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
I hope you are enjoying the roller coaster of weather that is Spring in Wisconsin, where we ride in a T-shirt one day, and need ski mittens the next. There are quite a few things going on this week, so we’ll dive right into it.
Botanizing by Bicycle
On Tuesday, March 31st at 6pm, Join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Jeff will discuss his favorite natural areas, how to get there via bicycle, what plants and animals one may expect to find, and bicycle camping options along the way.
Those that attend this presentation will learn how to utilize available online resources to develop their own unique route. Jeff will also share sample itineraries for those that would like ideas for their next botany bicycle adventure.
Active Transportation Plan Feedback
If you have not already reviewed Greater Madison MPO’s draft for the Active Transportation Plan, there’s still time. The public comment period has been extended through April 13th, 2026. The plan contains tons of transportation-related data and is intended to inform decision-makers about what those of us who walk, bike, or roll need to travel safely. The draft plan aims to answer how we can better design streets, sidewalks, paths, and intersections. Feedback on the draft plan can be provided to mpo@cityofmadison.com through the April 13 deadline.
The Active Transportation Plan also features an interactive map where users have added points of interest highlighting problem areas or areas with good design that they’d like to see elsewhere. It’s worth a look if you have not seen it.
Open Shop @ Freewheel
If you are interested in learning more about bike repair: Sunday, April 5th from 12-4pm, Freewheel bike shop is hosting an Open Shop. Happening every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, this is your opportunity to learn more about caring for your bike, replacing parts, and fixing common issues.
Participants are welcome to bring their own bike or work on repairing donated bikes. Experienced instructors will be to guide you through the process of all levels of fixes and maintenance. All skill levels are welcome. No mechanic experience needed. Everyone’s a learner, everyone’s a teacher.
Monthly Bike Advocacy Meetup
Reminder that the first Sunday of the month from 5-6:30pm is the Monthly Bike Advocacy Meetup hosted by Machinery Row Bicycles. The meeting serves as a dedicated place to work together on advocacy efforts and build connections in the cycling community. If you are interested in learning more or joining, you can check out the website!
Cool Bikes North Community Event
If you’re a Northsider who bikes, you know our bicycle infrastructure lags behind other parts of Madison. What changes do we want to see, and how do we make them happen?
The North side is dear to my heart as the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Madison. Sadly, for North side residents, it can be downright uncomfortable to make trips via bike that should be simple and easy. The North side has a bunch of restaurants, shopping, parks, and other great destinations that its residents and other Madisonians would love to ride to, but the lack of safe bike routes can be prohibitive for some.
The goal of this event is to have an open discussion on how biking could be improved. The public is invited to a free panel discussion and Q&A forum on Tuesday, April 21, from 6–8 pm, at Cool Bikes North. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be live streamed and you can write to info@coolbikesnorth.com to request a link.
Bike Week Event Signup is Live!
We’re already looking ahead to the first week of June (May 30 – June 7) because it’s Madison Bike Week! Tons of events, group rides, free snacks, classes, parties, and more await you during a whole week of bike-related celebration. Awesome events like these exist because businesses, groups, and community members like you volunteer their time and efforts to putting on wonderful events that celebrate our unique biking culture. Anyone can register and put on an event!
If you have an idea for a Bike Week event, please fill out our event registration form! It only takes a few minutes and we have a great list of potential locations that are pre-approved for Bike Week events. Madison Bike Week is only possible because of our amazing community members who are willing to make it happen, so if you are hosting an event this year: THANK YOU!
Did you know we also award small grants? If you want to host an event but lack the funds to do so, this may be a perfect option for you. Almost anything bike related could qualify, so get brainstorming and we’ll see you during Bike Week!
Already based on a survey answered by 3,000 people, the plan considers topics like trends in demographics and active transportation use, new e-micromobility devices, funding, and gaps and barriers that prevent prevent walking, rolling, and/or biking.
It’s a healthy 140+ pages, but if you want to make sure you’ve had the last word, dig in here and email mpo@cityofmadison.com with your thoughts.
AAA bikeways network
Madison presented its All Ages and Abilities Bike Network plan at the Transportation Commission meeting last week. Part of the Complete Green Streets approach that prioritizes safety, comfort, and access to destinations for all, the AAA Bike Network aims to connect low-stress bike routes and make it easier and safer for bicyclists to reach neighborhoods and key destinations throughout Madison.
