Coon Rapids Seeks Community Volunteers For Inaugural Bicycle Count Program

Coon Rapids Seeks Community Volunteers For Inaugural Bicycle Count Program

COON RAPIDS, MN – July 8, 2025 – The City of Coon Rapids is calling on its residents to volunteer for a crucial new initiative: a summer bicycle count program. This effort is a vital first step in implementing the Active Transportation Action Plan, which the City Council adopted in January 2025 with the ambitious goal of making Coon Rapids a safer and more enjoyable place for walking, biking, and "rolling" (including other mobility devices like scooters and wheelchairs).

The newly adopted Active Transportation Action Plan builds upon Coon Rapids' ongoing commitment to expanding its network of trails and sidewalks. It specifically identifies gaps in the city's active transportation infrastructure and highlights opportunities to safely connect these facilities to key community destinations such as schools, retail centers, transit stations, and local parks. The plan emphasizes enhancing connectivity and prioritizing safety for all users.

"Gathering data on how residents are currently biking in the city is an essential part of understanding our current transportation landscape and informing future improvements," explains a city spokesperson. "These bicycle counts will provide valuable insights into ridership patterns, helping us to identify areas where infrastructure is most needed and where our efforts can have the greatest impact."

Volunteers are needed to count bike traffic at 10 designated locations throughout Coon Rapids this summer. Each shift will be two hours long, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, on a weeknight in July or August. The city will provide all necessary training to ensure volunteers are equipped to accurately record data. This typically involves counting all bicyclists crossing a designated "screen line" within a specific timeframe, noting factors like direction of travel and sometimes even demographic information. Such data is instrumental for urban planning, helping cities secure funding for projects, measure the impact of new infrastructure, and advocate for the needs of cyclists.

"We believe that a truly bike-friendly city starts with understanding the needs and habits of our cyclists," adds the spokesperson. "By volunteering for this program, residents can directly contribute to making Coon Rapids a better, more accessible, and more sustainable community for everyone."

Those interested in contributing to a more walk, bike, and roll-friendly Coon Rapids are encouraged to learn more by emailing the City's Sustainability Planner, Olivia Dorow Hovland, at odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov.

About the Active Transportation Action Plan: Adopted by the Coon Rapids City Council in January 2025, the Active Transportation Action Plan outlines strategies to enhance and expand active modes of transportation. It focuses on improving safety, connectivity, and accessibility within the city's network of sidewalks, trails, and bicycle facilities. The plan aims to foster a healthier, more vibrant, and environmentally conscious community.

Contact: Olivia Dorow Hovland Sustainability Planner City of Coon Rapids odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov (763) 767-6458

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