Whitnall Park Alpha Trail

"We're lucky to live in a state where the Department of Transportation recognizes that bicycling is an important transportation and recreation choice that boosts Wisconsin's economy, " said Kevin Hardman, executive director of the Bike Fed. (For more information on bicycling's contribution to the state economy, see www.economicimpact.bfw.org.) "All of us are pedestrians and most of us drive cars. More than half of Wisconsinites ride bikes. Wisconsin recognizes that everyone - whether they're walking, driving, or biking - needs to learn to share the road." Share & Be Aware will educate motorists through media and events, train police officers on bicycle and pedestrian laws, and teach bike handling and traffic skills to children and adults. Share & Be Aware will create a statewide network of 4-6 regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Ambassadors who will lead programming in each of WisDOT's five geographic regions (North Central, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast). The ambassadors will conduct outreach and education at local community events, teach classes, and build relationships with local police and sheriff's departments. Local ambassadors and their communities will create a grassroots network for bicycle & pedestrian safety by training community members in their regions to deliver introductory versions of bicyclist, pedestrian and motorist classes. Class themes will include sharing the road, law enforcement, bicycle and pedestrian commuting, and child bicycle safety. Share & Be Aware will use existing WisDOT bicycle and pedestrian safety publications and help expand WisDOT programming, such as Teaching Safe Bicycling, BikeSense, Get There By Bike, Pedestrian Law Wallet Cards, and Bicycle Law Wallet Cards. A Share & Be Aware website will offer additional education, list classes, and provide 24-hour resources. The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin is uniquely qualified to carry out Share & Be Aware. It has years of experience teaching bicycle and pedestrian safety through Safe Routes to School programs, adult bicycling education and its Dane County Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety program.