Learn more about the plan here, and watch the calendar. The plan will be released for public comment on April 20, with a virtual public meeting scheduled for April 23. You’ll have until May 11 to submit your comments and influence plan revisions before it is presented for adoption in the summer.
The RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating sustainable choices for everyday trips this April — which is Earth Month. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, walking and rolling from April 1 to 30. Prizes from prizes from Ian’s Pizza, Willy Street Co-op, Madison BCycle, Forage Kitchen, The Soap Opera, and more will be up for grabs.
Fitchburg bike-friendly business survey
If you regularly (or otherwise) ride to or through neighboring Fitchburg, take a look at a survey about the several businesses there looking to gain or renew their status as a Bicycle Friendly Business conferred by The League of American Bicyclists.
Fitchburg is high up on the national leaderboard for the designation, and word is The League and the businesses appreciate the number of survey responses and input from bicyclists. Visit the survey here and select Fitchburg’s state (it’s “Wisconsin”) to provide some support and feedback.
Coming Up
Tuesday, March 31, join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Facebook event.
Sunday, April 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monthly Bike Advocacy Meetup at Machinery Row Bicycles, 601 Williamson St.
Thursday, April 9, a PIM about the West Towne Path phase 2B – Zor Shrine to Gammon Rd. (the final portion needed to connect Whitney Way to Junction Rd)That’s it for our weekly update. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the snow!
Blizzard daydreams? Here’s a a guy I met in St. Augustine last month who had just completed a cross-country tour.
Am I the only one who jumped the gun and swapped out the studded tires last week? %$#@! The weather promises an exciting start to the week — maybe a good one to take the bus (tips below).
Highway 51 north changes & Public Info Meeting tonight!
WisDOT’s future Highway 51 / Stoughton Rd plans are divided into northern and southern halves. The southern part has been in the news over the last few months, with the City arguing for a narrower and calmer street. That fight is ongoing. The portion north of about HWY 30 chose a preferred alternative a year ago with excellent bike facilities over and around HWY 30, East Washington, and north towards the airport. What it lacked was a bike facility by the airport itself, due to some technical FAA regulation.
All had been quiet with the northern portion until the roar of an F-35 forced some project changes that will be discussed at a a Public Information Meeting on Monday March 16 from 5-6:30pm (POSTPONED – see the WisDOT project page to sign up for updates).
Apparently, a runway extension project intended to help reduce noise in southern neighborhoods requires that HWY 51 be rerouted with a new stoplight. As part of that rerouting, a continuous bike path is back in the plans! (reduce airport noise? calm the highway? add a bike path? Talk about a win / win / win!)
Bus 101 / Roundtrip Madison
Metro Transit is hosting two Learn & Ride Events with coffee and donuts. Learn about everything from how to pay the fare to how to bring your bike on the bus.
Thusday March 19, 7-10am, Junction Road BRT terminal. Facebook event
Tuesday, March 30, 7-10am, Sun Prairie Park and Ride. Facebook event. Tours on the A1 BRT depart at 7:58am and 8:58am.
Our friends from RoundTrip Madison will be there. Did you know that they offer a free program called Emergency Ride Home for when you’re at school or work and have an emergency or mechanical breakdown? Madison Bikes board member Dan used it this January and found it really smooth!
MPO Active Transportation Plan
The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) sets standards and direction for the communites that orbit Madison. Take a look at their draft Active Transportation Plan for Dane County — 142 pages of concentrated policy details covering “what people who bike, walk, and roll need to travel safely and comfortably.” Perfect material to read on a snow day!
The public comment period for this draft plan is open through Monday March 23.
Bike Fed plates
The Wisconsin Bike Fed has been making solid progress on a bike-themed license plate. The idea of a vehicle plate that celebrates biking may seem anachronistic, but it makes perfect sense to send the message that a lot of bikers also own cars, pay fuel and gas tax, etc.
The next step is this survey to choose which plate to use. There are five choices but based on the tally at their Bike-o-rama booth this past weekend, these two are in the lead:
Also This Week
On Monday March 16 at 6pm, there’s a Public Information Meeting about Sherman Avenue construction impacts this summer. These will affect the road portions shown in red below. The questionnaire is open until March 23; use it to stress the importance of accommodating north/south biking during construction (e.g., at minimum keeping the green line open).
