No one can accuse Katie Jones, Minnesota state representative for District 61A, which covers much of the Hill & Lake Press coverage area, of not living her climate values. In this case, she biked them.
“ My grandfather normalized biking for me as a mode of transportation at any age”
On a day in late February, Jones, a first-term representative running for re-election, was chauffeured to the Mother Baby Center in a cargo e-bike by her husband, Peter Schmitt.
A few days later, they made the return trip home on the same bike with a special passenger, their newborn son, Hans.
Jones and Schmitt live in the Wedge, not far from the Mother Baby Center in Phillips, and benefited from protected bike lanes to and from the hospital.
Still, this was a ride like no other. During Jones’ pregnancy, the couple tested multiple route options, including 24th Street, 26th and 28th streets and the Midtown Greenway.
They ultimately chose 26th and 28th streets for their protected bike lanes, minimal hills and relatively clear conditions.
Once settled into an infant carrier, Hans slept most of the way home, as Jones documented on Instagram. Their pediatrician, Jones said, supported the decision after learning about the safety measures they had in place.
Jones has spoken publicly about her environmentally friendly lifestyle before, including writing about her straw-built home. The bike ride to motherhood was not a one-off decision.
In 2018, the couple sold their car through a buyback program after realizing they rarely used it and had access to alternatives such as car share services.
Her inspiration goes back even further. Jones recalls her grandfather, a doctor, biking to work in their small town into his 90s.
“My grandfather normalized biking for me as a mode of transportation at any age,” Jones said.
Whether Hans will continue the family’s climate-friendly commuting tradition remains to be seen.
Paula Chesley is a regular contributor. She lives in East Isles
