Welcome to the update. Looks like we’re in a rapid transition to winter. Cycling in winter can still be fun and practical. We just need some time to adapt. This week’s well timed Winter Bike Social can help with the adjustment process.
Here’s the latest.
Winter Bike Social is Tuesday
Join Madison Bikes on December 3rd for a Winter Bike Social at Working Draft. Stop by any time between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Bring your bike and your favorite piece of winter bike gear. A chance to compare notes and enjoy a beer or warm drink before winter really sets in.
Report Winter Bike Trail issues
Just a reminder for winter riders. When you encounter an icy area on a bikeway, help keep other path-users safe. It’s easy to do. Just go to “Report a Problem” on the City of Madison website and fill out the form. It usually takes me a minute or two. This improves the city’s ability to prioritize plowing and clearing of trails and helps keep us safe.
Upcoming meetings
Southwest Area Plan:
Two virtual meetings will be held on December 3rd. One at noon and another at 6PM. Similar to the open house held on Nov. 19, there will be an introductory presentation and opportunities to ask questions or provide feedback.
Registration is required via the project website. The website also includes maps and descriptions of the project.
Southeast Area Plan
An in-person meeting will be held on December 4 between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at La Follette High School. This is an opportunity to meet in person with staff from city departments to learn about projects and provide input. There will be a short introductory meeting.
A virtual meeting will be held on December 5 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Registration is required to attend this meeting. The project website includes transportation maps.
E Mifflin Diverter
The diverter test on the E Mifflin Bike Boulevard at E Mifflin St and Paterson St will be removed the week of December 2. It is likely the future of the diverter will be discussed at the Transportation Commission meeting on Dec 11. The deadline for completing the survey regarding the diverter has passed but you can still submit comments or register to speak at the meeting at this link.
“Built for Safety” Video series
As part of the Vision Zero strategy, Madison has implemented a significant amount of new infrastructure to protect bicyclists and pedestrians. Not all motorists or cyclists understand the logic behind the improvements or how to use them most effectively. Some motorists have pushed back against the improvements because of concern about slowing motor vehicle traffic.
The Bike Fed recently released an excellent video, “Built for Safety: Complete Street Features for All Users.” This video, produced by the Bike FED in partnership with the Wisconsin DOT and NHSTA, helps bicyclists and motorists understand some common traffic calming features. English and Spanish versions are available.
This video can be a valuable tool for helping those impacted by infrastructure changes to understand the changes and behave appropriately when they encounter them. Feel free to share it with those who you think would benefit most.
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.