Winter biking season begins!

Fines for Failure to Yield to a Pedestrian Increase to $240

I believe what's good for pedestrians is good for cyclists, too.

Link: http://www.cityofmadison.com/news/view.cfm?news_id=3583

Warm Weather Continues - People Still not Biking Enough

While I'm sure it can be shown that bicycling is on the increase overall in the United States, and especially in places like Madison, where I live.  But we've had several 60 degree days in a row and while I would expect to see as many people out biking as there are in the summer, there aren't.  Why?  Do people put away their bikes for the winter, without expectation of riding at all until spring?  That seems short-sighted to me.  Winter is when we need to be as active as possible, in addition to keeping up the pressure on our local institutions to keep bicycling in mind when planning for the future.  If we aren't out bicycling in large enough numbers, everyone will assume that it's not feasible or realistic to support it through the winter.  There needs to be a critical mass of us out every day, or as many days as possible, biking.  The world cannot sustain more global warming caused by CO2 emissions, not can cars continue to run our bodies and quality of life into the ground.  I do realize that cars are good for many things, but why, oh why, on such a nice day do we need them at all?

Bicyclist Injured by Intoxicated Driver on Atwood Ave. in Madison

A middle-aged man was injured when an intoxicated driver turned into a driveway off of Atwood Avenue at around 10 p.m. last Friday.  The cyclists went over the hood of the vehicle and was able to walk away from the scene with bumps and bruises.  The 27-year-old driver, Ryan Devine, of Monona, was cited for the crash as well as for driving while intoxicated.

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/crime_and_courts/bicyclist-crashes-into-car-driver-cited-for-alleged-drunken-driving/article_24afc5da-2dca-11e2-bc41-0019bb2963f4.html

The Future

Yet another cyclist struck in Madison

This is the third accident in only ten days.  The first two were fatalities.

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/crime_and_courts/bicyclist-struck-by-car-on-west-side-third-such-crash/article_5ba9ffb4-1494-11e2-b67a-001a4bcf887a.html

2nd Bicylist Killed in Dane Couty in Past Week

Vehicle vs. bicycle fatalities are unnecessary.  If vehicles would simply drive the speed limit and give good clearance and right-of-way to bicyclists, there need not be any more people dying.  Just a few days after a cyclists was struck on Madison's north side, now another accident has claimed the life of a cyclist near Governor Dodge State Park.

I know the prevailing view is that cars can and should be able to go wherever they want, as fast as they want, and without concern for what they run into... but it is really worth it to kill someone just because you were driving carefully?

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/bicyclist-killed-when-hit-by-pickup-truck-near-governor-nelson/article_1f7eb77e-1187-11e2-a045-0019bb2963f4.html 

'Doored' Cyclist Killed in Chicago

Extremely sad news from Chicago today as a cyclist was killed trying to avoid running into an open car door of a parked car.  I don't know the law in Chicago on 'dooring,' but in Madison it is illegal to open your parked car door if there is an oncoming bicycle.  Not only is it illegal, it's also common sense.  You would think anyway.

Link: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-bicyclist-struck-killed-by-semi-on-near-north-side-20121005,0,7151628.story

Firefighters Extricate Biker Following Traffic Crash

Not cool!

Firefighters Extricate Biker Following Traffic Crash

via City of Madison, Wisconsin News Releases on 10/3/12

City of Madison firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene of a crash involving a biker and a passenger car this evening. 

The Science of Anger Toward Cyclists

Anger towards cyclists seems completely irrational to me.  I often think it derives from jealously, but is exacerbated by feelings that bicyclists are endangering the drivers of other vehicles.  This article explains why the idea that bikes are a danger to drivers is completely off base.

Link:  http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/science/2012/09/cyclists_are_annoying_why_you_think_they_re_a_menace_on_two_wheels_.single.html

Madison Police Need Help Identifying Hit and Run Driver

Please help catch the idiot who hit a bicyclist and left the scene without stopping to help.

