Münster officials visit Med City to discuss the climate and infrastructure - KIMT 3

Münster officials visit Med City to discuss the climate and infrastructure | News | kimt.com

ROCHESTER, Minn.-A group of officials from Münster, Germany visited the Med City this week to discuss the climate and sustainable infrastructure with city officials.

Both Münster and Rochester have been working towards increasing bike infrastructure and becoming sustainable.

Rochester Mayor Kim Norton says, "Well we have different goals I think but we both have the goal of addressing climate change and climate protection

Münster Mayor Markus Lewe says, "This is not only climate protection, climate change, it's very important but also education and social welfare is also very important.

While the delegation has been in town, both mayors have been discussing where their respective towns are currently in terms of bikeability and the biking community. According to the mayor from Münster, there are more trails in the Med City than there are bikers and more bikers in Europe than trails.

"I'm very surprised how fast the structures change here. I think Rochester is a huge changing city and this is very important to how we can adapt some of the ideas," said Lewe. "First of all, what is the structure of the governance of the administration, who are the partners for change and processes, how you can organize participation processes with the citizens."

The towns have been in a partnership since 2019, exchanging ideas and working to improve bikeability and walkability so everything important is within 15 minutes.

Norton says, "We have been transforming our bike infrastructure, that is not without controversy because it is change but its something we need to do not only for the climate but also because we're a growing community with more people and they're going to have to find easier and faster ways to get across town."

With growing populations and increasing bike communities, adding and changing infrastructure to match the demand is important to both towns.

Lewe says, "We have to work for our children, grandchildren, we have to create a world where that also the young people get a chance to live in this world and so we are responsible in our local frame to work for a better world."

If you would like to go for a bike ride in the Med City, you can find an overview of bike trails here and maps for individual trails and loops