A few years ago, a few local riders realized we could overcome the lack of available space in Madison by building many small off-road biking facilities rather than one big one, and the idea of the Madison Bicycle Adventure Trail System was born. Since then, with the help of a grant from IMBA and alot of hard work from the folks at Madison Parks, MadBATS is
ready for the public. More details
here.
With Parks' expanding cyclocross effort, and the first phase of the build-out at Aldo Leopold Park planned for next summer, good things are already happening. What can you do to help keep the momentum? There are three virtual public input sessions planned, on
October 13,
October 15, and
October 28. You can count on there being some folks who object to the plan being there; we need to make sure there are plenty of voices speaking in favor; just click on a date to register. If you can't make a meeting, you can register your support in an email to
madbat@cityofmadison.com.
This is huge step forward for local riding in terms of accessibility and demonstrating viability of infrastructure development. Not only will these small facilities be a boon to the neighborhoods they are located in, and an option for more ambitious riders to link together, but will influence other municipalities to build their own facilities, and demonstrate the need for more and better facilities everywhere.
See you on the trail, and at a meeting!
