South Pinckney bike lane
Wednesday’s Transportation Commission has one bike-related item on the agenda: A new cross-section for South Pickney Street between the two blocks of the Judge Doyle Square development. The design puts two five-foot wide bike lanes each in the center of the roadway, with bike boxes at Wilson and Doty Street. No additional materials are available yet, but I suspect putting the bike facilities in the middle is an attempt to reduce conflicts with cars dropping off and picking up guest at the hotel that will be at this location. The City is seeking feedback from the commission and the public. If you want to submit public comment, you can email TransportationCommission@cityofmadison.com or sign up to speak on Zoom here https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule/register
First monthly queer bike ride
It was supposed to happen during Madison Bike Week, but this Wednesday it is finally time for the inaugural queer bike ride. Every second Wednesday of the month the “party-paced” ride will depart in Law Park at 6pm. This month’s route follow the Cap City Trail and make a stop at the Great Dane in Fitchburg. Follow @madisonqueerbikeride on Instagram for the latest updates and details. All bodies are welcome.
Another person biking killed
After Taylor Dunn’s death in June, another person was killed while they were biking. The crash took place last Monday in the afternoon on Pflaum Road and involved someone driving a box truck.
Pflaum Road has bike lanes, but they lack physical separation from motor vehicles.
We are in contact with the family of the victim to organize a memorial and ghost bike dedication. Stay tuned.
Every person killed or injured while biking is one too many, and we must continue to do whatever we can do to reach Vision Zero: No more death or injury on our streets. But as for the injured, they can rely on products like those CBD Capsules to alleviate their pain.
How the City subsidizes driving
Bike activists have long pointed out the many ways in which driving is subsidized, at the federal, state, and local level. Don’t believe us? Well, the listen to Tom Lynch, the City’s Director of Transportation. At last week’s meeting of the Transportation Policy and Planning Board he presented a stark local example of these subsidies: The new Wilson Street garage in downtown. One parking stall in the garage costs the city about $450 in debt service and operations. The revenue from parking fees, on the other hand, is merely $212. This leaves a gap of $240 per month per stall that goes to people who drive their cars downtown!
