Month: July 2026

Madison Bikes’ Statement on Regent St

Post author By Christo Alexander
Post date July 16, 2026

We should be designing our streets for the future that we want to build. The decisions made in the Regent St design will impact the way that we move around our city for the next 30+ years. At Madison Bikes, we believe parking should never take priority over people. We also believe in standing up for vulnerable road users when they are not given enough consideration. On July 16th, Madison Bikes shared the following statement with city staff:

Dear City of Madison Staff,

On June 9th, 2026, Madison Common Council unanimously approved a redesign of Regent St that excludes dedicated bicycle facilities despite the clear priorities established in the Complete Green Streets (CGS) policy. Complete Green Streets, a framework for street design adopted by the city in 2023, identifies safe accommodations for people biking and walking/rolling as a higher priority than on-street parking.

In the Regent St redesign, city staff and leaders had the opportunity to leverage the CGS guidance to create a new paradigm for street design in Madison. Instead, the policy was used to double down on the status quo, prioritizing parking and vehicle convenience over vulnerable road users.

This decision comes at a time when traffic violence continues to devastate our community. In recent months, Madison has lost multiple vulnerable road users, including 17-year-old Sasha Rosen, killed while crossing Park St, and Ken Bell, killed while crossing E. Washington Ave. In the face of these preventable tragedies, the city should be strengthening protections for people who walk and bike, not retreating from them.

The approved design abandons the guidance in at least 5 ways without including a checklist or justification for the decisions:

CGS says loading zones should be provided “around the corner on intersecting minor streets.” The proposed geometry has loading zones only on Regent St itself.

CGS says that bike lanes “should be included and may require consideration of parking options on side streets or in structured parking” and the proposed geometry has no bike lanes.

CGS says Community Main Streets must have a maximum lane width of 10′ (CGS guide, page 60). The proposed geometry has 14′ lanes, wider than an Interstate highway.

CGS says that Regent St should prioritize large canopy trees, (CGS guide, page 27) however more full canopy trees could have been included if not for street parking.

CGS says that for Transit Priority Networks, “designs will prioritize in-lane stops that do not require buses to merge back into traffic.” The proposed geometry includes bus pull-outs instead.

The Common Council received several alternative proposals, and despite vocal and widespread opposition to the adopted plan, unanimously voted against the city’s own design policy. While the plan is an improvement from the existing configuration, it’s not the best we can do. The adopted plan could lead to higher traffic speeds, enable more dangerous driving behavior, and encourage biking on the sidewalk. All of this could create a more hostile environment for people who are trying to access the businesses and amenities on Regent St. Madison Bikes is deeply disappointed in this decision and urges city leaders to reconsider it.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Madison has previously approved street designs that deviate from its own CGS principles, undermining public trust and calling into question the city’s commitment to its stated transportation and safety goals:

After four years of tumult, Midvale resurfacing is now going ahead without bike lanes called for in city plans since 1975. This is a HUGE missed opportunity and sets back bike/ped safety on the near West side by 10-20 years.

A road diet on Mineral Point Rd east of Midvale is also facing pushback due to the same political forces as Midvale.

Current plans for the North-South BRT do not have accommodations for bicycle facilities despite Park St having many destinations and a lack of alternatives to reach them. This includes the segments of Park St where bus/bike lanes were re-signed to be “bus only”, without getting the required input or approval from TC.

Madison Bikes calls on city leaders to establish a clear process for using the CGS checklist, including justification for any departures from the requirements, reverse the decision to exclude bicycle facilities from the Regent St project, and recommit to the city’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. Madison Bikes also asks that we be included and consulted on future street redesign projects so we can ensure vulnerable road users are given appropriate consideration.

Madison Bikes requests that, at the minimum, the city fix the last block problem for bicyclists. The last block problem is akin to the last mile problem in transit: how do you complete a multimodal trip? In the case of Regent St, bicyclists were repeatedly told the SW Path was just a block away from Regent St so there should not be a problem getting to destinations on Regent St. The problem with that assumption is: how are bicyclists supposed to make the transition from biking to walking to get to a destination on Regent St and where will they park?

