This was in Cap Times Fed seeks wider influence By Mike Ivey <BLOCKED::mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - 5/15/2007 11:05 am
It's Bike to Work Week across Wisconsin and Jack Hirt really didn't have much choice about pedaling in Monday, even though his commute was 70 miles one way. As new executive director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin <BLOCKED::http://www.madison.com/tct/business/stories/"http://www.bfw.or g/"> , Hirt made a point by riding from his home in Milwaukee to the Capitol in Madison along the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. "There is so much potential out there I just want to see this movement grow statewide," said Hirt, whose riding group included state Sen. Jim Sullivan, D-Wauwatosa, and West Allis Ald. Marty Weigel. The past months have been a transition time for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, the state's largest bicycling advocacy group. Traditionally headquartered in Madison, the Bike Fed has shifted gears by moving its main office to Milwaukee with the hiring of Hirt, a former staffer with the organization. Hirt, 29, replaced former director Dar Ward who was abruptly fired Jan. 15 by the Bicycle Federation's five-member board, which announced it was hoping to take the group in a "different direction." The 2,700-member Federation has five full-time staffers, a budget of $400,000, has organized Bike-to-Work Week and held safety workshops. At the same time, insiders note the group has operated largely outside the political mainstream and failed to establish itself as a player at the Capitol. As a result, bike projects have been taking a beating in the past budget cycles as the cash-strapped governor and Legislature have put four wheels ahead of two. Case in point: the long-awaited Badger State Trail between Fitchburg and Monroe remains uncompleted after years of funding delays. Moreover, bad feelings had brewed between the Bike Fed and officials at the Department of Transportation, who felt they were being unfairly blamed for putting highways ahead of bike routes. Hirt thinks he can change all that, saying he's developed a good working relationship with the DOT in his two years at the Bike Fed. "We really need to get back to focusing on the needs of all the users groups," he said. New efforts will include fighting to keep ATVs off bike trails and getting the state to adopt a "Complete Streets" program that requires all new roads make accommodations for bicycles. Madison has done a good job incorporating bikes and pedestrians in its transportation plans but that isn't the case statewide. If it's smart, the Bike Fed will also let the Legislature know that bicycling isn't only fun and healthy -- it's big business in Wisconsin. Trek Bicycle Corp., Saris Cycling Group, Pacific Cycle and Planet Bike are all successful companies that provide hundreds of jobs in the state. As a "clean industry" bicycling is the kind of economic development you could feature on the cover of the booster literature: homegrown Wisconsin companies with little carbon footprint. For details on Bike-to-Work week, click here <BLOCKED::http://www.madison.com/tct/business/stories/"http://www.bikefe d.org/"> . Ride Of Silence: As part of Bike Week 2007, the "Ride of Silence <BLOCKED::http://www.madison.com/tct/business/stories/"http://www.rideof silence.org/"> " is coming to Wisconsin during Wednesday's "Bone Ride" -- the legendary Milwaukee/State Street/Milwaukee jaunt. This year, the first 10 miles after the Bone Ride leaves Madison will be ridden as a "Ride of Silence," to commemorate cyclists who have been killed by motorists. The "Ride of Silence" got its start in 2003 when endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was struck and killed by the mirror of a passing bus while cycling outside of Dallas. The Ride of Silence has since spread to 150 cities worldwide, with a nonprofit organization and board of directors. The Bone Ride dates to 1987 when Wisconsin's own Tom Schuler was training for the 1987 U.S. National Road Championships and rode from Milwaukee to Madison and back. Today, the 150-mile ride attracts over 100 cyclists. Wheels On Willy: Finally, don't forget the 20th anniversary of the Wheels on Willy <BLOCKED::http://www.madison.com/tct/business/stories/"http://www.brazen dropouts.org/wow/"> bicycle race Sunday on Madison's east side. The event is sponsored by the Brazen Dropouts cycling team and the Cronometro bike shop at 1402 Williamson St. By Mike Ivey <BLOCKED::mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> - 5/15/2007 11:05 am Steve Meiers Safety educator (608) 267-1102 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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