Madison Bike Week 2026 is from May 30 to June 7. Mark your calendars!
More info

Category: Weekly Update

Categories
E-Mail Weekly Update

Adult Bike Ed,  Perry Street Reconnection, Ped Plan, West Towne Path

Annie Sarnecki (red helmet) with her MSCR cycling class (photo: Laurie Lata)

Don’t let the weather fool you. Spring is just around the corner. Some are transitioning from winter cycling and others are starting the cycling season after a winter break. Either way, we’ll all be out there soon.  

Time to Tune up the Bike

Some of us might neglect bicycle maintenance over the winter. If you’re one of those slackers, now’s the time to get it done.  Do it yourself if you can, or let a mechanic do It, but DO IT! Below is an example of what can happen if maintenance is delayed (in this case by me). 

Front brake cable issue detected by a Dream Bikes mechanic (photo: Paul Lata)

New to Biking or Just Need an Update? Resources for Adults

Gas prices are pushing some people past the precontemplation stage and onto a bike. If this is you, or if you know someone in this situation, there is a lot to learn about how to ride your bicycle safely and how to take care of it. Here are some resources:

MSCR offers classes that range from exploring long distance trails in our area, to social hour chats about bike safety and basic bike maintenance, to building confidence in bicycle skills. More information in the MSCR Spring  and Summer  program guides on line, or call 608-204-3026.

There are free classes at the University Bicycle Resource Center on both bike maintenance and traffic skills . These are open to everyone in the UW community, whether they are students, employees, or just people who come to or through campus.  Classes are open to the general public unless they reach capacity. Call 608-263-2969 or e-mail charles.strawser@wisc.edufor information.   

Bike Fed offers the Built for Safety video series which provides information on navigating Complete Street features. Their other safety resources are also worth a look.

They also offer Live Smart Cycling learning experiences.

  • Active Older Adults – June 5th, Lussier Center, Gammon Rd
  • Focus on e-bike safety – June 20th Sun Prairie, June 23rd  Verona
  • Group Rides from Lussier Center Gammon Rd:  May 30, Mineral Point Rd, May 28 (Family Event)

Details on these and other Bike Fed educational resources will be available soon on the Bike Fed Website.

Stoughton Rd/Hwy 51 PIM

No blizzard in the forecast at this point so the Public Involvement Meeting for the US 51 (Stoughton Road) North Project, originally scheduled for March 16th, should happen. The purpose of the meeting is to share project updates and changes and collect stakeholder feedback. See Craig Weinhold’s summary in the March 16 update for more information and background. 

Here are the meeting specifics:

When: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 from 5 to 6:30pm

Where: Madison College – Truax Building (Conference Room D1630), 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI

If you have questions or can’t attend but would like to learn about the project, please contact WisDOT project manager Kevin Drunasky via email at Kevin.Drunasky@dot.wi.gov or call (608) 246-3811.

Madison Pedestrian Plan Update

Why should bicyclists care about the pedestrian plan? Lots of reasons. Many safety features (e.g. sight-lines, attention to traffic speeds) benefit bicyclists and pedestrians. We share multi-use paths and we interact with pedestrians every day. At some point we are all pedestrians. We should absolutely care.

A virtual Public Information Meeting on the Updated Madison Pedestrian Plan will be held on

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 6:00pm to 7:00pm.  The meeting will cover safety, comfort, and accessibility improvements. Registration is required. The draft plan is available on the Pedestrian Plan webpage. 

West Towne Shared-Use Path Section 2b – Closing an Important Gap

Construction is proposed for 2028 to bridge the gap in the trail system along the W. Beltline Highway (Zor Shrine Place to S Gammon Rd). Section 2b is an important connection in a rapidly growing area of Madison and will finally complete a continuous shared-use path facility stretching from Junction Rd to Whitney Way.  

A virtual public information meeting will be held on April 9 at 6:00pm. Registration is required.  

Illustration of the West Towne path west of Gammon Rd

Perry Street Reconnection

Currently, the Beltline is a barrier preventing cyclists and others from moving north-south in the area near the Beltline-Park St interchange. The Perry St Reconnection Study explores an extension of Perry St over the Beltline that would allow pedestrians, and cyclists and possibly motor vehicles and buses, to cross the Beltline and access businesses and other destinations south of the highway.   This project is an important part of the City’s revitalization strategy for South Madison neighborhoods. At this point, two proposals are being considered:

  • A bike/ped only overpass connecting north and south segments of Perry St
  • A larger overpass between Syene Rd and Ann St, allowing motor vehicles while featuring a wide path for cyclists and pedestrians.

You get a chance to become informed and weigh in. The city is hosting the second round of public meetings for the Perry Street Reconnection Study to discuss preferred alternatives. The virtual meeting is at 6:00 pm, Monday, April 13. Preregistration is required. There will also be an open house on Wednesday, April 15 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at 2222 S Park St, Suite 200. No preregistration needed. You can also provide feedback via a survey which is open until April 27.

Bike/Ped overpass option (image: Mead-Hunt)
Multimodal option (image: Mead Hunt)

Madison Bike Week

Bike Week is Saturday, May 30 through Sunday, June 7. Bike Week events are coming in. Ten events and counting! We seem to get more every year. If you or your organization wants to host a ride, commuter station, or social gathering, list your event now!   Here’s a link to a list of 2025 events if you need ideas.

