It has been four years since Falls Area Bicyclists (FAB) appeared before the mayor and city council to advocate for dedicated street funding to create and improve bike connections. At the time, existing funding was largely directed toward adding sidewalks and sidepaths along major arterial road projects on the outskirts of the city, such as Veterans Parkway.
FAB proposed a different approach: allocate a portion of the existing bicycle and pedestrian budget to make inner-city streets safer and more comfortable for riders of all skill levels.
The completion of the 15th Street Bicycle Boulevard is the direct result of those efforts.
What is a Bicycle Boulevard?
A bicycle boulevard is a low-stress street network where biking, walking, and active transportation take priority. Through intentional street design, these routes naturally calm traffic speeds and encourage drivers to share the road while staying alert for more vulnerable street users.
A traffic circle at the corner of 9th Street and Duluth Ave.
Key Features of the Route
The 15th Street Bicycle Boulevard begins at Phillips Avenue and runs along 9th Street. It turns south at Prairie Avenue—crossing the one-way stretches of 10th and 11th Streets—before heading west along 15th Street all the way to the Great Plains Zoo.
Along the route, you’ll find key safety enhancements:
Traffic Calming: Small, neatly landscaped traffic circles encourage drivers to naturally reduce their speed.
High-Visibility Crossings: High-intensity flashing beacons and bicycle-sensing traffic lights help pedestrians and cyclists safely cross busy intersections at Grange Avenue, Kiwanis Avenue, and 10th and 11th Streets.
Enhanced Visibility & Infrastructure: Curb extensions, bump-outs, and dedicated lane markings work together to slow traffic and heighten driver awareness for cyclists, runners, and pedestrians alike.
Bicycle-sensing traffic lights help in crossing 10th and 11th Street
Is It Time for Another Bicycle Boulevard?
With the 15th Street route showing just how effective community-focused street design can be, is it time to start planning for more? The city has an extensive plan for a network of streets, side-paths and trails. The 2023 bicycle plan prioritrizes hundreds of route improvements and expansions. Our goal as a cycling advocacy group is to advise the city where we believe the investment in cycling infrastructure will do the most good.
A curb side mounted button allow a bicyclist to active the flashers without leaving the roadway at the intersection of 15th Street and Grange Ave.
New Tunnels Provide an Opportunity
In-lane green sharrows at traffic circle intersection of Prairie Ave and 9th Street.
