Last week’s snowfall made for a gorgeous scene along the Lakeshore Path.

THIS WEEK

Monday

Madison Bikes Community Meeting will be at 6 pm at Bendyworks (106 E Doty St #200)This is where the magic happens and Madison Bikes gets stuff done with the help of YOU. This month we will be talking about the timeline for Bike Week, a new website, weekly updates, and a possible update on he Wilson Street project.

Bike Fitchburg monthly meeting will be at the Fitchburg Public Library, 5530 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg. From 6:30 to 8:30pm.

Tuesday

Bombay’s Challenge Event Training Series (BCETS) Orientation will be at the Fitchburg Community Center, Stoner Prairie Dining Room, 5510 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg. Social hour begins any time after 6:30 pm (drinks and light snacks provided). The program begins at 7:00 pm and should end about 8:15 pm.

Individuals who have signed up (or are considering signing up) for BCETS are invited to attend the 2020 orientation meeting to learn more about this year’s training program and meet other cyclists who want to improve their fitness and hill climbing skills.

During the orientation meeting they will provide additional program information, review the ride schedule, and offer other details and training advice. The meeting format will allow for interaction and opportunities to ask questions. If you are still on the fence about participating in BCETS this year, please join them for the meeting to gain insight about the program.

The first ride is scheduled for March 7.  So make sure you are getting in shape!

For additional information, online registration, and FAQ or check out the Facebook event.

Wednesday

The Transportation Commission will meet from 5 pm to 7 pm in room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building. The agenda can be found here.

UBRC will hold a class about Annual Maintenance and Cleaning Your Chain from 6:00 to 7:30pm

University Bicycle Resource Center, 600 N. Park Street. Class will be taught by India Viola, local bicycle advocate, educator and former Madison Bikes board member. Keep your bike running smoothly throughout the year. You will learn and practice best techniques for cleaning and lubricating your chain and other routine maintenance. Bring your bike, if you’d like, or look on with another student. Free Planet Bike blinky light set to the first five (5) attendees.

All events are free and are held at the University Bicycle Resource Center in the Helen C. White Garage (Lot 6) at 600 N. Park Street, unless otherwise noted. There is no registration required. Classes are first come, first served (limit 20 people per event).

Thursday

The Disability Rights Commission will meet at 5 pm in room 215 of the Madison Municipal Building and is scheduled to have a BRT Routing Presentation.  The agenda can be found here.

A brown bag talk titled “Planning for a Future with Autonomous Vehicles” will be held at Robert F and Jean E Holtz Center for Science & Technology Studies from 12:30 to  1:30pm. Brown Bag with Asli Gocmen, Associate Professor of Geography & Environmental Studies

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) promise to be a transformative force to shape the future of our society.  Their potential benefits for individuals and communities include increased traffic safety and efficiency; increased mobility for individuals who have limited mobility options; and increased accessibility for individuals with limited resources to access healthy food, jobs, education, and health care.  AVs are also expected to significantly impact the way our land is used and have great implications for the sustainability and livability of our communities. For instance, in a future with AVs, parking needs could dramatically change, requiring urban planners to allocate parking spaces much differently than they have over the past several decades.  So how are communities planning for this future? Our recent research examines that question through a survey of municipal planners across the United States. In this presentation, I present how AVs may impact our built and natural environment as well as findings from our survey. Our survey finds that for the most part, communities have not started planning for a future with AVs and that the conceptualization of AV impacts on the built and natural environment vary amongst planners. More information is available here. Facebook event

Saturday

Join Madison Bikes @ FB4K (2031 Zeier Rd) on Leap Day for a fun afternoon of helping to refurbish a few of the 823 bikes that FB4K collected for local area youth. No experience necessary – just a passion for getting your hands dirty and hanging out with fun people for a few hours.

Volunteer tasks include:

Cleaners – Each bike gets a good, thorough cleaning before moving on to the next stage. Just bring yourselves, we’ve got supplies!

Preppers – Take care of the easy stuff, mechanically speaking: Grease seat posts, change tires, swap saddles, new grips, new pedals, etc.

Mechanics – Knowledge and skills required. Change cables, adjust shifting, adjust brakes, true wheels, adjust bearings

Facebook Event

Quarry Ridge Winter Workday: Brush Clearing and Cutting Back Invasive Species. Meet in the Parking Lot at 1:30pm. No Experience Required. Please check the event flyer for complete details.

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.

The week ahead

Monday

Madison Bikes Community Meeting will meet 6pm tonight at Bendyworks (106 E Doty St #200). This month we will be focusing on our advocacy priorities for 2020.