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/crime_and_courts/police-looking-for-driver-who-hit-bicyclist/article_4e169738-096b-11e2-a950-0019bb2963f4.html

New Bike Station at S. Thornton Av. In Madison

Madison Hiring Pedestrian Bicycle Ambassador

This job would drive me totally crazy, but it'd be a good one for the right person.

It pays $14 an hour and the deadline is July 15th.

Link:  http://agency.governmentjobs.com/madisonwi/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=490765

Madison Rated 5th Most Bikable City in U.S.

Our ranking trails Minneapolis, Portland, San Francisco, and Boston.  No wonder these are some of my favorite cities.  One of the best things about Madison - the city plows the bike paths here in winter, often before they do the roads!

Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/madison-rated-fifth-most-bikeable-city-in-nation/article_c237bb94-9ef7-11e1-87d6-0019bb2963f4.html

Pedestrian-Bicycle Projects Sought in Madison, Wisconsin

Pedestrian-Bicycle Projects Sought: The Madison Pedestrian/Bicycle/Motor Vehicle Commission will hold a public hearing to receive comments on potential pedestrian and bicycle projects …

Bike to Work Week in Madison May 14-18

For those of you who are willing and able to, please consider taking part in the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin's Bike to Work Week events, coming up in a couple weeks.  Bicycling is a great way to help save the environment, be healthy, and avoid the costs of motorized transportation.

http://bfw.org/2012/04/04/madison-bike-to-work-week-events/

Great Day for a Bike Ride!

Monona Lake Loop bike time

48.5 mins
14.37 miles
17.6 avg mph
26.3 max mph

Funny NSFW Video: Mother F'in Bike

Winter Storm Warning! #Madisonbikewinter

It looks like we're going to get dumped on during the evening rush hour commute!  Hooray!

Ride the Drive Events for 2012

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Madison and Madison Parks and Trek bringing back two Ride the Drive events in 2012! Ride the Drive Events for 2012

Snow Storm Moving In, 1-3 Inches Predicted for Madison

I am looking forward to getting a little more use out of my snow tires today and tomorrow.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/ct/weather/winter-storm-watch-issued-up-to-inches-of-snow-possible/article_3ff912b0-5d78-11e1-9475-0019bb2963f4.html

Winter Weather Advisory for Madison:  http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=WIZ063&warncounty=WIC025&firewxzone=WIZ063&local_place1=Madison+WI&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook

Thanks for the New Tires!

At Madison Bike Winter's end of the week celebration to bike to work week, I scored some great new road tires donated from Dream Bikes.  I'm really grateful, and look forward to building a new bike this spring around them!

Be Nice, It's Snowing!

Today is a Winter Weather Advisory in Wisconsin, and although the snow has only just started people are driving their cars like ambulances (minus the lights and sirens).  Everyone needs to slow down, give plenty of room to others, and be respectful to others!   For those of you who don't know, bicycles are considered vehicles in Wisconsin.  Driving a bicyclist off a roadway is just as illegal as doing it to another car.

The Snow is Coming!

I can't wait to get out in the white, fluffy stuff tomorrow.  I am so happy!

Here's a couple photos of my bike (new tires, new helmet - thanks to my mom and South Dakota aunties Jane and Bev for the Christmas and Birthday money!).

Here's a good link to information on Winter biking and safety.  Have fun everyone!

http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/winter/transportation/biking.cfm

Madison Bike Winter Article in Silent Sports

I just got a hold of some new winter tires (Nokian Hakkapelita W240's) from
my mom - an early birthday present - and can't wait for the snow to really
fly here in the upper Midwest. Madison Bike Winter has a bunch of events
planned, so I encourage you to check them out if you haven't already. Ride
safe!

Link:
http://www.silentsports.net/sportsshorts/madison-bike-winter-gearing-up-for-
another-season-jcpg-249845-136500133.html
How to chose snow tires:
http://www.budgetbicyclectr.com/budgetbicycle-online-bike-store-blog/studded
-tires-for-winter-bike-riding/2011/studded-tires-for-winter-bike-riding