Questions? info@madisonbikes.org. Watch this Weekly Update or the Madison Bike Week 2026 page for new information.

Ride the Drive Revisits the Square

The Parks Department has announced a new route for Ride the Drive this year, returning to the Capital Square. Additionally, the Lakefront Porch will provide riders a chance to catch their breath half way up the hill to the square. More information, including how to volunteer or sign up as a vendor, at this link.

The 2026 Ride the Drive Route (Madison Parks)

Trail Work, Trail Opening at Lake View Elementary

If you read this update at noon on Monday, there might be time to run over to Lake View Elementary (1802 Tennyson Ln) to help finish their trail building project which ends at 2:00pm on Monday, April 6. For most of us that’s a pretty quick turnaround so consider attending the official opening of these trails with a ribbon-cutting before Field Day on June 5.

The trails are part of the school’s commitment to outdoor learning and will create opportunities for kids at Lake View to experience biking in ways they might not otherwise have access to.

More about the trails and Lake View in this Cap Times article.

Great Sauk Trail Coming to Devil’s Lake Park

This news may have been overshadowed by the land acquisition on the east side of the park. Sauk County has officially partnered with the Wisconsin DNR to develop the trail within the park’s boundaries, and to help the project along, Congressman Pocan secured a special federal funding allocation of 1.2 million to help get the project started! Here’s the Facebook link.  Maybe this gets more people to visit the Park by bike?

Finally, one more quick reminder to submit your comments on the MPO Active Transportation Plan to  mpo@cityofmadison.com before the April 13 deadline.

That’s it for the update. Happy Riding

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News Newsletter Weekly Update

Plants, Plans, and Community Events

A man on an orange bike pulling a trailer with a dog

I hope you are enjoying the roller coaster of weather that is Spring in Wisconsin, where we ride in a T-shirt one day, and need ski mittens the next. There are quite a few things going on this week, so we’ll dive right into it.

Botanizing by Bicycle

On Tuesday, March 31st at 6pm, Join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Jeff will discuss his favorite natural areas, how to get there via bicycle, what plants and animals one may expect to find, and bicycle camping options along the way.

Those that attend this presentation will learn how to utilize available online resources to develop their own unique route. Jeff will also share sample itineraries for those that would like ideas for their next botany bicycle adventure.

Active Transportation Plan Feedback

If you have not already reviewed Greater Madison MPO’s draft for the Active Transportation Plan, there’s still time. The public comment period has been extended through April 13th, 2026. The plan contains tons of transportation-related data and is intended to inform decision-makers about what those of us who walk, bike, or roll need to travel safely. The draft plan aims to answer how we can better design streets, sidewalks, paths, and intersections. Feedback on the draft plan can be provided to mpo@cityofmadison.com through the April 13 deadline.

The Active Transportation Plan also features an interactive map where users have added points of interest highlighting problem areas or areas with good design that they’d like to see elsewhere. It’s worth a look if you have not seen it.

Open Shop @ Freewheel

If you are interested in learning more about bike repair: Sunday, April 5th from 12-4pm, Freewheel bike shop is hosting an Open Shop. Happening every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, this is your opportunity to learn more about caring for your bike, replacing parts, and fixing common issues.

Participants are welcome to bring their own bike or work on repairing donated bikes. Experienced instructors will be to guide you through the process of all levels of fixes and maintenance. All skill levels are welcome. No mechanic experience needed. Everyone’s a learner, everyone’s a teacher. 

Cool Bikes North Community Event

If you’re a Northsider who bikes, you know our bicycle infrastructure lags behind other parts of Madison. What changes do we want to see, and how do we make them happen?

The North side is dear to my heart as the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to Madison. Sadly, for North side residents, it can be downright uncomfortable to make trips via bike that should be simple and easy. The North side has a bunch of restaurants, shopping, parks, and other great destinations that its residents and other Madisonians would love to ride to, but the lack of safe bike routes can be prohibitive for some.

The goal of this event is to have an open discussion on how biking could be improved. The public is invited to a free panel discussion and Q&A forum on Tuesday, April 21, from 6–8 pm, at Cool Bikes North. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be live streamed and you can write to info@coolbikesnorth.com to request a link.

Bike Week Event Signup is Live!

We’re already looking ahead to the first week of June (May 30 – June 7) because it’s Madison Bike Week! Tons of events, group rides, free snacks, classes, parties, and more await you during a whole week of bike-related celebration. Awesome events like these exist because businesses, groups, and community members like you volunteer their time and efforts to putting on wonderful events that celebrate our unique biking culture. Anyone can register and put on an event!

If you have an idea for a Bike Week event, please fill out our event registration form! It only takes a few minutes and we have a great list of potential locations that are pre-approved for Bike Week events. Madison Bike Week is only possible because of our amazing community members who are willing to make it happen, so if you are hosting an event this year: THANK YOU!

Did you know we also award small grants? If you want to host an event but lack the funds to do so, this may be a perfect option for you. Almost anything bike related could qualify, so get brainstorming and we’ll see you during Bike Week!

