All of the items below are usually accompanied by jackets, sweaters, and maybe even hats and coats. But this year we seem to have endless summer. Fun for biking, but a bit concerning in the big picture.
The past week
Bicycle Film Festival recap This past Thursday, we had a great turnout, starting with the pre-party at Working Draft Brewery. The weather was amazing, the bike parking was full, and the films were just fantastic. Thanks the Barrymore, Working Draft, all our sponsors, and all the volunteers that helped make this such an outstanding event. If you missed it…. That’s a shame, but make sure to come next year, because it’s just going to be better.
Week Without Driving wrapped up on Sunday. The event challenges people to go without driving for a week and consider people who can’t or don’t drive. It started in 2021 focusing on disability rights, but each year there are bigger and more events across the country. It’s just another reminder to public officials, planners, and the larger community that not everyone drives, and we need to make our communities and streets friendly and accessible to all.
More on Midvale
Craig Weinhold wrote an analysis of the survey that went out about the Midvale Blvd project. (It’s most relevant to people who have been following the project, but does provide some context for those who need a refresher.) He argues that the city survey was poorly written, because the options presented were not remotely comparable; that many people who took the survey didn’t actually address the options presented; and that parking removal is not a significant burden, because the residences all have abundant off-street parking.
Alder Regina Vidivar, who is also Council President, posted on her blog, “I’ve gotten a lot of feedback about the Transportation Commission’s recommendation to move forward with “Option 1” on Midvale Blvd, which would remove parking from Mineral Point to University Ave to allow an on-street bike resource. Alder Tishler and I have been in close contact with City staff on this project, and at this point, it looks like the project will be delayed for a while. We’ll share more details as they emerge, but please know that there will be no changes to Midvale for the short term.”
It sounds like this may be an ongoing discussion, as well as a test of some of the policies that the Council passed with the Complete and Green Streets Guide.
Wednesday – Transportation Commission
You can find the full TC agenda on line, but here are some highlights. You can submit comments or speak at the meeting, which is online at 5:00 pm.
Pflaum Rd back is back on the agenda. When it first came to TC, the committee pointed out that there were both a middle school and a high school on the section to be repaved, yet no bike facilities were included in the project. Staff came back with some options after having another public meeting with the neighborhood.
The Transportation Engineering presentation for the meeting includes the result of the survey, which shows a clear preference for a two-way, physically separated cycletrack that would mean the removal of parking on both sides. There may be more information added before the Wednesday meeting.
The Mayor’s proposed capital budget for Engineering Bike and Pedestrian Projects is also on the Transportation Commission agenda. The Mayor’s operating budget will be released on Tuesday. The capital budget contains physical projects that are planned for the next five years.
In addition to city funds – usually through borrowing for capital projects – the budget contains anticipated state and federal funding. Obviously, the federal funding is very much in uncertain, as has been discussed in various forums.
Capital bike projects anticipated for 2026 include a continuation of the Capital City Path to the east. This would bring it to the city limits, just under the interstate. After that, it’s a County project to fill the gap to Cottage Grove and the Glacial Drumlin Trail.
In the follow years – 2027-2031 – the following projects are anticupated:
- A extension of the West Towne Path from Zor Shrine Place to Gammon Rd
- Two overpasses and a path associated with the northern section of the Stoughton Rd project
- Paths along E Rusk and Moorland Rd, the West Beltline, and Woodward Dr.
More on these future projects as they come up and we know we have funding.
You can also view the Traffic Engineering capital budget, which contains the Safe Streets Madison program – which contains the Vision Zero projects; small infrastructure projects such as traffic islands, curb extensions, pavement marking, or RRFB signals – and various traffic signal improvements or changes. Many of these changes improve bicycling safety and comfort.
All the city departments capital budgets, as proposed by the Mayor, can be viewed on the city website. The budget will be discussed and passed in the next six weeks.
Winter Bike Fashion Show coming in November
Mark your calendar for the Winter Bike Fashion Show on Sunday, November 16, 1:30-4:30 pm at the Goodman Community Center. And you could be part of it!
This is one of our most popular events, and a great way to carry bicycling enthusiasm into the colder months. If you are winter-bike curious, or want some tips on how to extend your bicycling into colder weather, this is the event for you. Your friends, neighbors, and fellow bicyclists will be modeling how they dress, tips for wet/cold/dark riding, and how they take care of their bikes to ride in all weather.
And if you are already riding in the colder months, you could be a model. As a volunteer model, you’ll come dressed in your own gear, walk the catwalk, and share some of your personal tips for winter riding to encourage others to ride more this season. Application deadline is Monday October 27. Just fill out this form to say you’re up for sharing your tips and tricks.
We are looking for models of all ages, colors, sizes, styles of dress, and types of riding. No experience needed, and you can show off everything from Farm and Fleet specials, St Vinny’s deals, REI, or high tech gear from your favorite bike shop.
You don’t have to be a year-round cyclist to apply, it’s cool if you’re new to riding in the cold. Are you a summer cyclist who’s found a good way to extend your commute into the late fall with a few extra layers? Do you have a teenager who manages to get around town by bike with very little specialized gear? Are you a parent who has figured out how to keep your kids warm for weekend adventures on the bike path? We want to showcase winter biking and winter bikers in all their many forms!
Rides this week
Monday you can join the Mad Town Mondays weekly party ride at 6:00pm at Orton Park
Wednesday is the monthly Madison Queer Bike Ride. Meet at Law Park at 6:00pm
Also Wednesday is the weekly Motorless Motion Taco Ride. Meet at Motorless Motion at 6:00pm
As always, you can find an overview of all bike events on our Community Bike Calendar. Email us at info@madisonbikes.org to add your events. And if you value our newsletter and other work, consider donating to Madison Bikes. For construction updates, check out the city’s Bike Madison page.
Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!
4:00–5:30 PM – Stone Horse Green, Downtown Middleton