Tuesday, March 31, join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Facebook event.
Thursday, April 9, a PIM about the West Towne Path phase 2B – Zor Shrine to Gammon Rd. (the final portion needed to connect Whitney Way to Junction Rd)
On Saturday, April 11, the Middleton PD in concert with Wisconsin Bike Federation is offering a free Bike Safety teaching certification course at Elm Lawn Elementary School in Middleton from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. This is in preparation for the June 6th Middleton Bike Rodeo, and they can train up to 16 people. If you’re interested in getting certified to teach bike safety, email James Blodgett directly at jameswblodgett@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 23, Southern Kettle Moraine Mountain Bike Trail System annual meeting. See SKORR.org for details.
The Alliant Energy Center shared big plans in their Town Hall last week. Here are a few transportation slides. Take note the “land bridge” overpass concept over John Nolen Drive near Willow Island.
March is here, and while we’re oscillating wildly between May and February weather, there are some exciting signs of the season turning. BCycle comes back into service on Friday, Bikeorama is this weekend, and there’s a whole pile of news to dig into. Let’s get to it.
BCycle Returns Friday
The big news for casual and commuter riders alike: BCycle officially returns to service this Friday for the 2026 season. If you’ve been eyeing those empty docking stations all winter, your patience has been rewarded. And here’s a nice bonus: BCycle is offering a free month with code FREEMONTH, valid through the end of April. Good excuse to sign up or get a friend started.
Spring Election Questionnaire Responses Are Up
We sent out our 2026 Spring Election questionnaire to candidates, and we got a really good yield of responses this year. If you want to know where candidates stand on bike and transportation issues before you vote, head over and take a look. I’d encourage you to share it with friends and neighbors who might know much about their local races. If you don’t know who your alder is, there’s a link to the City’s site that will look them up for you.
The spring election is on Tuesday, April 7 and also has an always-important State Supreme Court race.
Odana Hills Path Connection
Big news on the west side path network front! The City announced last week that a substantial private gift will fund a redesign of Odana Hills golf course (similar to Glenway a few years back), with construction potentially starting as early as 2027. The Wisconsin State Journal (paywalled) has additional reporting on the details. While a lot is still up in the air about the golf course itself, the City’s announcement specifically mentions expanding the West Beltline Path between South Gammon Road and South Whitney Way along the south side of the course to link up with the Southwest Commuter Path, plus improving stormwater systems in and around the park.
Mockup of some of the features around Odana Hills Golf Course (Craig Weinhold)
We’d previously thought this path connection would need to wait until changes are made to Whitney Way and the Beltline, so it’s worth noting it could potentially happen sooner. Madison Bikes’ Craig has been digging into the details and notes that the pressing question becomes where and how to cross Whitney Way. The obvious answer is through the Milward Drive easement to the West Beltline Path, which has room for a future overpass. But Medical Circle also looks like a possibility that might connect better to the HyVee area. There are also questions about how future Beltline plans interact with all of this. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.
Vote Madison for Strongest Town
Our friends at Strong Towns have asked us to spread the word: Madison is competing in the 2026 Strongest Town Contest, and voting is open throughout the month of March. If you think Madison deserves recognition for investing in great streets, bike infrastructure, and sustainable transportation, go cast your vote. You can vote throughout the whole month, so set a reminder and keep at it.
This Week
On Monday at 6 PM, the Madison Bikes board meets in person at Madison Central Library. Board meetings are open to everyone, so if you’re curious about what we’re working on, feel free to stop by.
On Tuesday at 4:30 PM, the Alliant Energy Center is hosting a Master Plan Town Hall to discuss their future plans. This includes a facilities expansion, a new 13-acre “365 Destination” mixed-use district with restaurants, hospitality, and entertainment, a larger “Destination District,” and a Traffic Master Plan to tie it all together. Their newsletter notes that several key infrastructure projects just outside the campus, including the John Nolen Drive reconstruction, the Madison LakeWay Vision, and a Rimrock Road rebuild, are designed to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. If you’re interested, there’s an RSVP flyer here.
