Willmar Bikes

04/11/2026

🚲/🛴 + 🪖

“We were careful parents. Stella was responsible. We never imagined something like this would happen to our family, but all it took was one ride without a helmet.”

Danielle Michels’ words are painful. As a parent, the loss is unimaginable.

During a family camping trip in 2024, 14-year-old Stella suffered a brain injury in an e-scooter crash and died months later.

The Michels spoke at a news conference by Regions and Gillette Children’s hospitals about the disturbing increase in injuries involving e-scooters and e-bikes.

Stella’s story is a tragic reminder to wear a helmet every time you ride. To help keep your family safe, ensure any e-bike you buy is legal and appropriate for your child’s age and abilities and go to a reputable bike shop.

Ride safe. Stay safe.

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/04/07/minnesota-doctors-urge-caution-ebikes-escooters-increased-injuries

04/08/2026

Great idea!

04/06/2026

It’s important to know the difference between the two.

We've seen the Associated Press's coverage too, and we're working on it.

03/31/2026

Have you made the pledge? Register for 30 Days of Biking and pledge to ride every day in April at https://30daysofbiking.com/

There’s no minimum distance — down a hill and around your garage count just like a 20-mile commute or a 350-mile charity ride.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣If you miss a day, no worries. Just keep riding and don’t give up! It's all for fun, or as serious as you want it to be. What matters is we’re all in this together.⁣⁣⁣⁣ Share your adventures online with the hashtag .

03/09/2026

A MN State Trail is in the running for best recreational trail! Let’s support our friends at Gitchi-Gami Trail Association by voting daily: https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/57781/

Breaking news: we've been nominated…again 🤩🎉

USA TODAY 10Best Reader's Choice Awards has nominated Gitchi-Gami State Trail for Best Recreational Trail! This 36-mile trail meanders through multiple state parks along the North Shore of Minnesota, offering splendid views of Lake Superior and easy connection to the communities of Schroeder, Lutsen, and Grand Marais. The trail is still being built, and will reach an impressive 86 miles when finished.

We need your vote to reach #1! From now until Monday, Apr. 6, fans can vote for Gitchi-Gami State Trail once per day. Vote now at https://10best.usatoday.com/qr/57781/

Share this news with a friend who also loves the North Shore 💙💚

03/06/2026

Planning on joining any of these?

https://mntrails.com/must-do-bike-rides-in-2026/

Warmer weather got you thinking about bike rides?

We updated our list of top events. Check it out!
👇Link in comments!

03/04/2026

Join AARP and BikeMN on March 18th for a free virtual course on “E-Bike Essentials”. https://www.aarp.org/events/details.ebike-essentials-for-confident-riding.pgnc4bvhmsk

By Erik Noonan Minnesota just released its 2026 Electric-Assisted Bicycle Youth Operation Study, jointly prepared by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. It […]

02/07/2026

Some of the first park rangers in America weren’t rangers at all. They were Buffalo Soldiers—Black Americans who served in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. These soldiers protected wildlife from poachers, built trails, and helped shape the foundations of our national parks.

Interior continues to preserve and honor the history of these first rangers at places like Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Fort Selden National Historic Site, Yosemite National Park and more.

We invite you to explore the numerous sites in the National Park System that have the distinction of possessing a history with these famed soldiers.

02/05/2026

After careful consideration, BikeMN has made the decision not to host our big annual Day on the Hill event during the 2026 Legislative Session.

This decision was made out of an abundance of caution after hearing concerns from both local and Greater Minnesota members who do not feel safe gathering in person given the ongoing presence of federal agents in our communities and the impacts this has on people’s sense of safety. In our conversations with state leadership, and following the direction of state agencies who share our concerns, we believe this is the most responsible path forward at this time.

Simply put, we cannot ensure that the people whose voices have been most excluded from transportation decisions are heard in Saint Paul if the people and communities who carry those voices are afraid or unable to attend in person.

The safety of our members, advocates, staff, and partners is paramount. We remain deeply committed to advancing active transportation and will continue to engage, educate, and advocate through alternative formats. BikeMN will provide assistance and support for those who wish to meet with their legislators virtually, as well as guidance and best practices for effectively writing to legislators. Stay tuned for more information!

Thank you for your honesty, trust, and continued partnership.

01/29/2026

Kudos to the City of Willmar, Minnesota on the continued designation as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community 👏👏 It's exciting to see so many new and renewing communities throughout the US!

01/02/2026

Here are some good tips and reminders for winter riding:

While riding a fat bike is much like riding a regular bike, there is a certain fat bike etiquette to keep in mind this winter season.

12/18/2025

Federal funding for bike trails and safe streets is under threat. Please consider contacting your State Senator and State Representative by December 22, asking them to protect the Transportation Alternatives (TA) program and related active transportation funding. If you would like to learn more about the TA program and the work being done to protect it, additional information and resources are available at the link shared in comments.