Published by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance of Dane County.
Click here for the May, 1995 issue of Spoke-N Word.
by Tabitha Graves
The UW-Madison's Transportation Demand Management Project is continuing to encourage bicycling to campus. Many new racks have already been added, including some at the Chemistry Building, Social Sciences, Helen C. White, and Science Hall. Transportation Services is in the process of hiring a half-time person to place more racks on campus, develop educational materials and programs, monitor bicycle and bicycle rack use on campus, and develop a bicycle registration drive. The Flex Parking pilot offers prorated parking permits to people who agree to reduce the number of days they drive to campus by vanpooling, carpooling, busing, bicycling, walking, or telecommuting.
As of September 1, 1995, the Emergency Ride Home program, which offers people who vanpool, carpool, bus, or flex park a reimbursed ride home in cases of personal emergency, will be extended to bicyclists. Registration forms are available from UW Transportation Services, Rm 124 WARF, or via email to tabitha.graves@mail.admin.wisc.edu.
John Nolen is not legally closed to cyclists. It is a public street-- like any other in Madison-- open to all users. Many people on bikes have begun using this route. Speeds are much slower than they used to be, so cyclists can actually compete. The more of us who are out there, the safer it will be, not only for cyclists but for construction workers as well. But when you do use it, remember your effective cycling techniques-- take the whole lane or they will force you off the road.
by Alan Ng
This is another article in a continuing series on ideas to promote traffic calming.
There is an ideal speed at which traffic moves to maximize the number of vehicles per hour per foot of street width passing through. Put another way, at a given speed a certain amount of space in front and in back of a vehicle (between the other vehicles) is required for safety reasons. And this space lengthens as speed goes up: a basic driver's education lesson. Also the amount of the wasteful rubber-band effect in heavy traffic as people accelerate and brake, accelerate and brake, is lessened if people lower their maximum speed.
So to maximize the throughput of our streets without having to widen the streets, one reduces the speed, because it lets more people get to where they're going more quickly. Because arriving at this conclusion requires several steps of logical thought and disagrees with the selfish instincts that control most gas-pedal-feet, it never occurs to most drivers. (Just like it never occurs to them that taking a bike or bus might save them a lot of time and money in the long run).
From studies done about ten years ago on US freeways, 35 mph is the ideal speed at which heavy traffic moves. That is to say, the most number of cars per hour got from point A to point B at that speed. [Ed. note: on city streets - with turning vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, delivery vehicles, etc. - this speed will be lower].
To go further afield, I'll add one more fact. There is also a manner of driving which maximizes the efficiency of automobile engines. If you can keep your car going at a constant speed you save a lot of gas. If everybody feels like they have to fill every visible gap in front of them, even if it requires stepping on the gas and then stepping on the brake, you not only waste gas and start traffic jams behind you, you also end up not saving yourself a whit of time.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is undergoing a major planning process and has recently released a preliminary report. The following is a synopsis of the plan. Much of the plan involves transportation and apparently pedestrians and bicyclists are figuring in as major players (surprise, surprise). Aspects of Bicycle Circulation include:
Here is the section on automobiles, including a list of proposed street closures: Vehicular Circulation:
To give your input, contact UW Transportation Services, 263-2076.
by Alan Ng
A newspaper from Belgium had the following news:
Pro Velo organized a test yesterday in Brussels to see how one can most quickly get from point A to point B by bus, car, or bike. The bike was the glorious victor, and was even three times faster than car or bus.
It's not a surprise to any of us, I'm sure, since such things are done so often all over the world, including here in Madison, but it is just one more bit of empirical proof that the bicycle is the superior form of transportation.
by Steve Brown (BTA Campus Coordinator) and Stu Strope
Stu poses the question:
Why do racers not use helmets?
Steve responds:
As a USCF racing community insider of sorts, I'll comment briefly on that question. I've been riding in Madison for about four years now, and my estimation Is that there are about as many heimetless this spring as any other. I could be wrong, but of the riders I know, which is a large fraction of the competitive set in Madison, there are just a handful who don't wear helmets. The main point, I think, is that the large majority of the high-speed, high-mileage racers wear helmets all the time, training or racing. A few do not, it's true. But in this country, the ethic really seems to be to wear a helmet as much as possible.The USCF requires helmets at all of their events. My impression is that this is not the case in Europe, where competitive cycling is much more popular and much more visible. You often see pictures of European races where absolutely nobody is wearing a helmet. Anyway, I'm personally not too concerned about the issue of role models just because I think helmets are viewed as being pretty cool on the whole right now. They are about as cool as they have ever been, and 'it shows in the number of people using them. As far as dealing with people that you think are setting a bad example, good luck. I doubt if you'll change their minds. The "high-speed, high-mileage" mindset is a pretty cocky, arrogant one in general. However, if you see somebody like that, don't hesitate to say something if you think it's appropriate. Just be prepared for a negative response.
