In 2002-2004 BFW facilitated a partnership project between the City of Madison, Trek Corporation, and Boelter Designs. The project is the first of its kind in the country and will improve the use and enjoyment of Madison's outstanding network of paths by adding a system of wayfinding and informational signs. Access the

History of the project:
-See the proposed locations by clicking here (updated 3/10/04)
-project presentation by clicking here (under 10/28/03 meeting)
-initial concept drawings by clicking here (10/2003)
-revised concept drawings are here, here, and here (updated 1/23/04)
-initial informational sign content/graphics concept designs here, here, and here (updated 1/23/04)
-initial decorative design concept drawing here (updated 1/23/04)
-Final design of frame here (updated 4/27/04)
-Final design of graphics here (updated 4/27/04)
-Read the Wisconsin State Journal article on the project here.(updated 10/2003)
-Updates presented at the 5pm, 1/27/04 Pedestrian, Bicycle, Motor Vehicle Commission Meeting at Rm 260 Madison Municipal Building.
-Donation introduced at Madison City Council 3/16/04
-Donation accepted by PBMVC 3/23/04
-Donation accepted by Madison City Council 3/30/04
-Kickoff press conference, 5/17/04, Law Park near Broom Street.

If you have comments on the project or updates for the maps, please contact Chuck Strawser at 608-251-4456 or chuck@bfw.org or Jack Hirt at 414-271-9685 or jack@bfw.org.

Creating Active Community Environments

In a partnership with DHFS, Wisconsin Walks, AARP Wisconsin, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the University of Wisconsin, BFW is presenting five Regional Workshops for Citizens, Planners, Safe Community Coalitions, Community Recreation & Fitness Providers, Traffic Safety Engineers, Municipal Officials, Bicycling and Walking Safety Advocates, School Officials, Law Enforcement, Neighborhood Associations, Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalitions, Public Health Professionals, Aging Services/Area Agencies...BFW put on a series of five workshops in 2004.

For more information, contact info@wisconsinwalks.org, 262-375-6180

The program is currently not running, but the brochure is available in pdf by clicking here.

Consulting Services

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is one of the most experienced and respected advocacy organizations in the country. As a consultant, BFW offers professional services to clients in Wisconsin who seek a progressive and innovative approach to making bicycling a significant part of daily life in their community or region. BFW specializes in strategic problem solving and is adept at delivering practical solutions.

BFW offers a full range of services including:

-Bicycle master planning and policy development
-Bikeway planning and design
-GIS network analysis and mapping and map production/printing
-Bicycle education and safety programming
-Bicycle-related technical assistance
-Bike rack siting and installation

Click here for a pdf of our consulting services brochure

Send your RFPs and RFQs to P.O. Box 1224, Madison, WI 53701-1224 or contact Chuck Strawser at 608-251-4456 or chuck@bfw.org or Jack Hirt at 414-271-9685 or jack@bfw.org to talk over a proposal.

Statewide Education and Advocacy

BFW is the voice of bicyclists in Wisconsin. We work on a daily basis to
improve conditions for bicyclists throughout the state. BFW staff and board members sit on a number of committees and attend countless meetings to represent the interests of bicyclists.

For specific information on how BFW can help you make your community bicycle-friendly, click here.

Current State Legislative Initiatives

Beginning in January 2005 BFW will apply to be a lobbyist in the state of Wisconsin, greatly expanding our ability to work on specific legislative issues.

Click here for our current initiatives.

(Note: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a 501(h) election, we are limited to using not more than 20% of our budget for lobbying.)

Local Advocacy

BFW encourages our members and other bicyclists to stand up and make a difference for bicycling in their own communities. Our staff is here to provide resources, information, and support whenever possible. Need a support letter for a bike trail? Contact us. Don't know what to do next to get Safe Routes to School started in your community? Give us a jingle. Need advice on how to convince your local police department that bicyclists have rights? Ask us. We are here to help you make Wisconsin a Better Place to Bicycle...and you are our foot soliders in the field.

Click here for our current initiatives.

National Advocacy

BFW is part of the America Bikes Coalition, the League of American Bicyclists, and the Thunderhead Alliance. We also support the work of the Surface Transportation Policy Project, Bikes Belong, and several other national advocacy groups.

Each March BFW staff and/or volunteers travel to Washington, DC to attend the National Bike Summit and to meet with all of Wisconsin's U.S. Representatives and Senators to discuss issues of importance to bicyclists.

Click here for our current initiatives.

Dane County Education Grant

In December 2004 BFW will wrap up a contract with Dane County on a three year Transportation Enhancement project to educate college students, middle-school students, and motorists about bicycle safety.

In April 2004 BFW published Bikesense, a comprehensive guide to bicycle safety. Free copies are available in Dane County at bike shops, trail heads, and the Bike Fed office. For a pdf of the document, click here. .

