Remembering a fellow bicyclist
More than 300 people gathered Saturday in Madison to ride together in memory of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minnesotan killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.
Madison’s Unity Ride, a 9-mile trip beginning and ending on Capitol Square, was one of many held around the country. By all reports, it was a moving act of community and fitting in the case of Pretti, who chose to spend a lot of his time on two wheels.
It’s a great time to maintain the bonds that can form over shared activities like bicycling — to remember how much we all have in common, and the value of recognizing and exercising our interdependence. Whether we cross paths in moments of acute turmoil or in relatively mundane circumstances, we’re better off together.
Thanks to everyone who took the opportunity to join in on Saturday.
‘Streets that work for everyone’
Katie Nash of Madison Bikes wrote recently for the Northside News about streets within the neighborhood or within reach of residents on Madison’s north side.
Woodward Drive and Westport Road are streets “built almost exclusively for driving and parking,” according to Nash, but she describes planned improvements that will turn them also into more welcoming and useful connections for people on foot or bicycle. It’s a good update and a nice example of asking people to help advocate for thoughtful planning in their own neighborhoods.
More from Madison’s director of transportation
Christof Spieler was a guest of Downtown Madison, Inc. on Jan. 29 as part of the organization’s What’s Up Downtown series. Spieler covered many downtown transportation issues and made many references to his recent gathering put on by Madison Bikes. DMI posted a video his talk, if you’ve got the time.
Public meetings — recently held and on the calendar
Regent Street reconstruction: Madison held a meeting on this project, now in the planning phases and scheduled for 2027, on Jan. 26. The Transportation Commission will give feedback on Feb. 18.
Lake Monona waterfront: Tonight, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m., is a Madison Lakeway Public Meeting to learn about their final plans to beautify the Lake Monona waterfront along John Nolen Drive after the current road construction is complete. This includes bike and pedestrian paths, maybe with a boardwalk over the water, observation spaces, and public art.
E-bike regulation: The Greater Madison Planning Organization Policy Board meets Wednesday, Feb. 4, with “Municipal guidance on e-bike, e-moto, and other e-micromobility device regulation” and some Capital City Trail projects on their agenda.
Rusk Path extension: This path opened in the fall, but Madison plans to extend it east to Rimrock Road this year. See the project page and register for a public information meeting on Monday, Feb. 9.
Other bits
International Winter Bike to Work Day is Feb. 13th. Morning riders along the Capital City Path near Machinery Row can enjoy coffee from Cafe Domestique, donuts and warm company. From 4 to 6 p.m., Madison Bikes will host a happy hour at Working Draft Beer Company.
Clean Lakes Alliance’s annual Frozen Assets event is Saturday, Feb. 7. It’s not bicycle-specific, but there are often hearty biker types out cruising the ice.
Our friends at Wisconsin Bike Fed are also having a benefit raffle for a Trek bike.
That’s it for the weekly round-up. Stay warm out 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!
