I have been asked to publish this message on behalf of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. It relates to the growing tension between localities in western Dane Co. and cyclists:
Dear Dane County Bicyclists:
Can’t we all just get along?
I’ve got a favor to ask on behalf of the bicyclists, motorists, and residents of Dane County…can we all try just a little bit harder to be nice to each other out there? As many of you know, there has been some uproar recently in Western Dane County over how bicyclists and motorists share the road. To be sure, there has been poor behavior out there from both sides…not everyone…but some folks have been less than law abiding or courteous on their bikes or in their cars.
I’d like to propose that we start over right now…take the high road…and make things right. I have been meeting with local officials in Western Dane County…and their concerns fall into the following major categories:
1. Concern about closing roads for race events and how this affects resident access to local services including mail delivery, garbage drop off, emergency vehicles, and general freedom of movement.
2. A feeling that they have not been included in the planning of special bicycle events or races and thus, were caught unaware. Included in this is concern over unexpected costs that the local communities might bear for event preparation, security, and clean up.
3. Resentment and safety concern over bicyclists riding in groups who do not obey the laws or are discourteous, including not stopping at stop signs, riding more than two abreast so as to block passing traffic, and not singling up when a car is trying to pass. Also concern about litter and rude behavior in general by bicyclists. There is also some concern about car parking in small communities for large informal ride groups.
I think that most of these issues are easily addressed through common courtesy and open communication. I am making an attempt to contact all event organizers who run rides in Western Dane County to encourage them to work with the locals as much as possible. If you know of an event to take place out there, please let me know about it (so far I am aware of the Horribly Hilly Hundred, the Right Stuff Century, the Ironman, and last year’s NCAA nationals). I would also encourage ride organizers to get down on paper the agreements with the locals…so that no one can say later “we weren’t told”. Be aware that, when you contact the local groups…contact villages, cities, county…AND TOWNS. Much of the concern is with regards to towns that feel out of the loop, even though they have jurisdiction over local roads.
What can you do?
1. Above all obey the laws. Stop at stop signs. Ride single file or two abreast only (this is the law…but try especially hard to obey the law if there are cars around). For motorists’ part…they should give you 3 feet of passing clearance and they should not try to pass you if it is not safe to do so because of road conditions or design. Motorists also need to drive the posted speed limit or slower if conditions warrant (like when they need to pass a bicyclist on a tough stretch of road).
2. Be courteous. Smile. Wave. Say hello. When a car is trying to pass…ride single file. Make it as easy as you can to allow cars to pass. Though you are not required to do so…consider pulling over for a second and letting the car pass if it is a particularly difficult stretch of road for passing.
3. If you are running an organized event…contact all local communities well in advance. Realize that you are a guest in their community…try to do all you can to make it pleasant for the community to have bicyclists around. Maybe there is a local girl scout troop that could sell cookies as a fundraiser at the event…try to build bridges.
4. If you have a club or informal group ride planned that will likely involve large groups of people who will need car parking…consider a quick call to the village or town office to warn them ahead of time. They may have a better option for parking to suggest…and calling them makes them feel that their opinion is being heard and their concerns addressed.
5. Report any harassment that you experience from motorists or illegal motorist behavior to the Dane County Sheriff. Try to get a license plate and be specific about the location of the incident. Though the Sheriff’s office will likely not be able to respond due to the low number of officers available to cover the region, the bicycling community needs to be able to document any of these types of incidents (Dane County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Gary Hamblin, 115 W. Doty Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 (608) 284-6800. The contact for the Western part of Dane County is Lieutenant Tim Ritter at (608) 267-4936...for emergencies, call 911).
Questions? Ideas?
The bicycling community is diverse…the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin would like to help in any way that we can to make Wisconsin a better place to bicycle. We are happy to provide any educational materials or talks…to attend meetings…and to act as a point of contact for addressing these issues. But…it is up to the people on the roads…both bicyclists and motorists…to make this thing work. Bicyclists and motorists both have equal rights and responsibilities on the roads. Education and communication is the first step. If we can all just try to be a little bit nicer to each other…I think this problem can go away and we can share the road safely and pleasantly. Please feel free to contact me, Marjorie Ward, Executive Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, at 608-251-4456 or marjorie@bfw.org…or visit our website at www.bfw.org. For a copy of the laws in Wisconsin as they relate to bicyclists…check out “BikeSense: The Wisconsin Bicycle Operator’s Manual” page 33-34 at http://www.bfw.org/new_bfw/projects/BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.pdf (hard copies are available at the Bicycle Federation office at 106 E. Doty #400, Madison). You can order bulk quantities of bicycle law cards for free for your events and rides from the WisDOT at //www.dot.state.wi.us/business/publications/safetymaterials.htm
or call 608-246-3265.
Please…ride confidently, ride safely, ride lawfully, and ride courteously. Drive your car the same way. Thanks for reading this…please distribute widely and pass the word along.
Marjorie S. Ward Executive Director Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin 106 E. Doty Street, Suite 400 P.O. Box 1224 Madison, WI 53701-1224 Phone: 608-251-4456 Fax: 608-251-4594 Email: marjorie@bfw.org
Web: www.bfw.org
Dear Dane County Bicyclists:
Can’t we all just get along?