Stu:
On the whole, Steve, your responses were right on, however I think that you could not be 'more wrong' about 'role models'. Helmets are not viewed on-the-whole as pretty cool. All of us are role models, whether touring, racing, commuting to work, leisure riding or using our beloved conveyance to get to the grocery store! Some role models are parents: (a co-worker was bragging about the great deal that he got on a Mountain Bike for his 15 year-old son ... a hockey player who wouldn't be seen on the ice without protective gear... I asked him what kind of helmet he bought and his response was that his kid wouldn't be seen dead in one!! I responded, "I hope not")- other role models are on the court (Mr. Jordan -- gee count the number of Bulls jerseys with 45's and again new ones with 23's!); co-workers are role models (I carry extra skid lids in my car because you can't ride with our work- group without one, and when a co-worker or friend asks for help buying a bike, I make sure they include the price of helmets in their budget. I even help them get one of those $7.00-off coupons offered by the Physicians Plus Marketing Department!). I could go on, but this is supposed to be about cycling, right?!? I agree with you, but don't let anyone off the hook. We are all role models! So have fun out there!
Steve concludes:
Let me clarify what I meant about role models. Sure, I think that bicyclists, perhaps racers in particular, are seen as role models and that their behavior will influence others to wear helmets or ride safely in general. I don't contest that at all. My point is that people in the racing community are serving as excellent role models on the whole. The large majority of us wear helmets all the time. To us, helmets are cool. Very cool. So I'm not concerned about the role model issue. When it comes to helmets, we are good role models.
by Renee Callaway
BTA Treasurer and Bike to Work Day 1995 Coordinator
May 10 was far from a picture perfect day for Bike to Work day. It was raining on and off and was not particularly warm. However, that did not keep hardy Madison bicycle commuters from the streets. Approximately 200 bicycle commuters stopped at the 14 registration sites located throughout Madison. Commuters met with soggy conditions but cheerful site coordinators many of whom had coffee and bagels to offer cyclists.
The bicycle commuters who did register were overall a very enthusiastic group. Many registrants had up-beat comments, such as "good idea-got me out in the elements" and "I love bike riding. Commuting is the high point of my day."
A big thank you needs to go out to our many site coordinators and the many people who served faithfully throughout the year on the Bike to Work Day Committee. Without their work, Bike to Work day would not have been possible. We added many new registration sites this year including new sites on the UW campus. More than 25 volunteers were involved with this year's event.
Thank yous should also go out to our sponsors who donated food, prizes, publicity, and especially good ideas, time, and effort! An especially big thank you goes out to Roger Charly from Budget Bicycle Center for his many, tireless efforts and contributions on behalf of Bike to Work Day and Bike Month from the very beginning of our planning efforts. Another big thanks goes out to Gerhard Holtzendorf from REI for his many efforts and work to publicize Bike to Work Day and for graciously arranging for WMAD's presence at the Capitol Square.
Let's all hope for sunny weather in 1996!
by Lisa Goodman
Budget Bicycle Center
251-8413
Summer hours:
One step through the doors of Budget Bicycle Center and you will see nearly every kind of bicycle imaginable. What you may not see, however, is the driving force behind Budget-- Roger Charly. Almost always there, but busy in any of a number of buildings, Roger can be difficult to locate. These days he carries a pocket-sized cordiess phone that enables staff to reach him wherever. Although Budget employs 72 people and houses thousands of bicycles, Roger still checks and test rides every single bicycle.
Evidence of Budget Bicycle Center's growth is quite visible. Roger Charly is, in contrast, soft-spoken. When asked if he has a mission statement, Roger says he "(doesn't) like to throw anything away... Both my folks grew up in the Depression." He appreciates being able to bring back to life something that might otherwise have been discarded, though it sometimes takes effort to get it working again. Equally important, Roger strives to always please his customers.
Roger grew up in Madison, attending Randall School and West High. He fixed and sold his first bicycle at the tender age of 12-- making $4 in the process, In the beginning, his advertisements were signs placed around the University campus.
After moving out of his parents' house, his center of operations was an apartment on Regent St. near what is now the Wild Iris Cafe. He started recording his bicycle sales in 1977, selling more than 200. After completing a degree in marketing, Roger was halfway through an MBA when he decided he "didn't want to work for IBM" and turned his full attention to the bicycle business.