From 6:15 to 8:00pm tonight Greenbush Neighborhood Meeting will discuss Vilas Park Master Plan input at Arboretum Cohousing (1137 Erin St) more information is available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2450560298549704/

Also tonight is the Bike Fitchburg monthly meeting 6:30 –⁠ 8:30pm at Fitchburg Public Library (5530 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg)

Wednesday

University Bicycle Resource Center will host Bike Traffic Skills 101 from 12:00 –⁠ 1:00pm at University Bicycle Resource Center (600 N. Park Street) Class taught by UW Bicycle/Pedestrian Coordinator Chuck Strawser. Learn the basics of vehicular cycling and keep yourself safe and comfortable while riding in traffic. Free Planet Bike blinky light set to the first five (5) attendees. Bring a brown bag lunch!

All events are free and are held at the University Bicycle Resource Center in the Helen C. White Garage (Lot 6) at 600 N. Park Street, unless otherwise noted. There is no registration required. Classes are first come, first served (limit 20 people per event).

Rockstream Drive Public Information Meeting is from 6:30 to 8:30pm The public is encouraged to attend the upcoming public information meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Jan. 29 at Chavez Elementary School, 3502 Maple Grove Drive, Madison.

The project includes the street extension of Rockstream Drive to Maple Grove Drive and Ambleside Drive to Rockstream Drive. The new portion of the street will include sanitary sewer, storm sewer and multiple culverts crossing the storm water drainage area. The west side of Rockstream Drive will include a 10′ multi-use path and east side a 5′ sidewalk. Ambleside Drive will have sidewalk extend and connect to Rockstream Drive. The Chavez Elementary School driveways will be connected to Rockstream Drive. Rockstream Drive varies 32 feet –⁠ 38 feet and Ambleside is 32 feet from face of curb to face of curb and it will be built through the City competitive bidding process.

Manchester Road will extend to Rockstream Drive and Fairhaven Road will extend to Manchester Road. These street extensions will be constructed separately by a private developer in the summer of 2020 and not through the City competitive bidding process.

Project Page: https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/rockstream-drive

https://www.facebook.com/events/625570731538581/

Bombay Bicycle Club is hosting a special one-time screening of the film Bikes of Wrath on January 29th at AMC Madison 6 from 6:30 to 8:00pm

Unlike a traditional movie showing, my Demand Film screening requires that 75 more tickets be reserved ahead of time in order for the screening to occur. (Edit 1/28: Enough tickets have been sold already and the movie screening will definitely happen. Tickets are actually running low!) Tickets can be bought at https://tickets.demand.film/event/9483?ref=dbVexRqY

Five Australians attempt to cycle 2600 kms. from Oklahoma to California in honor of the westward migration undertaken by ‘The Grapes of Wrath’s’ Joad family. Through chance encounters with everyday Americans, the cyclists expand on the novel’s core themes of migration, inequality and the perceived land of opportunity. The group explores whether America has progressed since the book was written, discussing the wealth gap, immigration and the American Dream. The fascinating people they meet along the way reveal the enduring strength of human spirit despite the inequality and disenfranchisement which runs as deep today, as it did in Steinbeck’s seminal novel. The Bikes of Wrath is a unique, funny and insightful documentary filled with adventure, literature, music, and human connection.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1056930684705536/

Job Postings

The Cargo Bike Shop is hiring. They have openings in sales, operations, and service, full and part-time, year-round and seasonal. No bike shop experience necessary. Please send a resume to info@thecargobikeshop.com or swing by the shop Tues – Sat and ask for Amber.
Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/thecargobikeshop/posts/1520866921422136

Slow Roll is hiring a full time Head Mechanic / Service Manager. The main part they need is a full-time head mechanic that knows a lot about bicycles and how to fix them, certifications are nice to have. A desire to learn suspension is a must, which we will provide in-house and outside training. Sound like something you want to be a part of? Send a resume or work experience to info@slowrollcycles.com

Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/slowrollcycles/posts/525710654705428

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.

This Week

Wednesday

New Years Day Ride Meet at Barriques on Park St for a relaxed ride around Lake Wingra, with the traditional stop at The Laurel Tavern on our way past.

This is the inaugural training event for the BDETS (Bombay Donut Event Training Series), and there may or may not also be the great elixir Cherry Bounce or other drinkables (sipables?) in the offing. More info can be found here.

Saturday

This past weekend, BCycle went into hibernation for the winter.

