Wis. cyclists log more than 1 million miles

Between mid May and late August, nearly 4,600 Wisconsin bicyclists logged more than 1 million miles of riding as part of the Scott Get Up and Ride Wisconsin Bike Challenge. The challenge ended September 30.

About 55 percent of the 1 million miles were logged as commuter miles and the rest were ridden recreationally.

"What does 1,000,000 bicycle miles mean for Wisconsin?" asked Dave Schlabowske, marketing director for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin on his blog, overthebarsinmilwaukee.wordpress.com. "It means healthier residents, money saved on expensive gas and cleaner air for all of us to breathe. The bike challenge provides us with clear data on how bicycling can provide overwhelming benefits to our state and Wisconsin families."

The employees of some of Wisconsin's largest businesses participated. Those at Kimberly Clark Corporation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Epic, Northwestern Mutual and Trek Corporation logged the most miles, Schlabowske said.

All challenge participants and bicycling enthusiasts were invited to celebrate the million-mile milestone at several events scheduled across the state by the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin. The events, dubbed Fed Fest, were held in Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison and Milwaukee were to also highlight Share & Be Aware, a statewide safety program sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.