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].
Move Minneapolis Bike Week Celebration — Thursday, May 16, 9-10:30 a.m.
May is Bike Month! And, the third week is Bike Week. So, in addition to the warmer weather, there is ample reason to celebrate everything bicycle. I recommend heading to Downtown’s Commons Park on the morning of May 16 to join Move Minneapolis for a Bike Week Celebration — co-hosted by Minneapolis Public Works and Hennepin County — which will include community talks, exhibits, demonstrations and an opportunity to participate in one of several group rides from across the city to Commons Park.
Additionally: Move Minnesota will be hosting several group bike rides across the Twin Cities throughout the rest of May in celebration of Bike Month; check them out here!
Doors Open Minneapolis 2024 — Saturday & Sunday, May 18 & 19
This weekend sees the return of Doors Open Minneapolis (produced by Rethos), a now yearly tradition wherein more than 100 typically exclusive buildings across the city open their doors to the public. Check out a full list of venues here (including an interactive map!). Some spots that might interest our transport-minded community include the Minneapolis Traffic Management Center (open Saturday) and the Metro Transit Blue Line Operations and Maintenance Facility (open Saturday and Sunday), among dozens of other opportunities. Be sure to take advantage of the free ride pass Metro Transit is offering for the event!
Take a Joyride on the Borealis — Service Beginning Tuesday, May 21
After decades of only a single train per day, the Twin Cities will at last receive an upgrade to Chicago-bound Amtrak service starting on May 21. The Borealis (known in development as the TCMC) will add a second daily round of trains to Chicago to supplement the existing Empire Builder service. The new trips depart and arrive at more convenient times (11:50 a.m. and 6:29 p.m., respectively, at St. Paul’s Union Depot), have cheaper tickets (starting at $41) and are expected to have better on-time performance. My suggestion: Take a joyride to celebrate the long-fought-for improvement!
Livable Lyndale Bike Rally & Ride — Wednesday, May 29, 6-8 p.m.
Hennepin County is continuing its efforts to determine a potential redesign for Lyndale Avenue in South Minneapolis, with the street set for reconstruction in 2027. Move Minnesota’s Livable Lyndale initiative is seeking to ensure that the street is redesigned in an inclusive and equitable manner, with better accommodations for pedestrians, cyclists and transit users. In order to demonstrate the community’s commitment to a more Livable Lyndale, Move Minnesota will be hosting a group ride and rally on May 29. Meet in Painter Park by the tennis courts for the rally, and stay for a group ride along the reconstruction route.
Robert Street Redesign Survey — Through May
Residents of St. Paul’s West Side may be pleased to hear that the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) will be redesigning Robert Street for construction in 2026-2028. Recently released design options include dedicated bike paths, improved medians and better protections for pedestrians. The corridor, along with Rice Street, is currently set to receive transit improvements in the form of the Metro G Line, expected to open around 2028. Take the opportunity to let MnDOT know you support measures to improve the experience for cyclists and pedestrians along Robert Street through this survey, open through the month of May.
Rochester Contributors Workshop — Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.
In case you missed it: Streets.mn, alongside We Bike Rochester and The Rochester Posse, will host a contributors’ workshop on May 11 in Rochester. This is an opportunity to get more involved with Streets.mn and learn about all the aspects of how to develop a story from an excellent team of editors and creators. We hope you’ll join us!
(Note: If you are interested in partnering with Streets.mn to host workshops in other cities across the Minnesota, please contact [email protected].)