Business Embracing Bicycle Safety

BFW is one of only five groups in the country to receive a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Grant for pilot programs to implement the National Strategies for Advancing Bicycle Safety. The 18-month program brought bicycle safety messages to workers and their families through information and classes provided at five major employment sites in Dane County in 2002 and 2003.

BFW staff have presented results from this innovative project at the 2003 National Bicycle Education Leaders Conference in Portland and at the 2004 Bicycle Summit in Washington, DC.

Safe Routes to School

In 2002 BFW ran a pilot Safe Routes to School program with the sponsorship of the Trek Corporation. The goals of the program were to increase the number of students bicycling to school, increase the bicycle safety awareness of students, increase neighborhood participation in transportation solutions, and to learn more about the barriers to children biking to school. The methods were education, encouragement, and facilities improvement. The pilot program was run at Sherman and Cherokee Middle Schools in Madison. BFW hopes to expand this program to more schools throughout the state in the future.

BFW is working with Milwaukee Public Schools, the Milwaukee Police Department, the Department of Transportation Bureau of Transportation Safety, Wisconsin Walks, and many other generous sponsors and allies to bring a pilot Safe Routes to School program to Milwaukee. For more information, contact jessica@bfw.org, 414-271-9685

Click here to go to the SRTS home page.

Bike to Work Week

For many years BFW has encouraged bicycle commuting through Bike to Work Week events in Madison. A few years ago, BFW added a Bike to Work Week in Milwaukee (sometimes combined with a month-long Bikefest Celebration). Bike to Work Week has included activities like the Art Bike Parade, Bike to School Day, Bike to Worship, Bike to Shop, Ride with your Elected Officials, Commuter Races (car versus bike) and much more. BFW hopes to spread Bike to Work Week information all over the state and to encourage events in more cities every year.

City of Milwaukee Bicycle Promotion Plan

In 2002 BFW wrote a bicycle publicity plan for the City of Milwaukee. BFW also helped produce a pro-bike television public service announcement and a City of Milwaukee Bike Web Page.

City of Milwaukee Bicycle Route and Path Studies

In 2003 BFW worked with the City of Milwaukee to evaluate the existing system of on-street City bike routes and to recommend improvements and additions. In 2004-05 BFW will do the same evaluation for off-street bike paths.

BFW is available for hire for bike facility studies and bike plan development. Our dedicated staff includes two Urban and Regional Planners, a Geographer, and GIS computer mapping technicians. We know bikes, we are experienced in public participation/government interaction, and we work cheap! Chuck Strawser at 608-251-4456 or chuck@bfw.org or Jack Hirt at 414-271-9685 or jack@bfw.org to make us an offer we can't refuse!

Wisconsin State Bicycle Map

The Wisconsin Bicycle Map highlights the most favorable bicycling conditions and rates all roadways. The map is split into 8 panels printed on 4 separate "maps". Each quarter section map may be purchased separately, or all four may be purchased as a set. The most recent version of the maps were updated in 2005.

Maps can be purchased at special events that BFW attends, at local bike shops, at the BFW office in Madison, or by calling Wheel and Sprocket, toll free, 800-362-4537. Prices at this toll free number and at your local bike shop are set by those businesses and are subject to change.

We can also sell you maps directly from our office:
State Bicycle Map (one quarter) $3.00 members $5.00 non-members State Bicycle Maps (set of 4) $10.00 members $18.00 non-members
To become a member (and receive one free map), visit http://www.bfw.org/membership/index.php

The maps have routes marked according to their appropriateness for cycling (level & speed of auto traffic, presence of shoulders or bike lanes, etc.). The maps even have the rail trails that do not allow motorized vehicles in non winter months.

County maps are available for free download from the WisDOT at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/bike-foot/countymaps.htm.

Wisconsin State Pedestrian and Bicycle Summit/Conference

BFW has had the privilege to help organize and sponsor several Wisconsin State Bicycle Conferences (adding Pedestrian in 2004). Advocates, educators, government employees, and other bicycle enthusiasts from all over the state attend. In 2002 the conference was combined with the National Bicycle Educators Conference and was attended by over 170 people from all over the country. A recap of the 2004 State Pedestrian/Bicycle Summit in Stevens Point in here.

The next conference will be held in Madison in 2006 in conjunction with the ProWalk/ProBike International Conference and the Thunderhead Alliance Retreat.

Bike Sense - The Wisconsin Bicycle Operator's Manual

Through the Dane County Safety Education Contract, BFW created the Bike Sense Booklet. The document is currently under revision, and will be available in print later in 2008. Currently, the online version is the only way to obtain Bike Sense. For a pdf of the document, click here.

BFW Fundraising Ride

The ride to make Wisconsin a better place to bicycle! Click here for more

Home: www.bfw.org
The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
a member-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

Mailing Addresses and Phones:
Madison: Box 1224, 53701 (608) 251-4456
Milwaukee: 1845 N Farwell Ave Ste 100, 53202 (414) 271-9685