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].
Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour — Sunday, September 10
The Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour returns this September for its 29th annual run! Hosted by BikeMN, the St. Paul Classic takes thousands of participants on a tour through the capital city, with proceeds going toward bicycle advocacy causes. The Classic will begin and end at Como Lakeside Pavilion on the morning of September 10, with rest stops along the way to provide refreshments and entertainment. Note that registration is required — you can do so here — and is capped at 2,500 riders. (No day-of registration!) Get more details on the tour and its route through the event page and FAQ.
Northfield Rotary Bike Tour — Saturday, September 9
Each year after Labor Day, the town of Northfield celebrates its ultimate defeat of a gang of bank robbers back in September 1876 with the Defeat of Jesse James Days. Among our favorite activities in the five-day event, the Northfield Rotary Bike Tour has grown increasingly family-friendly over the years — with road rides starting at just 6 miles — but without sacrificing the endurance of a 100-mile century road ride or the challenge of a 30- or 52-mile gravel ride.
Benefiting the Rotary Club of Northfield’s good works, which include one of the state’s best international exchange programs for high school students, the bike tour begins at 7:30 a.m., with registration and check-in starting at 7 a.m. Day-of registration is allowed, for a higher fee. If you live in or around Northfield, you’ll appreciate the supported ride on hilly terrain; if you’re an urban cyclist, this one is worth the drive for the scenery and small-town hospitality.
Contact Officials to Protect Improvements at 42nd and Cedar
On August 21 Streets.mn published Bring Bike Love to 42nd and Cedar in Minneapolis. Continue to show support for those multimodal improvements by contacting the office of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, the Minneapolis City Council and, most importantly, your Hennepin County Commissioner about the intersection.
County and city officials are discussing whether to modify the intersection in a way that could sacrifice air quality, carbon pollution reduction and public safety for the sake of bringing back parking. Let them know what your priorities are and that you intend to support the business owners at this intersection because of the infrastructure improvements. Share with them any experiences, stories or hard data about how business owners thrive after cities become more bike and pedestrian-friendly.
Car-Free MSP 2023 — Through September
Following last year’s success, Car-Free MSP, a month-long effort to highlight alternative modes of transportation, returns this September. Five regional partners — Move Minneapolis, Move Minnesota, Metro Transit, Anoka County Commute Solutions and Commuter Services (part of the I-494 Corridor Commission) — are teaming up to celebrate World Car-Free day on September 22 by promoting opportunities to go car-free throughout the month of September. Additionally, those who pledge to take at least one car-free trip during September will be entered into a drawing to win an ebike, bike light or gift basket! Check out the list of relevant events and opportunities to go car-free here — including Car-Free MSP’s World Car-Free Day celebration at the Wabun Picnic Area on September 22 at 5 p.m.