Suburbia, that automobile-inspired slice of the 20th century American Dream, is beginning to adapt to more sustainable transportation modes in the resource-challenged 21st century.

As freeway congestion, runaway gasoline prices and the overheating globe turn more people away from cars, Twin Cities suburbs are working to make bicycling and walking more safe and attractive for commuters, students, shoppers and anyone else who needs to get around town.

Three of the five new Minnesota bike-walk grant projects announced last week are in suburban Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Richfield and Roseville. Meanwhile, the I-494 Corridor Commission consortium of suburban Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Plymouth and Richfield is promoting biking to work with free gifts and information guides for adult residents of those cities.