February 13th is International Winter Bike to Work Day! Let’s celebrate!
7-9am: Stop by on your commute or just go for a ride to start your day with coffee (courtesy of Cafe Domestique), donuts, and good vibes! Look for the Madison Bikes tent just off the Cap City Trail near Machinery Row.
4-6 pm: Happy hour at Working Draft (1129 E Wilson St.). Come grab a drink and hang out! Don’t forget your bicycle benefits sticker for 10% off.
Thanks to all of our sponsors for making events like this possible: UW Health, MG&E Foundation, Cricket Design Works, RoundTrip Program / Greater Madison MPO, Griessmeyer Law, Slow Roll Cycles, Sokol Advanced EyeCare, Working Draft Beer Company, Summit Credit Union, Saris Equipment, LLC and ZenBusiness
A few cyclists amidst previous fall colors, a taste of what’s to come (Cyclists of Madison)
Fall officially shows up on Tuesday. The sun is setting before 7 now, so if your lights have been living in a drawer since April, this is the week to charge them up. And yeah, it’s chill-lay. The calendar hasn’t gotten the memo about slowing down, though. Four rides, a social hour, and a public meeting about a new path on the west side, all in one week. And next week is even bigger!
First, an important reminder:
Ride for Your Life Madison is Sunday, October 4
Ride for Your Life Madison is Sunday, October 4, which is two Sundays out (free registration). This means now is the time to get it on the calendar. The ride remembers Sasha Rosen, a 17-year-old killed by a speeding driver while crossing the street, and it doubles as a push for safer streets across the state. From the organizers:
Sasha Rosen was 17 — goofy, music-loving, a kid who argued politics and beat his friends at video games — when a speeding driver killed him crossing the street. That’s not an accident. That’s a policy failure, and it demands answers.
Riders and walkers will head out from Brittingham Park alongside state and local officials and finish with a rally at the State Capitol. Check-in starts at 1pm, the event starts at 2pm. The main ask this year is Sasha’s Bill (AB 655 / SB 659), which would let judges require GPS-enabled intelligent speed devices in the vehicles of drivers convicted of reckless driving or repeated or extreme speeding. Speeding causes more than a third of all roadway deaths, per the Bike Fed. They’re also looking for volunteers before, during, and after the event, since the advocacy keeps going once the rally is over.
This Week
On Tuesday at 5 PM, head to Transit Oriented Drinks at One Social Food Hall (123 E Wilson St), the monthly social hour for anyone who’d like a city that’s easier to get around without a car. This month’s topic is how to be an effective advocate, which is convenient, since there’s a public meeting two days later where you can practice. It wraps up around 6:30.
Also on Tuesday at 6 PM, the Madison Women’s Cycling Club has a ride. Meeting spot and route details get posted on their Instagram, so check there before you head out.
On Wednesday at 6 PM, roll over to Motorless Motion (640 W Washington Ave) for the Wednesday Night Taco Ride. Meet at the shop at 6, roll out around 6:15, casual pace, 6-8 miles, and there are tacos involved, as advertised. These run May through October, so you have only a handful of Wednesdays left before the ride goes into hibernation.
The City of Madison is planning to construct a shared-use path, with lighting, along the south side of Odana Road from Wedgewood Way to Charles Lane. The proposed off-street asphalt shared-use path will replace the existing eastbound parking/bike lane, resulting in a narrowed roadway and a terrace between the new curb alignment and the shared-use path. Along with the new curb, there will be partial asphalt replacement on Odana Road as well as storm sewer work. The design team is also proposing new medians to facilitate pedestrian crossings at Orchard Drive and Hilltop Drive, as well as improvements to the existing median at Charles Lane. The first alternative restricts left turn movements in and out of Charles Lane, reducing bike/ped/vehicular conflicts by utilization of a new median. The second alternative allows left turn movements. Both alternatives remove the existing left turn lanes at Charles Lane to allow for a wider refuge island and utilize Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at Charles Lane to enhance safety at the crossing.
To be honest, it’s probably something best described with a diagram (which the site lacks at the moment). Of particular interest will be whether the on-street, westbound bike lane survives (if you parse the language, I think it does) and how cyclist and pedestrian traffic to/from Charles Lane will change.
On Saturday from 2 to 4 PM, join Friends of Lake Wingra for the Lake Wingra Community Bike Ride, starting at the Vilas Park Shelter (1602 Vilas Park Dr). The idea is to get out and explore the lake by bike or on foot on (up to) a 6.5 mile loop. Register early to make reserve your T-shirt order. Madison Bikes will have a table there from 1:30 to 2:30, so swing by early and say hi.
