Despite the clouds, it looks like it will be a fine morning for a bike ride, and that's good since today Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges and a number of Minneapolis City Council members will lead group rides Friday as part of Bike to Work Day.
Group rides (listed below) will leave from various points in Minneapolis, but of course, solo riders are encouraged to participate in Bike to Work Day, which is put on by the city and the Minneapolis Bike Coalition and dozens of other groups.
A big celebration will be held at the Hennepin County Government Center at 8:45 a.m. with food, bike services and speakers. Later, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bike expo will feature presentations on the basics of biking to work and local bicycle shops.
A number of Pit Stops in Minneapolis and a few other cities will provide places for bicyclists to meet up for unofficial group rides, and some locations will provide beverages, treats, bike inspections and giveaways.
On Friday afternoon, bicyclists will meet at 4:30 p.m. in Gold Medal Park for an ice cream celebration.
Here is a list of some of the group rides being led by elected officials. Below is a map showing some of the Pit Stops.
• 7:30 a.m. – Council Members Elizabeth Glidden and John Quincy depart from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 4055 Nicollet Ave S.
• 7:45 a.m. – Council Members Reich and Frey depart from the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Avenue NE.
• 7:45 a.m. – The North Minneapolis Bicycle Advocacy Council departs from the North Regional Library, 1315 Lowry Ave N.
• 7:45 a.m. – Council Member Andrew Johnson departs from Fireroast Cafe, 3800 37th Ave. S.
• 8 a.m. – Mayor Hodges, Council Member Lisa Bender and Hennepin County Commissioner Marion Greene depart from the corner of Lake Street and Bryant Avenue South.
