SAINT PAUL CLASSIC BIKE TOUR

The 16th annual Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour will be held on Sunday, September 12, 2010!  A music-filled ride through Saint Paul unveils the beauty of the Capital City and celebrates our historic neighborhoods. Enjoy 15 to 54 miles of mostly traffic-free cycling. The entire course is bicycles only in the direction of travel except along Summit Avenue.

The Saint Paul Classic draws over 6,000 bicyclists, more than any other bike ride in Minnesota. It is known throughout the area for its quality. All proceeds go to support the mission-driven work of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.

The Bike Classic is a great experience for riders of all stripes.  Most of the routes are closed to motorized vehicles.  In this relaxed environment, the tour winds through historic neighborhoods, beautiful parks and parkways, and along the revitalized downtown riverfront.

Join us for this non-competitive, go-at-your-own-pace tour, and enjoy these amenities:

• Choose routes of varying distances. For 2010 we have added a scenic nine-mile loop that crosses the Mississippi River into Lilydale.
• Enjoy traffic-free cycling, with much of the tour closed to motorists.
• Dozens of  police officers, SAG wagons, and medics are all on hand for your safety and convenience.
• Enjoy fresh and local produce and baked goods at each well-stocked rest stop.
• Groove to the live music performed by local artists at each rest stop.
• Participate in an event that champions bicycling.

THE BICYCLE ALLIANCE OF MINNESOTA
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota (BikeMN) is a new statewide nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide leadership and a unified voice for bicycle education, advocacy and efforts to make Minnesota more bicycle friendly so that more people will ride bicycles more often. Our programs in service of this mission include: education, advocacy, events and promotion and technical assistance.

Bicycle Education
One of BikeMN's top priorities is to train bicyclists of all ages to safely navigate the streets, roadways and trails with vehicle traffic, pedestrians and others. BikeMN will use the Smart Cycling curriculum developed by the League of American Bicyclists and taught by volunteer certified League Cycling Instructors.

Events and Promotion
In 2009 the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota became the managing producer of the Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour, Minnesota’s largest cycling event. BikeMN will also partner with others to develop, promote and implement events and other promotions that will encourage more people to ride their bicycles.

Advocacy
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota advocates, in partnership with its members, volunteers and other organizations, for bicycle-friendly programs, policies and facilities statewide. One of the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota's top priorities was the adoption of Complete Streets policies at the state and local level which was signed into law in May, 2010. The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota’s priority is with bicycle issues of state and regional significance. 

Technical Assistance
The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota’s staff and volunteers will provide technical assistance to public agencies, schools, communities, businesses and individuals on efforts to make Minnesota more bicycle friendly so more people bicycle more often.

Contact: Dorian Grilley, Executive Director, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
P.O. Box 65766, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55165. 651-387-2445.
Join now at www.bikemn.org!