Sunday is a doubleheader and if you manage to do both, kudos! Starting bright and early at 6 AM, the Badger Challenge rolls out from UW Health Eastpark Medical Center (4621 Eastpark Blvd). It’s the big walk/run/bike fundraiser for cancer research at UW, and 100% of what participants raise stays with UW researchers. They’ve raised over $5.5 million through last year’s campaign. Distances run from 3 miles all the way up to 100, so there’s a version of this for whatever shape your legs are in. Online registration stays open right up until the start time of each individual event on Sunday, September 27, though the deadline to guarantee your finisher shirt size and medal passed back in August. Not up for riding? They also need volunteers.
Finally, later on Sunday from 10 AM to 1 PM, check out the Hispanic Heritage Ride at Penn Park (2101 Fisher St). It’s a casual, no-drop cruise with a 4-mile and a 10-mile option, so bring the family. Start and finish are both at Penn Park, with family-friendly activities there. Helmets are required, and lights and water are a good idea. Grab a free reg on Eventbrite. Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15, and a Sunday morning ride out of Penn Park is a fine way to mark it. Hosted by Trek Madison – West.
Next Week
The Bicycle Film Festival is back on Thursday, October 1, returning to the Barrymore Theatre. It’s a curated program of international shorts — documentaries, narratives, animation, award-winning directors and people you haven’t heard of yet, all sharing the billing. Brendt Barbur started the thing in 2001 after a bus hit him while he was riding in New York City, and 26 years later it’s played to more than a million people in over 100 cities, from Paris and Tokyo to Mexico City, Istanbul, and Cape Town. And now Atwood Ave.
Here’s how the night goes: there’s a pre-party at 4 PM at Starkweather Brewing Company, then the box office opens at 5:00, doors at 5:30, and films start at 6:30. Advance tickets are $20 through Barrymore Live, or $25 day-of. You can buy online for will-call pickup, by phone, or fee free at the box office the day of the show. Bring a friend who doesn’t think of themselves as a bike person yet.
One more reminder that applications to join the Madison Bikes board of directors are due Friday, October 2. If you’ve been reading these newsletters and thinking you’d like to get more involved, this is one way to do it.
If you’re biking through the north side next week, Aberg Ave will be closing from September 28 through October 2 for a RR crossing rebuild. Here’s the city’s suggested detour (ymmv):
Aberg Ave Detour Map (City of Madison)
Save the date
And looking even farther ahead, the Winter Bike Fashion Show (2025 link) will return on Sunday, November 15 at the Goodman Community Center. I don’t know, maybe I’m jumping the gun on the announce but we’re rolling today. Admission is always free and it’s the same idea as last year, which is to say part runway show, part gear clinic, part pep talk for anyone on the fence about riding through a Wisconsin winter. Fully fun! Models show off what they actually wear out there, from the head-to-toe technical setups to the “I just put a wool sweater over it” school of thought. Think about how you’d like to participate and expect to see call-outs for models.
Bikes can be artwork. This one was spotted on a garage in Munising, MI
As fall begins, there are still lots of activities and events of interest. With bicyclists doing less riding during colder weather and shorter days, fall and winter can actually be quite busy with advocacy events. And, of course, city budget season is just starting, which will give us a peek into what infrastructure and programs are likely to be funded (or not.)
Meetings and news this week
Monday
From UW Transportation, some information about more work on the Lakeshore Path near Limnology: “Repairs to the retaining wall near the Hasler Laboratory of Limnology, including installation of new landscaping, pavement markings and a path counter, will begin September 14. Expect partial closures and detours in the area, with the heaviest traffic impacts occurring between October 12 and October 15. All bicyclists and pedestrians are asked to follow posted detour signage, be mindful of other path users and stay clear of construction fencing for everyone’s safety.”
Wednesday
Transportation Commission will meet at 5:00 pm online. You can find information on all agenda items, submit comments, register to speak at the meeting, or watch the meeting online at the link above.
The TC will be discussing the citywide Pedestrian Plan and the Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan. These are both important policy documents that will guide what is built, how infrastructure is built, and how walking (and biking) is prioritized for many years. The pedestrian plan was last updated nearly 30 years ago. The Safe Routes to School Strategic Plan will guide policy and plans for the next 10 years.
Also on the TC agenda is the underpass of the WSOR tracks that run next to Old Middleton Rd west of Whitney Way. This underpass would connect Old Middleton Rd with Craig Ave (off University Ave) and the path next to the UW Digestive Health Center. The underpass will be built; the only question is the exact design and route.
TC will also be considering feedback from the Board of Public Works on the planned Rusk Ave path that will connect Rusk Ave to Rimrock Rd north of the Beltline.
Friday
Park(ing) Day. While not directly a bike event, Madison Bikes is a partner for the local celebration of this annual, worldwide event that invites us to look at how we use street parking and think about what else could be in that space. Bike racks? Protected bike lanes? Restaurant seating? Trees? Benches?
