New Bike Lanes And A Cyclist Cafe Coming To N. Mpls
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Biking is getting a boost in North Minneapolis Saturday as new bike lanes and a bike/coffee shop open to service a growing legion of cyclists.
At 11 a.m. Saturday a bike shop and café called Venture North: Bike, Walk and Coffee will open, and by next spring, it is set to be a hub of human-powered transportation.
Venture North is located at 1830 Glenwood Ave. North, and Saturday's grand opening will feature live music and food.
Kristen Klingler of the Minneapolis Health Department said the shop will help promote healthy living in North Minneapolis.
"One of our main issues we're tacking is obesity prevention," Klinger said. "We know that in North Minneapolis, residents have almost twice the rate of certain chronic diseases, like diabetes, obesity and hyper-tension."
Venture North bike shop is partially funded by the city, with a grant from the federal government. The shop's founders hope it will encourage commuters to ride bikes between downtown and the North Side.
Venture North's Jemarte Taylor said the shop will be a great stop for those venturing to and from Minneapolis' landmarks.
"[Venture North is] one mile west of Target Field, so coming back and forth will be amazing. Sit down, have a cup of coffee, somebody take a look at your bike, and then you can be on your way again," Taylor said.
New bike lanes are also set to open Saturday. City authorities said a striped lane will buffer the bike lane against car traffic, making the cycling experience safer and more comfortable.
