To traverse the lake trail – or around the city – there is a two-wheeler available
The specially-painted bicycles featuring orange cross bars, organized for the Mountain Lake Foundation/Sweet Fields Bike Plan, are in place to get folks rolling on two wheels.
Bicycles are available in a bike share system – at no charge to the public; either city residents or visitors – at three locations around the city. ( Of course, riders are welcome to utilize their own wheels on the route.) They will eventually be housed in bicycle racks. The three current locations are Island View Campground near Lawcon Park and the lake, Heritage Village and Sweet Fields Eatery. (The Sweet Fields location will shifted in the future across 3rd Avenue to a spot at the southeast corner of Mountain Lake City Park.)
The plan also includes colorfully-painted bike route symbol stenciling on city streets to guide bicyclists on the Mountain Lake Trail to downtown, as well as other points of interest around town. Eventually the city bike map will be added to the already available Mountain Lake Trail map.
The Foundation pledged a $2,400 grant as start-up money to cover the cost of the bicycles, bike racks, paint and all maintenance on the bicycles.
Albert Quiram of Windom has been hired to repair and has painted the bicycles that have been collected for the project with a bright orange highlight. Those using a bicycle from the bike share are asked to return it to one of the three bike share locations.
Bike sharing is an innovative new transportation system you can use without having to own your own bike (although you can). Public-uses bikes to be used will be able to be found at three bike racks scattered around the city – the locations yet to be determined. Bikes can be returned to any rack in the system, creating a network with many possible connection points and combinations of departures and arrivals.
