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Community, Infrastructure

More than 100 Rally for Bus and Bike Lanes on Lyndale!

Close to 50 community members rallying in the median at 27th and Lyndale in Minneapolis, holding signs in favor of walking, biking, rolling and riding the bus on Lyndale Avenue

Connecting with our neighbors, dancing to joyful music, and waving brightly colored signs, nearly 100 community members rallied in the median at 27th and Lyndale on Saturday afternoon. 

The energized, intergenerational, multi-modal crowd garnered friendly honks of support from drivers and shared information with passing pedestrians about the once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a Livable Lyndale that’s safe and inviting for everyone. 

“Whether we walk, roll, bike, or bus, we all want to feel safe on our community streets,” Julie Johnson, Move Minnesota’s Senior Community Organizer, told the cheering crowd. “This month, Hennepin County is expected to release its initial design concepts for the reconstruction of Lyndale Avenue South—and we need those designs to plan for people, not the past. We need those designs to include dedicated space for both bus lanes and bike lanes so we can create a thriving future that cultivates neighborhood connection, boosts local businesses, and safeguards our climate future.”

Community members with colorful signs supporting buses and bikes for a Livable Lyndale at a rally in Minneapolis.
Community members rally in the median at Lyndale and 27th in Minneapolis as a Metro Transit bus drives by. A person holds a sign to support better walking and rolling on Lyndale.
A community member at the Livable Lyndale rally in Minneapolis holds a hand-drawn sign that says Bike Lyndale. The sign features a drawing of an adult and two kids riding a cargo bike together on a separated bike lane and ice cream shop in the distance.
A community member at the Livable Lyndale rally in Minneapolis holds a hand-made sign that says "I love biking, bus, rolling/walking, on Lyndale."
An adult and child smile together at the Livable Lyndale rally in Minneapolis. Their signs say "Bikes and Buses" with picture of lanes for each, and "Buses + Bikes = Good for Business!"
Community members in bike helmets at the Livable Lyndale rally in Minneapolis. Their signs say "Bring bus and bike lanes to Lyndale Ave" and a drawing of biking in a bike lane. A crowd of people at the rally is visible in the background.
Two elder community members wearing Livable Lyndale buttons and holding a Livable Lyndale sign at the rally in Minneapolis.
A community member holds a sign supporting biking and busing on Lyndale at the Livable Lyndale rally in Minneapolis.
A group of community members hold Livable Lyndale signs while standing in the median together at Lyndale and 27th in Minneapolis
A community member wearing a black cycling cap and sunglasses holds a sign that says Safe and Accessible Streets over a drawing of a street with people walking, and biking next to businesses
Two community members in the median at 27th and Lyndale, one standing with her purple bicycle and the other holding a sign that says Buses and Bikes on Lyndale Ave!
A community member wearing a black helmet and holding a Livable Lyndale sign on the back of his bike at the rally at 27th and Lyndale
Addressing rally participants, Asa Stanfield, a volunteer with Livable Lyndale, shares why he's involved with the campaign, including the importance of having fast, reliable buses on Lyndale Avenue
Addressing rally participants, Phil Schwartz, with his daughter Holly, shares how past improvements to Lyndale Avenue made it more pleasant for his family to visit and travel along Lyndale Avenue
Addressing rally participants, Julie Johnson from Move Minnesota outlines why it's important for Hennepin County to include bus lanes and bike lanes in the Lyndale Avenue reconstruction design concepts
A multi-generational group pose for a photo at the corner of 27th and Lyndale Avenue, holding signs with slogans like "Lyndale is for people, bikes and buses" and Safe, Accessible Sustainable Lyndale"

Amplifying the sentiments of the more than 1,000 supporters who have signed our Livable Lyndale petition, community champions of the campaign shared their perspectives on why the coming reconstruction is such an exciting opportunity.

Phil Schwartz, a white man with a brown beard, stands next to his young daughter, Holly, with a sign that says "Lyndale 4 Kidz" over a drawing of stick figure people walking and riding bikes under a yellow sun

“While Lyndale has so many things that draw us to the Avenue, the roadway has never really felt safe, especially when I’m with my kids. About five years ago, I was out here pushing for the safety improvements that we’re standing on right now, and they’ve made a huge impact. These medians, along with the 4-3 conversion have resulted in a 58% reduction in crashes, but have also completely shifted the chaotic vibe to something more comfortable. I got involved in the campaign because I know we can build on these improvements and make Lyndale an even better place.” Phil Schwartz

Two community members, including Asa Stanfield, hold signs in the median at 27th and Lyndale that say Lyndale Ave is for Bike Lovers" and "Buses and Bikes on Lyndale Avenue"

“For me, and so many other car-free recent grads and students around the U who love Caffetto, SK, and the vintage shops, Lyndale is only accessible by bus. That’s why it is so important to me that buses on Lyndale are timely and reliable and that walking is safe and comfortable for when transit goers become pedestrians or cyclists when they arrive. With this reconstruction project, bus lanes, bike lanes, and expanded sidewalks can’t be mutually exclusive.” Asa Stanfield (pictured right)

Stina Neel, a white woman wearing glasses and bright red lipstick, holds up a sign that says "Bring bus and bike lanes to Lyndale Ave"

“As an urban planner myself, I know we can make design decisions that center the people who want to spend time here. The Lyndale Avenue we have today was designed almost exclusively for cars before many of us were even born. Across the nation, we no longer build our streets to move cars as quickly as possible, but recognize the immense social, health, and environmental benefits of transit, biking, walking, and rolling. Like so many of my peers, I want to live in a way that lets me leave my car at home and feel more connected to my neighbors.” Stina Neel

Thank you to everyone who attended the rally and has supported the campaign thus far. Let’s keep the momentum going at this critical moment!