[MINNEAPOLIS, MN] — Today, Cycles for Change (C4C) announced the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) was chosen as the partner organization for 2020 Learn to Ride (LTR) programming. The adult LTR classes are funded through Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant through the Metropolitan Council, which is set to expire in September 2020. In mid-February, C4C issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to carry out LTR programming, posting it on their website and sending it to a list of organizations, many of which were recommended by community members. At the conclusion of the RFP process, BikeMN was awarded the contract to complete the end of this very successful LTR program cycle.
“As a board member of the predecessor to Cycles for Change, I was very sad to see that C4C had to cease operations but am very proud that we partnered with them for the past decade and honored that we have the capacity to continue this important work,” said Dorian Grilley, executive director of BikeMN.
BikeMN will act as a subcontractor to the Cycles for Change (C4C) board of directors and will plan, coordinate, conduct, and report on LTR efforts. BikeMN brings a breadth of experience with, and infrastructure for, community bike programming and, specifically, teaching folks to ride bikes. We are committed to fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and equity among participants as we work to provide classes and engage communities in our identified neighborhoods (Frogtown in St. Paul, the East Side in St. Paul, and Phillips in Minneapolis; as determined in the CMAQ grant). BikeMN will work closely with community organizations in these neighborhoods to identify the best outreach tactics and locations for classes.
Currently, BikeMN is diligently working to determine how to proceed with classes while prioritizing the safety and health of participants, staff, and volunteers. We have already begun outreach efforts, building on many existing relationships with community organizations. Keep an eye out for further information from BikeMN. You can visit our website. If you previously volunteered with LTR at C4C, we encourage you to reach out to us to get involved or we may be in touch with you directly if the need arises.
More about BikeMN:
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) is working to make Minnesota a place where bicycling is easy, safe, and fun for everyone. The mission of BikeMN is to unite and strengthen bicycle advocacy, provide education, and work for a more bicycle friendly Minnesota. Visit www.bikemn.org for more.