This week

Monday

Bike Fitchburg monthly meeting will be tonight, Monday, December 16 from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Fitchburg Public Library 5530 Lacy Rd, Fitchburg

Wednesday

The public is invited to a second public information meeting about the University Avenue reconstruction 6pm, Dec. 18, at the Best Western Inn Towner, 2424 University Avenue, Madison. University Ave is scheduled for reconstruction from Shorewood Boulevard/Hill St to University Bay Drive/Farley Ave. The City of Madison is jointly participating with the Village of Shorewood Hills on the design and construction. The project includes reconstruction of pavement, curb & gutter, sidewalk as necessary, street lighting, traffic signals, water main, sanitary sewer and storm sewer. Design alternatives will include analysis to try and improve pedestrian & bicycle connectivity, bus rapid transit initiatives and stormwater drainage.

Sign up for updates on the project here:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/university-avenue

https://www.facebook.com/events/454492781870928/

Thursday

The public is invited to the second public information meeting for the Garver Path. The meeting is scheduled for 6 pm, Dec. 19 at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. The City of Madison is proposing the construction of a new 2800-foot long pedestrian shared use path that would connect the existing Capital City Path at Sugar Avenue northward to Milwaukee Street. Three structural elements are proposed as part of the design including a bridge through the northern limits of the project, a bridge replacement at Ivy Street, and a new bridge crossing over Starkweather Creek.

Learn more about the project here:

https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/garver-path

https://www.facebook.com/events/791203121342534/

Save the date

We will be hosting a Holiday Fantasy in Lights Family Bike Ride on January 4th.

Who says cars get all the fun during the season of lights? Join the Madison Bikes Community for a free family bike ride through the Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park (http://www.fantasyinlights.com/).

We will meet at Lakeside St. Coffee House at 4pm and leave at 4:30pm sharp to Olin Park (route to be announced). We will also return to Lakeside St. Coffee House as a group after. There will be free coffee and hot chocolate before and after the ride!

The Holiday Fantasy in Light organizers have asked participants to please wear light/bright clothing and have functioning lights for your bike. https://www.facebook.com/events/2505957879731034/

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.

Last Week

The Capital City Trail paving wrapped up but the bridge at Longford Terrace is still out.

Winter Bike Fashion Show was a success! We are very thankful to everyone who helped make it happen, the volunteers, models, and everyone who came to watch. Check out the wonderful coverage we were given by Channel 3.

This Week

Monday

Blair Street Public Information Meeting – Blair Street is scheduled for reconstruction from John Nolen Drive to East Washington in 2022. The City of Madison is working jointly with the State Department of Transportation on design and construction of the project. The project will include safety improvements at the Wilson Street/Williamson Street intersection as well as pavement replacement of Blair St from Wilson/Williamson to East Washington and E Washington from Blair Street to Blount Street. The public is invited a public information meeting scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m., Nov. 4, Madison Municipal Building Room 153, 215 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Madison. At this meeting, engineers and project managers will talk about the details and plans for the intersection and pavement replacement projects. A more specific timeline of work will also be shared. There will be an opportunity to ask the project managers and engineers questions about the project, and the public is encouraged to attend.

Wednesday

Yoga for Cyclists will be at Trek on the West side from 6 pm to 7 pm. If you can pedal, you can Padmasana. Join yoga instructor Hope Henley for an evening focused on cycling-specific stretches and mind/body wellness. There will be a $10 fee to join the class, and they’ll cap the class at 40 people, so be sure to sign up in advance. This class is BYOM, so bring your own mat. Namaste!

Madison Area Transportation Planning Board Meeting 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. There will be a discussion of Transportation Alternatives Program Priorities and Downtown BRT Routing Introduction . An overview of the options is available here. The whole agenda can be found here.

Saturday

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.

This week

Monday

The Winter Bike Fashion Show modeling application extended deadline ends today. Read more about what it means to be a model, and how to apply here. No experience needed.

Wednesday

It’s cyclocross season! Whether you’re cross-curious or are already a ‘crosser but want to improve your skills, the weekly cyclocross workshop series by Madison Parks and partners is for you. This week, the workshop is happening at Orchard Ridge Valley Park on Wednesday from 5:30-7 pm. Free and open to all.

Saturday

Join the iconic Badger Prairie Cyclocross race! Come race, spectate, or both. 2019 will feature food and beverage vendors, one of the largest prize payouts in Wisconsin, a Uni-Cross race, and more! More information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/384635395539004/

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.

Monday Update: Board Open House and more!

Ribbon cutting at the new Blackhawk Trail Extension that is now officially open. A video tour of the trail can be found here.