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News E-Mail Weekly Update

Everybody’s thinking about biking

Snow covers the ground and some of four bikes parked at a Madison BCycle station with three open racks. Several small, white van-like utility vehicles are parked past the bikes. In the distance, a few trees and a large brick building with three smoke stacks are all the color against a grey sky.
Test your mood: Is this scene half spring or half winter? Photo by Harald Kliems

If you’ve been looking out the window for months, making plans for sunnier days, you’re not alone.

Feedback on MPO plan ends today

Monday, March 23, is your last day to weigh in on the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Active Transportation Plan for Dane County.

Already based on a survey answered by 3,000 people, the plan considers topics like trends in demographics and active transportation use, new e-micromobility devices, funding, and gaps and barriers that prevent prevent walking, rolling, and/or biking.

It’s a healthy 140+ pages, but if you want to make sure you’ve had the last word, dig in here and email mpo@cityofmadison.com with your thoughts.

AAA bikeways network

Madison presented its All Ages and Abilities Bike Network plan at the Transportation Commission meeting last week. Part of the Complete Green Streets approach that prioritizes
safety, comfort, and access to destinations for all, the AAA Bike Network aims to connect low-stress bike routes and make it easier and safer for bicyclists to reach neighborhoods and key destinations throughout Madison.

Learn more about the plan here, and watch the calendar. The plan will be released for public comment on April 20, with a virtual public meeting scheduled for April 23. You’ll have until May 11 to submit your comments and influence plan revisions before it is presented for adoption in the summer.

Know your candidates, vote smart

Election day is April 7 — barely two weeks away. Is your representative on the Madison Common Council up for a vote? Madison Bikes — with Madison is for People, Madison Area Community Land Trust, Madison Bikes, Affordable Housing Action Alliance (AHAA), and Strong Towns Madison — sent out Q&A’s to candidates to see where they stand on transportation, housing, and sustainability.

Read their responses before you go to the polls.

Ready, set, log

The RoundTrip Spring Roll Challenge is celebrating sustainable choices for everyday trips this April — which is Earth Month. Log your trips by bike, bus, carpool, walking and rolling from April 1 to 30. Prizes from prizes from Ian’s Pizza, Willy Street Co-op, Madison BCycle, Forage Kitchen, The Soap Opera, and more will be up for grabs.

Fitchburg bike-friendly business survey

If you regularly (or otherwise) ride to or through neighboring Fitchburg, take a look at a survey about the several businesses there looking to gain or renew their status as a Bicycle Friendly Business conferred by The League of American Bicyclists.

Fitchburg is high up on the national leaderboard for the designation, and word is The League and the businesses appreciate the number of survey responses and input from bicyclists. Visit the survey here and select Fitchburg’s state (it’s “Wisconsin”) to provide some support and feedback.

Coming Up

Tuesday, March 31, join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Facebook event.

Sunday, April 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Monthly Bike Advocacy Meetup at Machinery Row Bicycles, 601 Williamson St.

Thursday, April 9, a PIM about the West Towne Path phase 2B – Zor Shrine to Gammon Rd. (the final portion needed to connect Whitney Way to Junction Rd)That’s it for our weekly update. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the snow!

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News E-Mail Weekly Update

Hwy 51 PIM, Bus 101, Active Transportation feedback, Bike fed plates

Blizzard daydreams? Here’s a a guy I met in St. Augustine last month who had just completed a cross-country tour.

Am I the only one who jumped the gun and swapped out the studded tires last week? %$#@! The weather promises an exciting start to the week — maybe a good one to take the bus (tips below).

Highway 51 north changes & Public Info Meeting tonight!

WisDOT’s future Highway 51 / Stoughton Rd plans are divided into northern and southern halves. The southern part has been in the news over the last few months, with the City arguing for a narrower and calmer street. That fight is ongoing. The portion north of about HWY 30 chose a preferred alternative a year ago with excellent bike facilities over and around HWY 30, East Washington, and north towards the airport. What it lacked was a bike facility by the airport itself, due to some technical FAA regulation.

All had been quiet with the northern portion until the roar of an F-35 forced some project changes that will be discussed at a a Public Information Meeting on Monday March 16 from 5-6:30pm (POSTPONED – see the WisDOT project page to sign up for updates).

Apparently, a runway extension project intended to help reduce noise in southern neighborhoods requires that HWY 51 be rerouted with a new stoplight. As part of that rerouting, a continuous bike path is back in the plans! (reduce airport noise? calm the highway? add a bike path? Talk about a win / win / win!)

Bus 101 / Roundtrip Madison

Metro Transit is hosting two Learn & Ride Events with coffee and donuts. Learn about everything from how to pay the fare to how to bring your bike on the bus.

Thusday March 19, 7-10am, Junction Road BRT terminal. Facebook event

Tuesday, March 30, 7-10am, Sun Prairie Park and Ride. Facebook event. Tours on the A1 BRT depart at 7:58am and 8:58am.

Our friends from RoundTrip Madison will be there. Did you know that they offer a free program called Emergency Ride Home for when you’re at school or work and have an emergency or mechanical breakdown? Madison Bikes board member Dan used it this January and found it really smooth!

