Am I the only one who jumped the gun and swapped out the studded tires last week? %$#@! The weather promises an exciting start to the week — maybe a good one to take the bus (tips below).
Highway 51 north changes & Public Info Meeting tonight!
WisDOT’s future Highway 51 / Stoughton Rd plans are divided into northern and southern halves. The southern part has been in the news over the last few months, with the City arguing for a narrower and calmer street. That fight is ongoing. The portion north of about HWY 30 chose a preferred alternative a year ago with excellent bike facilities over and around HWY 30, East Washington, and north towards the airport. What it lacked was a bike facility by the airport itself, due to some technical FAA regulation.
All had been quiet with the northern portion until the roar of an F-35 forced some project changes that will be discussed at a a Public Information Meeting on Monday March 16 from 5-6:30pm (POSTPONED – see the WisDOT project page to sign up for updates).
Apparently, a runway extension project intended to help reduce noise in southern neighborhoods requires that HWY 51 be rerouted with a new stoplight. As part of that rerouting, a continuous bike path is back in the plans! (reduce airport noise? calm the highway? add a bike path? Talk about a win / win / win!)
Bus 101 / Roundtrip Madison
Metro Transit is hosting two Learn & Ride Events with coffee and donuts. Learn about everything from how to pay the fare to how to bring your bike on the bus.
Thusday March 19, 7-10am, Junction Road BRT terminal. Facebook event
Tuesday, March 30, 7-10am, Sun Prairie Park and Ride. Facebook event. Tours on the A1 BRT depart at 7:58am and 8:58am.
Our friends from RoundTrip Madison will be there. Did you know that they offer a free program called Emergency Ride Home for when you’re at school or work and have an emergency or mechanical breakdown? Madison Bikes board member Dan used it this January and found it really smooth!
MPO Active Transportation Plan
The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) sets standards and direction for the communites that orbit Madison. Take a look at their draft Active Transportation Plan for Dane County — 142 pages of concentrated policy details covering “what people who bike, walk, and roll need to travel safely and comfortably.” Perfect material to read on a snow day!
The public comment period for this draft plan is open through Monday March 23.
Bike Fed plates
The Wisconsin Bike Fed has been making solid progress on a bike-themed license plate. The idea of a vehicle plate that celebrates biking may seem anachronistic, but it makes perfect sense to send the message that a lot of bikers also own cars, pay fuel and gas tax, etc.
The next step is this survey to choose which plate to use. There are five choices but based on the tally at their Bike-o-rama booth this past weekend, these two are in the lead:
Also This Week
On Monday March 16 at 6pm, there’s a Public Information Meeting about Sherman Avenue construction impacts this summer. These will affect the road portions shown in red below. The questionnaire is open until March 23; use it to stress the importance of accommodating north/south biking during construction (e.g., at minimum keeping the green line open).
On Wednesday March 18, the Transportation Commission has a few noteworthy agenda items:
- Active Transportation Plan discusses plans for Pedestrians, All Ages & Abilities Bike Network, and Safe Routes to School.
- Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) Review maps out likely projects 2027 – 2031.
- WisDOT North Stoughton Rd will discuss Monday’s WisDOT meeting mentioned above.
Coming Up
Tuesday, March 31, join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Facebook event.
Thursday, April 9, a PIM about the West Towne Path phase 2B – Zor Shrine to Gammon Rd. (the final portion needed to connect Whitney Way to Junction Rd)
On Saturday, April 11, the Middleton PD in concert with Wisconsin Bike Federation is offering a free Bike Safety teaching certification course at Elm Lawn Elementary School in Middleton from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. This is in preparation for the June 6th Middleton Bike Rodeo, and they can train up to 16 people. If you’re interested in getting certified to teach bike safety, email James Blodgett directly at jameswblodgett@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 23, Southern Kettle Moraine Mountain Bike Trail System annual meeting. See SKORR.org for details.
Saturday, April 25, CORP Trails Love Your Trail Day at Saris HQ.
Alliant Energy Center
The Alliant Energy Center shared big plans in their Town Hall last week. Here are a few transportation slides. Take note the “land bridge” overpass concept over John Nolen Drive near Willow Island.
Other reminders
- 2026 Spring Election questionnaire
- Strongest Town Contest
- Bike Fed’s education team is hiring four Dane County high school students
- BCycle – through April, use code FREEMONTH for a … guess??
- Capital Off-Road Pathfinders MTB trail status page.
That’s it for our weekly update. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the snow!
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!
