January 2002 Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Newsletter

Milwaukee Gets New Bike Czar

Milwaukee bicyclists have a new full-time advocate working to make the city a better place to bike. The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin recently hired David Schlabowske as Milwaukee Program Manager. Schlabowske will head the Milwaukee office of the 2500 member Bike Fed.

"This is an exciting time for bicyclists in Milwaukee," said Schlabowske. "The Milwaukee bicycling community is more politically active today than it has ever been. There is a groundswell of support for things like adding bike lanes to the Hoan Bridge and completing the Hank Aaron State Trail."

"I see my office as the voice for all cyclists in the Milwaukee area. I hope the Bike Fed and I can help grow an even stronger and more active bike community by bringing together the area's diverse groups of cyclists. I look forward to seeing racers, recreational cyclists, commuters and messengers all realize the political power they have if they work together for common goals."

Schlabowske predicts that with all the new residential developments near downtown many more people will choose to bike to work or to the store. He noted many downtown businesses are encouraging their employees to bike to work and are looking to improve their bicycle facilities. The Milwaukee office of the BFW is currently helping several large employers in the city with their employer-employee bike commute programs.

The Bike Fed also has a contract with the City of Milwaukee to create a bicycling publicity plan. A major goal of the plan is to get more people riding bicycles for utilitarian trips to mitigate some of the city's pollution problems.

Schlabowske, 39, is a native of Milwaukee and year-round bike commuter. He races both mountain and road bikes and is a self-proclaimed bike-geek. A former professional magazine photographer, he decided to switch careers to spend more time at home with his five year old daughter, Frances, and wife, Elizabeth Schoone, an MPS teacher. He last worked as a 1st grade teacher for Milwaukee Public Schools.

Enhancements Dollars at Work Up North

Construction is scheduled to begin Spring-Summer 2002 for a Madeline Island Bike Route. Proposed is construction of a bicycle lane along CTH H from the LaPointe Ferry Boat dock to Black Shanty Road. The Town of LaPointe intends to continue development of the trail to Big Bay State Park.

Construction is scheduled for Spring-Summer 2002 for the Millennium Trail in Superior, along North 28th Street, Billings Drive and through the Superior Forest.

Osceola is currently working with Polk County to develop a bike/ped trail from the former SOO Line Depot in the Village of Osceola to Interstate Park. An earlier trail project (Interlink Trail) was constructed to connect the Interstate Park with the Gandy Dancer Trail.

For info, call 1-800-590-1868 ext. 7994 or glenn.landis@dot.state.wi.us.

South-Central Bike/Ped Route

Beloit, Janesville, and Madison added important miles to their bike networks this summer. The Blackhawk Trail in Shorewood opened, as did the Southwest Commuter Trail in Madison and the Military Ridge Urban Trail between Madison and Verona. These important improvements are well designed, pleasant to use, attract lots of traffic, and are all beautiful.

Also beautiful is a new bike/ped bridge across the Rock River in downtown Jefferson. The 240 foot structure has two spans of laminated wood "bowstring" arches. The City of Jefferson built it with Transportation Enhancement funds, city funds, and donations raised by selling bricks at the approaches to the bridge.

Progress will continue this summer, with lengthy sections of trail due for completion in Janesville and Beloit, construction beginning on a new east-side trail in Madison, and plans for a Johnson Street underpass at the Yahara River, also on Madison's east side.

Wausau News

Local bicycle advocates are working with the Marathon County Transportation Department to insure the new bridges built over the Rib River will have extra wide curb lanes for bikers and a sidewalk for pedestrians. Advocates are also interested in getting bike racks on city buses, but the transit authority is resisting. To help, or for more info, email Michael at mrmac@dwave.net.

Wisconsin's Scenic Byways Program

In 1999, state legislation passed enabling WisDOT to develop a statewide Wisconsin's Scenic Byways Program that will preserve, promote and enhance some of Wisconsin's most unique and scenic roadways. Roadways would become scenic byways through an application process. Under Wisconsin's proposed guidelines, a scenic byway would be a state trunk highway segment of at least 30 miles that combines scenic qualities, cultural and/or recreational attributes, and local government support. Hopefully by early 2003 the program will provide logos/signs for designated routes, and provide travelers with a booklet or map highlighting the route and points of interest.

