By Virginia Scholtz
Northside News
Madison is a “Platinum Bicycle Friendly Community” according to the League of American Bicyclists.* An estimated 20% of the city’s employees ride a bike to work. Plenty of bikers can be seen on the Northside, riding in bike lanes along the major streets and making their way to bicycle paths that span the Isthmus. North of Commercial Avenue biking is mostly along city streets. Sheridan Drive will take you to Warner Park or to Woodward Drive and Warner Park Beach.
A path that can be accessed from Scofield Street just off Commercial Avenue winds through Demetral Field. After skirting the tiny house village and crossing Johnson Street, you’ll pass the sculpture and greenery of Pennsylvania Park and reach the Yahara River trail. It veers away from Johnson Street and follows the river underneath East Washington Avenue. At Thornton Avenue, Capital City Trail runs northeast toward the Starkweather Creek Trail or southwest toward the Isthmus and then along the shore of Lake Monona through Law Park to Brittingham Bay.
Black Saddle and DreamBikes Madison serve the Northside. Black Saddle carries a wide variety of bicycles from fat-tire to racers, quality accessories and tune-ups and repairs. They accept donations of used bikes, which they refurbish and sell at reduced prices. They have a variety of used replacement parts, including bike seats, pedals, rims and more. New accessory items like locks and gloves are also available.
The mission of Dream Bikes is to provide a learning experience for area youth. Budding mechanic, Cameron Davis, uses she/her pronouns and is transitioning to female. The thing she likes most about working at DreamBikes is that her identity is respected. She is a cycling enthusiast, especially long bike trips. The rewards of her job are learning while working, helping children, and “I get to pick the music.” She values her part in the shop’s contribution to the community.
*Source: Madison Bikes – Advocating for a bike friendly community or www.madisonbikes.org.