Wooddale Avenue Update
On June 11, city staff published their final report on the project, providing context for the five design options released earlier this month. As we mentioned in our previous newsletter, we favor the designs that prioritize physical protection for cyclists.
Our Stance:
We support Options 2B or 2C, which feature two-way bike lanes separated from car traffic by flexible bollards.
Option 1 is a viable alternative, but only if bollards are added from Wooddale Ln to 56th Street.
While the staff report does not explicitly recommend a single option to the City Council, it points out that Options 1, 2B, and 2C support the city’s strategic goals—whereas maintaining the existing layout does not.
Why we need your help: At the June 16 City Council meeting, nearly 30 people spoke during the community comment period regarding this project. The vast majority live on or near Wooddale and vehemently oppose the safety upgrades. (You can view the video of the comments here, and a Sun Current article summarizing the meeting is attached).
This exact scenario is why the Edina Bike Alliance was created. A small, highly organized group is actively opposing this project, and we need our members to provide a counterweight to those voices.
Action step: The City Council will decide the fate of the Wooddale project at its July 21 meeting. If you haven’t already, please take five minutes today to email the Mayor and all City Council members simultaneously at CityCouncil@EdinaMN.gov. Let them know you support Options 2B or 2C to make Wooddale safer for everyone. If you want to go the extra mile, submit a letter to the editor of the Sun Current here.
Thank you for speaking up for safe streets!
Best,
The Edina Bike Alliance Team
