Despite a record 7.26″ of rain and freezing temps at the beginning, middle, and end of the month, I hope everyone found time to ride in April. RoundTrip Madison sure did; their Spring Roll Challenge saw over 400 participants log over 10,000 trips.
Bike Week Webpage Live
Madison Bike Week runs from May 30 to June 7! We’ve just launched the events schedule webpage:
https://www.madisonbikes.org/events/madison-bike-week-2026/
The layout is new and improved from what we’ve used in the past (thanks Ben Sandee!). Nearly 40 events are already scheduled. If you’re planning to host an event, submit it soon. And please share the link above with other local Madison groups you belong to.
For those outside Madison, Wisconsin Bike Fed has their own Bike Week page covering other parts of the state.
This Week
Madison Police Department is hosting Town Halls in each district to discuss public safety. On Monday May 4 from 6:30 to 8:00pm, they’ll be at the Central Library to talk about the Central District. Thank them for the extra traffic enforcement and bring questions from their 2025 Annual Report or the sobbering Q1 2026 Traffic Safety Report with its three pedestrian fatalities (and another occurred just last week on Buckeye Rd and Stoughton Rd).
Thanks to Cool Bikes North for highlighting a Maple Bluff meeting on Tuesday May 5 at 5:30pm at the Maple Bluff Village Center, 18 Oxford Pl to discuss “possible improvements (as presented in the 2017 approved Gateway Plan) to N. Sherman streetscape as part of 2027 infrastructure improvements.” It sounds like that dusty Gateway Plan needs a modern review to make sure it meets today’s needs. Remember that N. Sherman Ave used to be a 4-lane road with no bike lanes and no pedestrian medians; that changed with a TWLTL conversion in 2013 which made the road safer for bikes, peds, and drivers alike without restricting traffic flow or having any adverse impact on businesses or the adjacent neighborhoods. Most notably, bike traffic exploded along the corridor and today, the road is a good candidate for even more bike improvements (see AAA below).
The Odana Hills Golf Course Redesign will have open houses on Wednesday April 6 6:00-8:00pm and Thursday April 7 11:00am-1:00pm. Proposed changes on the east side will realign the bike path running from Odana Rd to the SW Commuter Path. The planners have also promised to also connect the SW Commuter Path to Whitney Way where bikers can pick up the West Beltline path. This is an exciting connection that is long overdue.
The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (“MPO”) meets on Wednesday May 6 at 6:30pm with discussion and adoption of the Active Transportation Plan — remember providing feedback on that last summer?? There will also be a discussion of e-Things outreach (e-motos, e-bikes, e-scooters, etc). See the meeting schedule for agenda and packet.
Wednesday also marks the start of Bike Fitchburg’s monthly “Ride for Joe” rides leaving from the Fitchburg Senior Center at 10am. These are bound to be rowdy and unhinged. You have been warned!
Upcoming and Misc.
Last week, the Board of Public Works had some barbed comments about the Regent Street design, with the City’s lead engineer admitting that “deliveries will not be easier” with the new design. Deliveries, if you recall, are the stated reason City engineers refuse to consider a design with parking on just one side of the street (a layout that would provide ample space for bike lanes and parking buffers). The BPW was especially concerned about plans to widen the eastern block next to S. Park St, and punted it back to the Transportation Commission’s next meeting on May 13. If you use Regent Street businesses, please let them know that you are a biker!
The UW’s Summer Construction Forecast has little bits of pain for everyone who traverses the UW campus. Of note is the one-way section of Babcock Drive that peels off from University Avenue — it will be closing next Monday May 11 for work on the railroad crossing there. Work is expected to be done by end of July. On the good side, the Limnology bypass is supposed to be done by end of this month
Bike Fed’s Adventure Bike Day Camps in Madison were all waitlisted, but they’ve found a way to open up new spots for the June 15-19 camp for 6th – 8th graders. Sign up quickly!
Looking for a job? Madison Police is hiring a Bike Recovery Specialist to handle “bicycle related complaints, including retrieving, tagging, storing and inventorying abandoned, illegally parked, or found bicycles.” The job description doesn’t say anything about Facebook Marketplace string operations but don’t let that stop you!
Draft All Ages and Abilities Bike Network Plan
The Cap Times had a nice article on the Draft AAA Bike Network Plan. If you haven’t, please take time to read the draft, review the maps, and submit your comments.
I have a few problems with how the AAA facilities are rated and characterized. Specifically,
- On the page 22 map of the AAA Bike Network Compaion, the dotted AAA paths are colored green for “high comfort and low-stress” and orange for “high stress.” As you review the maps, pay attention to the colors of the routes you ride; let’s get help the City rate it right. E.g., I feel that the Mineral Point Rd sidepath near West Towne is not low-stress. West of Gammon Rd, there are 20 crossings in one mile. This past Saturday morning, I experienced two right-hooks and one encroachment in a single ride along this stretch. Three close-calls in as many minutes! The only reason I’m not writing from a hospital is because I, like most frequent users of that path, are hyper-alert because we simply expect drivers to drive badly. In contrast, Lakeshore path is colored orange, presumably because of its high bike/ped traffic volume and uneven surface.
- The plan’s map doesn’t discriminate about which side of the road the facility is on. E.g., the Mineral Point Rd sidepath described above is shown as a full AAA route, but it’s on the north side and does little to help one reach the many south side businesses. One of the two serious bike crashes involving that path since it opened was a rider trying to get to/from West Towne Mall.
I very much appreciate the effort going into the AAA Bike Network, but I also want it to be realistic about what truely counts as “high comfort and low stress.”
That’s it for the weekly update. Ride safely and enjoy the sunny weather!
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!
