Bikeable Community Workshop

On May 22nd, WHA Community Ed and the Walker Area Chamber of Commerce collaborated to host a Bikeable Community Workshop.  Walker was chosen as one of eight communities to host a workshop this year, workshops have been going on in the state  since 2011. Representatives from BikeMN, The Department of Health and MnDOT led the group in the process of what it would take to become recognized as a Bikeable Community.  About sixteen members of the community were present at this workshop, there was a resort owner, business owner, representatives from the school, bike enthusiasts who are now retired, bed and breakfast owners, chamber of commerce representatives, representative from the sheriff’s department, the Walker city planner and the Walker mayor.

The group discussed why should a community become a bikeable community? Benefits the environment, benefits personal and public health, benefits the economy, contributes to the community quality of life, practical transportation option for short trips, and many different kinds of people from all age groups enjoy bicycling.  The group looked at where we are at with the 6E’s, Education, Evaluation and Planning, Engineering, Education, Enforcement and Encouragement. A 90 minute bike ride throughout the community helped us assess what things we still could do to improve Walker’s bike-ability. Short-term and long-term goals were discussed in order to reach our goal of being recognized as a gold status Bikeable Community. Another meeting will be held again in the near future to work towards reaching this goal. If you are interested in joining this group to help Walker become recognized as a Bikeable Community contact Roxie Parks at the Leech Lake Chamber of Commerce 547-1313