Transportation Related Sustainability Goals by 2025 (2009) - see pp. 17 and 18
The TRANSPORTATION SECTOR currently tops greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. La Crosse sustainability goals include policies, programs, and incentives to reduce the number of trips taken and miles driven by personal vehicles. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels at the government level, planning to reduce the need to commute by personal vehicle, enhancing infrastructure and availability of alternative methods of transportation, and providing incentives to change personal and institutional transportation habits are all parts of the plan.
WALKING AND BICYCLING
Complete Streets ordinances help cities commit to providing infrastructure that serves all modes of transportation by all users of all ages and abilities when planning, building, and upgrading streets. Several communities in La Crosse County have passed Complete Streets ordinances.
The City of La Crosse sponsors an active Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is to implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The BPAC ensures that bicycle and pedestrian projects in the city are consistent with the Plan.
La Crosse County's Comprehensive Plan includes improving infrastructure and facilities to invite more people to walk, bicycle and use public transportation.
The La Crosse Area Planning Committee, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the La Crosse, Wisconsin and La Crescent, Minnesota area, includes an advisory Committee on Transit and Active Transportation which focuses on bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation in the region.
WALKABLE
The City of La Crosse has partnered with area employers and developers to increase and update housing availability within walking and biking distance of work. See HOUSING page for more details.
Walkable Neighborhoods was a main focus of the 2017 Mayors Neighborhood Expo. The City of La Crosse is among the top most walkable cities in Wisconsin according to WalkScore, a national initiative to promote walkable neighborhoods.
The City and County of La Crosse sponsor vibrant Safe Routes to School programs which provides assistance, education, activities and volunteer opportunities to ensure children have safe ways to walk and bicycle to school. The City of La Crosse is a leader in Wisconsin in percentage of residents who get to work and school by walking and bicycling.
BICYCLE FRIENDLY
The La Crosse area has long been known as a destination for recreational bicyclists, but the City of La Crosse is also among the top Wisconsin cities for bicycle commuting.In February 2018, results from the US Census Bureau updated American Community Survey showed that, "... the City of La Crosse continues to show improvement and exceeds the state average of workers who walk or bike to work."
The League of American Bicyclists ranks and recognizes municipalities, businesses and universities for their commitment to bicycling. Several entities in our area have received LAB awards including the Cities of La Crosse and Onalaska, UW-La Crosse, and several area businesses.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse hosts a GREEN BIKES rental program that allows students to rent bikes for a semester or a year at a low cost. Western Technical College is piloting a bike share program with Wrench and Roll Collective of La Crosse to provide free bikes for on campus use. Viterbo University's B!ke VU! rental program is meant for recreational riders and not long term commuters.
The La Crosse area is a hub for The Wisconsin Bike Fed's annual Bike Week activities and events including recreational rides, rider instruction, commuter education and advocacy, and more. The Driftless Regional Bicycle Coalition is a regional advocacy group whose goals are, "getting more people on bicycles more often by advocating for an improved bicycling infrastructure, and a dynamic bicycling culture."
A growing system of on and off road routes and trails in the region promotes bicycle commuting in the county. La Crosse River Marsh trails connect all parts of the City of La Crosse through an offroad network. The Wisconsin Department of Public Transportation provides county bike trail maps. Plans are underway to identify and sign a series of north-south and east-west bicycle commuter routes. (See the LAPC Bicycle Plan Recommendations page for details).
Local bicycle shops (sales, rentals, service, education, etc) include
Bikes Limited
Blue Steel Mobile Bike Shop
Coulee Bicycle Company
River Trail Cycles
Smith's Bike Shop
Wrench and Roll Collective
Wyatt Bicycle Company
In addition, bicycles may be purchased through area retail stores and private parties online. Used bikes are often available from Goodwill, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Play it Again Sports, Sometimes free bikes are available through La Crosse FreeCycle. Every spring, the City of La Crosse Police Department auctions bicycles that have been abandoned or stolen but not claimed.
Walking and bicycling to work, school, appointments, errands, and entertainment provides many benefits to health, family finances, and our environment. The Sustainable La Crosse Commission aims to increase and support a switch from personal vehicle use to walking and bicycling.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
La Crosse MTU (Municipal Transit Utility) is a City of La Crosse entity that provides fixed route public transportation throughout the city of La Crosse and into some neighboring communities. During weekdays, most routes run every half hour. Scheduled service is less frequent week nights and on weekends. All MTU buses are accessible for wheel chairs and are equipped with bicycle racks which may extend range of a commuter. Increasing MTU ridership is a goal of the La Crosse Sustainability Commission.
MTU offers lower cost student passes
(for elementary and high school students) during academic year
semesters and summer to encourage students to learn to and get into the
habit of riding the bus.