On Wednesday at 6 PM, the Madison Queer Bike Ride rolls out from Law Park. This is the monthly second-Wednesday group ride, party pace, all welcome. A great way to shake off the early-March cobwebs.
Also on Wednesday at 6 PM, the City is hosting a virtual public input meeting on the Moorland Road path project, running until 7:30 PM. Got thoughts about this one? Here’s your chance to share them. (Zoom Registration).
On Friday, to reiterate, BCycle returns to service for the 2026 season. Time to dust off that membership (or sign up for a new one) and start rolling. Remember, code FREEMONTH gets you a free month, and it’s good through the end of April.
We’ll be bringing stations back online throughout the day, so check the BCycle App before heading out to see real-time station and bike availability.
And finally, this weekend is Bikeorama. Running Friday through Sunday (March 13-15) at the New Holland Pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center. If you haven’t been, it’s basically a big bike expo with vendors, demos, and all things cycling. A great way to start thinking seriously about the riding season ahead. Admission and bike parking are free, but car parking ain’t!
Coming Up
On Saturday, April 11, the Middleton PD in concert with Wisconsin Bike Federation is offering a free Bike Safety teaching certification course at Elm Lawn Elementary School in Middleton from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. This is in preparation for the June 6th Middleton Bike Rodeo, and they can train up to 16 people. If you’re interested in getting certified to teach bike safety, email James Blodgett directly at jameswblodgett@gmail.com.
Also worthy of note: the Bike Fed’s education team is hiring four Dane County high school students for its paid, part-time Transportation Ambassadors internship program. It’s a 12-month gig starting in June, open to students across Dane County who will be in high school during the 2026-27 school year. If you know a young person who likes bikes and is interested in transportation, urban planning, environmental science, or political science, point them toward this. Applications are open through Sunday, April 12, and details are available in English and Spanish. Questions and applications can go to Shawn Koval at shawn.koval@wisconsinbikefed.org.
Nothing like late winter/early spring to give us weather whiplash. Sunny and warm one day, cold and windy the next, and then snow. This is why we wear and carry layers when biking in Wisconsin.
During the warm spell, I snapped this photo of a Trek employee on his day off, enjoying a ride with his doggo. He says that the dog loves these outings so much that he immediately jumps in the trailer when it comes out.
In Case You Missed It
Madison Bikes member interview
Madison Commons published an interview I did with them for their series, Common Ground. They ask the same questions to all interviewees. my comments are not all about bicycling, but many touch on why we need to have better transportation options for all ages and abilities. I also talked about city growing pains and how the city must change to keep up with those needs.
1000 Friends Transportation Academy this spring
A reminder that if you are interested in learning more about our transportation system and how to be an advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future, you can still apply to participate in the Transportation Academy hosted by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. This is the first time this 10-week course has been offered in Madison, and it might not be offered again for quite some time, so don’t miss your chance. It’s free, and no experience is needed.
The course consists of a mix of online and in-person meetings and runs from April 2-June 4 on Wednesdays (virtual) or Thursdays (in-person) from 4-6 pm. The deadline to apply is March 14.
New Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Fitchburg
Four new businesses in Fitchburg received Bicycle Friendly Business awards. The city has really been pushing hard to get businesses to apply, and the League of American Bicyclists announced that Alterra Design and Juniper Apartments received silver designations, and Tabby & Jack’s and Ten Pin Alley got bronze. You can view all the new awards across the country here.
Thank Bill Lunney for many of the great trails in Dane County
If you venture outside Madison for a ride, you’ve probably used a trail through a park made possible by the hard work of Bill Lunney. He was the chair of the Dane County Parks Commission for many years, and he passed away this past week. Read more about his work in this piece by Dave Zweifel in the Cap Times.
The configuration recommended by city staff does not include any bicycle accommodations on Regent St, instead concentrating on improving connections to the SW Path and parallel neighborhood streets. However, the sidewalk would be widened considerably, the overall street width narrowed, and pedestrian crossings would be improved. Bus pull-outs and car parking bays would be constructed along the curb. Wider sidewalks would open up the potential for trees, which don’t exist on Regent St at this time.
Also on the TC agenda is the 2027-2032 Transportation Improvement Plan. Each year, the city submits its plan for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, and other maintenance on roads, highways, and bike/ped infrastructure for the next five years. These are planned projects, but some may be delayed or rescheduled based city priorities or funding.
