Bike Waukesha

Trail Conditions 1/24

2012-01-24T11:23:00.003-06:00

If you're up for venturing out..

The Glacial Drumlin (above) is cleared from Waukesha to Dousman, but icy from Hwy. DT to Wales. Studs recommended.
The Fox River Parkway & Riverwalk is also cleared but may be icy.
The New Berlin Trail should be cleared but I haven't headed east yet. Updates anyone?
Lake Country & Cushing Park Trails are not budgeted for snow removal. Snow bike recommended.

Plan ahead if you head out and enjoy!
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Bike racks vs guitar art: 2012-01-19 Sound Off in Freeman

2012-01-19T19:52:00.001-06:00

Guitar project
It seems like we are all isolated islands trying to do good for this city,
but nothing is quite getting there or working out right. We had a dog walking
route, and a group that was working on the gateways. We have been going in
circles with the bike racks; it has been a tough 1.5 years for the racks. Does
the mayor have to have his own task force for everything? If there are
committees in place working on a project, why can’t he work with us? We have
been working on downtown design and placement for the bike racks. Now he comes
up with the guitars and their placement. What about the bike racks? What about
all of the work we have done on that?
Maybe the guitars should be scaled down to become bike racks. Kill two birds
with one structure. I know a lot of other cities use branding for such things
(Example: the city buses in Lake Tahoe are called Big Blue, as that is their
brand for the lake). I guess we could use the guitar as our brand identity; I
always thought the little foxes would be good. Forget all of the colors on the
current guitars, make the permanent ones aluminum and add some copper or brass
to accentuate the different styles. It always seems like we are running around
with separate agendas and there is nothing in place to put it all together. What
about the master plan? What does that tell us? We are like flies hitting the
glass over and over. It is pure craziness, right?

Building and Grounds Committee to discuss bike racks downtown, Monday 7 pm

2012-01-14T21:28:00.000-06:00

From the Sat 2012-01-14 Freeman:
The committee will discuss developing a policy and placement for bike racks downtown.
Rm 207, City Hall, 201 Delafield St

Happy New Year!

2012-01-02T12:27:00.003-06:00

From the Waukesha Bicycle Alliance!
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City of Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan Draft online

2011-12-02T19:31:00.003-06:00

Available on WBA's web site.

Please pay special attention to the just completed chapters 4 and 5, and submit comments to WBA or bring them to the December 13 public input session.

Waukesha County Bicycle and Pedestrian Draft Plan and Open House

2011-12-02T08:55:00.028-06:00

The bike plans in Waukesha are coming fast and furious this month.

Waukesha County has put together a final draft of their proposed on-road and off-road bike accommodations under the Waukesha County bike plan. View and download a hi-resolution PDF of the draft map by clicking this link.

If you regularly bike outside the City of Waukesha and have an idea of what types of bike lanes, bike paths, or bridges/tunnels are needed to connect communities in the County, we need your input.

Take a look at the draft map and forward your comments and suggestions to us at bikewaukesha (at) gmail.com or to Jason Wilke at jwilke(at)waukeshacounty.gov by Wednesday, December 14th.

County staff is also holding an open house during work hours on the 14th to review and discuss the proposed map:

Wednesday, Dec. 14th
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Waukesha County Administration Center
Conference Room 344
515 W. Mooreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI

Swap Season Is Upon Us..

2011-12-02T08:33:00.005-06:00

Looking for deals? Vintage parts? Need to unload some old bikes or a basement full of bike stuff? Well, there's plenty of opportunities ahead this season starting this Sunday in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Bike Swap, December 4th
Brazen Dropout Bike Swap, Madison, January 14th
Waukesha Bike Swap, February 18th
Lapham Peak Bike Swap, Delafield, March TBA

Yes, Waukesha will have it's first bicycle swap meet this February at the Waukesha Expo Center! Organized by our friend and local bike shop owner Todd Reynolds, some of the proceeds will go to Waukesha Bike Alliance. You won't have to travel far to find your bike bargains this Winter so be sure to check it out!
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Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan Public Input Session, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 6:30 pm

2011-11-29T20:24:00.000-06:00

Location: City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department
1900 Aviation Drive
Waukesha, WI 53188

Meeting Purpose: To review Draft Plan and solicit public comments.

