Walk the Talk: Festivals, More Bike Tours and Vision Zero

Editor’s note: Walk the Talk is Streets.mn’s carefully curated, highly partisan collection of both serious and fun-loving events, community meetings and opportunities for engagement that we think will interest our readers. Email your ideas to Hawken Habig, one of our daily editors, at [email protected].

Minneapolis Vision Zero Traffic Survey

This one is not an event, but it is still a great opportunity to get involved. Adopted in late 2019, the Vision Zero Action Plan seeks to reduce the number of traffic deaths in Minneapolis (to zero) by creating safer infrastructure and encouraging safer behavior. Now, the city is updating the initiative and seeking feedback on the strategies used to achieve safer traffic speeds on busier streets, including slower speed limits, pedestrian-oriented infrastructure and road diets. Take the survey here.

Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour – Sunday, September 11, 7:30 a.m.

The annual Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour returns on September 11 for its 28th run! The event is hosted by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, a cycling advocacy group focused on community outreach and engagement. The 31-mile loop (excluding an optional 3-mile loop around Phalen Park) begins and ends at Como Lakeside Pavilion, following the recently upgraded Grand Round in St. Paul. Ticket prices range from $15 to $50, and registration will be limited to 2,450 attendants. Click here to register and find more information.

Two routes of different lengths allow riders of all abilities to enjoy the Saint Paul Classic.

Mac-Grove Fest – Saturday, September 10, 11 a.m.

Music, food, vendors and many great activities can be found at this year’s Mac-Grove Fest in St. Paul. The festival begins at 11 a.m. at the Edgcumbe Rec Center Fields, and will feature a variety of activities throughout the day. Hosted by the Macalester-Groveland Community Council, the event seeks to foster community and promote local businesses. Learn more here!

Open Streets West Broadway – Saturday, September 10, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The popular Open Streets Minneapolis, hosted by the 501(c)3 group Our Streets Minneapolis, continues September 10 with West Broadway in North Minneapolis! The festival closes West Broadway to vehicles between Penn and Lyndale, opening the street to pedestrians, bikes and vendors. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m. To learn more, check out the Open Streets website.

About Hawken Habig

Hawken is a student of Urban Studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a copy editor at Streets.mn. He also composes Streets.mn's bi-weekly event listing "Walk the Talk;" email any ideas for events or opportunities to [email protected]!