There are currently only twelve public bike parking spaces on or near Regent St (4 on Orchard St and 8 on Regent St) and few Regent St properties provide bike parking. There are also no bike share stations on or directly adjacent to Regent St. Will new development projects for Regent St require adequate public bike parking to serve area businesses and visitors to the housing units? Will additional bike parking be added on the side streets near Regent St or perhaps in back of businesses? Without a bike parking plan, the current plan will encourage bicyclists to ride on the sidewalk (which is illegal on Regent St where buildings abut the sidewalk) and lock their bikes to sign posts. Both undermine the efforts to make Regent St more pedestrian friendly. The current plan lacks consideration for visitors and residents traveling by bike, and dismisses the need for bicycle facilities because there are intersecting bike routes and a wide sidewalk.

Policies only matter if they are consistently followed. Madison residents deserve streets that reflect the city’s commitments to safety, sustainability, and transportation choice.

Sincerely,

Madison Bikes Board

E-Mail Weekly Update

Tragedy in McFarland, JND Detour, Vision Zero Update

Post author By Paul Lata
Post date July 12, 2026

Cyclists used to crusing along Lake Monona will have to get used to Monona Bay via the new detour. (MB stock photo)

It’s tough to write about another traffic death but you need to know and the family wants improvements in bike/ped safety. On a positive note, the jurisdictional transfer of connecting highways could make possible and/or hasten improvements that could improve safety and prevent these horrendous events.

Another Tragic Bicycle Death

Braeyla Valenza (photo: Mckenzie Valenza)

Tragically, 8-year-old Braeyla Valenza died after being hit by a person driving a car on Wednesday. She was headed home with her brother from a trip to Culvers, “a common occurrence with all the kids in the neighborhood” according to her mother. Braeyla was struck while attempting to cross Broadhead St (County MN) in McFarland on her bicycle. Her family and the community are heartbroken.

Braeyla’s father is calling for improvements to the intersection, calling out the poorly marked crosswalk. He also stated, “We all need to slow down and be aware of our surroundings.” Braeyla’s mother stated that speeding on Broadhead is “problematic,” a sentiment echoed by others in the neighborhood. Speed may have contributed to the crash, but a police investigation is underway.

News coverage of the crash.

Mourners gather to remember Braeyla Valenza at the site where she was struck and killed by a car in Mc Farland. Purple was her favorite color (photo: Craig Weinhold, Facebook)

Chip Sealing in Districts 15 and 19

It’s that time of year again. Chip sealing is underway. Chip sealing involves applying a layer of gravel to the street to preserve the pavement but makes for slippery, dusty conditions for bicyclists. The roads impacted are mostly in districts 15 and 19, and include the Lake Loop and other roads frequented by bicyclists. Use caution or try to avoid these roads if you can for the next few weeks. If you must use the sidewalk, remember that bicyclists must always yield to pedestrians. Maps of the impacted areas are below.

Chip seal map – District 15 – East side, includes Lake Loop

Chip seal map – District 19 – West side, includes Old Sauk Rd, Old Middleton Rd

Transportation Commission Meeting

A fairly light agenda this Wednesday at 5PM. A couple of items of interest:

The jurisdictional transfer agreement between the Wisconsin DOT and the City of Madison. Wisconsin DOT would still need to approve the plan this fall, but if all goes well, Madison would take control of some connecting highways in the city. Specifically, this would be S. Park, Blair, the section of JND that travels under Monona Terrace, Northshore, Proudfit, W Washington. Highway 151 would be routed onto the beltline and the interstate. These changes would give the city more control over design, making it much easier for the city to plan long term strategies for these roads and implement safety strategies such as installing traffic signals on South Park. Here’s a discussion of the proposal on WORT which includes a link to Madison Director of Transportation Christoph Spieler’s description of the proposal to the Public Works Committee.
An update and discussion of no turn on red (NTOR). The staff presentation includes background and rationale for right turn on red and NTOR restrictions, a summary of research and national practice, and a review of Madison’s use of NTOR

John Nolen Drive (JND) Path Closes Tonight (July 13)

