Patrick Cusack

North Mankato Candidate Questionnaire

The following responses were submitted by Patrick Cusack 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 North Mankato?

No

1b. Why or why not?

On quiet residential streets or dedicated trail loops, it feels safe and accessible. However, the moment you have to cross Highway 14 on Lor Ray Drive or head down Commerce Drive, that safety disappears. A painted line on a high-speed road doesn't offer real protection against fast-moving traffic, and sudden sidewalk gaps or unplowed crosswalk ramps force people directly into the street.

Safe infrastructure shouldn't stop at quiet neighborhood borders.

My focus on Council is fixing those critical gap areas building physically separated paths along high-speed corridors, improving major road crossings, and keeping sidewalks clear year-round so active transportation is safe, practical, and connected for all of our working families, students, and seniors.

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

Safe roads aren't just for cars they are for kids walking to school, seniors using mobility scooters, and neighbors biking to work or running errands. Walking and rolling safely is a core part of a Neighborhood-First approach to our local infrastructure.

My Four-Point Infrastructure Plan:

Maintain the Foundation: Prioritize repairing cracked sidewalks, updating curb ramps, and clearing debris from existing lanes.

Connect the Network: Complete trail gaps and construct physically separated paths along higher-speed corridors.

Protect School & Park Zones: Upgrade crosswalk visibility near neighborhood destinations and strengthen Safe Routes to School.

Equip Local Businesses: Install functional bike storage near commercial centers and community initiatives like a local grocery co-op.

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.

Every neighborhood in North Mankato deserves safe, seamless access to our local trails. To connect our trail network, I support four practical infrastructure priorities:

Major Road Crossings: Upgrade overpasses and key intersections along Highway 14 and Lor Ray Drive with protected paths and pedestrian signals.

Neighborhood "Spur" Paths: Construct short, paved connections at residential dead-ends to link neighborhoods directly to adjacent parks and trails.

Close Sidewalk Gaps: Eliminate short 1-to-2 block missing sidewalk segments to ensure safe passage for strollers, bikes, and mobility scooters.

Neighborhood Greenways: Designate low-speed residential streets with clear signage and painted markings to safely share the road.

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

To encourage alternatives to driving like biking, walking, and rolling in North Mankato, the city needs a balanced combination of smart infrastructure, practical community incentives, and clear local policy. It isn't just about encouraging people to leave the car at home; it’s about making sure alternative options are genuinely safe, convenient, and affordable for working families, students, and seniors.

We can achieve this by partnering with local entities and regional coalitions to establish Safe Routes to School partnerships, implement high-visibility safety lighting, and incentivize bike parking at local businesses.

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

Shared micro-mobility like rental e-scooters and bike-shares can be a great tool for connecting neighborhoods, reducing traffic, and giving residents low-cost transit options. However, without clear rules, vendor programs can easily lead to cluttered sidewalks, blocked handicap ramps, and safety hazards.

We can enjoy these benefits while protecting our public spaces by establishing designated parking zones to prevent sidewalk clutter, enforcing clear speed and zone limits, requiring full vendor accountability at zero cost to taxpayers, and promoting helmet safety.

By setting firm, sensible ground rules, North Mankato can offer convenient active transportation options while keeping our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods clean and safe.

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.

We need to streamline the resident request process by plugging directly into the city’s formal Traffic Calming Request Program alongside neighborhood groups. When residents have a clear, straightforward path to flag cut-through hazards, gather input, and work hand-in-hand with the Traffic and Safety Committee, we can get practical safety solutions implemented much faster.

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?

Improving winter walkability and mobility device accessibility requires a proactive, community-wide plan. In Minnesota winters, snow-packed corners, icy ridges, and plowed-in crosswalks create severe barriers for wheelchair users, seniors, parents with strollers, and pedestrians trying to get to work or school safely.

A Neighborhood-First strategy keeps our sidewalks, ramps, and trails accessible year-round by expanding municipal intersection clearing, prioritizing core arterial paths and main trails, launching a community "Snow Angels" volunteer program for vulnerable neighbors, and adjusting plow operations to prevent heavy windrows at key pedestrian crosswalks. Together, these practical steps will keep North Mankato moving safely, no matter what winter throws our way.

9. How can the city work with local businesses to improve bike parking throughout North Mankato?

To improve bike parking across North Mankato, the city can build strong partnerships with local business owners using small incentives, streamlined rules, and community collaboration. Providing safe, convenient places to lock up bikes encourages residents to run local errands on two wheels, boosting commercial activity without cluttering our streets. We can make this happen by establishing a small business micro-grant match for bike rack installation, streamlining the city permitting process for sidewalk amenities, and partnering with local commercial hubs.

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

Vehicle and walking. I enjoy walking quite a bit but the lack of sidewalks does make it challenging at times. I use my vehicle more so for getting tasks done on a timely manner.

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

Yes