Some of this is quite mundane, like patching a badly-deteriorated street through the neighborhood. But other projects completely rebuild a street – such as Regent – and give the city a chance to change what a street looks and feels like. Other projects add important bike-ped connections: Paths, over/underpasses, and separated bike facilities. There are some exciting connections planned.
You can watch the meeting and/or register to speak or submit your own comments here. The meeting is at 5:00 pm online.
CORP Trailside Bike Repair: Also Wednesday, CORP will hold a clinic on trailside bike repair at Black Saddle Bike Shop at 5:30 pm. Learn what to carry and how to do basic repairs. Registration required.
Saturday
CORP Trailside Bike Repair: CORP will hold a clinic on trailside bike repair geared to women, femme, trans, and non-binary bicyclists at both the East and West Trek shops at 11:30 am. Learn what to carry and how to do basic repairs. Registration required.
Mark your calendars for these future meetings
March 18: Public Information Meeting for the Military Ridge Trail pavingthrough the city of Verona. Today, the paved portion of the trail ends at the eastern end of Verona and proceeds west as a crushed-limestone trail. This paving project will provide year-round access through the city to the high school on the western side of the city.
March 23: Deadline to submit comments on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Active Transportation Plan for Dane County. View the draft plan and submit comments on the MPO Biking and Walking page.
April 9: Public Information Meeting for Phase 2B of the West Towne Path, which would take the path from Gammon Rd to Zor Shrine Pl. This is the final segment for the path that runs from Junction Rd to Whitney Way.
To everyone’s surprise: It’s not actually spring yet! We’re back in freezing temperatures and the bike paths are much emptier again. Ah well.
Park Street
The horrible crash that killed 17-year-old high school student Sasha Rosen on Park Street continues to be on everyone’s minds and in the media. Last Wednesday, the Transportation Commission discussed the fatal crash, what led to it, and how we can prevent fatal crashes–on Park Street and elsewhere–going forward. For a live recap of the meeting discussion, you can read Mike Zenz’s account on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/therealzenz.bsky.social/post/3mf6a6xgqck27
Many members of the public spoke at the meeting or submitted written comments, asking for action and recounting their own experiences of traffic violence or reckless driving on and around Park Street. City staff gave a long presentation. The talked about what they have already done (e.g. make sure that all signage and signals at the site of the crash met and exceeded regulation; increased police enforcement right after the crash); what cannot be done at the moment (e.g. automated camera enforcement because state law doesn’t allow for it; closing down a travel lane because Park Street is a highway controlled by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation); and what they plan on doing going forward in the long term (e.g. the North-South BRT project will include many safety improvements) and in the short term (collect more data). Members of the commission (disclosure: I am one of them) offered suggestions and asked many pointed questions.
If you want to stay up to date with “Safe Streets for Sasha,” the advocacy website now has an option to subscribe to email updates: https://www.safestreetsforsasha.org/
Bike Advocacy Social on Sunday
After successful outing to survey Regent Street and talk to local businesses about the upcoming Regent Street reconstruction last Sunday, the Machinery Row/Madison Bikes advocacy meetup is doing a social next Sunday (3/1): From 5 to 6:30 pm folks will meet at Working Draft Brewing, in an approachable environment where anyone interested in bike advocacy can meet like-minded folks and chat about how we can make Madison a more bike-friendly city.
CORP Clinic for NICA Athletes on Monday
The series of Capital Offroad Pathfinders continues, but this time it’s for the kids. On Monday (2/23) night, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, NICA athletes can come to the Trek Store West and learn about fixing their bikes:
Are your parents sometimes too helpful and as a result you don’t learn how to fix things yourself? No parents allowed in this clinic which will focus on athletes learning common bike repairs, changing a tire, keeping your bike clean and running well.
This clinic will be led by the awesome mechanics at Trek West!
Bike License Plates
Rumor has it that some people who ride bikes also own a car. And may be interested in that car having custom license plates that show their support for biking. Well, the Bike Fed’s got you:
Turn Your Commute Into a Cause: The Wisconsin Bike Safety Plate Wisconsin is about to become the 27th state to put bicycle safety front and center—and we need your help to cross the finish line.