The implementation of Phase 1 of the master plan refinement continues. JND will be closed to build three new bicycle bridges and new bikeways and walkways. The section of the JND Path between Lakeside St and Broom St will close overnight on Monday, July 13 and will remain closed for approximately a year. The John Nolen Dr crossing at North Shore Dr and The Capital City Trail between S Bedford St and E Lakeside St have been removed until the project is completed. A detour route (see map below) comprised of low stress shared use paths and bicycle boulevards, will be posted around Monona Bay. While this route adds about 1.5 miles to your trip, it is relatively peaceful and now it’s not out of your way to stop at the Lakeside coffee shop.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. The path will reopen in July or August of 2027. When it reopens, the path will be transformed by the following improvements:

The bike path will be widened to 10 feet
There will be separate paths for bicyclists and pedestrians
Bikes and pedestrian paths will be located farther from the roadway
Motor vehicle speeds will be lower.

Eventually, when shoreline and other improvements are completed, bicycles and pedestrians will be traveling through a beautiful 37-acre linear park.

Map of the 2026-2027 JND detour (City of Madison)

Shaping Safer Streets: Help Madison Prevent Impaired Driving

Impaired driving causes significant morbidity and mortality in Madison. During 2023, 2024 and 2025 there were 861 total crashes that were flagged for impairment resulting in 18 fatalities and 416 injuries. Cyclists and other vulnerable users are at the highest risk of injury because they lack the structural protection of a motor vehicle.

Impaired Driving is preventable and can be reduced using countermeasures, such as designated driver programs and safety-designed alcohol retail laws. See the data on impaired driving here.

There are two upcoming opportunities to get involved:

Visit a Library Tabling Event: Stop by a local library to learn about Vision Zero’s Impaired Driving Prevention Program.
Participate in a focus group. Help the City of Madison’s Transportation and Public Health departments formulate campaign messages and ride share options. These one-hour sessions occur between July 13 and August 7 at four libraries. You get a $25 gift card for your efforts.

For more information or to sign up for a focus group follow this this link.

Vision Zero Update

The latest quarterly Vision Zero Newsletter is out. It’s a fairly quick read (6 pages) and explains a couple of recent reconstruction projects and has an overview of curb management, and signage. If you want more, like me, the Vision Zero Progress Report is also worth reading. It’s a 39-page update from 2022-2024 whereas the previous update was 2020-2022. The current update is a great reference to have at your fingertips that provides background, data, and rationale for the city’s actions. It gives detail and illustrations for individual projects as illustrated below.

An example of illustrations for the Wilson St Cycle Track (Vision Zero Progress Report)

The report has lots of references and detailed data, although, unfortunately, most of these are not hyperlinked.

Most of the time progress on improving our bike/ped infrastructure seems glacial. Reading this report helped me realize that although we have a long way to go, there is progress.

Watch the Tour at Cafe Domestique

Tour de France public viewing

Café Domestique – Northstreet

Saturday, July 18 8:00 – 10:00am

Come watch some pro bike racing at @cafedomestiquemadison (North Street location) this year! BD will be hosting watch parties for 4 races this year. We’ll be starting at 8am, and watching along live to the finish (usually about the last 1.5-2 hours).

Everyone is welcome, whether you know the whole Lidl Trek roster by heart or you don’t know Le Tour from Pierre Latour. Grab a coffee and chit chat with some likeminded cycling fans

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Just a quick reminder that the Parks Department still needs volunteers for Ride the Drive.

Next week we’ll be asking you to help Madison Bikes staff our booth on the square on August 9. We’ll offer a link to sign up in our update. That’s it for the update. Stay cool!

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!

Bike News Newsletter Weekly Update

Two Streets, One Question: Who Are We Designing For?

Post author By Christo Alexander
Post date July 6, 2026

This week in Madison Bikes news: where the candidates for Governor stand on bike issues, a call for volunteers along the SW Path, plenty of group rides to join, and some news on street design from John Nolen Drive to Regent Street.

Gubernatorial Candidates on Active Transportation

2026 is an important year, with an ongoing race for Governor. You might be wondering where the candidates stand on active transportation issues like bike infrastructure, trail funding, and e-mobility. The Wisconsin Bike Fed sent all candidates from both parties a policy questionnaire and compiled the responses into a two-part summary.

