Welcome to the newsletter. I’m bummed that I missed Parking Day but fortunately we have a report from StrongTowns. I hope many of you were able to see how transformative a small change can be. Enjoy the Week Without Driving.
Bicycle Film Festival is October 2
Only ten days until the Bicycle Film Festival. Here’s how it will go:
- Pre-show party at Working Draft with food from Chef at Large Catering at 4 p.m.
- Bike Parking – Similar to last year, we anticipate a large number of people arriving by bike. Also similar to last year, we will provide lighted bike parking behind Level 5 Donuts/Fortune Favors next to the Barrymore. Bring your lock.
- The show starts at 6:30 in the Barrymore Theatre. Prizes will be given away during the event.
We need volunteers to direct festival goers to the racks behind the Barrymore and to watch over the bikes during the festival. Volunteers will work in pairs for two shifts allowing volunteers to catch half of the program if they wish. This isn’t bad duty. You get free tickets to the event and you will meet lots of bicyclists. The bike parking is essential for the Bicycle Film Festival and your volunteer help would be greatly appreciated. Click here to volunteer.
2025 Week Without Driving
As temperatures cool, we approach the perfect season for bicycle commuting. The timing of the 2025 Week Without Driving couldn’t have been better for Wisconsin. This national challenge begins on Monday, September 29 and invites elected officials, transportation leaders, and community members to go without driving for a week, a day, or even just one trip. Alternatives to driving could include shared rides, transit, walking, or biking. The idea is to increase understanding of the barriers faced by the 30-40% of Dane County residents who do not drive. Many who participate will discover some enjoyable aspects of their commute and recognize gaps in the transportation system that need to be addressed to make these transportation choices safe, convenient, and accessible for all.
Consider attending one of the panel discussions in our area.
- Madison — Sunday, September 28, 3:30–5 p.m. UW-Madison Union South
- Sun Prairie— Tuesday, September 30, 7–8:30 p.m. Sun Prairie City Hall
- Fitchburg — Thursday, October 2, 6:30–8 p.m. Terrace Point Apartments
These panel discussions are inspired by the book, When Driving Is Not An Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency. You can attend these events in-person or virtually.There are more details, including how to get the book, at the website.
As a sponsor of 2025 Week Without Driving, Madison Bikes encourages Dane county residents to participate. Visit the website for more information.
Parking Day Offers New Perspectives
September 19th’s Park(ing) Day installation on Williamson Street was a resounding success. Throughout the day, people stopped by to ask questions, lounge in the temporary public space, and take in a new perspective on how our streets can serve the community. Many passersby offered thanks and encouragement, noting how refreshing it felt to see a parking spot transformed into a place for people. The installation also had a calming effect on nearby traffic, subtly shifting the pace of the street and creating a safer, more welcoming atmosphere. Overall, the event sparked conversation, built connections, and reinforced the idea that small, low-cost experiments can open the door to bigger changes in how we use our public spaces.
We thank Mike Tarby from the local StrongTowns chapter for this report.
John Nolen Drive Informational Meeting
A multi-year construction project for John Nolen Drive starts this fall. The project will include reconstruction and separation of bicycle and pedestrian paths. It should be a big upgrade for those using active transportation to access the isthmus. City of Madison Engineering will host a Zoom meeting to answer questions about the construction schedule and anticipated impacts. Representatives from City of Madison Traffic Engineering, Wisconsin DOT, and the awarded Contractor will be present to answer questions. Pre-registration is required. Register for the meeting here. Learn more about the project at this link.
Winter Bike Fashion Show is Back
This popular event promotes an exchange of ideas to extend your cycling season. Veteran winter bikers will share secrets of their success and comfort. The family-friendly Fashion Show will be held Sunday, November 16 from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Goodman Community Center, so put it on your calendar now. Consider attending even if you don’t bike during the winter and are just curious.
More details in next week’s update.
Mid Town Road Closure
Mid Town Rd from Marty Rd to S Gammon Rd closed on Wednesday to facilitate a water main installation project. It is uncertain when the road will open again but the project is estimated to end in Mid-November.
Bicyclists traveling to Verona via the Elver Park path are now faced with the option of riding up a 11-12% grade to Raymond Rd. At Raymond Rd, cyclists could join the additional automobile traffic on Raymond, an already high stress route, towards S High Point Rd where there is a bike path/lane. An alternative route from Raymond would be to take Muir Field Rd to McKee Rd. Jeffy Tr to the west might be more convenient for some.
Cap City Trail Detour in East Madison
Starting on Sept 22, there will be a short detour on the Capital City Trail in Madison to accommodate storm sewer replacement. One side of parking will be removed from E Main Street to accommodate the detour. The duration of the detour is uncertain but the end date for the project has been estimated to be mid-November.
That’s it for this week’s update. It’s a busy time so see the calendar for other activities this week. Don’t forget to purchase your Bicycle Film Festival Tickets while they last. See you there!
As always, you can find an overview of all bike events on our Community Bike Calendar. Email us at info@madisonbikes.org to add your events. And if you value our newsletter and other work, consider donating to Madison Bikes. For construction updates, check out the city’s Bike Madison page.
Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!