In 1979, Budget opened at 2 N. Charter St. In 1983, Budget expanded into 1202 Regent. In 1986, Budget expanded in to the 1230 Regent showroom space. A few years ago, the old Kinko's building at 1201 Regent St. became the used bicycle showroom.
Now, the old Four Lakes Auto Body building at 9 N. Brooks St. is being remodeled to serve as the next used bicycle showroom. Roger hopes to offer some used bicycles for less than $1 00. The 1201 Regent shop will house the more unique machines: recumbents, tandems and three wheelers. The grand opening is planned for spring 1996. Ever the urban archaeologist, Roger reports they've found many old bottles under the floor of the Four Lakes building (built in 1935).
At Budget, you'll find rentals, clothes, tools, parts, accessories and service. Roger enjoys doing rentals, mentioning that Budget just rented 30 bikes for customers to use on Military Ridge Trail. There are also unique rental items, such as Burley trailers, and tandem conversion "trail-a-bikes" which attach a small child-sized bicycle to an adult's bicycle. Budget is a major dealer of Burley trailers, which now a household word, initially were considered unusual items. The shop also sponsors the Friction Racing team and the Mad Trail FORCS, Madison's Female Off- Road Cyclists racing team.
In his spare time Roger enjoys riding tandems. Included in his personal fleet are some old cruisers, a Donny Osmond "swing bike," and 10 ice bikes. These feature a skate in place of the front wheel, and a rear wheel resembling a cheese grater. An admirer of unique items, old machinery and antiques, Roger is especially fond of old Schwinn cruisers.
Outside of running Budget, Roger puts energy into projects supporting the bicycling community. Roger has been active in the organization of the 1994 and 1995 Bike To Work Day events and he looks forward to working on 1996 Bike To Work/Bike Month festivities. His support of the bicycling community is appreciated.
Roger remembers the original white bike project in Madison around 1970--there were "free" bicycles placed around town for general use. He looks forward to working on the current community bike project--with hopes of placing between 30 and 50 bikes for public use in 1996.
by Michael D. Barrett
BTA Publicity Coordinator
Nearly 100 people rode the "street of contention," a.k.a. John Nolane, on May 5 in order to protest the loss of the bicycle lane during construction of the parking garage/convention center. After an on-time start from the Capitol Square, the crowd ambled along the traditional route - down King St. to John Nolen, west to Broom St. then back to John Nolen for the return jaunt east. The ride did continue, however, down West Washington (another contentious street which lacks adequate lane markings for cyclists) and then over to West Johnson. The exuberant two-wheeled crowd ended its ride at the Capitol Square on an upbeat note with current cycling news disseminated by speech, handbill, newspaper and newsletter.
The next Political Mass Ride will be on Friday, June 9 and monthly thereafter (for details, call the BTA hotline - 251 -1 BTA, or stay tuned to bikies email).
by Scott Rose
Everybody has had the experience of encountering an exceptionally poor driver on her or his daily commute. Some of these drivers may be suffering from undiagnosed testosterone poisoning, others may need eye exams or psychological counseling. Are you wondering as we do if the same drivers are causing problems for the cycling community over and over again? Well, we have established the Scary Drivers Registry as a part of our research program. Let's collect the tag numbers of the most egregious offenders, compiling a list and looking for repeat offenders.
Such information could come in handy:
Please provide all pertinent information available: Who (or license plate number), what, when, where and how. You may remain anonymous, but your bravery may make a case stronger before a judge.
Here's my first contribution to the registry:
Bicyclists are apparently invisible to the driver of a red sedan with the WI license plate GUTNTAG, who managed to pass our reporter with somewhat less than a foot of space on May 30 near Fraboni's (Park and Regent). Wake up and smell the coffee, driver! Aggressive drivers would be advised to avoid easy-to-remember vanity plates.
Michael Barrett reports:
Minivan (vanity license plate "OGD"), driver, white, middle-aged, fat, pasty--bureaucrat in complexion, clipped a middle aged woman in bike lane on 1 00 block of N. Carroll at 1 1:45 a.m. , 5 June, 1995. 1 confronted the man, he was completely unrepentant; indeed, quite obnoxious. The woman was left visibly shaken. (Is there some correlation between vanity plates and violent driving?)
The Bicycle Trasportation Alliance of Dane County PO Box 641, Madison, WI 53701-0641
Newsletter Editor: Michael Barrett, mikeb1@execpc.com, 251-9679.
Newsletter contributors:
Click here for the May, 1995 issue of Spoke-N Word.
