+ Minneapolis 101

About Minneapolis

• Walk Score: 70. Walk Score measures the walkability of any address using a patented system. For each address, Walk Score analyzes hundreds of walking routes to nearby amenities. Points are awarded based on the distance to amenities in each category. Amenities within a 5 minute walk (.25 miles) are given maximum points.
• Transit Score: 57. Transit Score measures how well a location is served by public transit based on the distance and type of nearby transit lines.

• Bike Score: 84. Bike Score measures whether an area is good for biking. For a given location, a Bike Score is calculated by measuring bike infrastructure (lanes, trails, etc.), hills, destinations and road connectivity, and the number of bike commuters.

• League of American Cyclists Community Rating: Gold

Maps

• Twin Cities Bike Maps (PDF)

• Transit Map (PDF)

• Nice Ride Bike share Map (Web Map)

Starting from Chicago, if you head northwest for two hours, you hit Madison Wisconsin. Continuing on for another 4 hours, you will arrive in the greater Twin Cities region encompassing St. Paul and Minneapolis, which currently anchor the 14th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Minneapolis was primarily built on grain, and although none of the behemoth mills in town are still in operation, they left behind some big bones. Most importantly for the would-be visiting cyclist, the mills once required a vast network of rail lines to facilitate all that grain coming in and flour going out, and now that the mills don't need the rail lines, they've been paved over and turned into a sprawling network of cycle paths that connect downtown to pretty much everything around it. Very few other cities have available to them this kind of effortless connectivity over great distances, and Minneapolis has begun to aggressively capitalize on that advantage by turning last century's commercial arteries into this century's version of them. Where once there trundled endless flat cars of midwestern grain, now there cycle endless commuters on their way to earn a living every morning.

+ Biking in Minneapolis

Etiquette

As with most places that have a robust bike commuter scene, expect to hear (and say) "On Your Left" when a faster bike is overtaking anything slower. Most places in Minneapolis have a wide enough path that passing isn't tight or stressful, so it's rarely an issue.

Safety

A front white light and a red rear reflector are required by law when it gets dark, and of course a rear red light is a much better idea than just having a reflector. Bikes must yield to pedestrians who have legally entered marked or unmarked crosswalks (as everywhere else), and there is no mention of a helmet law on the city's website. The infrastructure here is pretty phenomenal, and the biking should be low-stress.

Security

We didn't see or hear of any amazing levels of bike theft while we were in town. We have no reason to believe bike theft is worse than any other similarly sized city with a healthy biking culture, which is to say that the normal rules apply: Ideally you should be bringing your bike inside overnight. When locking up outside, you should be using a high-quality u-lock at minimum, and a u-lock plus a cable around the wheel and seat is even better. Using a cheap cable lock is a signal to bike thieves that you're tired of your bike, and that you would very much like them to come relieve you of it.

Minneapolis Culture

Minneapolis has the "midwestern friendly" ethos in great abundance. People are honest, open, and utterly without guile. The strong Nordic and German heritage, in combination to the close proximity to nearly limitless grain fields, assures the modern day visitor an easy time in locating freshly brewed beer of impeccable quality. Additionally, Minneapolis gets a real winter every year, and that pays some interesting cultural dividends. People who choose to live in a place with a Real Winter tend, on the whole, to be people who are upbeat and adaptable. The trivial problems that plague residents of warmer climates simply don't phase people who have adapted to maintaining robust social lives in -20 degrees Fahrenheit. These people keep biking to work, keep going out for dinner, and keep getting outdoors every weekend, no matter what the thermometer says. Expect an uptick in the prevalence of comfort food and good attitudes.

+ Best Bike Rides in Minneapolis

These routes were curated by local folk who wanted to share their #BestBikeRide with you. Print off the map for free!

If you live in Minneapolis and love food, music, art or just being outdoors? Curate a route for us by inquiring here.

+ Bikes

Rentals

BIKE SHARE

• Nice Ride (bike share)- $4 per 30 minutes or $10 for a 3-day pass with unlimited 30 minute rides. These are sturdy city bikes with front bag holder, lights, fully enclosed chain guard and skirt guard.

RENTALS

• Tangletown Bike Shop- $20+ per hour or $65 daily for City or Fat bike, including helmet and lock.

Tours

• Minneapolis by Bike

Bike Shops

• The Cargo Bike Shop - "The Midwest's best selection of cargo, transportation, family, and kids bicycles. Full-service repair shop with 20+ years experience."
• The Hub Bike Coop - "All types of bikes for all types of people" is their mission. "Whether your bike is a rusted, trusted, old three-speed overflowing with sentimental value, or a feather-light carbon speed machine, we want your ride to be safe, fun, and reliable. Whether it's your means of transportation, your escape, or your workhorse for hauling kids or cargo, we want your bike to suit your needs and life."
• Perennial Cycle - the cargo / family / transportation bike shop of Minny. They carry all our favorite bike and accessory brands: Brompton, Linus, Gazelle, Larry v. Harry, Brooks, Basil and more!
• Behind Bars - located in the epicenter of the craft beverage hood in the Northeast, this shop offers maintenance and new and used bikes and accessories.

+ Eats, Drinks and Sights

We're constantly updating this list of our favorite local shops, restaurants, cafes, scenic vistas and other nooks and crannies in Minneapolis.

• Foursquare List- this is the better app for on-the-go exploring
• Pinterest Board

+ Lodging (click to expand)

Hotels

• GRADUATE HOTELS

  Reservations, +1 612-379-8888, 615 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

  Amenities: complimentary bikes

• LOEWS MINNEAPOLIS

  Reservations, +1(877)880-8918, 601 1st Ave N, Minneapolis

  Amenities: located near a bike share station, bike guide

+ Transportation

CITY TRANSIT

• Metro Transit (Map) - 100% of buses and trains have racks that are accessible at all hours

TRAIN

• Empire Builder (Chicago - Milwaukee - Spokane - Portland/Seattle) - "Bicycles/bicycle trailers may be checked in a bicycle container for $10, in lieu of a piece of baggage. Bicycle boxes are sold at most staffed locations for $15 per box."

BUS

• Flix Bus (Minneapolis - Madison - Chicago) - 2 options for bringing your bike onboard: 1) on the rear rack, when available for bikes less than 45 pounds or 2) underneath in baggage for bikes less than 70 pounds, by selecting additional baggage in check-out. No ebikes and bikes underneath must be bagged.

AIRLINES

• Alaska Air- $25 to check bike
• Delta- $150 to check bike
• Frontier- $75 to check bike
• Southwest Airlines- FREE bike check in place of one piece of luggage
• Sun Country Airlines- $75. Sun Country will accept non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats. Bicycles must have the handlebars fixed sideways and the pedals removed, or be placed in a cardboard container, or the pedals and the handlebars must be encased in plastic foam or similar material.