MPO Active Transportation Plan

The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) sets standards and direction for the communites that orbit Madison. Take a look at their draft Active Transportation Plan for Dane County — 142 pages of concentrated policy details covering “what people who bike, walk, and roll need to travel safely and comfortably.” Perfect material to read on a snow day!

The public comment period for this draft plan is open through Monday March 23.

Bike Fed plates

The Wisconsin Bike Fed has been making solid progress on a bike-themed license plate. The idea of a vehicle plate that celebrates biking may seem anachronistic, but it makes perfect sense to send the message that a lot of bikers also own cars, pay fuel and gas tax, etc.

The next step is this survey to choose which plate to use. There are five choices but based on the tally at their Bike-o-rama booth this past weekend, these two are in the lead:

Also This Week

On Monday March 16 at 6pm, there’s a Public Information Meeting about Sherman Avenue construction impacts this summer. These will affect the road portions shown in red below. The questionnaire is open until March 23; use it to stress the importance of accommodating north/south biking during construction (e.g., at minimum keeping the green line open).

On Wednesday March 18, the Transportation Commission has a few noteworthy agenda items:

Coming Up

Tuesday, March 31, join Wild Ones-Madison at Harmony Bar & Grill as Jeff Steele shares his experiences botanizing on two wheels along southern Wisconsin’s incredible trail network. Facebook event.

Thursday, April 9, a PIM about the West Towne Path phase 2B – Zor Shrine to Gammon Rd. (the final portion needed to connect Whitney Way to Junction Rd)

On Saturday, April 11, the Middleton PD in concert with Wisconsin Bike Federation is offering a free Bike Safety teaching certification course at Elm Lawn Elementary School in Middleton from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. This is in preparation for the June 6th Middleton Bike Rodeo, and they can train up to 16 people. If you’re interested in getting certified to teach bike safety, email James Blodgett directly at jameswblodgett@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 23, Southern Kettle Moraine Mountain Bike Trail System annual meeting. See SKORR.org for details.

Saturday, April 25, CORP Trails Love Your Trail Day at Saris HQ.

Alliant Energy Center

The Alliant Energy Center shared big plans in their Town Hall last week. Here are a few transportation slides. Take note the “land bridge” overpass concept over John Nolen Drive near Willow Island.

Other reminders

That’s it for our weekly update. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day and enjoy the snow!

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News E-Mail Weekly Update

BCycle’s Back, Spring Elections and Odana Path News

We’re back, baby. (Cyclists of Madison)

March is here, and while we’re oscillating wildly between May and February weather, there are some exciting signs of the season turning. BCycle comes back into service on Friday, Bikeorama is this weekend, and there’s a whole pile of news to dig into. Let’s get to it.

BCycle Returns Friday

The big news for casual and commuter riders alike: BCycle officially returns to service this Friday for the 2026 season. If you’ve been eyeing those empty docking stations all winter, your patience has been rewarded. And here’s a nice bonus: BCycle is offering a free month with code FREEMONTH, valid through the end of April. Good excuse to sign up or get a friend started.

Spring Election Questionnaire Responses Are Up

We sent out our 2026 Spring Election questionnaire to candidates, and we got a really good yield of responses this year. If you want to know where candidates stand on bike and transportation issues before you vote, head over and take a look. I’d encourage you to share it with friends and neighbors who might know much about their local races. If you don’t know who your alder is, there’s a link to the City’s site that will look them up for you.

The spring election is on Tuesday, April 7 and also has an always-important State Supreme Court race.

Odana Hills Path Connection

Big news on the west side path network front! The City announced last week that a substantial private gift will fund a redesign of Odana Hills golf course (similar to Glenway a few years back), with construction potentially starting as early as 2027. The Wisconsin State Journal (paywalled) has additional reporting on the details. While a lot is still up in the air about the golf course itself, the City’s announcement specifically mentions expanding the West Beltline Path between South Gammon Road and South Whitney Way along the south side of the course to link up with the Southwest Commuter Path, plus improving stormwater systems in and around the park.

Mockup of some of the features around Odana Hills Golf Course (Craig Weinhold)

We’d previously thought this path connection would need to wait until changes are made to Whitney Way and the Beltline, so it’s worth noting it could potentially happen sooner. Madison Bikes’ Craig has been digging into the details and notes that the pressing question becomes where and how to cross Whitney Way. The obvious answer is through the Milward Drive easement to the West Beltline Path, which has room for a future overpass. But Medical Circle also looks like a possibility that might connect better to the HyVee area. There are also questions about how future Beltline plans interact with all of this. We’ll keep you posted as things develop.

Vote Madison for Strongest Town

Our friends at Strong Towns have asked us to spread the word: Madison is competing in the 2026 Strongest Town Contest, and voting is open throughout the month of March. If you think Madison deserves recognition for investing in great streets, bike infrastructure, and sustainable transportation, go cast your vote. You can vote throughout the whole month, so set a reminder and keep at it.

This Week

On Monday at 6 PM, the Madison Bikes board meets in person at Madison Central Library. Board meetings are open to everyone, so if you’re curious about what we’re working on, feel free to stop by.

