Madvelocity

Why Bicycles Are Better Than Women

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:38:27 -0600

Fitchburg Zoning- Bike Advocates

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:03:25 -0600

Next week, in five twelve-hour days, the citizens of Fitchburg and consultant Placemakers will create a draft of the updated zoning code, zoning map, and sketches of the model neighborhoods that will guide Fitchburg's development for the next 50 years.

The stars are aligned to permit and encourage bicycle-, pedestrian-, and transit-friendly urban form that will save energy, protect the climate, improve health, lower the cost of city services, spur economic development, and in general, make Fitchburg a much better place to live, work, and visit.

However, well-financed special interests and nervousness about change could dilute or even derail the implementation of Fitchburg's progressive vision for its future. That's where you can help.

Please check out FitchburgZoning.com to learn more about the Fitchburg Comprehensive Plan, the charrette, the groundwork leading up to it, and the steps that will follow. Then, if you can, attend one or more sessions and provide your input to the process.

If you can only attend one session, try to make it the opening public meeting Monday from 6:00 to 7:30. It and the pin-up and final presentation meetings at the same time on Wednesday and Friday are also design for large-scale community participation.

JOB - Director of Membership & Development

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:25:03 -0600

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (Bike Fed) seeks a highly motivated and organized Director of Membership & Development to recruit new members, retain the Bike Fed�s existing 3,500 members, and engage members in the Bike Fed�s work to make biking in Wisconsin safe, fun, and convenient. This exciting position plays a central role in building momentum to make Wisconsin one of the best places in the country to be on a bike.

The Director of Membership & Development responsibilities include:

* Recruit new members and achieve organization membership goals
* Improve and expand current membership program
* Develop a business/organization membership program
* Manage the membership database
* Develop an online membership survey
* Manage and coordinate membership administration
* Manage a Membership Assistant
* Manage a volunteer program

The position is 40 hours/week and can be based out of the Bike Fed�s Madison or Milwaukee office. Benefits include health, dental, and vacation time plus an excellent work space in either downtown Madison or downtown Milwaukee.

The ideal candidate is a goal-oriented, team player who is passionate about improving Wisconsin bike opportunities. Candidates� should also have a 4-year degree, 5+ years experience in sales, membership, or marketing.

Submit a cover letter and resume by 5pm Monday, February 8 to:

Amanda White, Director of the Madison Office
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
amanda.white@bfw.org
PO Box 1224, Madison, WI 53701-1224

Please feel free to call Amanda White with questions at (608) 251-4456. Interviews will begin Thursday, February 11. The ideal start date is Monday, March 1.

The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin (Bike Fed) is a statewide bicycle advocacy organization representing over 3,500 members across Wisconsin. Members of the Bike Fed receive safety education, vibrant events to encourage biking, updates on opportunities to voice bike support, and helpful tools to make biking fun and convenient. For more information on the Bike Fed visit www.bfw.org.

11th Annual Suicide Century

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:59:39 -0500

Starting and ending in historic, scenic and hilly Prairie du Chien WI (Start and Finish at Lawler Park, on the Mississippi riverfront on St Feriole Island).Come out on Saturday July 18th (Ride starts promptly at 8:00 am - Late comers risk not getting food along the way)

What is in store for the 11th annual ride?
* Fully staffed rest stops. No longer do speedsters need to worry about getting through in front of the sag wagon.
* Great weather-- forecast not yet available but you can just tell when its going to be nice.
* The route is tentatively set, and we're heading to Boydtown! Alas, scenic Boydtown Hollow is just not well suited to road bikes, but we can get to town on the nicely paved Pleasant Ridge road.

This is a fully supported ride-- rest/ food/ water/ sports drink stops are every 17 - 26 miles. Sag wagons, mechanical support, and perhaps even some emotional encouragement are all supplied. 126 scenic miles through small town Wisconsin and beautiful river valleys. Some shorter distance options available as well, starting at about 67 miles and up from there. Spaghetti dinner waiting at the finish line.

Lodging: You can get info from HERE and see what's around. There are camping options nearby. Contact us at the registration link above for specific suggestions.

Note: this ride is not well-suited for the weak of heart (or butt).

Offical Suicide Century Website
On-line Registration

Louis Reed Free Time Trial

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:59:06 -0500

If you want to participate in a truly unique event that remains the same today as it was 18 years ago when it began, give the Louis Reed Time Trial in Ripon a try. The event has remained free since it's conception and pays pays tribute to Ripon's bicycle hero of more than a century ago. Ripon hosted the state bicycle meet of the Wisconsin Division of the League of American Wheelmen in 1893 and 1894. The tournament was held on a horse track where Barlow Park is now located. Louis Reed, a Ripon College student, captured four state championship titles and broke a world record time at the 1894 state tournament

The event take place at Barlow Park in Ripon WI on Sunday July 12. Race start at 8:15.

See the Event Listing for further Race details

Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp

Wed, 27 May 2009 13:01:26 -0500

HELP NEEDED
�Lose the Training Wheels� Bike Camp 2009

Madison Area Down Syndrome Society
DATE: June 15-June 19, 2009
TIME: Choose from five 75-minute sessions/day - see below
LOCATION: Oregon High School

MORE: MADSS bike camp will teach 30-35 kids with various special needs to ride on two wheels and we need your help to do it! If you'd like to give us a hand, we need volunteers to walk, run, and cheer on our bikers. Ideally, volunteers will be available for several 75-minute sessions (times: 10am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:00pm) during the week of camp.

