It hasn't even been 100 days, and Nice Ride Minnesota is rolling along at a steady pace. In less than three months, more than 50,000 people have ridden the little green bikes. An amazing feat no doubt.

And, as it now moves forward into its Phase II, exploring options to expand into North Minneapolis, St. Paul and first-ring suburbs, the program continues to draw praise. Not just locally, but nationally, too. Other cities are looking to us to help launch their own similar bike share programs or learn how to best expand.

I couldn't be more excited. I've been fortunate enough to sit on the board of directors of this non-profit since Mayor R.T. Rybak first began touting the idea more than two years ago. It seems like forever ago when we brainstormed the name and identity and all the sudden here we are over the 50,000 ride mark.

I just knew this was going to be successful in my home town. The bike community in Minneapolis is enormous. Everyone has wholly embraced the idea of bike sharing and really proves that Minneapolis truly is the no. 1 biking city in the country. Thanks, Bicycle magazine.

If you've been to downtown Minneapolis at all this summer you already know. The Nice Ride Minnesota bikes are difficult to miss. There are 65 kiosk locations located throughout the metro, and 700 bikes. They're equipped with lights, fenders, and even a basket for carrying a small load. The stations are close for a reason. Few rides will take more than 10 to 15 minutes between destinations.

The best part is almost anyone can ride a Nice Ride bike. You don't need a subscription; with just the swipe of a credit card, you can be on a bike in less than 5 minutes, tooling around the city. I promise you the view from a bike will open your eyes to so many things you've missed while driving around in bumper to bumper traffic.

And as September now arrives, there are even more opportunities to ride.

On Sept. 12, riders across the river are preparing for the annual St. Paul Classic. There, bicyclists converge at the University of St. Thomas that morning of Sept. 12th with plans to ride either a 15 or 30-mile loop free of traffic. The St. Paul police close the majority of the roads, so bikers get the roads to themselves. The routes meander all the way down St. Paul's River Road to throughout the eastern edges of the city.

Cost is $38 for adults now through Sept. 4, after which the price jumps up to $46. Details on that ride can be found here:

http://www.bikeclassic.org/

On Sept. 19, the next weekend, Minneapolis hosts its new annual Minneapolis Bike Tour, which will basically ride the Grand Rounds and then some. With options of a 14 and 37-mile loop along Minneapolis' famed Parkways, this annual ride begins and ends at the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, complete with vendors, food and music, similar to the St. Paul Classic.

Cost for the Minneapolis Bike Tour is $30 for adults through Sept. 15.

All the details on that ride can be found here:
http://www.minneapolisbiketour.com/

In both cases, the rides are fundraisers. For the St. Paul Classic, the money (beyond the costs associated with the event), go to the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. Money raised by the Minneapolis Bike Tour will go to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.

And, as always, Nice Ride Minnesota bikes are available. Just remember to bring a helmet as both rides require them.