On Tuesday at 4:30 PM, the Alliant Energy Center is hosting a Master Plan Town Hall to discuss their future plans. This includes a facilities expansion, a new 13-acre “365 Destination” mixed-use district with restaurants, hospitality, and entertainment, a larger “Destination District,” and a Traffic Master Plan to tie it all together. Their newsletter notes that several key infrastructure projects just outside the campus, including the John Nolen Drive reconstruction, the Madison LakeWay Vision, and a Rimrock Road rebuild, are designed to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers. If you’re interested, there’s an RSVP flyer here.

On Wednesday at 6 PM, the Madison Queer Bike Ride rolls out from Law Park. This is the monthly second-Wednesday group ride, party pace, all welcome. A great way to shake off the early-March cobwebs.

Also on Wednesday at 6 PM, the City is hosting a virtual public input meeting on the Moorland Road path project, running until 7:30 PM. Got thoughts about this one? Here’s your chance to share them. (Zoom Registration).

On Friday, to reiterate, BCycle returns to service for the 2026 season. Time to dust off that membership (or sign up for a new one) and start rolling. Remember, code FREEMONTH gets you a free month, and it’s good through the end of April.

We’ll be bringing stations back online throughout the day, so check the BCycle App before heading out to see real-time station and bike availability.

And finally, this weekend is Bikeorama. Running Friday through Sunday (March 13-15) at the New Holland Pavilions at the Alliant Energy Center. If you haven’t been, it’s basically a big bike expo with vendors, demos, and all things cycling. A great way to start thinking seriously about the riding season ahead. Admission and bike parking are free, but car parking ain’t!

Coming Up

On Saturday, April 11, the Middleton PD in concert with Wisconsin Bike Federation is offering a free Bike Safety teaching certification course at Elm Lawn Elementary School in Middleton from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. This is in preparation for the June 6th Middleton Bike Rodeo, and they can train up to 16 people. If you’re interested in getting certified to teach bike safety, email James Blodgett directly at jameswblodgett@gmail.com.

Also worthy of note: the Bike Fed’s education team is hiring four Dane County high school students for its paid, part-time Transportation Ambassadors internship program. It’s a 12-month gig starting in June, open to students across Dane County who will be in high school during the 2026-27 school year. If you know a young person who likes bikes and is interested in transportation, urban planning, environmental science, or political science, point them toward this. Applications are open through Sunday, April 12, and details are available in English and Spanish. Questions and applications can go to Shawn Koval at shawn.koval@wisconsinbikefed.org.

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Weekly Update

Regent St at TC, Transportation Academy, and upcoming PIMs

Nothing like late winter/early spring to give us weather whiplash. Sunny and warm one day, cold and windy the next, and then snow. This is why we wear and carry layers when biking in Wisconsin. 

During the warm spell, I snapped this photo of a Trek employee on his day off, enjoying a ride with his doggo. He says that the dog loves these outings so much that he immediately jumps in the trailer when it comes out.

In Case You Missed It

Madison Bikes member interview

Madison Commons published an interview I did with them for their series, Common Ground. They ask the same questions to all interviewees. my comments are not all about bicycling, but many touch on why we need to have better transportation options for all ages and abilities. I also talked about city growing pains and how the city must change to keep up with those needs. 

1000 Friends Transportation Academy this spring

A reminder that if you are interested in learning more about our transportation system and how to be an advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future, you can still apply to participate in the Transportation Academy hosted by 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. This is the first time this 10-week course has been offered in Madison, and it might not be offered again for quite some time, so don’t miss your chance. It’s free, and no experience is needed. 

The course consists of a mix of online and in-person meetings and runs from April 2-June 4 on Wednesdays (virtual) or Thursdays (in-person) from 4-6 pm. The deadline to apply is March 14. 

New Bicycle Friendly Businesses in Fitchburg

Four new businesses in Fitchburg received Bicycle Friendly Business awards. The city has really been pushing hard to get businesses to apply, and the League of American Bicyclists announced that Alterra Design and Juniper Apartments received silver designations, and Tabby & Jack’s and Ten Pin Alley got bronze. You can view all the new awards across the country here.

Thank Bill Lunney for many of the great trails in Dane County

If you venture outside Madison for a ride, you’ve probably used a trail through a park made possible by the hard work of Bill Lunney. He was the chair of the Dane County Parks Commission for many years, and he passed away this past week. Read more about his work in this piece by Dave Zweifel in the Cap Times.

The week ahead

Wednesday

Transportation Commission: The TC will be discussing plans for the reconstruction of Regent Street from Park St to Randall. You can view the documents, plans, current public comments, staff presentation, etc., for this item on the city website. 

The configuration recommended by city staff does not include any bicycle accommodations on Regent St, instead concentrating on improving connections to the SW Path and parallel neighborhood streets. However, the sidewalk would be widened considerably, the overall street width narrowed, and pedestrian crossings would be improved. Bus pull-outs and car parking bays would be constructed along the curb. Wider sidewalks would open up the potential for trees, which don’t exist on Regent St at this time.

