Biking between Fitchburg and Madison will soon be simpler after an extensive bike trail running from Fitchburg to Illinois was awarded federal funding to extend into Madison.

The nearly half a million dollars in Federal Transportation Enhancement Funds will allow for completion this summer of the Badger Trail between the Southwest and Capital City Trails in Madison and Fitchburg and the recently constructed Badger Trail, according to a statement by Rep. Spencer Black, D-Madison.

Additionally, the funds will be used to close a six-mile gap in the Badger Trail and will bring together other state bike trail systems in Madison.

“I first proposed [the completion of the Badger Trail] in 1997, 13 years ago,” Black said. “But it was a challenge to get cooperation among municipalities and legislators.”

Black added there is simply not enough federal funding to go around, and bikes are not as big of a priority as cars, even though they are a transportation bargain.

“It costs way less [building a bike trail] than building a simple road,” Black said.

Black hopes construction on the Badger Trail will begin this May and will be completed mid to late summer. Construction bid requests on the trail are scheduled to be issued this week.

With the federal funds, Black said he thinks the Badger Trail will provide a safe path for commuters traveling from Fitchburg to Madison.

“The Badger Trail allows people to get out into the county, and it will benefit recreational cyclists,” Black said.

Kevin Luecke, Lead Planner for the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, said he thinks the Badger Trail is essential because it is an important link for people living south of Madison to travel into the city.

Additionally, Luecke believes the trail is an easy route that will provide recreational rides for people.

“When [the Badger Trail is] completed, you will be able to ride from [Madison] to Freeport, Illinois entirely off-road,” Luecke said.

Luecke added the trail is a strong commuter link for people from Verona and other areas south of Madison because it connects some areas of Fitchburg.

“In general, bike trails are a good investment because they allow people different options for their transportation needs,” Luecke said.

Bike trails are a low-cost form of transportation, and they are accessible for nearly everybody, Luecke added.

“[Bicycling] is a green form of transportation,” Luecke said. “It does not give off any emissions, and it is healthier because it allows people to be more active.”

Luecke said for those who work behind a desk all day, bike trails allow for some exercise at the beginning or the end of a commute.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, bicycling can also serve as a source of revenue for the state.

Recreational bicycling brings $1.5 billion to Wisconsin every year, according to a study released last month by the University of Wisconsin Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.