Hello, Richfield Bike Routes

Richfield’s Bicycle Master Plan is helping to safely connect residents of the City with its many amenities. Currently, there are about 29 existing miles of bike routes for residents who want to pedal to parks, shopping, and restaurants—with about 24 miles of additional routes coming! The additional bike routes will be placed on the streets that have undergone the mill and overlay project.

 

Planned Routes Map (As of 2019)

The City of Richfield has plenty of facilities for bicyclists of all ages and abilities:

  • Trails
  • Share the road designations
  • Protected bike lanes
  • Buffered bike lanes
  • Cycle tracks
Bicycle Education and Safety

Notice the Sharrows

You’ve probably seen these painted signs on Richfield streets. They’re sharrow markings, alerting everyone that the road is designed to be shared by bicyclists and cars. Sharrows, also known as shared lanes, are marked in order to:

  • Alert drivers to the likely presence of bicyclists
  • Provide a safe and consistent location for bicyclists (i.e., the bike is ridden right over the symbols!)
  • Encourage safer practices for both drivers and bicyclists (i.e, communicating when passing is allowed, showing the correct direction, and drawing attention to bicyclists)

When using shared lanes, keep these guidelines in mind to optimize your safety.

  • Follow the law: Obey all traffic signs and signals. Ride in the same direction as traffic.
  • Be predictable: Maintain a straight course and avoid weaving between parked cars.
  • Communicate your intent: Look, yield to traffic, and signal before turning or changing lanes.
  • Use extreme caution near commercial vehicles: Pass only on the left and recognize drivers’ blind spots.
  • See and be seen: Wear bright colors and reflective gear, and use headlights and taillights.
  • Protect yourself: Wear a helmet.
  • Stick to roads and trails: Sidewalk riding puts you at risk of crashes at driveways and intersections. Always yield to pedestrians.
  • Avoid distracted bicycling: Put away mobile devices and headphones.
Riding the Roundabouts

Do you know how to maneuver through a roundabout when you’re on your bicycle? It’s easier than you think!

Like motor vehicles, bicyclists must obey the rules of the roundabout as they proceed through the intersection. Bicyclists can choose to ride through the roundabout with traffic, or walk their bicycles through the pedestrian crosswalks. Bicyclist should use extra caution when transitioning from bike paths, roads and sidewalks. Bicyclists are considered pedestrians if they are lawfully operating their bike on a sidewalk or crosswalk.

Learn more about Richfield roundabouts

We are a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community!

The City of Richfield is excited to announce that in late 2022 we were designated a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists! The award recognizes Richfield for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. Richfield is 1 of 7 cities in Minnesota and 1 of 112 cities nationwide to have been awarded the Silver-level designation!

The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. Earlier this year, the League made major updates to add and integrate equity and accessibility into the program’s application and emphasize the importance of building and connecting low-speed and low-stress bike networks.

The City would like to recognize Richfield Public Schools and Walk Bike Richfield for their time and effort in pursuing this award and making Richfield a leading Bicycle Friendly Community!