How have you been dealing with the heat? Did you go biking anyway? I’ve been out despite the heat, exploring new multi-use trails on the west side. But I took it slow and hydrated a lot. Also watch out for branches and downed trees!
Biking and Walking Survey (no, not that one)
Have you taken the city’s survey on walking and biking in Madison yet? You may think you have, but it’s possible that you were thinking of the Greater Madison MPO survey instead. Arguably, the city’s survey is even more important, as the data from it will be used to create what is effectively a bike network plan. So please take the time and take the survey.
A quick reminder that the City of Madison is updating its Pedestrian Plan and finalizing its All Ages and Abilities (AAA) Bike Network and we want to hear from you! Please complete a short survey to tell us about how and where you walk, bike, and roll in Madison and provide input on draft plan goals. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and your responses are anonymous. Your input will inform the planning process and recommendations.
The survey will be available until July 1.
Crash witness sought
Someone was hit by a driver while biking on the Yahara River Trail (Ed Jepsen Way) and is looking for a witness. If you’re that person or have any other tips, please email us at info@madisonbikes.org and we’ll pass the information along:
There was a really lovely femme person who talked to me on the phone! Unfortunately, the police did not interview any of the witnesses, nor did they follow up for my friends statement like they said they would and they did not get any report of damages to their bike/other personal belongings. Additionally, the report does not specify that this person ran through a stop sign.
I am looking for folks who witnessed my friend get hit by a red mini van with IL plates on June 11th around 5:00 PM near the bike path on the Yahara River Trail, (near the river) on Main Street.
We’re just trying to gather info for them so that they can file a more accurate report.
Bike Benefits Spotlight Ride: Bandit Tacos
Bike Benefits encourages biking to local businesses through an incentive awarded to patrons who show up on a bike and display their Bike Benefits helmet sticker. Madison Bikes will periodically arrange spotlight rides to Bike Benefits businesses. If your business is interested in putting on a spotlight ride, contact Madison Bikes.
This week we are spotlighting Bandit Tacos as a Bike Benefits member. Join Motorless Motion for their Wednesday Bandit Tacos ride at 6PM on June 25 at 640 W Washington Ave. Craig Weinhold from Madison Bikes will accompany riders and fill us in on the latest plans for bike infrastructure along the route. His wealth of information always makes infrastructure fun. Discounted tacos are available after the ride, of course. For more information contact Brooke Carey at brooke@motorlessmotionbicycles.com.
Bike advocacy Discord server
There’s a new way to organize and chat about bike advocacy in the Madison area: Borne out of discussions at the Machinery Row bike advocacy meetups, there was a sense “that the Madison community could use a platform enabling more two-way communication and online community building.” As a result, Dan and Lauren created a Discord server. You can check out the server with this invite link (sorry, the previously posted link was expired):
Southwest and Southeast area plans at Transportation Commission
The process to create area plans for the southeast and southwest plan areas continues. These plans set a long-term vision for aspects such as housing, transportation, land use, and community facilities. This Wednesday, the Transportation Commission will get an update about the public input so far. You can submit public comment to the commission by emailing TransportationCommission@cityofmadison.com or registering for comment at the meeting at https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule/register Here are two slides from the presentation about the plan:
Corrections: Wilson Street video link and Blackhawk Path
Last week’s newsletter had a link to a video from the (almost) open Wilson Street protected bike lane. Unfortunately, shortly after the newsletter went out, the video was taken down. Here’s the new link if you missed it: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/idpjKvixwqI
The newsletter also mentioned that the closure of the Blackhawk Path in Shorewood Hills was over. Several readers pointed out that the barriers are back now. You can find the latest construction updates here: https://www.madsewer.org/project/west-interceptor-shorewood-relief/
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!
