In November 2019, a 30-year-old man named Alex Wolf was killed in downtown Minneapolis when a semi-truck turned into his bike lane. Wolf was struck and died at the scene. Wolf was an avid cyclist who had worked at a bike shop and was featured in a documentary on bike messengers. He even took part in Vision Zero Minneapolis events - a program advocating for bike and pedestrian safety awareness and lowering speed limits.

Speed limits on Minneapolis streets are now 20 mph unless posted otherwise. Larger arterial streets are 25 mph, with a few higher posted speed exceptions such as West Lake Street near Bde Maka Ska, and Cedar Avenue over Lake Nokomis. County- and State-controlled roads are outside the city's jurisdiction and their speed limits have not changed.

Vision Zero Minneapolis aims to cut traffic deaths on city streets to zero by 2027. Speed dramatically increases the odds of injury or death. Studies have shown that a pedestrian hit at 35 mph is three times as likely to die as someone hit at 25 mph. Lower speeds also provide drivers more reaction time to stop before crashes happen. It is vital that walkers, bicyclists, and workers heading to and from transit stops feel safe on the streets that are dominated by car traffic.

City of Minneapolis Vision Zero Crash Study (2018) found that 80% of pedestrian deaths and severe injuries occurred on only 10% of streets - including a high percentage of downtown streets. While cyclists made 5 percent of trips in the city, they accounted for almost 20 percent of crash fatalities. Pedestrians make up 20 percent of the city’s commuters but totaled 30 percent of all deaths and injuries. Lower speed limits are also a racial equity issue due to the number of deaths and injuries disproportionately impacting people and neighborhoods of color.

The proposed Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan’s climate change initiatives increase the percentage of commuters who bike, walk, and use transit. These commuting options are vital in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and the growing number commuters taking part deserve to feel safe sharing city streets with cars. 

WEBINAR:

Curbing Traffic Violence - Strategies for Safer Streets

FlexPass is an innovative monthly parking option for ABC Ramps contract holders or those interested is starting a contract. FlexPass provides the option to drive less, save money, and use transit some days without losing contract parking privileges. The University of Minnesota seeks participants to join a research study to help evaluate FlexPass for commuters. Anyone interested in purchasing a parking contract at ABC Ramps can participate in the study, including existing ABC Ramps contract holders.

We’re pleased to present The Move Minneapolis Guide to Remote Work, your handbook to all things telework. This comprehensive guide is designed for employers, managers, and workers navigating the seismic work culture changes of 2020. From pragmatic discussion on using online management apps, to maximizing productivity and cost savings, navigating legal and tax considerations, and balancing home-work life when the office is your home, our guide provides a foundation for teleworking best practices along with real-life answers to unexpected situations.

The Move Minneapolis Guide to Remote Work downloadable pdf is updated regularly with the latest data, studies and real-life stories on teleworking. Download your free copy today.

Should you consider buying or leasing new space or remodel what you already have? What about downsizing to prepare for continued remote work? Every CEO and CFO has a different situation, but they're all asking, "What now?" Guest speaker Tina Hoye, real estate broker and principal of NTH, applies her expertise in negotiating leases and managing design and construction for the commercial and nonprofit property market.

Qualified Transportation Benefits, also known as Commuter Benefits, are designed to help employees reduce their costs of commuting. How does this section of the IRS tax code affect employees involved in last spring's rapid rush to telework? Can they write off expenses for their new home offices? Are there any additional savings for their employers? Ed Sturm and Tammie Eichmann from Deloitte will illuminate in plain English the 2020 updates to the federal tax code for employer-sponsored transit, vanpool, biking, and parking benefits. They also give a refresher on what is deductible and what is taxable in Section 132(f) of the IRS tax code.

Support is provided by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant in partnership with the United States Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council, the City of Minneapolis, MnDOT, Hennepin County, and the downtown community.