Wisconsin Bike Fed’s push for more bike- and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods | WUWM 89.7 FM

It is bike week here in Wisconsin and with the increase of fuel charges, biking to get the job done is starting to be a a lot more attractive commute choice. Still, sharing the highway with cars can be frightening as reckless driving incidents are on the increase in Milwaukee. There’s even a unsafe driving shift termed “The Milwaukee Slide,” which is when a driver uses the bicycle lane to cut by website traffic.

Kirsten Finn is the executive director and Jake New child is the assistant director of the Wisconsin Bicycle Fed. They share a lot more about biking stress and anxiety and their operate in preventing for far more bicycle- and pedestrian-pleasant neighborhoods.

Newborn starts by addressing biking with the increase of reckless driving. He points out, “I assume executing your ideal to abide by the rules of the highway, trip in a safe area, currently being inform and aware as you might be using, just being aware of what is about you. The identical with I feel everyone you know, if you’re in a auto or bicycle, we all bought to share the street and make confident anyone gets house protected. It can be on anyone to function to be safer there.”

Wisconsin Bicycle Fed partnered with the city of Milwaukee in 2018 to move a Entire Streets coverage. And due to the fact then, Newborn says the business has been functioning with the town to make certain they are scheduling for and setting up amenities to protect susceptible bicycle riders.

There is certainly been some enhancement, but infrastructure can take time, he says. And if Milwaukeeans have visitors issues, New child suggests reaching out to elected officers. Finn notes that a harmless bicycle infrastructure is a wonderful indicator of a lively community as very well.

Finn factors out that Wisconsin made use of to be the next most bicycle-welcoming state and now, the condition has slipped to range 29.

“We genuinely will need to increase our expense for the reason that it truly is not just beneficial for safety, but it really is also a terrific economic driver, we know that it attracts a diverse workforce when there are active transportation possibilities in a metropolis,” she suggests.

A neighborhood that definitely emphasizes that streets are for individuals, and not only cars, Finn claims they are more gorgeous mainly because people want to be out on those streets more.

As for folks looking at biking for the initially time, Newborn suggests seeking it with pals and plan out scenic routes to ride. A great position to commence is this weekend at the Fifth Road Bike Fest on Saturday, June 11.