I’ve got a favor to ask on behalf of the bicyclists, motorists, and residents of Dane County…can we all try just a little bit harder to be nice to each other out there? As many of you know, there has been some uproar recently in Western Dane County over how bicyclists and motorists share the road. To be sure, there has been poor behavior out there from both sides…not everyone…but some folks have been less than law abiding or courteous on their bikes or in their cars.
I’d like to propose that we start over right now…take the high road…and make things right. I have been meeting with local officials in Western Dane County…and their concerns fall into the following major categories:
1. Concern about closing roads for race events and how this affects resident access to local services including mail delivery, garbage drop off, emergency vehicles, and general freedom of movement.
2. A feeling that they have not been included in the planning of special bicycle events or races and thus, were caught unaware. Included in this is concern over unexpected costs that the local communities might bear for event preparation, security, and clean up.
3. Resentment and safety concern over bicyclists riding in groups who do not obey the laws or are discourteous, including not stopping at stop signs, riding more than two abreast so as to block passing traffic, and not singling up when a car is trying to pass. Also concern about litter and rude behavior in general by bicyclists. There is also some concern about car parking in small communities for large informal ride groups.
I think that most of these issues are easily addressed through common courtesy and open communication. I am making an attempt to contact all event organizers who run rides in Western Dane County to encourage them to work with the locals as much as possible. If you know of an event to take place out there, please let me know about it (so far I am aware of the Horribly Hilly Hundred, the Right Stuff Century, the Ironman, and last year’s NCAA nationals). I would also encourage ride organizers to get down on paper the agreements with the locals…so that no one can say later “we weren’t told”. Be aware that, when you contact the local groups…contact villages, cities, county…AND TOWNS. Much of the concern is with regards to towns that feel out of the loop, even though they have jurisdiction over local roads.
What can you do?
1. Above all obey the laws. Stop at stop signs. Ride single file or two abreast only (this is the law…but try especially hard to obey the law if there are cars around). For motorists’ part…they should give you 3 feet of passing clearance and they should not try to pass you if it is not safe to do so because of road conditions or design. Motorists also need to drive the posted speed limit or slower if conditions warrant (like when they need to pass a bicyclist on a tough stretch of road).
2. Be courteous. Smile. Wave. Say hello. When a car is trying to pass…ride single file. Make it as easy as you can to allow cars to pass. Though you are not required to do so…consider pulling over for a second and letting the car pass if it is a particularly difficult stretch of road for passing.
3. If you are running an organized event…contact all local communities well in advance. Realize that you are a guest in their community…try to do all you can to make it pleasant for the community to have bicyclists around. Maybe there is a local girl scout troop that could sell cookies as a fundraiser at the event…try to build bridges.
4. If you have a club or informal group ride planned that will likely involve large groups of people who will need car parking…consider a quick call to the village or town office to warn them ahead of time. They may have a better option for parking to suggest…and calling them makes them feel that their opinion is being heard and their concerns addressed.
5. Report any harassment that you experience from motorists or illegal motorist behavior to the Dane County Sheriff. Try to get a license plate and be specific about the location of the incident. Though the Sheriff’s office will likely not be able to respond due to the low number of officers available to cover the region, the bicycling community needs to be able to document any of these types of incidents (Dane County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Gary Hamblin, 115 W. Doty Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53703 (608) 284-6800. The contact for the Western part of Dane County is Lieutenant Tim Ritter at (608) 267-4936...for emergencies, call 911).
Questions? Ideas?
The bicycling community is diverse…the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin would like to help in any way that we can to make Wisconsin a better place to bicycle. We are happy to provide any educational materials or talks…to attend meetings…and to act as a point of contact for addressing these issues. But…it is up to the people on the roads…both bicyclists and motorists…to make this thing work. Bicyclists and motorists both have equal rights and responsibilities on the roads. Education and communication is the first step. If we can all just try to be a little bit nicer to each other…I think this problem can go away and we can share the road safely and pleasantly. Please feel free to contact me, Marjorie Ward, Executive Director of the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, at 608-251-4456 or marjorie@bfw.org…or visit our website at www.bfw.org. For a copy of the laws in Wisconsin as they relate to bicyclists…check out “BikeSense: The Wisconsin Bicycle Operator’s Manual” page 33-34 at http://www.bfw.org/new_bfw/projects/BikeSenseDaneCo-2004-04-27_Pantone543.pdf (hard copies are available at the Bicycle Federation office at 106 E. Doty #400, Madison). You can order bulk quantities of bicycle law cards for free for your events and rides from the WisDOT at //www.dot.state.wi.us/business/publications/safetymaterials.htm
or call 608-246-3265.
Please…ride confidently, ride safely, ride lawfully, and ride courteously. Drive your car the same way. Thanks for reading this…please distribute widely and pass the word along.
Marjorie S. Ward Executive Director Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin 106 E. Doty Street, Suite 400 P.O. Box 1224 Madison, WI 53701-1224 Phone: 608-251-4456 Fax: 608-251-4594 Email: marjorie@bfw.org
Web: www.bfw.org