Our friends at Strong Towns Madison will be taking over a parking spot on Williamson St to demonstrate that curb space doesn’t have to be only for storing cars. If you’d like to join them, drop by the Madison Greenhouse Labs at 1370 Williamson St between 11 am and 8 pm. More info can be found on the Strong Towns projects page.
Community events this week
You can find more information for these events – time, location, target audience, etc. – on the Madison Bikes Community Calendar.
Tuesday: Fix a front wheel flat workshop at the University Bicycle Resource Center
Tuesday: Madison Women’s Cycling Club Ride
Wednesday: Motorless Motion Taco Ride
Friday: Pick Me Up at the Border
Sunday: Freewheel open house at Neighborhood House
Reminders of upcoming events and deadlines
Bicycle Film Festival is Oct 1 at the Barrymore. While you can get tickets the day of the show, we strongly recommend buying them in advance. It’s cheaper, and it avoids standing in line at the box office, worrying about whether you are going to miss the first film.
October 2 is the deadline to apply to be on the Madison Bikes board of directors. You can find the application form here. If you would like to nominate someone other than yourself, please forward this post/email to them and ask them to apply. More information regarding serving on the board is available here. This is a great opportunity to step up and help move cycling forward in Madison.
Oct 4 is the Ride for Your Life. Join us as we remember those who were lost to traffic violence and work towards specific legislative and policy proposals for a safer future.
Bicycle Film Festival is coming back to Madison at the Barrymore Theatre with a curated screening of short films that celebrate the bicycle on October 1, 2026.
BFF Madison presents international short film programs that appeal to film connoisseurs, avid cyclists, and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents all share equal billing.
This year, BFF Madison features curated stories about:
Two rival cyclists face off in a grueling and surreal cross-Canada cycling race, Le Tour De Canada!
América, a 10-year-old girl from a remote Andean village, dreams of buying a bicycle so she’ll never be late to class again. Oscar-Qualified Film.
An Iranian teenager has her beloved bicycle taken away as she reaches puberty. She fights her family and society to get it back.
Behind abandoned warehouses, BMXers transform forgotten industrial land into world-class trails for community. Sanctuary, Battleground, Redemption.
Bayden Barrett-Hay, a world class freestyle MTB rider reflects on his journey: “I would rather fail at something I’m passionate about than find success in a career I hate.”
Lea Davison, a two-time Olympian and one of the most decorated American women in mountain biking, has helped drive MTB beyond the inequities and barriers she encountered.
And more!
Join us before the show at Starkweather Brewing, just four blocks from The Barrymore for pre-show food and drinks. Bring your ticket or proof of purchase for $1 off your first Starkweather Beer!
Bike parking will be provided behind Level 5 Donuts at 2086 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704.
About BFF
In 2001, Brendt Barbur founded the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while cycling in New York City. What began as a personal journey became a global celebration of cycling through stories featuring leading voices in art, film, music, and advocacy. 26 years later, the BFF has reached over one million people in more than 100 cities from Paris, Tokyo, Mexico City to Cape Town, Istanbul, and beyond. Hosted in iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Barbican in London, BFF shines a light on cycling culture. We are enthusiastic to bring it back to Madison this year.
No, you didn’t miss the BFF. This photo is from last year, but it’s time to get your tickets now. (photo: Craig Weinhold)
Last Chance Today for Early Bird Bicycle Film Festival Ticket Price
The Bicycle Film Festival is October 1. We’ve extended the deadline for lower ticket prices to September 8 so readers of today’s update can still get tickets at the lower rate today. Buy your tickets here:https://barrymorelive.com/event/26th-annual-bicycle-film-festival/
Before the show, join us for a happy hour at Starkweather Brewing, a short 4 block walk or bike ride from the Barrymore. Bring your BFF ticket or proof of purchase for $1 off your first Starkweather beer!
Madison Bikes is looking for dedicated, passionate, and organized leaders to fill at least two open seats on our Board of Directors in December. We are seeking candidates who are strong communicators, skilled at finding common ground, and able to commit the time and energy needed to make biking a priority in Madison. We do not have paid staff and everything we do – from advocacy to organizing to communications to events – is driven by our 15-member volunteer board and volunteers.
If you are interested in joining our board, please complete this application form by October 2. If you would like to nominate someone other than yourself, please forward this post/email to them and ask them to apply. More information regarding serving on the board is available here. This is a great opportunity to step up and help move cycling forward in Madison.
Being on the board is rewarding, and fun! Beth Skogen Photography – www.bethskogen.com
University Research Park Bike/Ped Path Connection Plans to be Discussed at BPW Meeting
Planning for University Research Park Phase II development is moving forward with a final project review anticipated in November 2026. Bike/pedestrian routes/paths are part of a plan currently undergoing changes because of concern about damage to trees in the original proposal. The plan for the paths will be revisited at this week’s Board of Public Works meeting.
