Minn. DOT seeks public's help with online bike map

With help from the cycling public, the Minnesota Department of Transportation hopes to create the state's first electronic bicycling map.

Through a series of meetings held in eight communities in February and March and an online discussion, transportation officials hoped to get what they needed to improve and replace MnDOT's 2001 printed bike map, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

"You will help develop a new state bicycle map and consistent policies that incorporate bicycle accommodations on future MnDOT projects," the agency said in the invite for public input posted on its website, www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/study.html.

Dorian Grilley, executive director of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, urged fellow cyclists to share there knowledge of existing safe routes and how to make other roadways more accessible to bicyclists.

"Much of the transportation infrastructure, with very little investment, could be significantly improved to make it more bike friendly without causing disruption to traffic or motor vehicle traffic," Grilley told the radio network.