So much going on right now. This update only scratches the surface, but here goes
Bike Week 2025: June 1-8
In case you missed the e-mail this week, here is the link to the 2025 Madison Bikes Bike Week website. Time flies and Bike Week is only a month away so if you’re planning to host an event, fill out the registration form on the site to get the word out.
Sarah’s Bill
On Wednesday, April 23, Madison Bikes partnered with WI Bike Fed & Machinery Row to host an event about bike advocacy at the federal level. Madison Bikes board member Alicia Bosscher and her father Dirk Debbink gave a first-hand account of pushing for change following the death of Sarah Debbink Langenkamp to traffic violence, the inception of the bill named after her, and its bipartisan progress through Congress.
This is exceptional work, and it was fascinating to hear how it’s actually possible to build bipartisan consensus in this day and age.
Even if you missed the talk, there are ways to get involved, first and foremost by asking your members of Congress to support the bill with this handy online action alert. Please share the link widely! By popular request, here’s the cookie recipe link for the cookies Alicia baked for the meeting.
Southwest Comment Map Closing
The interactive commenting map associated with the Southwest area plan will be closing at the end of April. It’s an easy way to enter your thoughts on specific routes or intersections. Enter your comments ASAP and make your voice heard!
Reserve Ride the Drive Events
Ride the Drive is now accepting reservations for vendors or exhibitors. This year, available sites will be at three hubs, Olin Park, Law Park, and McPike Park. This year, you can also reserve a spot on the roadway to better interact with participants. More information at the Ride the Drive website.
Tour of New Infrastructure at Bike Advocacy Meetup
On May 4th, at 5 p.m., Madison Bikes and Machinery Row will host another Bike Advocacy Meetup. This month’s event will explore and celebrate some recently completed infrastructure. We’ll embark on a 12-mile group ride from Machinery Row to the Sycamore Park Singletrack via the Autumn Ridge Path. The Autumn Ridge overpass provides a much-improved connection between the neighborhoods on either side of Highway 30. The Sycamore Park Singletrack has over a mile of beginner and advanced mountain bike trails. All bikes are welcome on this casual ride. Gravel and mountain bikes will be best equipped for the additional trails at Sycamore Park. We hope you can join us!
Safe Streets Madison Projects Updated
The Transportation Commission approved several new projects at the April 16th meeting. Among the projects approved were speed limit reductions, installation of RRFBs, a contraflow lane on W. Gilman, green bike markings for the bike lane on University from Babcock to Basset, and a Broom St. parking protected lane. The Safe Streets Madison website contains a project spreadsheet that provides a list of all potential projects that can be sorted by status and other fields.
Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Open House
This event is an opportunity to discuss the draft plan with staff and provide input if you wish. The meeting will be held at the Lussier Family Heritage Center on Wednesday, April 30 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The plan includes bicycle trails and access to parks via bicycle trails. One trail related item is the Great Sauk-Walking Iron Trail – Rail/Trail Conversion that will run from the new Wisconsin River Recreational Bridge at Sauk City to Mazomanie and eventually, Middleton. Surfacing of the trail is an issue, with snowmobilers preferring gravel and bikers preferring asphalt. See this companion action alert for more detail.
If you are unable to make the open house, send comments about to DeSmidt.Alex@danecounty.gov. by May 7.
This a very busy time for bicycle activities so watch these weekly updates and our community calendar closely. Enjoy the spring riding.
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!