A new road (Boyer St) will be constructed from Pleasant View to Valley View (see graphic below). A multi-use path will be built on its east side as an alternative to Pleasant View where terrain makes building a direct path difficult. The path along Boyer St would allow northbound cyclists on Pleasant View to turn left onto the Boyer Path and then connect with the existing paths to the north at Valley View.
Two additional paths were proposed as part of the original plan:
The Lot 49 Path branches west from Boyer St to Greenside Park (and eventually across the Park to Greenside Circle) providing east-west connectivity across the park.
The Greenside Park Path would branch off the Lot 49 Path and connect to Nelson Crossing to the south providing residents of the area a safer more convenient route to Olson Elementary School. This path is controversial because it requires an easement from Hawk’s Landing golf course and would entail some tree removal. The meeting agenda supplements include an extensive tree inventory. The transportation committee has recommended keeping both additional paths in the plans.
The Board of Public Works will discuss these plans at their meeting on Sept 9 at 4:30 pm.
Click this link for information on the project and how to watch the meeting, submit written comments, or register to speak at the meeting.
Proposed road and path construction in University Research Park Phase II development.
Iron Man JND Detour
Did you really think we could go another week without another JND detour wrinkle? Ironman Wisconsin is next weekend (Half Ironman on Saturday, Sept 12 and a full Ironman on Sunday, Sept 13) and the racecourse requires some rerouting. The racers will be using the Wingra Creek underpass of JND so other path users will temporarily use Olin-Turville Court and Lakeside St, rather than the Wingra Creek underpass. See the graphic below for detour times.
Use caution around race participants and observe instructions from race marshals and police who will be helping guide traffic. Be especially careful at the Lakeside intersection/JND intersection where the path detour crosses the racecourse.
Details of Cap City Path during the Ironman race next weekend (City of Madison)
A Deeper Dive into Local Crash Data
Last week, our update featured a graph of crash numbers in Madison by month which showed that crashes peaked in September. Sometimes simple averages don’t tell the whole story. Board member Harald Kleims, and I’m sure many others, were curious about what’s behind those numbers. Is it really more dangerous to bike in September? What factors drive these numbers? How solid are the data sources? Harald explores these questions and shares his insights in his blog.
Your Chance to Try Cyclocross
Itching to try cyclocross? Your timing is good. Trek is putting on a free juniors cyclocross clinic for youth cyclists ( 9-18 years of age). Caregivers are also welcome and you don’t need a special bike. The clinic is at Trek Headquarters on their World Cup Cyclocross Track.
The focus is on community, skill-building, and getting more kids riding together. Through guided laps, skills practice, and group riding, participants will sharpen techniques that translate directly to cyclocross and mountain biking.
Looks like we’re putting the heat behind us at last. Enjoy the fall riding and don’t forget to order your BFF tickets toda
Bicycle Film Festival is coming back to Madison at Barrymore Theatre with a curated screening of short films that celebrate the bicycle on October 1st, 2026.
BFF Madison presents international short film programs that appeal to film connoisseurs, avid cyclists, and everyone in between. Curated documentaries, narratives, animations, award-winning directors, and emerging talents all share equal billing.
It’s Bicycle Film Festival’s 26th year celebrating bicycles through art, film, and music. Over the past 26 years, the BFF has spanned the world to an audience of one million people in over 100 cities worldwide.
In 2001, Brendt Barbur founded the Bicycle Film Festival after being hit by a bus while cycling in New York City. What began as a personal journey became a global celebration of cycling through stories featuring leading voices in art, film, music, and advocacy. 26 years later, the BFF has reached over one million people in more than 100 cities from Paris, Tokyo, Mexico City to Cape Town, Istanbul, and beyond. Hosted in iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and the Barbican in London, BFF shines a light on cycling culture. We are enthusiastic to bring it back to Madison this year.
Buy your tickets now before prices increase on September 7th!
Did you stop by our free ice cream stop at Bernie’s Beach last week? We had perfect weather, and it was great to see how many people biked by or stopped for some ice cream!
School Streets future unclear
What is a school street? Streets in front of schools are often chaotic during school pickup and drop-off. One solution to this that has become increasingly popular in other cities is to keep cars off the street that is right in front of a school. It creates a safe space, encourages biking and walking, and distributes car traffic more widely. In Madison, the city and school district tested the concept at Marquette Elementary. How did it go? Apparently parents, kids, and neighbors gave positive feedback–but the program required city staff time to an extent that made it seem unsustainable. For now, the program is on hold and the cars will be back. Read this news article for more detail:
The reconstruction of South Stoughton Road provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the road into a more urban boulevard, with safer crossings, bike and pedestrian connections, and the potential for development. The two alders for the area, Derek Field and Sean O’Brien are holding an in-person public meeting on Thursday (9/3). The meeting will be in the cafeteria of La Follette High School (702 Pflaum Rd). Light refreshments will be provided. Please register in advance in Eventbrite.