Bikesha Recap

2011-11-20T14:24:00.004-06:00

Good times on Friday. We collected about 40 parcels of food goods for Waukesha Food Pantry. Carlton took the swag biking in 14 canned goods. The weather was great as about 20 of us cruised the parkway. Thanks to Ayhan at Cafe de Arts and Dan at Magellan's for hosting us again and everyone who came out and contributed!
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Bikesha Food Drive/Social Ride- Nov. 18!

2011-11-07T07:57:00.003-06:00

It's time again, another social ride is right around the corner! Next Friday the 18th at 7pm. Per tradition, we'll be meeting at Cafe de Arts from 6-7, rolling out on the River Walk & Fox River Parkway and finishing up at Magellan's for the best pizza on Main St! $10 a person to cover pizza, OR bring 2-3 nonperishable food goods and WE COVER THE PIZZA! Since its the giving season, more is better ;). In fact, thanks to Ray's Indoor Park, we have some swag to give away to whoever donates the most food and whoever bikes in the most food. Bring lights, dress warm and see you then!
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Bike 'N' Fright Hike This Friday!

2011-10-24T08:04:00.006-05:00

Meet at the Steaming Cup before 6:30pm. Ride out to Lapham Peak in Delafield for Fright Hike, stop at Mazlatan afterwards. 25mile loop, almost excusively bike path!

Dress warm tonight, its gonna be chilly!
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Pedal the Parks

2011-09-13T23:58:00.000-05:00

Our Pedal the Parks Scavenger Bike Ride is this Saturday, starting at the Rotary Building in Frame Park. I've been working with a couple other WBA members to put together the clues and make sure we have people on hand to do the helmet fittings. I think that if enough kids come, it could be a really fun, awesome event. The clues were mostly written by one of our resident creative geniuses, Bob M. Just to give you a sense, here's the first clue:

Alone in stone they watch over the bridge
If you're lucky you'll see them alive, for only a smidge

This is our first event geared specifically at kids and we have no idea how many people will show up, other than the few parents who have told me so specifically. Most of the active members in our group don't have kids, or have kids that are too old or too young for this event, which is geared at 8-14-year olds.

Looking very serious

Because we haven't had a lot of kids on our own rides, I relied on Waukesha Parks and Rec for the photo that we used in the Patch announcement. Here's the one pic that I have of kids on the last Bikesha ride. They don't exactly look like they're having fun!

Hopefully this Saturday's event will change that, and we'll get some great pictures of kids with
bikes riding around Waukesha!

I also like the idea of doing more kid-oriented rides in Waukesha because it's such a family-friendly town. Also, there just aren't a lot of biking events geared towards kids. So, if this is successful we will try and do one again next year, perhaps at the beginning of summer.

If you plan on bringing your kids to the event, please RSVP on our Facebook page or register with Waukesha Parks Recreation and Forestry if you have an account.

Get to the Rotary Building by 9:30 a.m. for the helmet fittings; the ride will start at 10:00 a.m. Everyone should be back at the Rotary building at noon.

Fed Fest this Saturday!

2011-09-05T08:32:00.003-05:00

Instead of doing a Bikesha event this month, we thought it might be fun to head East of 124th St. for a change and celebrate the Wisconsin Bike Fed's Fed Fest! Interested in riding down? We'll be meeting at the New Berlin Trail trail-head at the East end of Lincoln Ave. this Saturday at 4:30 and then riding down to Benno's in West Allis. Benno's will be hosting drinks before and after the social ride along the the Hank Aaron Trail in Milwaukee. Be sure to register if your interested in going and don't forget lights and a helmet too! See you there!
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Review Guide for the Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

2011-09-02T20:33:00.002-05:00

The review guide for the plan is ready.

Bike Rack Design Submissions

2011-09-01T22:18:00.000-05:00

Without further ado, here are the submissions we received for our bike rack design contest. You'll soon be able to see them in their full original size and format on our website.

