The year is nearing its end and we had the first seriously cold weather recently. So one may think that bike news would be slowing down. But they are not!
Winter Bike Social, and planning for future community meetings
We had a great Winter Bike Social last week. Over 40 people congregated at Working Draft and chatted about how to keep hands warm, goggles condensation-free, and how glorious it can be to ride on freshly fallen snow. Given the success of the event, we may do another one of these later in winter. Thanks to everyone who showed and to Working Draft for hosting us.
Speaking of community meetings: Pretty much every month this year, Madison Bikes organized a community meeting. Topics and format varied: We biked through the Arb with experts on native plants; we talked about how to combine paddling and pedaling; we had city staff report on the latest biking initiatives, etc. We want to keep this going in 2025, and for that purpose we invite the community to a planning meeting next Monday. If you have an idea for an event or would like to help others to implement their ideas, join us at the Central Library in Room 104 on Monday, Dec 16 from 6 to 8 PM. We’ll have some refreshments available.
Transportation Commission: Mifflin St Diverter
It’s the last Transportation Commission meeting of the year, and one of the items on the agenda is the Mifflin St diverter. This diverter was installed at Mifflin and Paterson as an experiment to reduce motor vehicle volumes on the Mifflin St bike boulevard. The city collected car speed and volume data during the experiment, as well as resident feedback through a survey. The results are in and will be presented at the Transportation Commission. If you would like to submit comment on the topic, send an email to transportationcommission@cityofmadison.com or register in support/opposition/to speak here https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule/register
Autumn Ridge Path ribbon cutting
Celebrate Madison’s latest addition to its multi-use path network: The Autumn Ridge Path and overpass appear to be done, and the city is celebrating:
The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting at 2 p.m., Dec. 12, 2024 on Madison’s east side to celebrate the City’s newest multi-use path, Autumn Ridge. The ribbon cutting will be located at 4346 Commercial Avenue
The Autumn Ridge Path will create a shared-use path connection between Milwaukee St. and Commercial Ave (north of Highway 30), including a new bridge over Highway 30. The project will improve safety and accessibility for non-motorized modes of transportation to cross Highway 30, better connecting neighborhoods on either side of the highway. The Autumn Ridge Path expands the greater bike network of the area, as the path connects (via local streets) to the existing overpass over Stoughton Rd (Highway 51) at Portland Pkwy, through the Eastmorland neighborhood to the recently constructed Garver Path, and finally to the Capital City Trail and Downtown Madison-area. Long term plans include extending this path network further to the northeast.
Book Club: Killed by a Traffic Engineer
Madison Bikes is teaming up with the Bike Fed, Machinery Row, and District 11 alder Bill Tishler to host a book club this winter. The book is Wes Marshall’s “Killed by a Traffic Engineer.” Marshall highlights the role of the traffic engineering profession in creating infrastructure that’s not safe for people walking and biking (or even driving), and how a lot of their practice is based on questionable data and models.
The Bicycle Book Club is free, open to the public, and will take place over three Sunday afternoons at Machinery Row Bicycles, located at 601 Williamson St. If you buying the book is a hurdle to participation: Madison Bikes bought a limited number of copies that you can pick up at Machinery Row. Here’s the schedule:
We will plan advocacy efforts around infrastructure improvements that you want to see. We’ll be drafting proposals and emailing elected officials! Bring your hopes and dreams! (and a laptop or notebook)
Sunday, January 26th: 4-6pm
We will discuss the book and our reactions to it while identifying both problematic and well-designed infrastructure in our city.
Sunday, February 2nd: 4-6pm (Virtual option available)
We will discuss the pieces of infrastructure that we identified in the first meeting with engineers to explore the specific street design choices that impact the safety and comfort of people outside vehicles.
Sunday, February 9th: 4-6pm
We will plan advocacy efforts around infrastructure improvements that you want to see. We’ll be drafting proposals and emailing elected officials! Bring your hopes and dreams! (and a laptop or notebook)
BCycle seasonal closure
Heads-up that BCycle is approaching its annual hibernation date. The system will close down on December 15 (and usually the closure will take place over a couple days before that date).
Santa Cycle Rampage
Are you ready for another year of the Madison Santa Cycle Rampage? Join hundreds of other Santas to ride around the city and spread holiday joy. Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for children. Meet at Breese Stevens starting at 10 AM; roll-out at 11.
Bike Fed is hiring
The Bike Fed is hiring for a Government Affairs Manager position.
The Wisconsin Bike Fed is seeking a full-time professional to serve as Government Affairs Manager. Ideally located in Madison, WI, the Government Affairs Manager reports to the Executive Director and advocates for the legislative agenda of the Wisconsin Bike Fed. The ideal candidate exercises sound judgment and thrives in diverse work environments. They are also highly organized, outgoing, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and are comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. The Bike Fed is one of the largest statewide bicycle advocacy organizations in the country. This is a great opportunity for a highly motivated, professional and creative individual to help grow the bicycle advocacy movement.
The posting closes on December 20.
Provide input on WI Outdoor Recreation Plan
The Department of Natural Resources is drafting a statewide outdoor recreation plan and is requesting input by December 15. Let’s make sure the DNR hears from people who bike, hike, and walk through our beautiful Wisconsin outdoors.
Are you an avid cyclist, runner, or hiker? Maybe just a general outdoor enthusiast? The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wants to hear from you!
The DNR is seeking input on the draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The public is encouraged to submit comments using the online public input form on the DNR’s Wisconsin Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan webpage. Comments may also be sent by mail, phone, or email. Submit comments by Dec. 15, 2024 to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O John Pohlman, DNR Property Planner
101 S. Webster St.
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
John.Pohlman@wisconsin.gov or 608-264-6263