For more info, contact Jane Carrola (608) 266-0649 or jane.carrola@dot.state.wi.us.

Bike The Hoan

What do 1,300 individuals, 50+ businesses (including Rockwell Automation, Wheel & Sprocket, Emery's Bicycle & Fitness and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce), 12 Milwaukee County Supervisors, Alderman Breier and Henningsen, and several state representatives ALL have in common? They ALL signed our position paper showing their support for the Hoan Bridge Bike Path.

Our monthly meetings have resulted in a new awareness of bicycling and recreational issues in the Milwaukee area. It has forged a bond between bicycle clubs and individuals. Many elected officials are learning that bicyclists vote and have a strong desire to Bike the Hoan Bridge.

Please support us by writing letters to your elected officials in Milwaukee and in Washington, D.C. We can make this happen. For info: www.bikethehoan.com.

La Crosse Update

Both the 33rd Street Trail and the connector trail between Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse and the Great River State Trail have been paved and are awaiting finishing touches. They should be finished early next spring.

In other news, the La Crosse City Attorney has interpreted the recent bike ban ordinance as applicable only to trails and undeveloped areas within Hixon Forest. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members had previously interpreted this amended ordinance to apply to all trails within the City. For more info, call Adryan Slaght at (608) 789-7512.

Wisconsin Bicyclist

Is published six times per year by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin

Submission Guidelines: The Wisconsin Bicyclist welcomes your opinions, news, features, artwork, and photograph submissions. Editorials and news should be no more than 100 words. Feature stories should not exceed 300 words. Please submit text on disk or email. We reserve the right to edit or reject all submissions.

Madison Office: 106 East Doty Street, Suite 400_Madison, WI 53703 Phone: (608) 251-4456 fax: (608) 251-4594

Milwaukee Office: 152 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 510 Milwaukee, WI 53203 Phone: (414) 271-9685 fax: (414) 271-5904

Email: info@bfw.org Web: www.bfw.org

Staff: Jeanne Hoffman, Executive Director, Robbie Webber, Madison Program Manager, David Schlabowske, Milwaukee Program Manager, Charles Strawser, Madison Program Manager

Board of Directors: Peter Flucke, President, Green Bay Richard Schwinn, Vice President, Waterford Matthew Birnbaum, Vice President 2nd Chair, Oshkosh Rebecca Yakes, Treasurer, Milwaukee Arthur Ross, Secretary, Madison Mary Rouse, Madison Butch Siegel, Waupaca Christopher Liegel, Milwaukee Rita Nygren, Madison Chris Kegel, Milwaukee Scott Arbit, Milwaukee

We are currently looking for board members, if you are interested, please call or email the BFW office.

BFW MEMBERSHIP Join Team Advocacy. Membership Application.

The Billy Fell Fund for Child _Bicycle Education Programs

Any community in the state that is not already offering on-bicycle safety instruction can apply for Billy Fell funding. Grants for up to $1,000 can fund bike rodeo type instruction, or for $2,000 you may implement Basics of Bicycling (BOB) curriculum in the schools or parks and recreation programs. These contracts are named in honor of a young boy whose bicycle crash death led to his mother's advocacy for the prevention of head injuries.

Applications must be submitted to WisDOT by a school district or a local, state, or tribal government agency. Contract applications will be accepted as long as funds remain, or until late May. A total of $38,000 was made available by the Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities for this education. The goal is to give children basic traffic skills before they are permitted to bicycle unsupervised. For more information: (608) 267-3154 or joanne.pruitt-thunder@WisDot.state.wi.us.

Dane County Safety Grant

The Dane County Safety Grant has a new name, Co-Exist, to convey the idea of pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and other road and path users traveling together safely and without rancor. BFW continues to schedule adult classes throughout the winter and spring – including "How to Bike Through Winter." The second phase of the grant is middle school education; Waunakee and McFarland are already scheduling classes. Several Madison schools have participated in Bike to School in the past; we hope they will participate in the current project as well.