Bob Meuer #1:

Bob Meuer # 2:

Scott Stoll: The Les Paul Gibson:

Charlie Johnson:

Tom Noll #1:

Tom Noll #2:

Dave Burch #1: The water drop

Dave Burch #2: The Perfect Pint

Dave Burch submission on behalf of wife #1: Spool of Thread

Dave Burch submission on behalf of his wife #2: Spoon/fork/knife

Carroll U. Update

2011-08-29T12:09:00.003-05:00

With the student body moved back in and classes starting up Thursday. The campus is getting the last minute punch list of items completed to start the semester. I have seen a couple of the new bike racks installed and ready for use(there could be more but I didn't get around the entire campus today) and we have locks on the doors of the student bike shop, which isn't officially named yet, soon it'll have power and we can start moving in.

I had a meeting with Dan today to discuss the schedule for the shop, services we are going to offer students, and set a time and day for weekly rides around the city. We are even planning a couple of trips to Ray's and the Kettles.

It will be an exciting year for the bicycling community at Carroll.

Call for bike rack designs!

2011-08-03T21:50:00.005-05:00

8/4/11 Updates added in red, below.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2011
Call For Artists/Designers/Welders--Request for Proposals
Sculptural Bike Racks for Central Waukesha

The Waukesha Bicycle Alliance is seeking proposals from artists/welders teams for sculptural bike rack designs for downtown Waukesha.

Art has been at the heart of downtown Waukesha's transformation and rejuvenation. The city now has many galleries, a thriving artist community, and has over 10 works of outdoor public art throughout the downtown. The lively art scene, shops and restaurants, and pedestrian-friendly environment makes downtown Waukesha a great bicycling destination. The WBA wants to encourage more people to come to downtown on their bikes. In fact, many of the challenges that the downtown faces (vehicle circulation, parking, and pedestrian/car conflicts) could be solved if more people rode their bikes. There is one problem: the downtown lacks adequate bicycle parking.

Project Purpose
The WBA is seeking at least five sculptural bike racks designs by artists from the Waukesha area. The WBA hopes to select the five winning designs from all the designs submitted. The WBA will then take the winning designs to local welders and metal shops to determine the cost of engineering, fabrication, and finish of the selected designs.

By having the complete cost of engineering, fabricating, and finishing the selected designs, the WBA can then set fundraising goals and contact various agencies and organizations that have expressed interest in funding the racks.

The WBA hopes that one result of this project will be the more public support for additional artistic bike racks, and more public support for establishing an artistic bike rack "fund" to help subsidize the costs for businesses that want to create their own design for an artistic bike rack outside their business. Our previous efforts at securing funds for an artistic bike rack have fumbled, partly because we do not have solid cost estimates for the fabrication of the rack designs.

Bike Rack Design Requirements:

Due to the limited street space for racks in the downtown area, the artistic racks need to fit in a narrow space and accommodate at least 2 bikes parallel to each other. Specifically, racks should meet the following specifications:

Width (depth) should not exceed 8”
Length should be at least 18” but not more than 7’
Height should be at least 3’ but not more than 7’

The rack should:

Support the frame of the bicycle in two places, including bicycles without a diamond-shaped frame with a horizontal top tube (a step-thru frame such as traditional women’s bikes have)

Allow for the bicycle frame and at least one wheel to be secured to the rack when both wheels are left on the bike

Be strong enough to resist damage by the small bobcat-style front loaders that plow snow downtown.

Not have any sharp points that could hurt children or inattentive pedestrians.

Be constructed of durable, low maintenance materials

The bike rack should be designed to be mounted with surface mounts in concrete

More information about good rack design, and surface mounting into concrete, is available on the WBA specifications webpage.

Payment of Artist FeesArtists who submit one of the 5 winning WBA chosen bike rack concepts will be awarded a $50 stipend for their submittal. All designs become propoerty of the WBA. The WBA reserves the right to publish all designs submitted on the website www.bikewaukesha.org.

Guidelines for Submissions

Design proposals must be submitted electronically in PDF format by August 31, 2011.