During this meeting, staff from the City Planning and Transportation departments will provide information about the project, followed by a question-and-answer session.
Also check out the website for Better Streets Madison, a coalition of local advocacy groups that want to make sure Stoughton Road will be a human-centered project: https://betterstreetsmadison.com/
Ride for Your Life: Sign up and volunteer
It’s a little over a month until the Ride For Your Life, honoring Sasha Rosen, who was killed by a speeding driver, and other victims of traffic violence. The ride relies on a lot of volunteers, and so if you’re available to help, please sign up here: https://events.hakuapp.com/173ba995d4a37d68d05a
If you just want to participate in the ride or walk on October 4, you can sign up here.
PSA: September can be dangerous
If you look at the statistics, the number of bike crashes peaks in September. The weather is usually still good, school is back on, and a lot of new people will be out there on the roads and path. So drive carefully and watch out for people on bikes.
RoundTrip Smart Trips Challenge starts tomorrow
As we mentioned last week: Tomorrow is the first day of September and the start of the Smart Trips Challenge! You can still sign up.
RoundTrip Greater Madison’s fourth annual Smart Trips Challenge, September 1-30, celebrates sustainable, affordable, and healthy transportation choices. Replace as many drive-alone trips as you can with carpooling, bicycling, riding the bus, and walking or rolling for chances to win weekly and grand prize drawings.
The Smart Trips Challenge is free and open to everyone ages 18+ in Dane County. To participate, register with RoundTrip and log your eligible trips all month for chances to win. There will be 20+ prize drawings and the first 50 to log a trip receive $10 to Ian’s Pizza.
MTB demo
Want to try out various mountain bike models on actual trails? ERIK’s is hosting a demo event at Quarry Ridge on Tuesday (9/1) from 3 to 7 PM (if the trails are rideable).
Come out to Quarry Ridge in Madison to spend the day demoing mountain bikes from Specialized, Transition and Aventon on the trails they’re actually built for. This is a free, open-to-everyone event. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or you’ve never touched a trail, our crew will get you set up on the right bike and help you find what fits. No showroom, no pressure. Just you, some of the best bikes we carry, and a great stretch of singletrack.
Wright Stuff Century
Our friends from Bombay Bicycle Club is running the 49th edition of the Wright Stuff Century on September 6. Route options range from 35 to 65 miles. It covers some beautiful roads west of Madison, and for a century ride it’s very affordable. Just make sure to bring your climbing legs.
The City of Madison’s director of transportation is also a book author. His latest book, Transportation and the Shape of Cities, co-authored with David Copeland Loredo and Mandi Chapa, will be the topic of Alder Bill Tishler’s September book club on September 23 (i.e. not this week).
Drawing from the book, Spieler will discuss how transportation shapes cities, with a focus on Madison’s evolving transportation network. The book examines the five major nodes of U. S. transportation, from walking and bicycling to automobiles, trains, and transit, and explores how they influence urban design and community development.
This week we have a memorial ride, some opportunities for street safety and public involvement in trail connection projects, a commuter station, and an upcoming transportation challenge.
Memorial Ride
Team Wisconsin Cycling is hosting a memorial ride honoring the memory of Haylan Engdahl, who raced with and was part of the Wisconsin cycling community. The ride will start in Root Common Park in Wauwatosa on August 26th, at 6pm.
Last week, a heartbreaking crash killed Haylan and his Milligan University teammate Brayden Rogers, and injured other members of their cycling team, when a driver struck them from behind on Highway 19E in Carter County, Tennessee, while they were on a training ride.
Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts are with Haylan and Brayden’s families, their teammates, and everyone who loved them. He was one of us. Someone who got on a bike, rode the routes we ride, and trusted, as we all do, that a training ride would end the way it started. That trust shouldn’t be too much to ask. Until our roads are safe enough to guarantee it, we’ll keep showing up, keep riding, and keep pushing for the change that’s long overdue.
Have Your Say on Traffic Safety
There are two chances this week to weigh in on making Madison’s streets safer:
Shape Downtown Streets: Traffic Safety Meeting with D2 Alder Will Ochowicz Join Alder Will Ochowicz of District 2 for an in-person discussion about traffic safety in the downtown area. City transportation and planning staff will be on hand to hear from the public as they begin work on the Downtown Area Plan. Tuesday, August 25, 6:00–8:00 PM — Room 215, Madison Municipal Building
WisDOT Safer Together Community Event WisDOT and transportation partners — including Madison Metro, AAA, Operation Lifesaver, and the Wisconsin Bike Federation — host an afternoon of safety demonstrations and education for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders alike. Expect a State Patrol K-9 meet-and-greet, automated vehicle and drone inspection demos, a Madison Metro ride-along, and kids’ activities. Wednesday, August 26, 4:00–6:00 PM — Rennebohm Park (Rescheduled from an earlier date — accessible via Metro bus; limited street parking.)
