Spring is definitely on the way and the ramping of activities for this week’s update shows it.
- We have an important meeting on the planned reconstruction of Winnebago Street (discussed in more detail below).
- Madison BCycle is back after being away all winter. To celebrate and give everyone a taste of the subject, you can ride free the first week of April. There’s a promo code to use, so follow the link for more information.
- North Hancock St from E Johnson to the E Washington will be closed for three weeks for reconstruction, starting April 2. In addition, the intersection of E Mifflin and N Hancock will be close. Yes, that’s going to be a pain when you are using the bike boulevard! The city says you’ll be able to get through by bike, but you’ll have to get off and walk.
- A report on the results of the East Mifflin Diverter test is available. Although the city received some pushback, they are recommending that the diverter be made permeant.
- A stolen bike Boy, does it suck when someone takes off with your beloved ride. Let’s bring Kelsey Walsh’s bike home!!
The reconstruction of Winnebago Street is on the agenda of the Madison Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Motor Vehicle Commission (PBMVC) when they meet Tuesday evening. The meeting begins at 5:00 pm in Room 201 of the City-County Building. The PBMVC will consider two proposed designs for the reconstruction of Winnebago St between Second St. and Bashford Ave. The public can speak for three minutes on this item (or any item on the agenda.) You can also find the list of Commission members here, in case you want to email them.
Thanks to Grant for creating a comprehensive overview of the project and its implications for people walking and biking on Winnebago here. Plans proposed by the city seek to create a more neighborhood-scale street profile that would benefit residents and street users alike. Option 2 offers more positives for everyone using the street:
- Better access for walking from southeast side of street, especially with the elimination of the current grade separation,
- Better, shorter crossings for people on foot,
- Buffered lanes for bikes,
- ADA accessible bus stop at Fourth St,
- Narrower lanes for motor vehicles to encourage lower traffic speed,
- A wider terrace on southeast side of the street would provide space for bigger, canopy-type street trees.
If you can get to the PBMVC meeting on Tuesday to voice support for Option #2 that would be great. If you are unable to attend, consider sending an email in support of Option #2 to the members of the PBMVC, city engineering, and Alder Marsha Rummel before the Tuesday meeting. Here’s the list of all those emails, so you can cut and paste them, if you want.
- aaron.crandall@yahoo.com,
- eclewandow@aol.com,
- grantxyz@gmail.com,
- district2@cityofmadison.com,
- hiwayman@chorus.net,
- district9@cityofmadison.com,
- district18@cityofmadison.com,
- devos@ssc.wisc.edu,
- JWolfe@cityofmadison.com,
- CBachmann@cityofmadison.com,
- district6@cityofmadison.com
A detailed discussion of Madison Bikes review of the alternatives for Winnebago is available in a recent blog post.
Here are the week’s calendar, at a glance:
Monday, March 26
Bike Fitchburg monthly meeting, 6:30 – 8:30 pm at the Fitchburg Public Library, 5530 Lacy Rd.
Tuesday, March 27
Pedestrian, Bicycle, Motor Vehicle Commission meeting, 5:00 pm, Rm 201 of the City County Bldg, 210 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Wednesday, March 28
Middleton Pedestrian/Bicycle/Transit Committee, 6:30 pm at Middleton City Hall, 7426 Hubbard Ave.
Thursday, March 29
Olbrich Park Public Input Meeting, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Olbrich Botanical Gardens. The City of Madison Parks Division is hosting a public input meeting to discuss improvements at Olbrich Park focusing on the Garver Feed Mill – North Plat and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens operations area. At this meeting, City staff will review current site conditions and seek input from area residents and project stakeholders on the proposed improvements. If you have questions or comments but are unable to attend the meeting, please contact Mike Sturm at (608) 267-4921 or at msturm@cityofmadison.com.
Saturday, March 31
Cafe Domestique, 1408 Williamson St, Madison. This ride rolls rain or shine. The folks at Café Domestique are riding! What better way to guarantee that you’re going to ride than have a group hold you accountable? Meet at Domestique at 8:30 for Coffee, 9am roll out. Moderate 15mph pace, almost all pavement unless the group is feeling adventurous. Plan for the weather to be lousy. Distance 30 – 50 miles.
In Case You Missed It
Here are a few of the most popular posts on the Madison Bikes Facebook Group this past week:
After an autonomous vehicle killed a pedestrian in Arizona, a lot of people had an opinion about what that means for human-powered transportation.
A great story about how a stolen bike brought out the kindness and community in Brooklyn.
Researchers at UWM have a bike survey about where and when you ride and how safe you feel.