Each entry should consist of two 8.5 x 11 pages: The first page should have a drawing of the proposed design, along with the artist's contact information (name, email, phone, snail mail address, and webpage). The second page should include a list of materials and fabrication method and any other information the artist wishes to convey. If you are an artist or welder with the desire and ability to fabricate your own rack design, please let us know in your submission, by providing an estimate of what you would charge to create the final product. This would help us greatly!
Limit 2 entries per artist

Submissions may be mailed or e-mailed to:
Sonia Dubielzig, Waukesha Bicycle Alliance, bikewaukesha@gmail.com

Selection Process
A jury consisting of members of the WBA, some downtown business owners, and artists will review the design proposals.

Notification and Timeline Submissions are due by August 31, 2011

Selected artist/designer/welders will be notified by September 10.

Sources for Additional Information

The WBA's sculptural bike racks webpage contains photos and more information. You can also contact Sonia Dubielzig at 262-271-6721 or e-mail bikewaukesha@gmail.com

Bikesha Recap

2011-07-26T08:46:00.007-05:00

Over 35 people came out last Friday to check out downtown Waukesha by bike and enjoy the perfect weather! Huge thanks to Ayhan at Cafe de Arts and Danny at Magellan's for once again hosting us with their fine coffee and pizza. They never disappoint and are becoming a bit of a tradition on the ride. Another huge thanks to Cyclesmith for making sure everyone got their fill of pizza. Be sure to support your local bike shop as they support local business as well! Next one is coming up September 9th!

Bikesha- This Friday!

2011-07-19T07:46:00.003-05:00

The Summer edition social ride is coming up again! This Friday, meet at Cafe de Arts from 6-7pm. We'll tour downtown & the Fox River Parkway. Finshing up at Magellan's M2 for the best pizza on Main. The Waukesha Bicycle Alliance is sponsoring this event, so come experience Waukesha on two wheels and the pizza's on us! Hope to see you there!
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Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

2011-07-12T21:54:00.000-05:00

See this project's page for the July 12 Steering Committee meeting notes.

Of note: the final date for Steering Committee members to submit comments or suggestions to ALTA for inclusion in the final plan documents is August 1, 2011.

Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Documents

2011-07-04T21:19:00.001-05:00

Documents received 2011 July 1 from Ron Grall, Director of of City of Waukesha Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department in preparation for the July 12 Steering Committee Meeting are posted on WBA's website plan project page:

Notes from 2011 May 25 6:30-8 pm Public Meeting

Notes from 2011 May 25 3-4:30 pm Steering Committee Meeting

Demand and Benefits Analysis of Bicycling and Pedestrian Alternatives

General Design Guidelines for Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

Funding Sources for Bicycle Facilities and Trails

Needs and Types of Bicyclists

Programs Recommendations

This last document has several suggestions for WBA's involvement in
implementation of the Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Fun Events Coming Up!

2011-06-30T07:01:00.004-05:00

This Monday is the 4th of July and along with celebrating independence with fireworks and a great Parade on Main Street, it's usually a good day to to get out on a bike too. Fortunately, our friend Russell in Wauwatosa gives you a good reason to do so as he's once again hosting his "4th of July Crappy Bike Ride". An event not to be missed, it will meet at Russell's house in 'Tosa from 5-7 for refreshments and bike "dress up "before departing down to State Fair Park where you can view the firworks from the grandstands. Afterwards we make a stop at Gilles Custard before making our way back to Russell's. For those looking for added adventure, a few of us will be riding down from Waukesha at 4:00pm, email me if you're interested in joining, ronsta36@yahoo.com. Email Russell (russellbjobs@yahoo.com) or hunt him down on FB for more info on his ride.

Also up again in a few weeks is the next "Bikesha" on Friday, July 22nd. Once again, we'll be gathering at Cafe de Arts from 6-7pm before touring the Fox River Parkway and downtown. Finishing up traditionally at Magellan's for their amazing pizza. This event will be sponsored by the Waukesha Bicycle Alliance, so the pizza's on us for those doing the ride! It's our way of getting more people riding more places during the best time of year in Wisconsin.

Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

2011-06-23T21:02:00.005-05:00

The Steering Committee of the Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan has received a consolidated version of all public comments received to this point from all sources, including an area map noting the location of many of the comments.