Please contact Andrea if you'd like to learn more or pledge your time. 608.692.7653

You won't be sorry!

Female Cyclists Needed for Study

Wed, 20 May 2009 09:58:08 -0500

The University of Wisconsin is conducting a bio mechanics research project to investigate how riding style and bio mechanical factors affect rider comfort. You can participate if you are a healthy female, regularly road bike more than 3 hours per week and are 18 years of age or older.

Participation includes:

* One visit to the Neuromuscular Bio mechanics Lab at the UW Mechanical Engineering Building (1513 University Ave) for measurement of bio mechanical forces and kinematic data
* Data collection will involve a single session lasting approximately 1.5 hours

If you participate, you will:

* Contribute to the understanding of factors critical to the design of safe and comfortable cycling equipment

For more information, contact Heidi Ploeg at 608.262.2690 or ploef@engr.wic.edu

Kids Bike Adventure Camp

Fri, 15 May 2009 07:20:27 -0500

Kids Adventure Camp is a week of bicycling fun and learning. Youths in the range of 3rd to 5th Grade are able to participate in this years events. Kids will create their own really cool bike safety yellow t-shirts and learn basic bike maintenance and safety. They�ll also explore Madison�s great bike paths. Some trips include the downtown Farmer�s Market, the Goodman Pool, and a �big ride� on Friday on the Military Ridge Trail. If needed, helmets, bikes and locks can be provided.

Schedule:
Day one: Bike Safety Rides with Steve, Bike Maintenance; Create your own T-shirt.
Day two: Neighborhood Bike Ride with Steve and ride to Tenny Park.
Day Three: Ride to the Farmer�s Market and spend the afternoon at the Goodman Pool
Day Four: Ride to Camp Randall Stadium for a tour. Spend the day at BB Clark Beach.
Day Five: Ride the Military Ridge Trail from Mt. Horeb to Blue Mound State Park

Times:
Monday through Thursday, 9 am � 3 pm and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Contact:
Diane Schwartz at 608-241-1574 x 278 or diane@goodmancenter.org for more information and registration materials.

Registration deadline to ensure t-shirt: May 15th, 2009. Final registration deadline for Spokes and Jokes is June 10th, About the trip leaders:

Steve Meiers is the Bike Safety Coordinator with the City of Madison. He has helped thousands of Madison kids gain confidence on their bikes by teaching them how to ride safely. He is thrilled to be joining us for this special week of fun.

Diane Schwartz teaches in the Goodman Community Center After School. She holds a degree in Elementary Education as well as a Masters degree in Environmental Studies. .She is passionate about bike riding and has led overnight bike trips with kids. She is excited to teach kids about this environmentally friendly, fun and inexpensive form of transportation.

Locals Voice Concern over Bicycle Conduct

Mon, 11 May 2009 11:37:54 -0500

A local Forum/Blog has sparked concern that the Seminole and Whalen Roads are over crowed and are of concern. The forum supported by madison.com (Madison area Newspapers) sparked this controversy (Find it HERE) and continues the debate between bicyclist and motorists which was included in Sundays May 10 Newscast. In the original form post the author asks some questions to seemingly ALL bicyclists. Hmm I cannot say I have every done any of these except for the complex part. Yeah I feel good when and after riding my bike. 600 Outfit? Was someone riding in their wedding dress?


* do you ride 4 across, block the road then act like I'm a dick because I honk at you?
* do you never obey traffic laws(specifically stop signs)?
* do you never wave me by when you're in front of me on top a hill?
* do you get off by making me drive 5 mph until I also can see over the hill?
* do you speak so loudly to one another it wakes me up out of a dead sleep?
* do you think it's ok to not slow down and almost hit me when I'm walking my dog?
* you get some sort of god complex when you ride a bike? It must come with the 600.00 outfit.
* do my taxes pay for bike trails when you don't use them any way?

Hit and Run - Cyclist Injured

Wed, 06 May 2009 16:00:58 -0500

On Tuesday night, around 7:48 p.m., Madison Police were called to John Nolen Drive at S. Broom Street for hit-and-run crash involving a pickup truck and a bicycle. Witnesses said the truck's driver blew a red light on John Nolen Drive and struck the biker, who was in the crosswalk. One passerby reported that the victim went up on top of the truck, then rolled off and hit the pavement. The truck continued inbound on John Nolen towards Williamson Street. Among the witnesses was a registered nurse who quickly rendered aid to the victim: a 26-year old German woman who arrived in Madison two weeks ago for an internship.

Victim was admitted to a local hospital for observation. She suffered a concussion, and received many cuts and bruises -including an eye laceration that required multiple stitches.

Madison police state the suspect is a male, white, 25-30 years old, possibly with brown hair driving a green Dodge (possibly a Ram) truck with a silver tool bed in back. Madison Police are looking to identify the truck's driver, anyone with information is asked to call Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 266-6014.