The Wisconsin Bike Fed is officially launching a campaign to create a “Special Group Plate.” This isn’t just a piece of metal for your car; it’s a rolling billboard for safety and a permanent engine for change.
Why This Matters Starting in 2027, every plate sold will do two vital things:
1. Generate awareness: It sends a constant, visual safety message to every driver on the road.
2. Fund Education: Proceeds from every sale go directly into bicycle education and safety programs across the state.
Lots of activity at Winter Bike Day (photo by Harold Kliems)
International Winter Bike to Work Day
This year, we set up at Law Park with treats and information provided by Madison Bikes (coffee from Cafe Domestique), Machinery Row Bicycles and Round Trip / Greater Madison MPO. Even the Data Bike was there. Well over 100 cyclists attended, marking a significant increase from last year. Perhaps the weather had something to do with the high turnout, but we hope increased acceptance of winter riding as a viable transportation mode is partly responsible. It was great seeing all the shared conversation and celebration of winter biking. Thanks to everyone who attended!
Transportation Commission to discuss Park St safety, Rimrock resurfacing
On Wednesday, February 18, the Transportation Commission will address safety on Park St. following the tragic crash which took the life of Sasha Rosen last week. Traffic Engineering Division’s rapid response team is working on identifying any possible short-term and/or long-term improvements which could prevent future crashes. This meeting is a chance to weigh in on the need for these improvements.
The Rimrock Rd resurfacing project will also be discussed. Construction is anticipated in 2027 or 2028. It’s significant because along with the E-Rusk path (see below) and recently completed Badger-Rusk path, it will close a major gap in the low-stress bicycle network.
Map shows how new shared use paths will close active transportation gap
East Rusk Ave Shared-Use Path would plug low-stress network gap
A proposed path would link the recently completed W Badger Rd path to a planned shared-use path on Rimrock Rd (see TC meeting agenda). The East Rusk path would provide all ages & abilities access to businesses on E. Rusk Ave, the Alliant Energy Center and the Cap City Trail. The public meeting was last week but you can see details, watch the presentation, and sign up for e-mail updates here.
Regent Street
Regent Street will be reconstructed in the next year or two. The Transportation Commission plans to discuss updates to the options discussed at the last public information meeting; however, this agenda item has been delayed until March 4. This delay gives us a bit more time to become more familiar with the different alternatives. At this point the preferred option doesn’t contain bicycle facilities on Regent St, but it does include improvements in routes to access Regent St from the SW commuter path. The project page provides information on Regent Street reconstruction including the options being considered.
Yesterday, Machinery Row and Madison Bikes organized a group of volunteers who visited Regent St businesses to make sure the perspectives of bicyclists are part of the conversation. It’s important for bicyclists to attend the March 4 meeting and comment orally or in writing, emphasizing the businesses you would visit by bicycle to highlight that increased bicycle traffic through a neighborhood can mean more business.
Bicycle advocates visit Regent St businesses (photo by Lauren Barlow)
Election questionnaire results
Common Council elections for all even-numbered districts will take place on April 7. Madison Bikes once again has teamed up with other local groups to send candidates a questionnaire about housing, development, and transportation issues. Questionnaires will be sent this week. We plan to publish the candidates’ responses on March 5.
Forgo Mucky Paths
This is a good time to stay off unpaved trails which are soft and rutty until things firm up a bit. Riding on muddy trails can cause permanent damage to trails. For mountain bike trails, CORP provides a handy listing of trail conditions to let you know if conditions are OK to ride.
Military Ridge trail in Verona (City of Verona Website)
That’s it for this week’s update. Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.
A vigil was held Thursday evening to remember Sasha
Last Thursday, 17-year old Alexander (Sasha) Rosen was hit and killed by a driver while crossing S. Park Street. While police officials are pleading for drivers to slow down and pay attention, it’s clear that more work is needed to make this area safer for pedestrians.
Former Madison Bikes board president and S. Park St neighborhood resident Eleanor Conrad spoke out in this article about safety and the need for more traffic calming measures:
“I know that there are those who will be really frightened by that term, but it’s really frightening crossing the street.”
