2 minute read

Bicycle friendly city

from Pine River Area Visitor Guide 2023

by Brainerd Dispatch and Echo Journal

from Pine River Area Visitor Guide 2023, page 4

Article from: Pine River Area Visitor Guide 2023

Welcome Letter

Pine River has more to offer for bicyclists in 2023

Since 1992’s Rails to Trails program converted an unused railroad bed in Pine River into a paved multi-use trail, Pine River has been a landmark on many cyclists’ maps.

Now, the Pine River community is working to make it a biking destination.

In 2022, the Pedal Pine River and Beyond group formed to turn Pine River into a bicycle friendly city with more than just a through trail for bicyclists. The group is on course to put Pine River on the biking map, specifically the Minnesota Bicycle Friendly City Directory.

The group has already increased the number of bicycling events in town, installed new bike racks at area businesses and inspired the start of bicycling clubs.

They still aim to work toward installation of a bike lane on Barclay Avenue for easier access to Pine River businesses, invite businesses to work toward addition in the bicycle friendly business directory and repair the Paul Bunyan Trail.

Pedal Pine River and Beyond made big plans for 2023, including: • A bike-in theater event featuring a ride concluding with an outdoor movie. • An evening dinner bike ride. • Early morning coffee group bike rides. • A bicycle scavenger hunt. • Weekly rides with intensity levels for every person. • A bike club for those who identify as women or nonbinary. • An annual, longer distance ride. • Bicycle maintenance classes. • Basic bike riding class. • Bike riding classes focusing on commuting through traffic.