner with Local Groups

BETF Partners with South View Middle School bicycling community service project

BETF partnered with many local and neighboring community groups in 2007-2008

BETF joins local Rotary Club on various biking progress and opportunities

Photos Courtesy Kirk Johnson

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Engagement Activity #5: Seek Citizen Input

BETF/CDG Bike Plan Input & Bike Art

BETF hosted information tables at all City Comprehensive Planning Quadrant Meetings, various public forums, and engaged citizens to attend specific City Hall meetings

Open Houses: Input on Nine Mile Creek Trail “Design Charrette” with Three Rivers Park District

Photos Courtesy Kirk Johnson

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Engagement Activity #6: Prioritize, Divide, and ConquerEvery 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

Excerpt from 2008 BETF Meeting Minutes

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Engagement Activity #7: Communicate & Presence

Community Website

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)

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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.

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 Kirk Johnson

Photo courtesy Alex Johnson

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OutcomeUltimately 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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Key Lessons Learned

…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

Courtesy Minneapolis Bike Love

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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.

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.comCell: 612-916-9966

Photo courtesy CDG

Photo courtesy Alex Johnson