Biking

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Fitchburg is a Bike-Friendly Community

The City of Fitchburg is proud to have been designated a Bicycle-Friendly Community by the League of American Cyclists, in recognition of its bike-centric approach to planning and construction, an extensive network of bike trails and paths, and the community's strong culture of cycling. Fitchburg is one of 20 bicycle-friendly communities throughout the state of Wisconsin, and the city's bike network connects riders to numerous bicycle-friendly universities and businesses in Fitchburg and the surrounding area.

---Fitchburg Bike Trail Closures and Detours---

Please do not move barriers, bike through active construction zones, or ignore signage and traffic signals.

**If construction crews are out with flags, bicyclists must heed their directions.**


2023 Lacy Rd, Fitchrona Rd to Seminole Hwy Redesign

This summer will begin a major reconstruction of Lacy Rd, from the Seminole Hwy intersection west to Fitchrona Rd. The intersection will be redesigned as a roundabout to replace the existing 4-way stop, and West Lacy Rd will be expanded and have bicycling and pedestrian improvements added. This project will also update the Badger State Trail crossing Lacy Rd, with trail closures updated on the City's website.

See project details at Lacy Road: Fitchrona to Seminole Highway | Fitchburg, WI - Official Website (fitchburgwi.gov), and sign up on the City's Notify Me service for updates on this and other construction projects.

MMSD Pump Station 17 Force Main Relief, Phase 2

The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District will be construction a new force main to support increased growth in Verona and southwest Madison, specifically with sanitary waste flowing to the Nine Springs Treatment Plant. The project will extend from south of Verona's Hometown USA Community Park across Verona Rd to just west of Goose Lake, requiring temporary closures of the Military Ridge Trail.

Keep up with project updates on MMSD's website (Pumping Station 17 Force Main Relief, Phase 2 - Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (madsewer.org)), and with City notifications regarding any road or trail closures related to this project.

Syene Rd Reconstruction, Phase 1

The project has been split into Phases. Phase 1 construction will begin in 2022 and continue into 2023. Phase 2 is anticipated to begin in 2024.

The intersection of S. Syene Road and Lacy Road is currently scheduled to be closed starting the week of April 2nd, 2023. The work will take place through July 2023. 

See project details at Syene Rd: McCoy to Aurora | Fitchburg, WI - Official Website (fitchburgwi.gov), and sign up on the City's Notify Me service for updates on this and other construction projects.


Please do not move barriers, bike through active construction zones, or ignore signage and traffic signals.

Changes to Bike Registration in Fitchburg

As of the June 8, 2021 Common Council meeting, bike registrations are no longer required in Fitchburg. Registrations are still recommended for assistance with returning lost or stolen bikes to their owners, and bicycle owners have two national registration options to choose from. See this page on the new bike registration process for more information.

Fitchburg Sustainability Bike Tour

On May 22, 2021, as part of National Bike Month, City of Fitchburg staff and Bike Fitchburg led a tour of some of the sustainability initiatives across Fitchburg. We had a great outing, getting fresh air and exercise while learning about municipal solar projects (and residential solar opportunities), city stormwater management, urban green space, and alternative transportation options that all play a role in city sustainability considerations.

See Fitchburg Star's photos from the event online:

https://www.fitchburgstar.com/news/community/city-hosts-sustainability-bike-tour/article_23c4463d-ffdd-5faf-b6bc-6df5152560e4.html


Badger State Trail Bridge

McKee Rd construction is completed, and the region’s newest bicycle network feature is open! The Badger State Trail, closed between the Bike Roundabout and Sub-Zero Parkway for much of 2020, was re-opened on September 30th, 2020 featuring a new overpass bridge above McKee Rd. The new bridge, stretching 121 feet and crossing McKee Rd just a half-mile east of the Military Ridge State Trail bridge, was constructed by Wheeler Structures and is now Fitchburg’s third major bicycle bridge, along with the Military Ridge overpass and another bridge taking Capital City Trail users over Fish Hatchery Rd. near Hatchery Hill. This new bridge replaces a flashing beacon that cyclists and pedestrians previously relied on to indicate their presence to oncoming motor vehicles, enhancing safety by reducing interactions between vehicles on McKee Rd and non-vehicular traffic on this major state trail.

https://www.facebook.com/FitchburgWI/posts/1717381361758057

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Maps, Routes, and Additional Information


Fitchburg maintains a large network of paved paths, paved shoulders, bike lanes, and designated bike routes to support biking as an integral transportation mode within and throughout the city.

Fitchburg Bike Map

In April 2010, a Fitchburg bike map was developed, and updated in 2013 and 2019, as a collaborative effort between the City of Fitchburg and the Fitchburg Chamber of Commerce. It is pocket-size and chock-full of valuable information to enhance your biking experience in Fitchburg! Hard copies of the map are available at City Hall and the Fitchburg Chamber office.

Online Bike Maps

The "paved paths" and Fitchburg bike map linked above are static maps, created in 2015 and 2019, respectively. For the most up-to-date representation of bicycle infrastructure in Fitchburg and the surrounding areas, see the following online maps maintained by Fitchburg, Madison, and Dane County staff:

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Fitchburg Family Fun Bike Rides

Want to find some fun bike rides for your family to enjoy in Fitchburg? Click on the I Love to Bike Family Fun Map to discover 4 recommended bike rides that your family will love! This brochure was produced a
 s a collaboration between the Healthy Kids Collaborative, Pacific Cycle, and the Wisconsin Bike Federation to get families excited about biking in their community! Check out this cool resource and get your family pumped about being active and excited to explore a variety of bike rides throughout the City! The bike rides vary in length and complexity, so pick the one that is perfect for you and your family!
 




Road Construction and Impacts on Bicycle Network
For a full listing of streets projects that are underway, visit Engineering & Construction page. Alternate routes for bike-related closures can be found using the online map linked above, as well as the following resources from the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board:

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs)


What is an RRFB?

A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, or RRFB, is a pedestrian-activated warning device that consists of yellow LED rectangular flashing lights that draw attention to the crossing and provide information to approaching traffic that a bicyclist or pedestrian is trying to cross the street.  Once the RRFB is activated, the rectangular-shaped beacons will begin to flash in an alternating, irregular pattern that is similar to emergency flashers on police vehicles.


What are the safety benefits of an RRFB?

RRFBs are low-cost safety improvements that have been proven to enhance pedestrian safety at uncontrolled, mid-block crosswalk locations.  The top three benefits of an RRFB are:
 
 1. Improved "yield to pedestrian" compliance from motorists,
 2. Increased visibility and awareness of pedestrians and bicyclists who wish to cross the street, and
 3. Clearly communicates with approaching motorists that there may be someone in the marked crosswalk when the beacons are flashing, reducing the threat of a rear-end crash for motorists who are yielding to a path user. 
 
Learn more about RRFBs

RRFB

Quarry Ridge Mountain Bike Trail emergency markers

The Quarry Ridge Mountain Bike Trail is an excellent location for getting outside, enjoying some fresh air and exercise, and improving your single-track riding whether you're just getting started or have more advanced skills. Activity on the trail has increased with more people looking to get outside during the pandemic, so Fitchburg Parks and Public Works staff have placed new emergency location markers around the trails. The markers are geotagged for faster location identification in an emergency; if you have need to contact any emergency assistance while at Quarry Ridge, look for one of the new markers to more quickly relay your position.

Quarry Ridge emergency marker 1 Quarry Ridge emergency marker 2 Quarry Ridge emergency marker 3

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