This will be the final review of comments and the map for inclusion in the existing conditions section of the final plan.

Please review and submit any additional comments to the discussion group or WBA at your earliest opportunity or indicate that the list looks complete.

See our website for all details on this plan.

Carl Zach Bicycle Races-- June 19, 2011

2011-06-20T21:24:00.001-05:00

Motion pictures from Sunday's races.

Bike To Work Day Recap

2011-06-11T09:22:00.009-05:00

Despite the turn of the weather to cold and rain on Friday, a few dedicated cyclists still came out for Bike to Work Day. Those braving the conditions were treated to coffee and scones from Cafe de Arts, shelter from the rain and mechanical assistance from Cyclesmith.

The weather improved in the afterenoon, drawing more cyclists out to Cafe de Arts for the evening get together and raffle.

Some of the great raffle prizes from local businesses..

Huge thanks to Cafe de Arts, Cyclesmith, ProHealth Care, Spring City Spinners and Letterhead Press for once again supporting this event and all the businesses that donated raffle prizes- Poppin on Broadway, Allo Chocolat, Scott Stoll and UrbanVelo. Looking forward to better weather next year!

B2W Tomorrow!

2011-06-09T10:58:00.005-05:00

Remember, tomorrow is Waukesha's Bike To Work Day!

We'll be set up at the Riverfront Plaza downtown from 6-9am. On hand will be goodie bags, coffee and scones provided by Cafe de Arts along with Cyclesmith mechanics to check your bike over.

The evening party will be hosted by Cafe de Arts from 5-7pm with raffle prizes from local businesses and Cyclesmith going off around 6:30. Register online, in the morning, or at Cafe de Arts on your ride home after for the raffle. Hope to see you there!
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My favorite time of year for a bike ride...

2011-06-08T11:57:00.000-05:00


Locust tree

The air was full of locust blossom perfume last night. Get out and enjoy the fragrant breezes while they're in bloom!

Freeman Friday Night Live Pics

2011-06-04T16:30:00.007-05:00

Five Points

Spring City Pedicabs

Main Street

Steaming Cup

Magellan's

An absolutely beautiful night to enjoy downtown Waukesha.

Bike Wisconsin!

2011-05-29T22:11:00.000-05:00

If you haven't seen the Discover Wisconsin show on bicycling in Wisconsin, it is well worth the 19 minutes of your time. It does a great job of showing how Wisconsin is a great place for biking, and all the industry and vibrant opportunities for cycling in the state.

Plus, it is also awesome to see all those familiar faces! Carlos working on wheels at Hayes, Ron off the front of the WORS Sheboygan race, Derek and Adam giving Stephanie a taste of the John Muir trails....even though Waukesha didn't make an appearance in the show, plenty of folks who live here did. Represent!

Bike To Work Day Is Coming Up!

2011-05-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

Only two weeks away!

Pedestrian Peeves

2011-05-23T23:19:00.001-05:00

Recognize this? It's an intersection that you are probably familiar with if you are a Waukesha resident. It's the google streetview of Barstow Avenue and the downtown Riverwalk.
Whoever designed the Riverwalk in Waukesha did a lovely job. It really is a fantastic asset to the City. But don't try to cross any streets! It's like they just ignored the fact that people might want to get from one part of the riverwalk to another. The crossing at Barstow, above, is a great example. Wouldn't it have been nice if they had included a raised pedestrian crosswalk, a pedestrian island in the middle, or--could it have been possible?--if they had bothered to align the crosswalk so it went STRAIGHT across the intersection instead of at a crazy angle.

That's one example of a "pet peeve" of mine I am eager to share at the public input meeting for the City's Bike and Pedestrian Plan on Wednesday.

Here's another pet peeve: Walk buttons.

Walk buttons: they make you feel better after you push them, but that's about it.

My 2-year-old loves to push buttons, and walk buttons are no exception. And because we do a lot of walking in downtown Waukesha, I have realized that pushing the walk buttons has absolutely no effect on the traffic signal. Not during the day, not at night. Never. (Even though they don't influence the traffic signal, they still do serve a purpose for people with vision impairments who can listen for the voice that directs the button-pusher to wait until the walk sign turns on).

