We need more neighborhoods where people can bike. The Cap Times is sponsoring a discussion on Wednesday about how to build more great neighborhoods
Monday, November 6
- The first of this season’s Meathead rides rolls out from Fords Gym (2114 Winnebago St). This no-drop ride leaves at 7 pm and includes the Lake Monona Loop with an optional loop through the Arboretum. These rides are weekly on Mondays through March 6.
- At 4:30 pm the City of Madison Finance Committee will meet in room 354 of the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Boulevard. The committee will discuss three items of interest. The full agenda can be found on-line. The items that may impact bicyclists are:
- Amending the 2017 Bicycle and Pedestrian Capital Budget to transfer $100,000 of existing GO borrowing authority between major programs Bikeways Program and Sidewalk Program.
- Amending the 2017 Capital Budget of Engineering Major Streets, Neighborhood Traffic Management and Pedestrian Improvements and Authorizing the City to accept funds from Don Miller for the installation of a pedestrian island on Tokay Boulevard.
- Accepting the Judge Doyle City Staff Team Report, Selecting the Madison Freewheel Bicycle Co. as the Operator for the Madison Bicycle Center in the Judge Doyle Project on Block 88 Subject to the Negotiation of a Final Contract, and Directing Further Actions
Tuesday, November 7
- The Madison Bikes Communications Committee meets from 5:30pm – 6:30pm at the Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St. in the Sunset Lounge. If you are interested in attending, Let Harald know, in case we need to change rooms.
- Cap Times panel discussion – How can Madison build more great neighborhoods? This should be of interest to many bicyclists, because transportation choice in general, and a good environment for bicycling is one of the characteristic of a great neighborhood. RSVP at the Facebook invite. It will be held at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E Washington Ave, 6 – 8 pm.
Madison is one of the most rapidly growing cities in Wisconsin, which puts pressure on city government, neighborhoods and developers to channel that growth to places not only with essential city services but also with crucial amenities like grocery stores. So, what’s the best way for Madison to build great neighborhoods? The Cap Times has assembled an outstanding panel to discuss that question. City government reporter Abigail Becker will moderate the panel, whose members are: Michael Ford, an architecture instructor at Madison College whose work on the intersection of hip-hop culture and architecture has gained nationwide attention; David Mollenhoff, Madison historian and a key player in the 1960s revitalization of the Marquette neighborhood; Tariq Saqqaf, the city of Madison neighborhood resource coordinator; Heather Stouder, the city of Madison planning division director; Sheray Wallace, Meadowood neighborhood activist The event is free. Afterward, city of Madison staff will conduct small-group listening sessions for those who want to stay to gather input for the Imagine Madison project, which seeks community opinions about how and where the city should grow. The panel talk is the latest installment in the 2-year-old Cap Times Talks discussion series.
- At 5pm the Bicycle Facility Maintenance Policy workgroup meets at 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Room GR-27. The group has one agenda item- to present and review an updated policy on the maintenance of bicycle facilities. http://www.cityofmadison.com/sites/default/files/city-of-madison/clerk/meeting-schedule/bfmpw_agenda_nov_2017.pdf
Wednesday, November 8
- Middleton Budget Hearing – Funds for Century Avenue Bike Accommodations. At 6:00pm at Middleton City Hall, 7426 Hubbard Ave, Middleton. Kirestin Kloeckner has been very active on this issue, since she bikes this road every day and has had several very scary encounters — including being run off the road. Her request is for people to speak up for a safer road that is the only option for bicyclists in this area of Middleton. Although this is outside the city of Madison, Madison Bikes has written a letter of support because this is an important connection for the region, and for people trying to get into an out of the city.
Kierstin’s request: Please take a moment to either swing by the hearing at 6pm (and make a public comment) or write to the alders and mayor and help us get a bike path along Century Av. in Middleton. We need the vote to approve the planning stage next year and building stage the year after. If we don’t get the word out, this path could be dead in the water.
Saturday and Sunday November 11 – 12
Join Russ Hopkins of Container Collective Bikes at The Cargo Bike Shop for a two-day workshop and build yourself a custom single-speed or multi-speed bike frame out of sustainably grown and harvested bamboo. The Cargo Bike Shop will work with you to turn your new bamboo frame into your perfect complete bike with a variety of build kits — from stock to full-custom. Two-day weekend workshop is 9-5 both days. All the coffee you can drink courtesy of Cafe Domestique. Frame building materials are included, you simply need to show up. No prior experience with bicycles or construction of any kind needed – All construction is done with simple hand tools. More information at: https://www.facebook.com/events/346810392409786/
Sunday, November 12
The Madison Bikes Executive Committee meets at the Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon St, from 5:00pm – 6:30pm