Fitchburg Bike and Pedestrian Commission Regular Meeting - May 6, 2026

The Fitchburg Bike and Pedestrian Commission met on May 6, 2026, to review public works projects and timelines affecting bicycle and pedestrian networks, discuss statewide e-moto regulation, consider whether to allow bicycling on sidewalks, and prepare for the city's bicycle-friendly community redesignation. Commissioners approved the prior meeting's minutes and reached consensus on next steps for a sidewalk-riding ordinance.

Consent Calendar

• The commission unanimously approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes by voice vote; the motion was seconded by Kelly.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Steve Arnold, a registered public speaker, testified on sidewalk bicycling. He recommended that an ordinance clearly define sidewalks as concrete and multi-use paths as asphalt, allow children under 11 and accompanying adults to ride on sidewalks, permit sidewalk riding to access bicycle parking, and restrict or discourage sidewalk riding where buildings, fences, hedges, or other obstructions reduce the safety margin. He also urged that the city not rely on zoning definitions because the public generally does not understand them.

Discussion Items

• Public Works projects and Vision Zero: Staff reported that the Safe Streets for All grant agreement for the Vision Zero Safety Action Plan is under review, with an RFP for a consultant expected within the next four to six weeks. The plan will include about six or seven public meetings and a steering committee, and staff expect a completed safety action plan adopted by council in 18 to 20 months. Commissioners asked for earlier Bike and Pedestrian Commission input on the comprehensive plan and zoning overhaul so bicycle and pedestrian concerns are addressed before drafts are final. Road updates included: Fitchrona Road construction is expected to start this year or in early 2027 and be completed by the end of 2027; Whalen Road will be advertised within about two weeks, with construction starting in late June or early July 2026; and the rectangular rapid-flashing beacon near Swamp Creek Park is scheduled to be reinstalled this spring by Forward Electric.
• E-moto regulations: Staff described e-motos as devices in a legal gray area—not meeting the statutory e-bike standards for wattage or speed, but also not classed as mopeds or motorcycles. The city and Bike Fitchburg are seeking a statewide definition and enforcement standards. State legislators, including Senator Chris Larson and Representative Lee Snodger, have expressed interest in authoring a solution, and a Republican co-author is reportedly willing to support it. No state legislation is expected in 2026; the goal is to have something ready for the 2027 session. The Greater Madison MPO is also working on guidance and asking municipalities not to pass conflicting local rules. A Verona Police educational video shown to the commission states that e-motos are not legal on public streets, sidewalks, or bike paths and can only be used on private property.
• Sidewalk bicycling policy: Staff explained that state law allows municipalities to permit sidewalk riding by ordinance, and Fitchburg has not done so, making sidewalk riding currently illegal. Police and city administration have essentially not been enforcing the prohibition, and staff were asked to craft a simple, comprehensible policy. Commissioners reviewed ordinances from Madison, Middleton, Verona, McFarland, Oregon, Monona, Mount Horeb, Shorewood, Maple Bluff, Windsor, and Milwaukee County. Discussion included support for a Madison-style rule with additions such as allowing younger children to ride on sidewalks, prohibiting sidewalk riding where buildings or obstructions abut the sidewalk, requiring slow speeds and yielding to pedestrians, and clarifying that where protected bike facilities exist, sidewalks are for pedestrians. Some commissioners favored a simpler universal ban for pedestrian safety, while others wanted to permit sidewalk riding where people feel unsafe. The commission directed staff to draft language based on the Madison approach with additional caveats for further discussion in June.
• Bicycle-friendly community redesignation: The application for the League of American Bicyclists' bicycle-friendly community designation is due in June 2027. Bike Fitchburg representatives reviewed the current effort and said the league is looking for measurable city commitments such as a bike-ped coordinator, 20 mph speed limits where appropriate, B-cycle expansion, a multi-use path ordinance, and the Vision Zero plan. A commissioner predicted the city can reach gold if the bike coordinator issue is addressed. The B-cycle discussion covered expiring agreements funded by the TAP grant, the need for ridership and sponsorships, and ideas to require bike-share or bike parking in new developments and TIF districts, add bicycle parking requirements to the zoning code, and include bicycle, pedestrian, and bike-share mitigation points in traffic impact analysis guidelines. Commissioners also raised the need for bike parking at polling places. It was agreed to keep this as a standing agenda item until the application is submitted.
• Biking and walking event promotion: Staff and Bike Fitchburg are planning educational events, including a potential Dunn's Marsh walking tour and related bicycle tours with UW faculty speakers. May 2026 bike month activities were highlighted: Bike the Berg Challenge is underway, Bike to Work Day is May 15 with a ride starting at McKee Farms Park, and Wisconsin Bike Week events will follow.

Reports and Updates

• Council update: The capital improvement plan schedule is on the city website; amendments are due to the finance director on July 6, 2026. Commissioners were invited to flag possible amendments after the CIP is released in June.
• Staff update: The mayor will make the Bike Month, Bike to Work Day, and Wisconsin Bike Week proclamation next Tuesday. Bike Fitchburg expects results next week for four bicycle-friendly business applicants and has a 100% award rate so far. Cycling Without Age has given 27 rides. The next regular commission meeting was scheduled for May 18 instead of May 25 because of Memorial Day; an All Kids Bike educational presentation may be placed later on the agenda because the group is based in Mountain time.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.
• Directed staff to prepare a draft sidewalk-riding ordinance based on the Madison policy, with additional consideration of young riders, obstructions, slow-speed and yielding requirements, and simplicity for enforcement and public understanding; the draft is to be brought back at the next meeting.
• Maintained the bicycle-friendly community redesignation as a standing agenda item, with Bike Fitchburg leading the application and staff supporting data collection.
• Asked staff to explore ways for the commission to provide input on the comprehensive plan, zoning rewrite, and Vision Zero Safety Action Plan before final drafts are complete.
• No formal votes were taken on e-moto regulation or sidewalk policy; actions on those items were limited to consensus and staff direction.