Eleanor is exactly right. Paint is not infrastructure. S. Park is built like a highway, and the 25mph speed limit signs are most often ignored. We urge the City and WisDOT to consider adding physical traffic calming measures like curb extensions (AKA bump-outs), raised crossings, or traffic circles. Elements like these can save lives by slowing drivers down to an appropriate speed, and make crossing the road safer and easier for pedestrians. Traffic throughput should never take priority over lives. To learn more about what you can do to take action, visit safestreetsforsasha.org.
It’s worth noting that this section of Park Street may be due for reconstruction soon. The surface is in poor condition and it is on the route of the proposed North-South BRT. Either way, we’ll need support from the community in speaking up about prioritizing safety.
Public Meeting: E. Rusk Shared Use Path
On Monday at 6pm, the City is hosting a public information meeting on the E. Rusk Ave Shared-Use Path project. The path would be on the NW side of E. Rusk Ave between N. Rusk Ave and Rimrock Rd., parallel to the Beltline. The project aims to address the current lack of bicycle infrastructure there and close a gap in the low-stress bike network. Eventually, this path would connect to a future planned path along Rimrock Rd. The public is encouraged to give feedback. If you would like to give feedback or learn more, you can register using the Zoom link in the project page.
Friday is Winter Bike Day
2024 Winter Bike Day | Beth Skogen Photography – www.bethskogen.com
We are excited to host another International Winter Bike (Anywhere) Day. Whether you are biking to work, school, or just going for a ride, we would love to have you stop by our commuter station on the Cap City Trail in Law Park near Machinery Row. We’ll be there on Friday from 7-9am handing out free donuts and coffee, joined by our friends at Machinery Row Bicycles and RoundTrip / Greater Madison MPO who also have goodies to give out. This will be our largest Winter Bike Day commuter station in several years, so you won’t want to miss it!
Later on Friday, we’ll be hosting a happy hour from 4-6pm at Working Draft. The beer won’t be free, but you can get 10% off your tab with your Bike Benefits sticker! Come hang out and chat with us about your favorite (and least favorite) things about Winter biking.
Regent Street Field Trip
As you may know, Regent Street is up for reconstruction in 2027. Although that’s a ways out, the planning phase is already in progress, and we want to get ahead of things by seeing the problems first-hand.
Sunday from 2-4pm, Join Machinery Row and Madison Bikes for a casual group ride and exploration of Regent Street. We’ll meet at Machinery Row, ride over via the Southwest Path, and visit local businesses between Park St and Monroe St to talk about the need for better bike access and facilities on Regent Street. Along the way, we’ll document the challenges of accessing shops by bike, and support local businesses while we’re at it. We plan to wrap up with a social stop at a restaurant in the area. Keep an eye on the calendar, linked below, for any updates.
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.
Bikers ride up East Washington Avenue. Photo courtesy Craig Weinhold.
‘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.
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.
This event was announced after our Monday newsletter went out, and so we’re sharing it in a separate email. This Saturday (Jan 31) at 1 PM, there will be a Unity Ride in honor of Alex Pretti. Meeting point is at the State Capitol at State Street. The ride will roll out at 1:30 PM for a 9-mile route. Many other US cities are hosting Unity Rides on that day as well.
Alex was one of us, could’ve been any of us, so as we mourn, all of us can come together in unity to remember Alex for what he was. A kind and caring soul put on this earth to be the light for others. Although his light has been extinguished by this fascist regime, it hasn’t been lost. If anything, those sparks fell and ignited something in us that’s been hiding all along. We are stronger together, and they can’t take us all. We’ve gathered together a community of cyclists to remember Alex Pretti. Please join in, near or far this Saturday, 1/31 1:00 PM Central Time. The ride will start at the Wisconsin State Capitol (state street side), we will ride about 9 miles together, and reconvene at the meeting spot.
We’re asking folks to host rides and come together. Bike shops and non-profits, cycling orgs and alt cycling collectives, city and rural. We are many but we stand together as one.
Graphics are courtesy of Casey Robertson of Robertson Design aka @champagne_rodman and @angrycatfish provided the text for this post.
Madison, WI joins together @cap.city.cyclists, @femmefortyracing, @2bitbicyclegoons, @blacksaddlebikeshop @cranksgivingmadison, @the.meanderers group and others. We hope folks from all over join together in unity as well!
