Bike Racks on Milwaukee Buses

January 24, 2008 - Moving it Forward

Whereas the issue used to be “how to persuade Milwaukee County Transit Systems and Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors to support a Bike Racks on Buses program,” progress has been made and the current questions are: how will the program be funded and how will MCTS and the BFW collaborate.

Since December the BFW and MCTS have been coordinating our efforts, both working to get a Bike Racks on Buses program implemented in Milwaukee. As requested by the Milwaukee County Supervisors in September, this past month MCTS prepared another report for the Transportation, Public Works and Transit committee requesting authorization to apply for Transportation Enhancement funding. After a presentation by Anita Gulotta-Connelly, Managing Director and President of MCTS, and clarifying information was given by Shea Schachameyer from the BFW, authorization was granted for MCTS to apply for funding in April.

By authorizing MCTS to apply for funding, the Transportation, Public Works and Transit committee have shown their commitment to seeing a Bike Racks on Buses program carried out in Milwaukee. While the Transportation Enhancement monies will cover 80% of the capitol costs, it is a reimbursement program meaning that the County will be responsible for fronting over $600,000 for the purchasing of the racks as well as being accountable for the remaining $130,000 if not enough sponsorship dollars are raised for the program. Next week Shea Schachameyer will meet with MCTS’ Director of Administration and their Manager or Business and Institutional Sales to develop a strategy for raising sponsorship dollars to help cover the 20% local match needed. Specifics to be discussed include benefits for sponsoring the program, sponsorship levels and deciding which companies and foundations will be pursued for funding.

The BFW’s and MCTS’ collaboration will not stop at fundraising however. In a meeting between the two organizations in December, the BFW stressed the importance of education and promotion of the program for the success of Bike Racks on Buses programs. Ideas such as organizing bike rack demonstrations at large public events, creating promotional brochures and public service announcements, and co-hosting a media event to celebrate the implementation of the program were discussed. Yet, MCTS commitment to education and promotion became clear upon viewing the report they had assembled for the committee meeting earlier in the week--$25,000 had been added to the capitol budget of the program!

These next few months will be exciting as the BFW and MCTS work to recruit corporate sponsorship and await the response from pending applications for funding. The BFW is also now accepting donations which we will ear-mark to be used solely for Bike Racks on Buses funding; if you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation please contact us. Together we are bringing Bike Racks on Buses to Milwaukee and making Milwaukee a better place to bike!

September 24, 2007 - Success!!

Uphill Battle Overcome by Success of Grassroots Campaign for Milwaukee Bike Racks on Buses Program

On Thursday, September 27th in a full meeting of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, the following resolution passed unanimously:

A resolution authorizing and directing the Director of the Department of Transportation, Public Works and Transit and the Managing Director of the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) to apply for 2008 Transportation Enhancement (TE) and 2009 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants for the funding of bicycle racks on MCTS buses, with a report back to TPWT Committee on the status of the grants.

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To read our original press release, click here...