Julia Hamann

Mankato Candidate Questionnaire

The following responses were submitted by Julia Hamann as part of the Greater Mankato Bike & Walk Advocates 2026 Candidate Questionnaire.

Responses are presented as submitted and have not been edited for content.

1. Would (or do) you feel safe biking and/or using an e-scooter as a primary mode of transportation for short and medium-length trips in Mankato?

Yes

1b. Why or why not?

I do not bike often, so my personal experience is limited, but I have not felt unsafe when biking myself. That said, I have heard concerns from community members who are more avid bikers and I know of several who were hit by vehicles while biking in Mankato or felt unsafe biking in parts of town with heavier vehicle traffic.

2. What do you think the city should do to improve safety and convenience of bicycling (and other micromobility) in Mankato?

This is not an area that I have personal insight or expertise, but I am open to feedback from community members that regularly bike or use other micro mobility devices in Mankato. I would also like to learn more from transportation safety experts. I would like to explore expanding bike lanes across the community and imagine that reducing speed limits, and protected bike lanes could improve bike safety in Mankato.

3. Please provide ideas to improve connections to the trail systems for those neighborhoods that don’t have safe access to improve active transportation opportunities.

I would need to learn more from those regularly using these trail systems and experts in this area before I can respond to this. I am certainly open to these conversations and welcome community input on what improvements are needed.

4. What do you think the city should do to promote and/or incentivize alternatives to driving, such as bikes, scooters, and walking, in Mankato?

Ongoing engagement and partnerships with community advocates for improving bike and walkability in Mankato would be supportive for incentivizing alternatives to driving. For example, regular participation in and promotion of GMBWA advocacy walks and rides would show commitment to better understanding needs in this area. Partnerships with local businesses through Greater Mankato growth could also be explored for something like a city wide “Bike or Walk to Work Day.” A commitment to improving safety and accessibility for those using alternatives to driving for transportation seems to be needed as well.

5. What do you think the city’s policy should be on shared scooters, bike-share, and other micromobility devices?

I am open to exploring a scooter and/or bike-share program. I think this could support transportation accessibility in the community and help promote alternatives to driving. That said, I have a limited understanding on what is actually required to implement a city based scooter and bike share program so I would need to learn more about how these programs work in other communities and what would be required of the city before commenting on policy specifics.

6. Should the city consider adding traffic calming to motor vehicle cut-through traffic on residential streets that are often used as thoroughfares?

Yes

6b. If you answered yes to question #6, please provide some traffic calming suggestions.

No response provided.

7. Are you in favor of reducing the speed limit in residential areas to 20 mph, unless otherwise posted?

Yes

8. What can the city do to improve walkability, including wheelchair and other mobility devices, access through the winter, keeping sidewalks and paths clear of snow and ice?

The city should examine the ways current plowing practices are inhibiting accessibility and assess different methods that would support with keeping side walks clear of snow and ice. A commitment to accessibility by the city could also look like taking more responsibility for sidewalk snow removal, at least in areas that have higher traffic of pedestrian or mobility device use.

9. How can the city work with local businesses to improve bike parking throughout Mankato (specifically older businesses that existed prior to adoption of the biking ordinance)?

This is not an area that I am familiar with, but I am open to community feedback and ideas. I am curious if there might be grant programs to support older businesses in building bike parking or if the city could build more bike parking into city spaces that could also be utilized by business patrons. I'm also curious if it might be possible to adjust vehicle parking requirements to allow for one required vehicle space to be used for bike parking instead.

10. What mode(s) of transportation do you use, and why?

I mainly drive largely due to time, comfort, and convenience. When I can, I also try to prioritized walking places- weather and distance permitting. I live in a relatively walkable area to different community spaces I access regularly. I understand alternatives to driving are more supportive to the environment, and I just enjoy being more immersed in the neighborhood when I am walking. I'd love to bike more, but don't currently have a bike that is conducive to navigating Mankato with ease.

11. Would you support the city developing and facilitating an active transportation advisory committee?

Yes