The Bike Fed is working with many new and on-going campaigns to coordinate education efforts. These include AARP, Greater Madison Safe Community Coalition, Departments of Health and Family Services, Public Instruction, Dane County Sheriff, and Madison Police. One result is the new version of "Traffic…? Get Over Your Fear!" an official WisDOT publication available now. A new, comprehensive booklet for adult cyclists is in the works for spring. We've also asked colleagues in other cities for their successful print ads, public service announcements, and videos. We will modify these to reach our local market.

Bike Fed thanks all of its partners in this effort; many exciting ideas and contacts are still to be developed! Three Fox Cities Projects

An at-grade crossing of the Canadian National (formerly Wisconsin Central) railroad tracks by the Paper Trail in the City of Menasha was recently approved. This is another link in the trail network throughout the Fox Cities area (and part of the Friendship State Recreational Trail, which will ultimately extend from Manitowoc to the Stevens Point area). The trail segment will extend the recently completed off-road trail along Plank Road (STH 114) south to Jefferson Park and the Menasha swimming pool. It will also enable local residents south of the tracks to bike safely to Heckrodt Wetlands Reserve.

A related project is the pending conversion of the Little Lake Butte des Morts rail trestle to a bicycle/pedestrian facility. The city could begin work on the conversion as early as next summer if the railroad and DNR agree on acquisition.

And the recent completion of a pedestrian overpass spanning Hwy. 41 between Fox Cities Stadium and the Fox Valley Technical College was sorely needed, as there are few options for pedestrians and bicyclists to safely cross this busy highway. Info: contact Fred Scharnke at fscharnke@eastcentralrpc.org.

WisDOT District 7 for Modal Choice

The Town of Newbold in Oneida opened a crushed granite bike trail on September 11 that was designed and constructed using an Enhancements grant. The City of Rhinelander, the Town of Land O' Lakes, and Forest County are in various stages of planning or establishing trails of their own. For more information, call Rob Severson at (715) 365-5797.

Sparta and WisDOT District 5 Projects

WisDOT District 5, located in La Crosse, has several projects in progress that will increase bicycle/pedestrian opportunities and safety. These projects include a bicycle/pedestrian bridge over I-90 east of Sparta, which will be constructed with the cooperation of the DNR and the sponsorship from the City of Sparta. When constructed, it will link the La Crosse River State Trail with the Sparta-Elroy State Trail.

WisDOT is also commencing a corridor study on STH 16 between CTH B and I-90 in the Valley View Mall area to, among other things, make the area more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. District 5 is currently accepting public input to identify problems in this area.

Contact John Ott at (608) 785-9043, or john.ott@dot.state.wi.us.

Happenings at the Bike Fed

Safety Activities:

• The Bike Fed had a booth at Celebrating Youth in November, where kids learned about bicycle safety.
• BFW consulted with UW students working on a project to promote helmet use on campus.
• BFW has continued working with community groups and mini-course groups to offer bicycle safety courses. The Waunakee School District and Madison School Recreation Department will host new classes.
• BFW met with a middle school principal in McFarland about offering bicycle safety education as part of PE classes.
• BFW taught Biking Through Winter at Dean/St Mary's Health Works
• BFW gave reports on the Dane County Bike Safety grant to the Greater Madison Safe Community Coalition and the Wisconsin Highway Safety Partners.

Advocacy Activities:

• BFW set up a booth at a promotional event at Wheel & Sprocket. Outreach doesn't stop in the winter!
• BFW is coordinating with AARP on a pilot project to promote physical activity for people aged 50+.
• BFW staff member Robbie Webber and Board Member Arthur Ross have been appointed to the Dane County Bicycle Transportation Sub-committee.
• BFW attended many meetings of the Dane County Environmental Smart Growth Coalition to emphasize the connections between transportation and land use.
• BFW attended the opening of the new digs for the Social Justice Center to point out the injustice of inequitable transportation choice.
• BFW has been working with Milwaukee bicycle advocates to increase support for a bike lane on the Hoan Bridge. Check out www.bikethehoan.com for more information.
• BFW has been working with Will Janz, who will be revamping the membership database. Ok, this is not so exciting, but the time it will save BFW staff excites us!
• BFW is currently on the board of directors of the Thunderhead Alliance, a national association of bicycle advocacy organizations. BFW is helping to organize a national retreat for fall 2002.
• BFW participated in a workshop sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters to learn how to communicate to our members more effectively.
• BFW met with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to discuss how to promote bicycling for health.
• BFW met with other members of the Governor's Bicycle Council to discuss promoting bicycling, DNR's Year of the Trail, and trail fees.
• BFW has been working with volunteers to update our web pages.
• BFW opened the Milwaukee office!

Commuting Activities

• BFW met with the Associate Athletic Director for UW-Madison to discuss encouraging Badger fans to bike to Camp Randall on game days.
• The Madison Bike to Work Week Steering Committee is gearing up for Bike to Work Week, May 18-24. Call 251-4456 or email btww@btww.org to help.
• BFW attended the final presentation of the State St Design proposal to insure the accommodation of bicycles after the redesign, and to advocate for the prohibition of delivery vehicles during "rush hour."
• BFW met with the Department of Administration to discuss how DOA and state facilities can and should be more bike-friendly.
• BFW met with UW-Madison Transportation Services to discuss how the university and BFW can work together to promote bicycling to the university for transportation.
• BFW met with the Council of Developmental Disability to discuss the Bicycle Education Instructors Seminar tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2002.

Facilities Activities

• BFW finished a project with a UW-Madison engineering class to develop bike stands for valet parking.
• BFW attended the Madison Municipal Sewer District meeting to advocate reconstruction of (better) bike facilities after a project in the Isthmus is completed.
• BFW is actively involved with the Milwaukee Bicycle Task Force, which will be developing a bicycle publicity plan for the city.
• BFW participated in a Menomonee River Valley Partners Association meeting to discuss transportation and land use in the valley.
• BFW met with WisDOT regarding future federal transportation funding and policies.
• Safety Activities
• The Bike Fed had a booth at Celebrating Youth in November, where kids learned about bicycle safety.
• BFW consulted with UW students working on a project to promote helmet use on campus.
• BFW has continued working with community groups and mini-course groups to offer bicycle safety courses. The Waunakee School District and Madison School Recreation Department will host new classes.
• BFW met with a middle school principal in McFarland about offering bicycle safety education as part of PE classes.
• BFW taught Biking Through Winter at Dean/St Mary's Health Works
• BFW gave reports on the Dane County Bike Safety grant to the Greater Madison Safe Community Coalition and the Wisconsin Highway Safety Partners.

Advocacy Activities

• BFW set up a booth at a promotional event at Wheel & Sprocket. Outreach doesn't stop in the winter!
• BFW is coordinating with AARP on a pilot project to promote physical activity for people aged 50+.
• BFW staff member Robbie Webber and Board Member Arthur Ross have been appointed to the Dane County Bicycle Transportation Sub-committee.
• BFW attended many meetings of the Dane County Environmental Smart Growth Coalition to emphasize the connections between transportation and land use.
• BFW attended the opening of the new digs for the Social Justice Center to point out the injustice of inequitable transportation choice.
• BFW has been working with Milwaukee bicycle advocates to increase support for a bike lane on the Hoan Bridge. Check out www.bikethehoan.com for more information.
• BFW has been working with Will Janz, who will be revamping the membership database. Ok, this is not so exciting, but the time it will save BFW staff excites us!
• BFW is currently on the board of directors of the Thunderhead Alliance, a national association of bicycle advocacy organizations. BFW is helping to organize a national retreat for fall 2002.
• BFW participated in a workshop sponsored by the League of Conservation Voters to learn how to communicate to our members more effectively.
• BFW met with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services to discuss how to promote bicycling for health.
• BFW met with other members of the Governor's Bicycle Council to discuss promoting bicycling, DNR's Year of the Trail, and trail fees.
• BFW has been working with volunteers to update our web pages.
• BFW opened the Milwaukee office!

