Minneapolis Reveals New Cycling Stamps

A set of four postage stamps were unveiled Thursday morning in downtown Minneapolis, celebrating one of Minnesota's favorite hobbies, cycling. The stamps feature four difference stages of bicyclists, from a young child learning how to ride with training wheels to a BMX rider.

The event is a part of Bike Walk Week 2012, when Minnesotans are urged to ditch their cars and find other ways to get around. Thursday is Bike Walk to Work Day, with celebrations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Anoka and Bloomington.

Bicycling is up 52% in the Twin Cities from 2007 to 2011.

"I do it just for exercise, for enjoyment, getting out during the day, stress relief," said Paul Schmid while riding a Nice Ride to work in downtown Minneapolis.

In Minneapolis, 4% of commuters bike to work. The City is hoping that by 2014, the number will jump to 7%.

"You get to see parts of downtown that you've never seen before, and there's usually sharing of smiling between people that are on the bikes anyway," Schmid said.

The Bicycling stamps are available at any local post office. The first-day-of-issue postmark is available by mail for 60 days at the Main Post Office in Minneapolis, 100 S. First Street, Room 127, Minneapolis, MN 55401.

Click here to see view a slideshow of the stamps.