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III.3. Proclamation Declaring May as Bike Month; Needham CITY OF HOPKINS City Council Report 2025-080 To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members Mike Mornson, City Manager From: Revée Needham, Community Development Manager Date: May 6, 2025 Subject: Proclamation for Bike Month _____________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDED ACTION MOTION TO Adopt a Proclamation Declaring May as Bike Month. OVERVIEW Since 1956, May has been recognized as National Bike Month, and the League of American Bicyclists has sponsored this celebration of cycling for decades, as a means to advance the movement to build a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. Every year, the League of American Bicyclists, the national organization advocating for a more Bicycle Friendly America for everyone, declares May as National Bike Month. During this celebration of bikes and the people who ride them, Hopkins and cities across the nation are called upon to get as many people riding as possible. This year’s Bike to Work Week is May 12th-18th and Friday, May 16th is Bike to Work Day. Encouraging more people to go places by bike is beneficial to Hopkins’s social, economic and environmental growth. A number of bicycling events are scheduled during May and throughout the year. Access Hopkins is a volunteer citizen advocate group to ensure biking, walking, and rolling are safe, easy and joyful for people of all backgrounds & identities. Access Hopkins is hosting an introduction to bike camping trip on June 21st. Emily Johanneck of Access Hopkins will attend the City Council meeting to accept the proclamation. The Hopkins Activity Center Senior Bike Club has started for the season. There are three weekly group rides available: • Active Rides on Mondays at 9:00am • E-Bike Rides on Wednesdays at 9:00am • Recreational Rides on Wednesdays at 6:00pm Seniors who are interested can learn more and register for the season online. Tonka Cycle and Ski offers Road Rides on Wednesdays, Mountain Bike Rides and Skills Workshops on Sundays, a seminar on Bike Touring on May 22nd, and a seminar on Bike Nutrition on May 27th. Learn more and register online. Planning and Economic Development In addition, Hopkins will be part of the second annual Twin Cities Bike Tour on September 14th, with a rest stop at the Depot. Learn more and register online. SUPPORTING INFORMATION • Proclamation Declaring May as Bike Month • Hyperlink to Bike Minnesota Website A Proclamation declaring May as Bike Month WHEREAS, throughout the month of May, the City of Hopkins will celebrate biking and the freedom, the joy, and the well-being it imbues within us, as well as the power that more people riding bikes has in making life better for everyone; and WHEREAS, bicycling has been shown to improve citizens’ health, well-being, and quality of life, growing the economy of the City of Hopkins, attracting tourism dollars and local business spending, and reducing pollution, congestion and parking costs on our streets and roads; and WHEREAS, Hopkins is fortunate to have five Regional bike trails converging in Hopkins and robust local pedestrian and biking infrastructure, resulting in a bike score of 70; and WHEREAS, the City of Hopkins was once again recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community in 2025; and WHEREAS, Access Hopkins, schools, parks and recreation departments, businesses and civic groups will be joining the League of American Bicyclists in promoting bicycling during the month of May 2025; and WHEREAS, these groups are also promoting the use of the bicycle as both a means of transportation and recreation year-round to attract more visitors to enjoy our local parks and trail systems, as well as restaurants, retail establishments, and cultural and scenic attractions; and WHEREAS, these groups are also promoting greater public awareness of bicycle operation and safety education during Bike Month and year-round in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities and improve health and safety for everyone on the road. NOW THEREFORE, I, Patrick Hanlon, Mayor of the City of Hopkins in the State of Minnesota, along with my fellow Council Members, recognize, adopt, and proclaim this Proclamation to support the many benefits of bicycling as a form of transportation and recreation in Hopkins and to encourage others to join in this special observance. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota to be affixed this 6th day of May in the year 2025. __________________________________________ Patrick Hanlon, Mayor