Summit Aimed to Educate

Envision if you will, biking during the peak of the summer season from Sister Bay to Brussels on local roads.

Would you feel comfortable pedaling on the shoulder of Highway 42 or 57? How would you navigate through Ephraim or Fish Creek or Sturgeon Bay? Would you choose county roads to avoid traffic and stay safe? Or would you stay within the confines of a state park to take in the fresh air and scenery?

Bike enthusiasts know the pleasures and perils of cycling in Door County. Keeping cyclists safe, developing better connections between towns and villages, and attracting more bicyclists to Door County are just a few of the goals articulated at the first Door County Bike Summit held May 14 at City Hall in Sturgeon Bay.

“Improving bike infrastructure was one of the main reasons we formed the Door County Silent Sports Alliance (DSCAA),” said Paul Anschutz, vice president of the organization. “There are grants out there if we act, and we need to educate the county about those opportunities.”

Anschutz is one of many enthusiasts who are urging the county and individual municipalities to work together to produce a comprehensive Door County bike plan to connect communities. With a plan in place, grants can be applied for, and efforts can be combined with routine road maintenance and enhancements.

The Bike Summit was Anschutz’s brainchild and was modeled on this spring’s Wisconsin Bike Summit held in Madison. Here, the summit was a forum for DCSSA to bring together local government officials, residents and bicycle experts. Reed Dunbar and Sarah Gaskell, project consultants from Schreiber and Anderson in Madison, presented the latest trends in implementing bicycle planning, grant funding opportunities and the economic benefits for communities that take advantage of those opportunities.

Gaskell talked about other Wisconsin regions that have enjoyed economic benefits thanks to promoting and improving bike infrastructure. She said 43 percent of vacationers cite bicycling as an important factor in selecting a destination.

Increasing visitor dollars is just one benefit of improving biking infrastructure. Safety and accessibility were on the minds of several residents who attended the Bike Summit. Peter Sigmann of Sturgeon Bay regularly cycles stretches of southern Door County.

“Door County in general, including southern Door, is ideal for biking, except where bikers are forced onto certain segments of Highway C,” he says. “Improved signage and wider shoulders would help on county roads.”

Door County Administrator Michael Serpe said he’s looking forward to working with DCSSA as plans move forward.

Bob Dickson, president of DCSSA, said he was encouraged by the attendance and feedback received from representatives from several communities.

“We believe that this meeting was the first step to work with local officials in promoting a more bicycle-friendly Door County,” Dickson said. “Just getting everyone together to talk about these issues and the positive economic impact for Door County was a huge success for us.”