Bike Paths to Nowhere
Right now, both of these multi-use trail segments simply dead-end. One stops short at a field south of UW Digestive Health, and the other ends near Lionello Court along CTH MM. These projects would finally extend them, turning isolated stretches of path into real, useful connections. There are opportunities this week to weigh in on the designs of both.
Proposed shared-use path extending the existing University Crossing Bike Path | City of Madison
Old Middleton Road Underpass of WSOR Railroad The City of Madison is proposing a shared-use path extending the existing University Crossing Bike Path toward Old Middleton Road and Craig Ave, including a new underpass beneath the WSOR Railroad. Design is underway this summer, with construction targeted for summer–fall 2027. Wednesday, August 26th, 6:00 PM — Virtual (Zoom) Registration required
County Highway MM Pedestrian/Bicycle Underpass The City of Fitchburg is planning a new underpass beneath CTH MM, extending the existing trail segment along the east side of the highway near Lionello Court. The project includes a new precast concrete box culvert, roadway reconstruction, and a new trail on the west side of MM, with construction targeted for summer 2027. It’s not clear whether this would extend the trail all the way to the Cap City Trail crossing near McCoy Rd, but we can all learn more on Thursday: Thursday, August 27th, 5:30–6:30 PM — Fitchburg Fire Station #3, 2950 S. Syene Road, Fitchburg
Ice Cream Commute
We’re sad to have missed Ride the Drive this year, but Summer isn’t over yet and we want to host a little something to show appreciation for commuters (and all cyclists)! To add to a very jam-packed Wednesday agenda, Madison Bikes will be hosting a Summer commuter station on Wednesday, August 26th, at 4:30pm. We will be hanging out at Bernie’s Beach off of S Shore Dr (along the John Nolen Drive detour), giving away free ice cream while supplies last. If you need one, or just you got a new helmet, we’ll also have free Bike Benefits stickers that get you tons of awesome discounts at local businesses. Stop by on your commute or just go out for a lake loop, and we’ll see you there.
RoundTrip Smart Trips Challenge: September 1-30
RoundTrip Greater Madison’s fourth annual Smart Trips Challenge, September 1-30, celebrates sustainable, affordable, and healthy transportation choices. Replace as many drive-alone trips as you can with carpooling, bicycling, riding the bus, and walking or rolling for chances to win weekly and grand prize drawings.
The Smart Trips Challenge is free and open to everyone ages 18+ in Dane County. To participate, register with RoundTrip and log your eligible trips all month for chances to win. There will be 20+ prize drawings and the first 50 to log a trip receive $10 to Ian’s Pizza.
Prize sponsors include One Social District, Machinery Row Bicycles, Friends Applaud Tavern & Cafe, Monk’s Bar & Grill, Giant Jones Brewing, Marigold Kitchen, Madison Bikes, and Metro Transit. The Smart Trips Challenge is hosted by RoundTrip, a public program of the Greater Madison MPO that supports alternatives to driving alone in Dane County.
It’s still summertime! Away we go on a ride around bicycling in Madison …
Lumping all e-bikes together?
Screen cap from WMTV’s story on different types of two-wheeled e-conveyances.
Discerning e-bikes from e-motos may feel easiest based on the speed at which they zip by on a bike path, but that doesn’t help a big chunk of the public and policy-makers tackle the nuance of the growing range of (relatively) small and electric vehicles moving people around on and off infrastructure designed for cars and bikes and pedestrians — but not so much movers that fall between categories.
WMTV managed to dig in and produce a clear and interesting story on the subject — the trouble with telling them apart and regulating their safe use, among other issues — including Madison-area transportation planner Ben Lyman and Madison Bikes board member Harald Kliems.
It’s worth watching and reading and, especially, sharing with people who express interest in and/or frustration with new electric rides.
Downtown traffic safety meeting
Will Ochowicz, who represents District 2 on Madison’s Common Council, will host a discussion of traffic safety in downtown Madison from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 25, in Room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building, 215 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard.
“Everyone who lives, works, or cares about downtown is invited to join,” says the invite. “Whether you’re a local commuter, a cyclist, or simply curious about traffic updates, your voice matters! Join us, ask questions, and help shape the future of traffic safety in our city.”
City transportation and planning staff will be present to hear from the public on pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety issues as they begin work on the Downtown Area Plan.
New four-way stop at Lakeside and Gilson. Photo courtesy Harald Kliems.
• West Lakeside Street — part of the bike detour around John Nolen Drive construction — now frames a nice painted crossing where a section of its off-street path transitions to Gilson Street with a new four-way stop.
• Always rolling camera, Harald also posted a video bike-through before-and-after comparison of the Lakeshore Path’s new bicycle bypass of the Hasler Laboratory of Limnology, 680 N. Park St.