Here's my thought: during non-rush-hour periods, why not hook up the walk buttons to the traffic signal program, so that if a pedestrian is waiting, it can pre-empt the usual sequence? This doesn't have to be done everywhere, but at some of the high-volume pedestrian crossings it would be nice.

How about you? Do you have a "pet peeve" for walking or biking Waukesha that you would love to see fixed? Or do you have an idea for providing some kind of bicycle or pedestrian connection? Take a look at what the WBA has come up with so far and let us know if we're missing anything! Or, just come to Wednesday night's public input meeting:

Wednesday May 25
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
E.B. Shurts Building
810 W College Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186

City of Waukesha Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Plan-- Input Requested

2011-05-19T21:47:00.003-05:00

We are currently gathering suggestions for improvements to be submitted to
the Steering Committee at the May 25th
meeting.
See WBA's web site for some examples. Come to the meeting to offer your input, or email WBA and we'll summarize them and bring them to the meeting.

The Famed Elroy-Sparta Trail

2011-05-19T21:42:00.004-05:00

I guess I cracked the whip hard enough on my crew this week to head out to the Elroy-Sparta Trail on Thursday after work. The trail head is about a mile from my hotel in "The Bicycling Capital of America". Although I didn't have the time to go to Elroy and back, I did make it out to the second tunnel. It is a really nice trail to ride, but I would recommend wearing glasses and bug repellent. It is a crushed gravel trail that is part of the Bike 4 Trails system, which totals 101 miles. You will need a state trail pass, and an adequate bike like a cyclocross, touring or hybrid.

After you get to the Elroy-Sparta to Lacrosse River Trail connection, head up Water Street to Rudy's Drive-in it's kind of like John's Root Beer with carhops.

Next stop for me will be the HPT in LaCrosse for the Friday night MTB group ride.

Ride of Silence report

2011-05-19T12:28:00.000-05:00

A couple hundred cyclists (in my estimation--see for yourself) came to last night's Ride of Silence in Waukesha. Pastor Ken Rankin led off the ceremony with a thoughtful talk about our "hurry up" mentality and how that contributes to accidents like the ones that killed Jeff Littmann and Brett Netke last year.

Brett Netke's sister then talked about her brother and how he is missed. And Jeff Littman's widow Kelly also had a couple words to remember Jeff.

After a moment of silence, the ride took off. It was great to see the attention we got with the high-vis t-shirts that Wheel and Sprocket donated. Some people cheered us on (thinking we were in a race) and other drivers honked. The Waukesha police did their best to ensure everyone's safety as the riders became strung out along the route.

Thanks to the Spring City Spinners for organizing a great event. We have big shoes to fill next year when we take over.

Ride of Silence this Wednesday

2011-05-16T09:05:00.003-05:00

The Spring City Spinners are hosting the annual Ride of Silence this Wednesday May 18th. This is a ceremonial ride around the city to honor cyclist who have been killed in motor vehicle accidents in the past year. There will be relatives of Brett Netke and Jeff Littmann, who passed away in the last year, speaking before the ride. The event will take place at the Waukesha State Bank parking lot off of St. Paul near the riverwalk. Registration opens at 6:30pm with the ride around the city leaving around 7:00. Anyone interested is welcome to attend. The WBA will be assisting the Spinners in setting up this event.
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Meeting Tonight, Tattoo Tomorrow?

2011-05-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

Yes, If you haven't checked the new site yet, our monthly meeting is tonight at Sprizzo(upstairs) at 7pm.

Also, tomorrow is Friday the 13th and Waukesha Tattoo Company is having their $13 (+$7 tip) 13's for the occasion. I bailed out on the last one. George tells me has a couple designs put together just for me so I may have to go through with it! Come in for your own or to bear witness to my first ink. I might need the moral support ;)
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Welcome Spring!