Also on the TC agenda is the 2027-2032 Transportation Improvement Plan. Each year, the city submits its plan for construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, and other maintenance on roads, highways, and bike/ped infrastructure for the next five years. These are planned projects, but some may be delayed or rescheduled based city priorities or funding.

Some of this is quite mundane, like patching a badly-deteriorated street through the neighborhood. But other projects completely rebuild a street – such as Regent – and give the city a chance to change what a street looks and feels like. Other projects add important bike-ped connections: Paths, over/underpasses, and separated bike facilities. There are some exciting connections planned. 

You can watch the meeting and/or register to speak or submit your own comments here. The meeting is at 5:00 pm online.   

CORP Trailside Bike Repair: Also Wednesday, CORP will hold a clinic on trailside bike repair at Black Saddle Bike Shop at 5:30 pm. Learn what to carry and how to do basic repairs. Registration required. 

Saturday

CORP Trailside Bike Repair: CORP will hold a clinic on trailside bike repair geared to women, femme, trans, and non-binary bicyclists at both the East and West Trek shops at 11:30 am. Learn what to carry and how to do basic repairs. Registration required.

Mark your calendars for these future meetings

March 18: Public Information Meeting for the Military Ridge Trail paving through the city of Verona. Today, the paved portion of the trail ends at the eastern end of Verona and proceeds west as a crushed-limestone trail. This paving project will provide year-round access through the city to the high school on the western side of the city. 

March 23: Deadline to submit comments on the Metropolitan Planning Organization Active Transportation Plan for Dane County. View the draft plan and submit comments on the MPO Biking and Walking page.

April 9: Public Information Meeting for Phase 2B of the West Towne Path, which would take the path from Gammon Rd to Zor Shrine Pl. This is the final segment for the path that runs from Junction Rd to Whitney Way.

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
E-Mail Weekly Update

More on Park Street; CORP Clinic; Advocacy Social; Bike License Plate

A person with a long beard, sunglasses, and headphones rides on the Wingra Creek Path. It's a sunny day in late winter, with no snow on the ground and the grass all brown.
https://mastodon.social/@cyclists_of_msn/116114994197234080

To everyone’s surprise: It’s not actually spring yet! We’re back in freezing temperatures and the bike paths are much emptier again. Ah well.

Park Street

The horrible crash that killed 17-year-old high school student Sasha Rosen on Park Street continues to be on everyone’s minds and in the media. Last Wednesday, the Transportation Commission discussed the fatal crash, what led to it, and how we can prevent fatal crashes–on Park Street and elsewhere–going forward. For a live recap of the meeting discussion, you can read Mike Zenz’s account on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/therealzenz.bsky.social/post/3mf6a6xgqck27

Many members of the public spoke at the meeting or submitted written comments, asking for action and recounting their own experiences of traffic violence or reckless driving on and around Park Street. City staff gave a long presentation. The talked about what they have already done (e.g. make sure that all signage and signals at the site of the crash met and exceeded regulation; increased police enforcement right after the crash); what cannot be done at the moment (e.g. automated camera enforcement because state law doesn’t allow for it; closing down a travel lane because Park Street is a highway controlled by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation); and what they plan on doing going forward in the long term (e.g. the North-South BRT project will include many safety improvements) and in the short term (collect more data). Members of the commission (disclosure: I am one of them) offered suggestions and asked many pointed questions.

Media coverage of the crash also continued:

If you want to stay up to date with “Safe Streets for Sasha,” the advocacy website now has an option to subscribe to email updates: https://www.safestreetsforsasha.org/

Bike Advocacy Social on Sunday

After successful outing to survey Regent Street and talk to local businesses about the upcoming Regent Street reconstruction last Sunday, the Machinery Row/Madison Bikes advocacy meetup is doing a social next Sunday (3/1): From 5 to 6:30 pm folks will meet at Working Draft Brewing, in an approachable environment where anyone interested in bike advocacy can meet like-minded folks and chat about how we can make Madison a more bike-friendly city.

CORP Clinic for NICA Athletes on Monday

The series of Capital Offroad Pathfinders continues, but this time it’s for the kids. On Monday (2/23) night, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, NICA athletes can come to the Trek Store West and learn about fixing their bikes:

Are your parents sometimes too helpful and as a result you don’t learn how to fix things yourself? No parents allowed in this clinic which will focus on athletes learning common bike repairs, changing a tire, keeping your bike clean and running well.

This clinic will be led by the awesome mechanics at Trek West!

Bike License Plates

Possible designs for the future license plates

Rumor has it that some people who ride bikes also own a car. And may be interested in that car having custom license plates that show their support for biking. Well, the Bike Fed’s got you:

Turn Your Commute Into a Cause: The Wisconsin Bike Safety Plate
Wisconsin is about to become the 27th state to put bicycle safety front and center—and we need your help to cross the finish line.

The Wisconsin Bike Fed is officially launching a campaign to create a “Special Group Plate.” This isn’t just a piece of metal for your car; it’s a rolling billboard for safety and a permanent engine for change.

