These are free online programs and resources that I use as a cyclist in the Twin Cities.   A general list of helpful links for biking in the metro area can be found on the Metro Transit website and includes information on bicycles on trains and buses, bike lockers, maps, and a list of bicycle shops:  http://metrotransit.org/bike/resources.asp

Via: http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisgallevo / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

If you know of other resources, post them in the comments!!

FREE Perks

Guaranteed Ride Home Program from Metro Transit
Register for the program online and you are eligible for two coupons every six months. There are no restrictions as to when you use your coupons. You can feed it directly into the fare box on a bus, or if you pay for a cab fare (up to $25) you will be reimbursed if you send in your receipts within 10 days. You will be receive a free bus/ train pass if you chose to be reimbursed for a train ride. Read about the program on the Metro Transit website: http://metrotransit.org/guaranteed-ride-home.aspx

Wayfinding

Cyclopath
Cyclopath is a geowiki for finding the best route to take when you're riding your bicycle.  Simply type in your beginning address, intersection or point and a destination within the 7-county metro area and Cyclopath will find the best route for you based on member ratings of road segments.  This project is constantly growing- join the site and help build this resource with your own knowledge of the streets.  Visit the Cyclopath website:  http://cyclopath.org

Maps
If you are going to have one paper map with you, I would recommend the Twin Cities Bike Map.  It is updated every three years and is available at your local bike shop in a tear-resistant version.  I carry this one in my pannier for unplanned adventures and alley cat races.  The Bike Everywhere site has them for sale here:  http://bikeverywhere.com/tc_bike_map/twin-cities-bike-map/ (But seriously, buy one at your local bike shop.)

Leave-Your-Car-Behind Map by Bike Walk Twin Cities
Bike Walk Twin Cities has an interesting map that shows intermodal transportation hubs in a bulky PDF format.  I'm not a huge fan of the format, but I have not see this information available in the same place anywhere else.  You are able to see proposed bike share locations, Hour Car hubs, transit lines and bike thoroughfares here:  http://www.bikewalktwincities.org/maps-routes/leave-your-car-behind-map

Mileage

Bike 2 Benefits Program from Metro Transit
This  Metro Transit program rewards you for bicycle commuting and has a handy tool for logging in your bike miles. Register for the program online, record your bicycle/ bus trips in the online calendar at least once a week for eight consecutive weeks and you are entered into a prize drawing. This program is specifically for tracking rides to and from your workplace. My favorite feature is that there is a small summary page of your trips that lists total commutes logged, total miles by bicycle, estimated fuel savings, estimated CO2 reduced, and estimated air quality pollution reduced. Read about the program on the Metro Transit website: http://www.metrotransit.org/bike/bike2benefits/

do.cycle
This site seeks to promote active living through cycling by allowing you to track your mileage by trip, and compete individually or in teams to achieve mileage goals.  An extra bonus is that Bike Chain (Roseville) and Freewheel (Minneapolis) offer discounts and coupons when you reach certain mileage goals.  You get a free water bottle for registering online.  Log your trips in at the do.cycle website: https://do-cycle.com/index.aspx

Gmaps Pedometer
This site is a Google Maps hack that allows you to draw your own route and track your mileage.  I find this really handy when I forget my bike computer, of if I took a really neat route that I don't want to forget, or a route that I improvised and I want map exactly where I went.  You can save the maps and get a unique URL for hanging onto a map or sharing with others.  I recommend this resource because it is so easy to use.  Make your own map at the Gmaps Pedometer website: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

Community

Mplsbikelove
A great resource for bike lovers in Minneapolis and beyond.  http://mplsbikelove.com/

Grease Rag Ride and Wrench
We are awesome.