2011-05-10T23:26:00.008-05:00

Went for a nice ride through the countryside with a few friends tonight. I think its the first time this year my arms and legs have seen the sun! Afterwards, took a few of the guys to D Mo's Pita & Pan for gyro's. Since sampling some of their entrees at Waukesha Tattoo last Saturday, I've been anxious to check 'em out. The gyros were amazing and the menu's so broad I'm going to have to go back to try more. Tuesdays are Bogo Gyros(two for one) and everyone from the ride was stoked! Thanks to George for turning us onto here and introducing me to Chef Tony. It's definitley worth the short trip up to Sunset so check them out!

Now this is refueling! ;)

Waukesha Bicycle Alliance website

2011-05-10T08:09:00.001-05:00

Check out our new website at https://sites.google.com/site/bikewaukesha

Coming soon...

2011-05-06T21:33:00.003-05:00

...Tuesday, May 10, to be exact: Waukesha Bicycle Alliance's new website!

Contains everything currently known about WBA, and more, in one location.

It will complement this blog and the discussion group... if you heard the WBA is up to something, check there for details.

Come back Tuesday for the URL!

Are we there yet?

2011-04-22T19:26:00.002-05:00

Gas prices are in the news again. I'm not saying I'm not immune to it. It was shocking when it took $45 to fill up the Subaru last week and I don't want to know what it'll be when I have to fill it up again in another week or two. So what is the tipping point? When I started driving, gas was under a dollar. Then in the late '90's it started to rise steadily. I said if it hit $1.50 I would quit driving. Did that happen? No. $2? Crazy, but no. $3? Ok, add on a recession and you start thinking about what you're doing..

I bought a house in Waukesha because it was close to a lot of amenities. I have pretty much all I need within walking or biking distance, but my work was still 19 miles away. I found riding to work even a few times a week was worth a savings of at least a decent lunch. Last year my job moved a little closer, 12 miles, and after riding 38 miles RT several times a week riding 24 nearly everyday seemed a no brainer. It was a decision I wanted to make and it works for me. It creates at least a bit of a buffer of the fluxuating gas prices.

Now I'm not in the camp that thinks fuel costs should be higher or on par with Europe. The reality is, fuel costs add to the bottom line of everything in our country. Everything you purchase most likely had some step of its existence shipped, sent, transferred or delivered by some means of petro using transport. All I'm saying is I'd rather put my money towards a couple guilt free pastries and a nice ride in the morning than give it to the gas man every day.

So where is the tipping point? This is America, so the easiest thing to do is complain, but that doesn't change the situation. People may blame this president or that president but it doesn't matter. Are you going to keep doing what you are doing, or make a change? The tipping point is whenever you decide it is. But one thing I can guarantee, it'll be awhile before gas is 99cents again.
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Pedicabs come to downtown Waukesha

2011-04-15T23:46:00.007-05:00

I guess we in the Waukesha Bicycle Alliance aren't the only ones thinking that a bike is the best way to see Waukesha!

Chase and Kaycee Murdock just started a new business called Spring City Pedicab Co.. They currently have two pedicabs, which they hope to have operating at Art Crawls, farmers markets, and other events downtown. The drivers would be paid in tips only.

Check out the article on waukesha.patch.com for more info. I sent a note to Chase Murdock letting him know that we could probably provide them with some drivers, and here is what he wrote back:

Thank you so much for the kind words! Our initial reception has been so encouraging. I will definitely let you know when we need drivers. We are in the process of learning what all is needed and how exactly to work it out. I know they would be independant contractors and the income would be solely from the tips they receive. We will have some announcements when we are ready.

Next time you are downtown, look for the pedicabs and give them your business!
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Big Dummy

2011-03-31T18:19:00.008-05:00

While I was out running errands today I was stopped a couple of times about my bike the Big Dummy, it is a "trailer-less" cargo bike based on the Xtracycle platform. It was a bike and concept I was very interested in when they were first introduced a few years ago. It is bit on the heavier side but tends to ride pretty much like any other bike except the weight, and the long wheel base, and it only takes a couple of short rides to really get used to it. The ride quality is great, it is very stable and the fat tires with the long wheel base make rough roads smooth out nicely.

My goal in purchasing this machine is simple, reduce my car trips, especially in the city. As of right now my car moves about twice a week, which is about 5 days less than it has previously. It's great, I think everyone could use one. Have these guys order one for you.