Commuting Activities:

• BFW met with the Associate Athletic Director for UW-Madison to discuss encouraging Badger fans to bike to Camp Randall on game days.
• The Madison Bike to Work Week Steering Committee is gearing up for Bike to Work Week, May 18-24. Call 251-4456 or email btww@btww.org to help.
• BFW attended the final presentation of the State St Design proposal to insure the accommodation of bicycles after the redesign, and to advocate for the prohibition of delivery vehicles during "rush hour."
• BFW met with the Department of Administration to discuss how DOA and state facilities can and should be more bike-friendly.
• BFW met with UW-Madison Transportation Services to discuss how the university and BFW can work together to promote bicycling to the university for transportation.
• BFW met with the Council of Developmental Disability to discuss the Bicycle Education Instructors Seminar tentatively scheduled for the fall of 2002.

Facilities Activities:

• BFW finished a project with a UW-Madison engineering class to develop bike stands for valet parking.
• BFW attended the Madison Municipal Sewer District meeting to advocate reconstruction of (better) bike facilities after a project in the Isthmus is completed.
• BFW is actively involved with the Milwaukee Bicycle Task Force, which will be developing a bicycle publicity plan for the city.
• BFW participated in a Menomonee River Valley Partners Association meeting to discuss transportation and land use in the valley.
• BFW met with WisDOT regarding future federal transportation funding and policies.

Milwaukee Bike Group Shifts Into High Gear for 2002

With new energy and focus, the City of Milwaukee Bicycle Task Force expects 2002 to be a year of increased activity and advocacy for bicyclists in the Milwaukee area.

Task Force members include representatives of the Milwaukee Departments of City Development and Public Works, business improvement districts, neighborhoods, and non-profits. This diverse range of experience, technical expertise, and organizational skills will be devoted to: Outreach/Education, Advocacy, and Facilities. As subcommittees focus on specific goals, the Task Force intends to position itself as a local resource for city and regional planners, neighborhood redevelopment groups, and communities interested in incorporating biking facilities and routes into their projects.

Among the targets for 2002 are supporting the Bike Fed and its Milwaukee Program Manager in Southeast Wisconsin; supporting grassroots efforts to establish a bike/ped route on Milwaukee's Hoan Bridge; and reviewing paving project plans within Milwaukee to insure the inclusion of bike facilities. For more info, call Saji Villoth at (414) 344-3471.

State Trails Council

The Wisconsin State Trails Council has 9 members appointed by the Governor, representing various user groups, including tourism-business, bicyclers, off-road vehicles, disabled, cross country skiers, snowmobilers, hikers, equestrians, and WisDOT. Their mission is to provide advice to the DNR regarding the planning, acquisition, development, and management of trails in Wisconsin in order to preserve, protect, interpret, and enhance the scenic and cultural resources of the State for outdoor recreational and educational opportunities. The Trails Council meets quarterly, addressing issues such as trail etiquette, trail acquisition to complete the State Trail Network, maintenance, forest master planning, compatibility, Stewardship funding, and legislative items that effect trail use. At the forefront currently is the Year of the Trails promotional campaign to raise awareness of the trail assets and benefits they bring to Wisconsin. Members of the Council are Connie Loden-Chair (Tourism-Business), Chris Kegel-Vice Chair (Bicycling), Mike Sohasky (Off-Road Vehicles), Jeff Butson (Disabled), Mike McFadzen (Cross Country Skiing), Bill Pfaff (Snowmobiling), David Phillips (Hiking), Joey Parr (Equestrian) and Tom Huber (WisDOT). For more info, call (608) 266-2183 or email owensl@mail01.dnr.state.wi.us.

Talking Driver Takes Legs

On August 25, 2001, Joe Ebertz was struck head-on by a truck less than a mile from his home in St. Croix County. The driver admitted he was reaching for his cell phone and not paying attention. Joe came very close to losing his leg, and it will be at least seven months before he walks again. Joe's sister Amy was nearly run off the same road the previous weekend. She has noted the increased volume and speed of traffic in the area. The County Sheriff's Department is under-staffed and ill prepared to adequately patrol the roads. Amy asks those who use the roads in the area to honor Joe by slowing down and paying attention to other road users.

