Hello Streets.mn community,
Welcome to our biweekly newsletter, delivering the latest Streets.mn news and views directly to your inbox! In each issue, our editorial team will provide ongoing stories, news, updates and event information related to Streets.mn, city life and Greater Minnesota.
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New in Streets.mn:
First-time contributor Jack Riely embarks on an odyssey to track down a six-pack of beer in the Kingfield neighborhood of Minneapolis. Along the way, we pick up a few conspiracies, some comic relief and an urbanism lesson on the impacts of zoning.
Of course, lacking beer access isn’t among the most pressing neighborhood needs—especially as the percentage of adults who drink is declining—but Jack offers a refreshing take on the everyday implications of zoning decisions that often leave neighborhoods without many of the basic services people expect.
There are so many great stories to be told about the Minneapolis cycling community. In another first-time contribution, writer Cameron Van Berkum takes a perspective-shifting bike ride and introduces us to Genosack—a group best described as a traveling bikepacking crew, multimedia art project, fundraising collective and custom bike accessory design team… or something like that.
They don’t fit neatly into any one category, and that’s exactly what makes them so compelling—one of those unique, creative groups that remind us why we love Minneapolis.
Speaking of community, board member angela olson returns with Part Three of Aunties of Active Mobility, her ongoing series celebrating “femme/trans/women (FTW) who are leaders — either quietly or overtly — in transportation issues and advocacy throughout Minnesota.”
This installment features two inspiring voices: Cristina, a music-teacher-turned-bike mechanic whose “come as you are” approach is making bike maintenance more accessible; and Laura (also known as Pacha), a maker, educator and founder of Bici Xicas, who splits her time between St. Cloud, Cass Lake and Minneapolis.
We really appreciated Andy Singer’s piece about Government Privatization and Public Engagement. For anyone who has taken part in cumbersome public engagement processes, Andy’s piece will strike a chord. There’s many lessons to be learned here for policymakers, too, especially how and why it’s important for us to build more capacity at agencies to conduct engagement and complete other critical project work.
Ian R. Buck, host of the Streets.mn podcast, wrote an analytical story arguing that we should “Respect the Friend-Density Matrix” when planning a move. In essence, Ian created a process to evaluate where to move based on proximity and travel time to friends. Check out Ian’s spreadsheet (linked in the piece) and use it to inform your next move!
And in case you missed it, check out the most recent installment of Aaron Isaacs’s Quarterly Transit Report: August 2025!
New on the Podcast
This week’s podcast episode featured a discussion of a Bike Exchange organized by Taylor Lahey in Santa Cruz, California. The exchange, inspired in part by Brazil’s Câmbio Verde recycling program (where people exchange waste for bus tokens) brings together bike donors, volunteer mechanics and recipients in need of a bike for a one day event where bikes are repaired and redistributed. All participants receive some form of value (such as bike share vouchers) in return for their contribution, showing a great opportunity for everyone to get rolling.
Here’s What Else We’re Reading:
- On MinnPost: Michael Lander has good ideas for Uptown: Let’s hope someone is listening.
- Watch/Listen: Wedge LIVE!: Reclaiming Public Land at Cedar Lake (w/ Jake Werner).
- Star Tribune writes: Light-rail extension moves ahead with federal approval, but funding for $3B project still uncertain.
- Now through the end of September, comment on the Lyndale Ave South reconstruction project.
- Watch: The duo at Transit Tangents deconstructs the canceling of the Northstar offering some insights of the blunders that were made along the way.
- Contributor and Our Streets board member Laura Mitchell shares her insights and frustrations in this Washington Post piece, highlighting how dangerous streets have chipped away at a fundamental part of childhood: the freedom to roam without fear of traffic and unsafe infrastructure.
- Downtown Voices takes a look at some of the options on the table for the soon to be vacated Graco Riverside campus near downtown Minneapolis.
Walk the Talk — Events
Saint Paul Nut Roll IV — Saturday, Aug 23, 1 to 4 p.m.
Celebrate St. Paul’s very own Salted Nut Roll with a casual bike ride through the city that’s called it home for 70 years. Riders will gather at Bang Brewing around 1 p.m. and roll out shortly thereafter for a social-paced 17-mile loop, including a stop at the Nut Roll factory. Expect good company, sweet (and salty) treats and a relaxed ride through familiar streets. Water, Nut Rolls and good company included! Learn more and register here.
Provide Input on aBRT — by Monday, Sept 1
Metro Transit is expanding its efforts to craft a comprehensive arterial bus rapid transit (aBRT) network, bringing faster and more reliable service to the Twin Cities. With the B Line recently opened, the E Line under construction and planning underway for the F, H and G Lines, the next phase is taking shape. Ten new corridors are currently being considered for future aBRT lines, and Metro Transit is inviting the public to weigh in through an interactive online map. The survey is open through Monday, Sept 1, so take the chance to share your concerns or support the developing system.
BikeMN’s Twin Cities Bike Tour — Sunday Sept 14
The “Metro-Wide Metro-Ride” bike event is back for its second year and the route heads west! Celebrate the best bike metro in the country with BikeMN on this casually paced and fully supported ride. Included this year are three route options at 20, 34 and 41 miles, with several rest stops for water, snacks and music along the way. Learn more about the routes and register by clicking here!
Move Minneapolis Webinar: Riding Downtown on Transit — Wednesday, Sept 3, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
In case you missed it: Move Minneapolis is hosting a free webinar to cover the many additions to the Twin Cities’ transit system and how to navigate them. Move Minneapolis will guide participants through the new options and share everything you need to navigate the Twin Cities with confidence. Learn more and register here!
Love What We Do? We’d Love Your Help!
From now until the end of the summer, Streets.mn needs to raise at least $3,500. This critical funding will allow us to succeed at covering the untold histories of highway impacts as a part of our grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. In addition, we have hired a new managing editor, Cirien Saadeh, who we will introduce in depth with an article very soon. We’re also hoping to put on a contributors’ workshop in Duluth later this fall/winter.
It’s an exciting time to be a contributor and supporter of the work that Streets.mn does and the community we’re building around us.
Join us by making a sustaining donation today! If you can’t donate, spread our newsletter, write or pitch a story, and get involved in the Streets.mn community!
Have a great day!
-Joe, Bryan, Hawken, and the rest of the Streets.mn Editorial Committee