Why This Matters
Starting in 2027, every plate sold will do two vital things:

1. Generate awareness: It sends a constant, visual safety message to every driver on the road.

2. Fund Education: Proceeds from every sale go directly into bicycle education and safety programs across the state.

In order to make that happen, they need to raise enough money to cover the initial development fee for the plate. You can contribute here: https://give.wisconsinbikefed.org/campaign/766424/donate

Categories
E-Mail Weekly Update

Park St Safety on TC Agenda, Closing a Network Gap in South Madison

Lots of activity at Winter Bike Day (photo by Harold Kliems)

International Winter Bike to Work Day

This year, we set up at Law Park with treats and information provided by Madison Bikes (coffee from Cafe Domestique), Machinery Row Bicycles and  Round Trip / Greater Madison MPO.  Even the Data Bike was there. Well over 100 cyclists attended, marking a significant increase from last year. Perhaps the weather had something to do with the high turnout, but we hope increased acceptance of winter riding as a viable transportation mode is partly responsible. It was great seeing all the shared conversation and celebration of winter biking. Thanks to everyone who attended!

More winter biking

See this recent Madison Magazine article on local winter bike commuters, their thoughts and some secrets to success.   

Transportation Commission to discuss Park St safety, Rimrock resurfacing

On Wednesday, February 18, the Transportation Commission will address safety on Park St.  following the tragic crash which took the life of Sasha Rosen last week. Traffic Engineering Division’s rapid response team is working on identifying any possible short-term and/or long-term improvements which could prevent future crashes. This meeting is a chance to weigh in on the need for these improvements.

The Rimrock Rd resurfacing project will also be discussed. Construction is anticipated in 2027 or 2028. It’s significant because along with the E-Rusk path (see below) and recently completed Badger-Rusk path, it will close a major gap in the low-stress bicycle network.

If you would like to speak at the meeting, register here.  Comments can be sent to transportationcommission@cityofmadison.com.

Map shows how new shared use paths will close active transportation gap

East Rusk Ave Shared-Use Path would plug low-stress network gap

A proposed path would link the recently completed W Badger Rd path to a planned shared-use path on Rimrock Rd (see TC meeting agenda). The East Rusk path would provide all ages & abilities access to businesses on E. Rusk Ave, the Alliant Energy Center and the Cap City Trail. The public meeting was last week but you can see details, watch the presentation, and sign up for e-mail updates here.

Regent Street

Regent Street will be reconstructed in the next year or two. The Transportation Commission plans to discuss updates to the options discussed at the last public information meeting; however, this agenda item has been delayed until March 4. This delay gives us a bit more time to become more familiar with the different alternatives. At this point the preferred option doesn’t contain bicycle facilities on Regent St, but it does include improvements in routes to access Regent St from the SW commuter path. The project page provides information on Regent Street reconstruction including the options being considered.  

Yesterday, Machinery Row and Madison Bikes organized a group of volunteers who visited Regent St businesses to make sure the perspectives of bicyclists are part of the conversation. It’s important for bicyclists to attend the March 4 meeting and comment orally or in writing, emphasizing the businesses you would visit by bicycle to highlight that increased bicycle traffic through a neighborhood can mean more business.

Bicycle advocates visit Regent St businesses (photo by Lauren Barlow)

Election questionnaire results

Common Council elections for all even-numbered districts will take place on April 7. Madison Bikes once again has teamed up with other local groups to send candidates a questionnaire about housing, development, and transportation issues. Questionnaires will be sent this week. We plan to publish the candidates’ responses on March 5.

Forgo Mucky Paths

This is a good time to stay off unpaved trails which are soft and rutty until things firm up a bit. Riding on muddy trails can cause permanent damage to trails. For mountain bike trails, CORP provides a handy listing of trail conditions to let you know if conditions are OK to ride.

Military Ridge trail in Verona (City of Verona Website)

That’s it for this week’s update. Enjoy the warm weather while it lasts.

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News Newsletter Weekly Update

The Fight for a Safer Park Street

A vigil was held Thursday evening to remember Sasha

Last Thursday, 17-year old Alexander (Sasha) Rosen was hit and killed by a driver while crossing S. Park Street. While police officials are pleading for drivers to slow down and pay attention, it’s clear that more work is needed to make this area safer for pedestrians.

Former Madison Bikes board president and S. Park St neighborhood resident Eleanor Conrad spoke out in this article about safety and the need for more traffic calming measures:

“I know that there are those who will be really frightened by that term, but it’s really frightening crossing the street.”

Eleanor is exactly right. Paint is not infrastructure. S. Park is built like a highway, and the 25mph speed limit signs are most often ignored. We urge the City and WisDOT to consider adding physical traffic calming measures like curb extensions (AKA bump-outs), raised crossings, or traffic circles. Elements like these can save lives by slowing drivers down to an appropriate speed, and make crossing the road safer and easier for pedestrians. Traffic throughput should never take priority over lives. To learn more about what you can do to take action, visit safestreetsforsasha.org.

It’s worth noting that this section of Park Street may be due for reconstruction soon. The surface is in poor condition and it is on the route of the proposed North-South BRT. Either way, we’ll need support from the community in speaking up about prioritizing safety.