The ride began in remembrance of Sarah Debbink Langenkamp, a diplomat with Wisconsin roots who was killed by a driver in 2022 in Bethesda, Maryland, and has continued to honor anyone lost to traffic violence.
Madison’s event will be held in memory of Sasha Rosen, a 17-year-old killed in February while crossing South Park Street.
The first few dry leaves have fallen off my birch tree. My daughter has a dorm move-in date. My son is wrapping up his summer internship in Boston. NO! NO! NO! It can’t be fall yet! It’s still summer, right!? Let’s all make a pledge to have a few more Chocolate Shoppe Bicycle Benefits Waffle Cones, a few more lazy evenings at the terrace, and a few more sublime, aimless miles on our bikes. September can wait.
The official signed detour on Packers Ave is only for cars. Luckily, a brand new road by the ice arena should make for a groovy, low-stress detour. The northern half has a multi-use path. The entire length has a sidewalk. If you’re a regular rider on N. Sherman, can you give the Roth / Huxley / Commercial detour a try this week to see if there are any hiccups?
In other N. Sherman Ave news, the planned reconstruction near McGuire has been re-scoped and pushed to 2027. See the project page for details.
Milwaukee Street
At this week’s Transportation Commission, the one topic of high interest is Milwaukee St between the Garver Path and Woodman’s. This is the area that is seeing heavy Voit Farms development just to the north.
The files are in Legistar #94298. In a nutshell, the City is proposing a north-side multi-use path coupled with a south-side, eastbound bike lane.
I really like the asymmetric layout. Side paths are nice for all ages & abilities, but they’re often “meh” when they’re on the opposite side of the street from where you are or want to be. This design solves that.
And we all must celebrate that the City is keeping Milwaukee St traffic to one lane in each direction. That’s all the current traffic volume demands, and it will establish Milwaukee St as a “Community Main Street” that will much better serve the new neighborhoods being built up there.
John Nolen Drive
The City plans to re-open North Shore Drive to cars on Wed, Aug 12 with some traffic flows allowed at the intersection with JND. There will be no bike or pedestrian crossings allowed there. The return of traffic to North Shore Drive will make the current detour crossings of that street more hazardous.
On Tuesday Aug 11 at noon, come to the University Bicycle Resource Center (just west of the Memorial Union) for a free session on Getting to Campus Without a Car. This is just the first of a series of fall clinics on fixing flat tires, brakes, and winter biking.
On Tuesday Aug 11 at 6:00pm, the Women’s Cycling Club meets at the Olbrich Biergarten for a Taco Tuesday ride. See their instagram page for details.
Also on Tuesday,Vote.
On Wednesday Aug 12 at 5pm is the Madison Transportation Commission, mentioned in Milwaukee Ave above. The agenda has details and sign up info. But, why attend a dry City Zoom meeting when the Capital Brewery E-bike ride meets at 5:30pm and the Motorless Motion Taco Ride meets at 6:00pm?
On Thursday Aug 13*, your job is to review the Downtown Area Plan so far. The City will soon release draft recommendations but, with so many downtown stakeholders vying for ink, bicycling risks taking a backseat. If you have ideas about how to make bicycling better downtown — practical (two-way cycletrack the length of Broom St), lofty (Capitol Square pump track), or specific (close Gilman St where it crosses State Street) — now’s a good time to put your ideas into words and make the case. * You don’t have to wait until Thursday!
On Friday Aug 14 at 11am is the Machinery Row Lunch Bunch e-bike ride. Where will they eat this week? Come and find out! (and don’t forget Machinery Row’s Sunday 8am Century Training ride. AKA long-distance riding for the rest of us)
The City flipped the stop signs at the Commonwealth Ave crossing! This is a most welcome and sensible change. Commonwealth sees a roughly equal number of cars and bikes each day (about 2000 of each), yet for bikers it’s the equivalent of the beltline highway.
The City will reduce the Odana Rd speed limit to 25 mph between Whitney Way and Monroe Street. The SW Path crossing of Odana Rd has poor visibility and a stubbornly high number of crashes (five since 2021, compared to zero at Glenway St which handles a similar number of vehicles). Let’s hope the speed reduction helps.
Madison’s annual celebration of U-Haul and out-of-state license plates is upon us. As always, let’s welcome our new neighbors. Yes, they will block bike lanes, they will drive the wrong way, and they will signal right while turning left. Please be tolerant, give them space, and maybe offer a helping hand.
Teejop Community Art Project
Finally, the Madison Art Commission just innagurated the Teejop Community Art Project, a series of indigenous artworks placed at parks around Madison. The displays will stay out until November. What does that have to do with biking? Well, nothing except that bicycle is the best way to see them!
I put together this 26-mile ridewithgps route that visits them all and has links and descriptions of the artists taken from this guide. The artworks intentionally don’t have information signs, so keep the links handy to learn about what you’re seeing.
