Wisconsin Cyclists: A Call to Action

Assembly Bill 59 and Senate Bill 29, commonly referred to as the "Dooring Bills," are both scheduled for votes TOMORROW: Tuesday, April 28. Please contact your Legislators today and ask for their Yes vote!

Background
As many of you know, bicyclists are being ticketed - WHILE IN THEIR HOSPITAL BEDS - after being struck and injured by the doors of careless motorists who failed to take responsibility for their actions by first checking to see if traffic was present before opening a door. These bills place responsibility back where it belongs - on the operator of the vehicle - to ensure that their actions are not endangering other users of the road. Neither of these bills alleviates the bicyclist's responsibility to operate in a safe and predictable manner, as some critics have suggested.

Action Item
Please contact your Representative today and ask him/her to vote Yes on AB59. Please contact your State Senator today and ask him/her to vote Yes on SB29.

To identify your Legislators and to obtain their contact information, please use the "Who Are My Legislators" tool.

2009-10 Velorution Press Release

The first Ripon College Velorution Project (RVP), the innovative bicycle program for freshmen, had so many unknowns it could have been called the Velorution Experiment. A little more than one year after the debut of the famous free-bike program, however, college officials feel the experiment is worth repeating.

“The RVP will be offered once again to the class of 2013,” said Ripon College President David C. Joyce. “Leave your car at home this fall and we’ll give you a quality bike to keep. That’s still the deal.”

The program’s $50,000 price tag is not insignificant for a college Ripon’s size (1,057 full-time students). Despite some belt-tightening in other areas, however, the college was loath to scale back or eliminate the RVP.

“We’re facing the same economic challenges as many other colleges, but the support of this program by our alumni, trustees and friends hasn’t abated. I think that speaks to how much we believe in it,” said Joyce. “It’s part of our identity now.”

Initially conceived as a way to mitigate parking woes on campus, the program’s focus expanded to address such concerns as student wellness, fuel costs, pollution and safety. A roadway through main campus was also vacated and re-landscaped last fall to make it more pedestrian- and bike-friendly, setting the stage for an even less motorized campus going forward. Since its Feb. 2008 introduction variations on the program have been implemented at several other colleges.

Cannondale is the official bicycle partner of Velorution 2.0, which will apply a custom paint scheme and Ripon College graphics in red and white to each F9 mountain bike used for the program. Locks and lights will be furnished by Madison, Wis.-based Planet Bike.

Measuring Success
About 1/3 of participating students responded to a recent survey about their experience. Ric Damm, RVP coordinator and cycling coach, said the program seems to have resonated with students.

“Feedback was very positive. The majority of students said they used their bikes for recreation and to run errands off campus,” Damm said. “While we still need to address bike parking in some key areas on campus, overall I think the program fared well in year one.”

Although this year’s participants could bring a car next fall if they wanted, 81 percent of respondents said they won’t do it, either because their bike is sufficient (52 percent) or they don’t have a car at all (29 percent). Fifty-four percent of respondents said their bike use increased as a result of the RVP, and 82 percent said they would encourage future students to sign the pledge.

The 2008 pledge offered a free Trek mountain bike to any freshman who vowed not to bring a car to campus for the duration of their first year. More than 160 students took the deal, or six of every ten in the Class of 2012. The bikes were handed out Aug. 26, 2008.

For more information, including an FAQ and the full text of the RVP Pledge, visit www.ripon.edu/velorution.

Freedom Riders

Time to Rally the Troops

If you ride a bike in Wisconsin, then you owe it to yourself to get to Madison April 27 and 28 for the first-ever Wisconsin Bicycle Summit. As a member of the cycling community, it is extremely important that you participate in this event and that you encourage every cyclist you know to do the same.

"Forward" is Wisconsin's state motto. It describes Wisconsin's continuous drive to be a national leader. On April 27 and 28, Forward is where the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin plans to take the state's cyclists. Our goal is to lay the foundation for making Wisconsin one of the world's greatest places to be on a bike. Creating and maintaining a safe and friendly atmosphere for cycling will help make Wisconsin even more sustainable and economically diverse.

As you are aware, the bicycle is a “silver bullet” cure for many of today’s societal ills. Increasing trips made by bicycle decreases obesity, decreases individuals’ carbon footprint and decreases dependence on oil. It’s also fun. People need to have the freedom to bicycle for transportation, fitness or recreation and to do so safely and without harassment.

Lawmakers and policymakers play a significant role in determining the quality of bicycling in the state. The 2009 Summit is our opportunity to share best practices, network with fellow bicycle advocates, retailers and enthusiasts, and to lobby our State Legislators at the capitol.

On Monday April 27 we will gather at the Madison Concourse Hotel to lay the groundwork for establishing Wisconsin as one of the world's greatest places to be on a bike. Please join us in sharing this vision and connecting and networking with cycling leaders from across Wisconsin. On Tuesday morning we will all gather together to discuss bicyclist's most urgent legislative needs and then continue on to the capitol to meet with our own legislators.

If you are unable to attend both days of the summit please consider attending either the Monday or Tuesday events. There is strength in numbers and we need to hear your voice. If you know anybody else who might be interested in supporting this cause, please share this information with them.

For more information and to register, please visit the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin’s website at www.bfw.org.