Meet Sylvie
Hello! I'm Sylvie Hyman, St. Louis Park City Council candidate in Ward 4.
I am a substitute teacher, graduate student, planning commissioner, and fierce advocate for active transportation and responsible land use.
I am running for City Council because St. Louis Park is my home and I’m proud that we are leading the charge in implementing policies to make our communities more sustainable, affordable, and welcoming to all.
As your council member, I will continue to put our future first. I'm excited to work with you to build a stronger and safer St. Louis Park.
Finding home in Minnesota
I moved to Minnesota in June of 2017 to start my career as a design engineer at Cummins Power Systems in Fridley. Having recently graduated from the University of Florida with my engineering degree, I was grateful to have a good paying job, but I was determined to eventually dedicate my career to fighting the climate crisis. I set to work — gaining experience, building skills, and growing my savings — so I could eventually pursue employment that would address the systemic issues that directly, and indirectly, impact us all.
Warming stripes visually represent the severity and urgency created by the climate crisis. For more about warming stripes visit Climate Central.
Why St. Louis Park
I originally chose St. Louis Park in 2018 because of its proximity to destinations and friends. Renting an apartment in the West End, I was blown away with how accessible my new home was by bicycle. I now live in the Cedar Manor neighborhood and primarily get around by bicycle, walking, and taking the 9 or the 17 buses. In my 7 years living here, I have fallen in love with the land, water, people, plants, and animals of St. Louis Park.
Becoming an advocate
When the Cedar Lake Trail between Van White Memorial Boulevard and Target field closed in 2019 for Green Line extension construction, safe access to most of my regular destinations was severed. This critical connection, which was originally planned to reopen in 2021, remains closed to this day. The extended closure exposed the severe lack of redundancy in our safe bicycle network and motivated me to act.
I never found an advocacy group specifically focused on the Cedar Lake Trail, but in my search, I connected with groups fighting for safe streets all around the Twin Cities metro. I learned about how certain infrastructure issues get more attention and funding than others and that the default, disappointingly, is to prioritize speed and convenience for single occupancy motor vehicles over safety and shared mobility for everyone. Every piece of bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation infrastructure we enjoy would not exist without advocates fighting for it.
Image description: On November 20, 2019, riding home from work on the detour created by the Cedar Lake Trail closure, I was surprised by a “POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS”. The officer in the vehicle holding the line forbid me from crossing it, forcing me to find a different way home. With no knowledge of the downtown street conditions I cautiously proceeded on the route google maps suggested. Riding on unfamiliar, busy downtown streets, alone, I felt like I was going to die. Upon my return home I checked the news for stories about why that officer wouldn’t let me through on the known detour. Rage and sorrow overcame me when I learned that the reason my life was threatened, was because someone else, a fellow cyclist, had just been killed.
Connecting with my Community through Work and Play
Substitute Teacher
This fall I will be starting my third school year subbing primarily at LH Tanglen Elementary school in the Hopkins School District. My coworkers and students mean so much to me.
Graduate Student
I began pursuing my Master’s degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) at Metro State University in January of 2025. I’m expecting to complete the program in Spring of 2028. My work with the West Metro Active Transportation Alliance has been largely inspired by my coursework.
My cat, Dora, helps me stay focused while I’m in Zoom class.
Volunteer
I regularly volunteer for Streets.mn, Neighbors for More Neighbors, the St. Louis Park Community Housing team, and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota in addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Our Streets Minnesota.
Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
I am proud of the steps our city has taken to allow more responsible and inclusive use of our city's land, and as your council member, I will work to maintain these improvements and seek opportunities to expand upon them — such as parking reform and allowing businesses that serve the people to be closer to where people live.
A Leader in the Bicycle Community
Riding bicycles for recreation is how I made my first friends in Minnesota. I reciprocate this generosity by leading and supporting bike rides for my local community.
