Bicyclists, inline skaters and pedestrians will take the place of motor vehicle traffic on several major streets on Aug. 30 in Madison, Wisconsin. The city’s first Bike the Drive event will close about six miles of downtown roads from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., creating a one-day “public promenade.”

The idea, modeled after Chicago’s Bike the Drive, held May 24, and similar events in cities around the world, is to create a family-friendly atmosphere that promotes bicycling and other forms of self-propelled transportation.

The Madison event will close sections of John Nolan Drive, East Washington Avenue and the Capitol Square to motor vehicle traffic.

Waterford, Wisconsin-based Trek Bicycles is the primary sponsor of the event. Trek President John Burke said private money will be raised to pay for the event, which he estimated would cost about $20,000. No taxpayer money will be needed, he said, according to the Isthmus newspaper.

Other sponsors include the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin and Saris Cycling Group, both with headquarters in Madison.

For more information, go to www.cityofmadison.com/transportation/rideDrive/.

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