Public Meeting: E. Rusk Shared Use Path

On Monday at 6pm, the City is hosting a public information meeting on the E. Rusk Ave Shared-Use Path project. The path would be on the NW side of E. Rusk Ave between N. Rusk Ave and Rimrock Rd., parallel to the Beltline. The project aims to address the current lack of bicycle infrastructure there and close a gap in the low-stress bike network. Eventually, this path would connect to a future planned path along Rimrock Rd. The public is encouraged to give feedback. If you would like to give feedback or learn more, you can register using the Zoom link in the project page.

Friday is Winter Bike Day

2024 Winter Bike Day | Beth Skogen Photography – www.bethskogen.com

We are excited to host another International Winter Bike (Anywhere) Day. Whether you are biking to work, school, or just going for a ride, we would love to have you stop by our commuter station on the Cap City Trail in Law Park near Machinery Row. We’ll be there on Friday from 7-9am handing out free donuts and coffee, joined by our friends at Machinery Row Bicycles and RoundTrip / Greater Madison MPO who also have goodies to give out. This will be our largest Winter Bike Day commuter station in several years, so you won’t want to miss it!

Later on Friday, we’ll be hosting a happy hour from 4-6pm at Working Draft. The beer won’t be free, but you can get 10% off your tab with your Bike Benefits sticker! Come hang out and chat with us about your favorite (and least favorite) things about Winter biking.

Regent Street Field Trip

As you may know, Regent Street is up for reconstruction in 2027. Although that’s a ways out, the planning phase is already in progress, and we want to get ahead of things by seeing the problems first-hand.

Sunday from 2-4pm, Join Machinery Row and Madison Bikes for a casual group ride and exploration of Regent Street. We’ll meet at Machinery Row, ride over via the Southwest Path, and visit local businesses between Park St and Monroe St to talk about the need for better bike access and facilities on Regent Street. Along the way, we’ll document the challenges of accessing shops by bike, and support local businesses while we’re at it. We plan to wrap up with a social stop at a restaurant in the area. Keep an eye on the calendar, linked below, for any updates.

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!

Categories
Bike News E-Mail Weekly Update

Biking for unity, planning for all

Bicyclists gather to ride in unity and in memory of Alex Pretti. Photo courtesy Robbie Webber.

Remembering a fellow bicyclist

More than 300 people gathered Saturday in Madison to ride together in memory of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Minnesotan killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 24.

Madison’s Unity Ride, a 9-mile trip beginning and ending on Capitol Square, was one of many held around the country. By all reports, it was a moving act of community and fitting in the case of Pretti, who chose to spend a lot of his time on two wheels.

It’s a great time to maintain the bonds that can form over shared activities like bicycling — to remember how much we all have in common, and the value of recognizing and exercising our interdependence. Whether we cross paths in moments of acute turmoil or in relatively mundane circumstances, we’re better off together.

Thanks to everyone who took the opportunity to join in on Saturday.

Bikers ride up East Washington Avenue. Photo courtesy Craig Weinhold.

‘Streets that work for everyone’

Katie Nash of Madison Bikes wrote recently for the Northside News about streets within the neighborhood or within reach of residents on Madison’s north side.

Woodward Drive and Westport Road are streets “built almost exclusively for driving and parking,” according to Nash, but she describes planned improvements that will turn them also into more welcoming and useful connections for people on foot or bicycle. It’s a good update and a nice example of asking people to help advocate for thoughtful planning in their own neighborhoods.

More from Madison’s director of transportation

Christof Spieler was a guest of Downtown Madison, Inc. on Jan. 29 as part of the organization’s What’s Up Downtown series. Spieler covered many downtown transportation issues and made many references to his recent gathering put on by Madison Bikes. DMI posted a video his talk, if you’ve got the time.

Public meetings — recently held and on the calendar

Regent Street reconstruction: Madison held a meeting on this project, now in the planning phases and scheduled for 2027, on Jan. 26. The Transportation Commission will give feedback on Feb. 18.

Lake Monona waterfront: Tonight, Feb. 2, at 6:30 p.m., is a Madison Lakeway Public Meeting to learn about their final plans to beautify the Lake Monona waterfront along John Nolen Drive after the current road construction is complete. This includes bike and pedestrian paths, maybe with a boardwalk over the water, observation spaces, and public art.

E-bike regulation: The Greater Madison Planning Organization Policy Board meets Wednesday, Feb. 4, with “Municipal guidance on e-bike, e-moto, and other e-micromobility device regulation” and some Capital City Trail projects on their agenda.

Rusk Path extension: This path opened in the fall, but Madison plans to extend it east to Rimrock Road this year. See the project page and register for a public information meeting on Monday, Feb. 9.

Other bits

International Winter Bike to Work Day is Feb. 13th. Morning riders along the Capital City Path near Machinery Row can enjoy coffee from Cafe Domestique, donuts and warm company. From 4 to 6 p.m., Madison Bikes will host a happy hour at Working Draft Beer Company.

Clean Lakes Alliance’s annual Frozen Assets event is Saturday, Feb. 7. It’s not bicycle-specific, but there are often hearty biker types out cruising the ice.

Our friends at Wisconsin Bike Fed are also having a benefit raffle for a Trek bike.

That’s it for the weekly round-up. Stay warm out there!

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.

Thanks to our sponsors who make our events possible!