Wisconsin Bicyclists, Unite!

"Serious" bicyclists are known for their individualistic streak. Not that there is anything wrong with that All-American trait. But a loner's attitude isn't always conducive to building a sport.

Traditionally the sport has been fractured into camps. Mountain bikers, road racers, commuter cyclists, and long-distance cycle tourists often saw themselves as distinct groups. Each group tended to stick to themselves and ignore other aspects of the sport

The Next Generation
Things are beginning to change. Many cyclists are starting to realize that they need each other. And that in order for the sport to grow, novices must be welcomed with great places to ride as well as great friends to ride with. Everyone is losing places to ride. Sprawl gobbles up more bicycling territory. Trails are threatened with closure. Rude driving behaviors push cyclists off the road.

Now cyclists are meeting the challenges by organizing.

United We Ride
Bicyclists across the country are banding together in bicycle advocacy organizations. Some are joining national organizations. Some are joining state organizations. Others are joining local organizations. Many are joining all three.

The bicycle movement is gaining steam across the country.

Lance Armstrong, winner of this year's Tour de France, has joined forces with the League of American Bicyclists. He is now a spokesman for better bicycle policy at the national level. Never before has a champion of his caliber gone all out for bicycle advocacy.

Here in Wisconsin, the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin has enjoyed the support of the state's outstanding touring organizations. For example, the Bayview Bicycle Club in Milwaukee, Spokes-N-Folks up in Marinette and Tour de Fort of Ft. Atkinson have contributed mightily toward the cause.

BFW's membership includes a women's state road racing champion, as well as legions of other mountain bike and road racers.

Local bicycle advocacy organizations are pushing the envelope all over the state. The Rock Trail Coalition in Janesville brought the country to the city with its trail projects. The Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County has fought for bike-friendly development in that rapidly growing county.

Spokes-N-Folks in La Crosse has integrated bicycles into the culture of that river city. Their work has helped ensure a more bike-friendly urban environment.

Even the bike biz has begun to get into the act. Planet Bike, for example, is a true leader in supporting bicycle advocacy. This Wisconsin-based bike accessories design and distribution firm, donates 25% of its profits to bicycle advocacy groups. Madison's Budget Bicycles is a founding -- and major -- financial supporter of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. Waterford Precision Cycles regularly donates one of its high-end frames for fundraising. Waterford also very generously donates a board member to the non-profit Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin!

Quality Bicycling--Quality Places
By joining forces, bicyclists gain real leverage in building bike paths, bike lanes and other bike-friendly places. But the work of organized bicycle advocacy is bigger than bicycling itself.

Places with quality bicycle facilities are often rated very highly in national publications. Money magazine, Outside Magazine, Utne Reader, New York Times and other national publications invariably mention good bicycling environments in their ratings. And since quality places tend to attract quality people, the entire community benefits.

Quality, bike-friendly places. That is what bicycle advocacy organizations are all about.

Michael D. Barrett is a former board member of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and the past editor of BFW's quarterly newsletter the Wisconsin Bicyclist.