Mission/Vision

Greater Mankato Bike and Walk Advocates (GMBWA) encourage individuals and families to walk and bike as part of a fun and healthy lifestyle. We also view biking and walking as important solutions to many environmental problems.  GMBWA works with city, county and state governments, businesses and nongovernmental organizations to improve our area communities’ infrastructure and opportunities for walking and biking.  We support community bike education, as well as events such as Bike and Walk Month, and the River Valley 100.  GMBWA offers small grants to local groups. If you have an idea and are interested, reach out to us through the contact tab. Application form below.

Board Members

History

In 2010, GMBWA was formed to increase biking and walking in the Greater Mankato area. Our initial goal was to become a Bike Friendly Community. Since then, GMBWA has supported dozens of educational and fun bike rodeos and rides throughout the region for groups ranging from My Place kids to adult history and transportation professionals.   

2010: 

• Became an affiliated committee of BikeMN 

• Submitted Bike Friendly Community application  

2011: 

• Received an Honorable Mention Bike Friendly Community 

• Held first Bike and Walk week 

• Mankato Area Transportation and Planning Study to include bike routes on streets was approved 

• Held first Mankato River Ramble, with 1500 participants 

• Sponsored first bicycle education classes  

• City of Mankato began installing bike racks 

2012: 

• Installed Kiosks along trails

• Funded tools for Mankato Area Mountain Bikers 

2013: 

• Held first River Valley 100 

• Funded Weagle Well, bike parking stations, and Blue Skunk Bike Polo Club 

• Supported Bike and Walk to School Day in Mankato 

2014: 

• Board members attended city meetings and wrote a letter to the City of Mankato to encourage follow through of MATAPS plan.  

• City painted first bike lanes on streets. 

2015: 

• Mankato adapted Complete Streets policy 

• Received commitment from District 77 for 2 elementary schools to hold pilot Bike and Walk education using BikeMN bikes. 

2016: 

• Sponsored first successful Kennedy Elementary Bike Education class 

• Held Bike Rodeo at Truman  for 120 students. 

• Led District 77 Elementary PE teacher Bike Ed training 

2017: 

• Blue Earth County SHIP received a grant from Super Bowl funds for $52000 to purchase 2 bike fleets. 

• Supported Key City Bike relocation 

• Installed bike repair stations around Mankato area. 

• Supported Mankato Area High School Cycling Team 

2023:

• GMBWA adopteds new logo and abbreviated name for informal activities: Kato Bike Walk 

• GMBWA became a formal chapter of Bike MN.

BikeMN