The good news: candidates who responded (Barnes, Crowley, Hong, Rodriguez, and Roys) largely agree on restoring Wisconsin’s Complete Streets law, allowing eminent domain for bike/ped paths, and fully funding the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Where they differ is more nuanced: traffic safety cameras, how to regulate e-motos, and how to plug the long-term funding gap at the DNR.

Read the full breakdown here: Distinguishing Among Candidates in the Busy Race for Governor

The primary election is August 11, 2026 — mark your calendar.

Invasive Plant Cleanup Crew

Invasive species reduce biodiversity by outcompeting native species and taking over ecosystems. This causes a ripple effect that harms ecosystems and makes them less resilient, and can be damaging to services humans rely on like soil fertility and fresh water. You can help, however, in preserving native plans and removing invasive ones here in our city along a core bike facility:

Are you interested in preserving native plants along the SW Path? Would you like to help remove non-native plants like garlic mustard and dames rocket along the SW Path? If yes, please join the SW Path Invasive Plant Removal Team google group.

The group is for people interested in removing invasive non-native plants and maintaining native plants along the SW Path in Madison, WI, from the Beltline to Midvale Boulevard and in the Odana Woods along the SW Path connector. People can post information about work parties, techniques for removing troublesome invasive species, native species to plant, plant identification, webinars, seminars, City of Madison Programs, and any other information about maintaining native plants along the SW Path.

For questions or to join the group, send an email to Mark Shahan at mnshahan@gmail.com.

Group Rides

Summer is in full swing, meaning there are plenty of group rides to join. Cycling fans will be aware that the Tour de France started on Saturday with an exciting team time trial, and those who feel inspired to get out and ride might consider joining one of the following:

Mondays at 6pm, join Cap City Cyclists on their weekly social ride. Wednesdays, join the Capital Brewery E- Bike Club Group Ride (5:30 pm) or the Motorless Motion Taco Ride (6 pm). Or join Machinery Row for their weekly Friday Lunch Bunch E-bike ride (11 am), or their Sunday Century Training Club ride (8am).

Build for the Future We Want

As construction on the John Nolen Drive causeway progresses, the next phase just to the South is already on our minds, and we want to make sure it’s designed safely and appropriately. Board member Craig Weinhold shared this piece of information:

Remember how in late 2024, the City did a lane reduction test on John Nolen Drive between Olin and the causeway? The hypothesis was that there there was little value in having three lanes between Olin Ave and the two-lane causeway. Well, the City’s results were great and proved the hypothesis, but… the City is being told they must stick to three lanes anyway because WisDOT doesn’t like “expected future conditions in 2050.” You can follow this amazing exchange at 1:35:20 into the June 17 Transportation Commission meeting.

A two-lane John Nolen Drive north of Olin Avenue has many benefits: space for a west side path, Wingra Creek underpass improvements, more buffer around the railroad tracks, and less aggressive behavior as drivers enter/leave the causeway. As T.C. and Madison Bikes member Harald Kliems reacted, “We should build the types of streets for the future that we want” and that if we build a bigger street to handle increased volume, then “that’s what we’re going to get.“

Building for a future that’s less dependent on cars is exactly what we need to do, but we’re still facing the reality that cars and parking are being prioritized over vulnerable road users. Last month, Common Council unanimously approved a redesign of Regent Street that excludes dedicated bicycle facilities despite the clear priorities established in the Complete Green Streets policy. Complete Green Streets, a framework for street design that was adopted by the city in 2023, identifies safe accommodations for people biking and walking/rolling as a higher priority than on-street parking, yet the approved design abandons that guidance without a transparent or well-defined variance process. Among several other variances, the proposed design has 14′ traffic lanes (which are wider than an interstate highway!) and keeps lanes for parking on both sides of the street.

The Common Council had several alternative plans available, and despite vocal and widespread opposition to the adopted plan, unanimously voted for it and against the city’s own design policy. The adopted plan will lead to higher traffic speeds, allow for more dangerous driving behavior, and create a more hostile environment for people who are trying to access the businesses and amenities on Regent Street. The City should be strengthening protections for people who walk and bike, not retreating from them.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!