This Week

Wednesday

The Transportation Commission will meet from 5:00 pm –⁠ 7:00 pm at 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Room 207, Madison Municipal Building. Read the agenda here.

Practice your cyclocross skills. Capital City Offroad Pathfinders, Madison Parks, Neff Cycles, and L5 are offering weekly clinics in parks around town, both for newbies to cyclocross and more advanced riders. This Wednesday they’ll be at Olin Park, starting at 5:30 pm. More details.

CORP Movie Night will be6:00 –⁠ 9:00pm at Capital Brewery and Bier Garten. Darkness is coming sooner, and with that the Annual Fall Movie Night returns to the Capital Brewery Beer Garden. This year they’re going back to the roots of the sport; Klunkerz is a documentary about the folks we have to thank for getting us off-road; check out the trailer.

Tickets are $15 presale or $20 at the door. More info here.

Thursday

Board Recruitment open house happens at 6 pm at Delta Beer Lab (167 E Badger Rd). Have you ever been curious about what it is like to be on the board? Come chat with us and find out more! More info about the event is here.

Applications are now open, you do not have to attend to apply. The deadline to apply is October 5th. You can email heather@madisonbike.org if you have any questions.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday

Events Committee 6:00 tonight at Rockhound Brewing Company. Preparations have begun for the winter bike fashion show, help us make it great.

Wednesday

Transportation Commission 5:00 –⁠ 7:00 pm 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Room 207, Madison Municipal Building. There will be a presentation about Safe Routes to School.

Cyclocross Practice 5:30 pm at Aldo Leopold Park Madison Parks, Capitol Off Road Pathfinders, L5 and Neff Cycling are joining up to offer a huge calendar of free cyclocross practice opportunities this year.

You have 2 options to choose from at each practice: a beginners clinic and an intermediate/advanced practice. It’s your choice, or you could try both! All practices are free and open to the public. All ages and abilities are welcome (boys and girls); anyone old enough to ride a bike and take instruction fairly well. More info is available here.

Thursday

Erik’s Bike Shop MTB Demo at Middleton Bike Park 4:00 pm Join for a free mountain bike demo. Erik’s staff will be on hand to help you find the right Specialized or Santa Cruz mountain bike and get you set up for a ride. More info is available here.

Send us your events

Reminder that we have a Community Bike Calendar on our website. If you would like to add something, send it to us. We can’t guarantee it will be featured in the weekly update, but at least it will be available for people to see.

It’s Electric!

The electric BCycle bikes that were tested out last fall will be rolling out across all of Madison on Tuesday.

Monday

BikeDane Meeting at Lussier Center at Lake Farm Park from 1 – 2:30pm. Meeting to discuss 2019 bicycle-related budget items and provide you with updates on projects under construction and new projects in the design and planning phase. Your continued participation and recommendations is crucial to helping us be a more bike-friendly community.

BCycle will be unavailable for the evening commute, and Tuesday morning commute, while the red bikes are swapped out for the new white ones.

Tuesday

BCycle goes all electric – The launch will occur from 11 am- 1 pm and include demos and remarks by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Trek President John Burke.

Wednesday

The Madison Bikes Advocacy Committee will meet at 6:00 pm at Bendyworks, 106 E Doty St, 2nd floor. If you want to work on issues with the city and help shape our agenda, come on by. We can help you communicate effectively with your elected officials and city staff.

The Madison Area Transportation Planning Board is meeting in the Water Utility building (room A-B), 119 E. Olin Ave at 6:30 pm.

Thursday

Yeti Cycles Demo 4:00 –⁠ 7:00pm Come to Quarry Ridge to ride the newest offerings from Yeti.

Saturday

Join the Bombay Bicycle Club for the 2019 Madison Tour de Donut ride. Unlike a certain other very horrible hilly ride, the goal of the Tour de Donut is to eat as many delicious donuts over a mostly flat 25-mile ride in and around Madison. Sign up and pay, only online.

Prizes will be awarded for the most donuts eaten over the ride!!! Training Tip: don’t eat breakfast before you ride.

Meet on the west side of Westmorland Park (4114 Tokay Blvd, Madison) along Gately Terrace.

Join Revolution cycles for Swift Campout. Swift Campout is a global call to go bike-camping on June 22nd, 2019. For the fifth year in a row thousands of adventurous spirits will load camping gear on their bikes for a weekend adventure.

Here’s the scoop. We’re planning to roll out from the bike shop (2330 Atwood Ave) by 12pm Saturday, June 22nd, and riding 31 leisurely, no drop miles.