Madison’s Mayor innagurating the Teejop Community Art Project and very thankful to be talking about something other than body cameras.
August is here, and you can feel it in the calendar: long warm evenings, group rides nearly every night of the week, and the biggest car-free party of the summer coming up on Sunday. Before we get to the fun stuff, though, we’ve got a volunteer ask, a somber community meeting, and a construction heads-up.
Help us make smoothies at Ride the Drive!
Ride the Drive is this Sunday, August 9, from 10 AM to 2 PM– the free annual event where motor vehicles are banished from several downtown streets, opening them up to people on bikes and on foot, with activities from all kinds of orgs and vendors along the way. Madison Bikes will have a tent on the Capitol Square, and yes, we will once again be making bike-powered smoothies. Pedal, blend, sip. It’s a good gig.
And that’s where you come in: we need volunteers! We have shifts from 8:30–10 AM for setup, 10 AM-12 PM and 12-2 PM for smoothie-making and chatting with folks about who we are and what we do, and 2-3 PM for cleanup. Every volunteer gets a coveted Ride the Drive tee, plus sunscreen, bug spray, water, and snacks. If you’re interested, please fill out this form or email Dan directly at dan@madisonbikes.org. Thank you!
McFarland traffic safety listening session
On a much more serious note: the Village of McFarland is hosting a Community Listening Session on the future of traffic safety in the village on Thursday, August 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The session comes in the wake of the death of Braeyla Valenza, an 8-year-old bicyclist. You can attend in person at the McFarland Municipal Center, 5915 Milwaukee St, or join via Zoom. If you live, ride, or have family in McFarland, please consider showing up — these sessions are where the direction of local streets actually gets shaped.
Capital City Trail Re-Re-Detour
Construction note: as of 5 AM Monday, North Shore Drive is closed at the railroad crossing on the curve where it becomes Proudfit Street, so that Wisconsin & Southern Railroad can replace the crossing. The bike path and sidewalks at the crossing are closed too — bicyclists and pedestrians are detoured via West Main Street and the Southwest Path. The city scheduled this while the existing North Shore/John Nolen closure is already in place (small mercies), and the whole thing should wrap up and reopen by 6 AM on Friday, August 7. Plan your rides accordingly. My suggestion: If you’re traversing the isthmus, just avoid the whole thing and enjoy the nice Wilson St cycleway instead.
The bike and pedestrian detour around the railroad work zone, in red. (source: City of Madison)
This Week
On Tuesday at 6 PM, join the Madison Women’s Cycling Club Ride. Check their Instagram for this week’s route and meetup location.
On Wednesday from 10 AM to 1 PM, join the Ride for Joe, starting at the Fitchburg Senior Center, 5510 Lacy Rd. Bike Fitchburg, the Fitchburg Senior Center, and the City of Fitchburg Bicycle & Pedestrian Commission host this monthly slow ride in memory of Joe Imilkowski, Bike Fitchburg’s late, long-time director. A lovely way to honor a person clearly important in Fitchburg cycling history.
Also on Wednesday at 5:30 PM, the Capital Brewery E-Bike Club Group Ride rolls out from Capital Brewery in Middleton. In the organizers’ words:
Join us for a high-energy, inclusive, and flat-out fun E-bike group ride! Every Wednesday during the summer at 5:30 pm starting and ending at Capital Brewery in Middleton.
Also on Wednesday at 6 PM, the Motorless Motion Taco Ride meets at the shop at 640 W Washington Ave, rolling out around 6:15. A casual-paced ride, about 6-8 miles, that ends – as the name promises – with tacos.
Later on Wednesday at 6:30 PM, the Greater Madison MPO Policy Board meets virtually. Regional transportation planning may not come with tacos, but it’s where a lot of long-term decisions get made. A few tidbits about future path connections between south side neighborhoods and Fitchburg but otherwise nothing big on the agenda for cycling.
On Friday at 11 AM, join the Lunch Bunch E-Bike Group Ride, a casual ride to a different restaurant or cafe each week. Meet at Machinery Row Bicycles.
On Sunday at 9 AM, pop in to a watch party for the finale stage of the Tour de France Femmes (avec Zwift, bien sur!) at Friends Applaud on the south side. Plenty of time to do this and…
Finally, again, on Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, it’s the 2026 edition of Ride the Drive! With John Nolen Drive under reconstruction, 2026 gets a redesigned route: start on the Capitol Square, roll down King Street, hang a left onto E Wilson St, and follow Willy St out to McPike Park. Which means you get to navigate the hairball faster and safer than ever before – no cars, no light cycle. See above for our volunteer ask – otherwise, just come find our tent on the Square and enjoy a smoothie you pedaled yourself.
The 2026 route, with hubs at the Capitol Square, the Lakefront Porch, and McPike Park. (source: Madison Parks)
