Let's Ride: State Ranks 6th in Nation for Being Bike Friendly

Waukesha's biking community knows the area trails better than anyone else. They can tell you where to ride and what to expect on the trails. The biking community can take a little pride for a high ranking by the state of Wisconsin for being 'bike-friendly.'

The state received a 6th place ranking nationally and 2nd in the Midwest by the League of American Bicyclists based on a study that encompassed five categories:

• Legislation and enforcement
• Policies and programs
• Infrastructure and funding
• Education and encouragement
• Evaluating and planning

“Approximately 11 percent of all trips in Wisconsin are made by bicycling and walking,” said Jill Mrotek Glenzinski, bicycle and pedestrian coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). “We are committed to providing and promoting safe bicycle accommodations around the state.”

Recently updated state laws include safe bicycling practices such as signal turns with either the right or left hand, and the use of red rear lights in place of reflectors. Wisconsin continues implementation of one of the nation’s first complete-streets statutes, which includes bike and walking accommodations in construction projects. (Janesville Road is a county project, but had similar requirements for bike paths.)

Wisconsin finishes behind Washington, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Colorado and Oregon in the study, which is online at www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/.

• Want to check out places to bike? The Waukesha County website has information on area trails.