The state’s bicycle advocacy group wants to make sure they don’t get run down in the state budget. Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Executive Director Kevin Hardman noted there are a lot of new faces at the Capitol. “A lot of new legislators who have not heard the great story about Wisconsin bicycling. Wisconsin bicycling adds a billion and a half dollars every year, and over 13,000 jobs to Wisconsin’s economy. And that Wisconsin bicycling is some of the best in the world.”
GOP leaders have already indicated bike paths and lanes probably won’t be high priorities for them as they work to add jobs and decrease the deficit. Hardman says he understands that. “I’m cognizant, and our membership is cognizant, that we have huge challenges,” said Hardman. “But bicycling is one of the first easy solutions to invest in. We look forward to telling that story to our leadership, and having them see and recognize the great benefits of bicycling in Wisconsin.” Hardman noted that bicycle infrastructure accounts for a small percentage of the state’s transportation budget.