WisDOT Report

New Developments at WisDOT

WisDOT's Bicycle Facility Guide will be available mid-2002. This comprehensive guide will help communities and counties to design and develop modern bike facilities suitable for Wisconsin. Development of the guide was a recommendation of the Wisconsin Bicycle Transportation Plan.

The state pedestrian plan, available at www.dot.state.wi.us/dtim/bop/ped_draftplan.htm aims to increase the number and quality of walking trips and reduce pedestrian crashes. A related effort is underway to provide a companion piece to the pedestrian plan - the Pedestrian Best Practices Resource Guide. The guide will help local communities and transportation professionals plan and design pedestrian facilities.

WisDOT's Transportation Enhancement Program and the Surface Transportation Discretionary Program will accept new candidate projects in January. Applications from communities and counties will be due April 12, 2002. Approximately $19 million will be available for a two-year period. If you feel there is a worthwhile bicycle project being overlooked in your area, call WisDot's John Duffe at (608) 264-8723.

Several new appointments have stirred enthusiasm in the Governor's Bicycle Council. Chris Fortune from Graber Inc. (bicycle products) has been made chairman of the Council. Jeanne Hoffman (Bicycle Federation) and Steve Peterson (Elroy-Sparta Trail) are new citizen appointments. Most recently, State Representatives David Ward and Jon Richards have been appointed to represent the State Assembly. The Governor's Bicycle Council acts in an advisory role to the Governor and the Legislature on bicycle matters and is charged with promoting all aspects of bicycling in the state.

For more info, contact Tom Huber, (608) 267-7757 or thomas.huber@dot.state.wi.us.

Green Bay Area Facilities

The City of Green Bay used funds from WisDOT's Statewide Enhancements Program to narrow and add bike lanes to a major downtown street last summer. This improvement was recommended by the Brown County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, and was designed to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to the city's new convention center and other nearby destinations. The new bike lanes also connect to the lanes that already exist on one of the city's three bridges over the Fox River.

In August, Brown County completed the construction of three roundabouts and bike lanes near two schools in the City of De Pere and Town of Ledgeview. Like those already in the Village of Howard, these facilities enable bicyclists to pass through the intersections as vehicles, or to leave the streets prior to the intersections, cross the streets at the designated crosswalks, and re-enter the streets at the desired approaches. The new roundabouts and bike lanes have slowed traffic in the school zones and have improved safety and accessibility for bicyclists of all ages. For more information, call Cole Runge at (920) 448-3400. Burlington Bike/Ped Plan

The City of Burlington completed its long range Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan, thanks to the help of Schreiber/Anderson Associates and the Bicycle Advisory Committee. The plan exploits Burlington_ s unique position on three great riding corridors - the old commuter line to Milwaukee, the Racine to Lake Geneva corridor and the Burlington to Elkhorn rail corridor. The plan had to meet the challenges of a busy rail line, two medium rivers, and hodge-podge development. The plan includes a series of safe routes to schools, shopping and parks, connections to the riding corridors, and "escape routes" to great rural riding. It also includes a detailed list of improvements with associated costs, which let the city elders, (helped by the Advisory Committee) set priorities and budgets. Over the next decade, Burlington could become both a better place to live and work, and also a fine destination for recreational riders from the Chicago and Milwaukee areas.

Shawano County Rails to Trails

Shawano County Rails to Trails, Inc., is a volunteer group working to make the Mountain Bay and the Wiouwash Trails some of the best in the state. Recent developments on the Mountain Bay Trail include 53 miles of new compacted limestone material from Eland to Pulaski, 20 covered rest areas, mileage signs at every cross road, and a new color map. Volunteers are constructing parking lots, overhead shelters, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, water facilities, bike racks and information boards. For more info, contact Dave Frigen (715) 253-2113 or frigen@netnet.net.