Passes are also available for the general public with reduced cost passes for elders and disabled persons. One time fares are paid in exact change to the driver in cash/coin or with tokens which may be purchased from the MTU offices or, during limited hours at the Transit Center.
Free Fare Mondays are offered by the MTU on the first Monday of every month. Those considering adding public transportation to their commuting routine can try out the system for free on these special days. The MTU also offers a series of How-To videos - how to ride, how to read the schedule, how to use your bike on the MTU, etc.
MTU Works is a program that works with area businesses to encourage their employees to use public transportation rather than private vehicles to commute to work.Gundersen Health System participates in the program, allowing employees to purchase monthly bus passes for a lower cost.
Local universities have special programs for their students and staff:
Transfers area available to use among MTU buses (limited times and transfer locations) and may also be used to transfer from the MTU to the OHWS public transit system (see below).
Park and Ride lots are unofficial but useful for those who commute to City of La Crosse work from outside the city and those wishing to avoid congestion and parking costs in the downtown area.
SMRT (Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit) is an award-winning public-private partnership providing fixed route public transportation for commuters in the greater western Wisconsin region. Four routes connect points as far south as Prairie du Chien with Lynxville, Genoa, La Farge, Viroqua, La Crosse, Onalaska, Bangor, Sparta, Tomah, and other points. Fares are $3 cash (reduced costs for pre-purchased passes and punch cards). Buses are handicap accessible and have bicycle racks. Schedules are limited, two or three times per day during weekdays. Stops are along public streets near major employers or municipal centers (some stops in La Crosse are at MTU stops).
OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS are described at the Aging and Disability Resources of La Crosse County web page.
RENEWABLE FUELS AND VEHICLES
ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS may extend a commuter's comfortable distance. Electric bikes are available locally and online.
ELECTRIC/HYBRID CARS are widely available. Chris Schneider of Honda Motorwerks has been advocating for and educating about hybrid and electric vehicles for decades.
CHARGING STATIONS are limited in the area but more are planned. Currently, you may charge an electric vehicle at
The TRANSPORTATION SECTOR currently tops greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. La Crosse sustainability goals include policies, programs, and incentives to reduce the number of trips taken and miles driven by personal vehicles. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels at the government level, planning to reduce the need to commute by personal vehicle, enhancing infrastructure and availability of alternative methods of transportation, and providing incentives to change personal and institutional transportation habits are all parts of the plan.
WALKING AND BICYCLING
Complete Streets ordinances help cities commit to providing infrastructure that serves all modes of transportation by all users of all ages and abilities when planning, building, and upgrading streets. Several communities in La Crosse County have passed Complete Streets ordinances.
The City of La Crosse sponsors an active Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee. The purpose of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is to implement the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The BPAC ensures that bicycle and pedestrian projects in the city are consistent with the Plan.
La Crosse County's Comprehensive Plan includes improving infrastructure and facilities to invite more people to walk, bicycle and use public transportation.
The La Crosse Area Planning Committee, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the La Crosse, Wisconsin and La Crescent, Minnesota area, includes an advisory Committee on Transit and Active Transportation which focuses on bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation in the region.
WALKABLE
The City of La Crosse has partnered with area employers and developers to increase and update housing availability within walking and biking distance of work. See HOUSING page for more details.
Walkable Neighborhoods was a main focus of the 2017 Mayors Neighborhood Expo. The City of La Crosse is among the top most walkable cities in Wisconsin according to WalkScore, a national initiative to promote walkable neighborhoods.
The City and County of La Crosse sponsor vibrant Safe Routes to School programs which provides assistance, education, activities and volunteer opportunities to ensure children have safe ways to walk and bicycle to school. The City of La Crosse is a leader in Wisconsin in percentage of residents who get to work and school by walking and bicycling.
BICYCLE FRIENDLY
The La Crosse area has long been known as a destination for recreational bicyclists, but the City of La Crosse is also among the top Wisconsin cities for bicycle commuting.In February 2018, results from the US Census Bureau updated American Community Survey showed that, "... the City of La Crosse continues to show improvement and exceeds the state average of workers who walk or bike to work."
The League of American Bicyclists ranks and recognizes municipalities, businesses and universities for their commitment to bicycling. Several entities in our area have received LAB awards including the Cities of La Crosse and Onalaska, UW-La Crosse, and several area businesses.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse hosts a GREEN BIKES rental program that allows students to rent bikes for a semester or a year at a low cost. Western Technical College is piloting a bike share program with Wrench and Roll Collective of La Crosse to provide free bikes for on campus use. Viterbo University's B!ke VU! rental program is meant for recreational riders and not long term commuters.
The La Crosse area is a hub for The Wisconsin Bike Fed's annual Bike Week activities and events including recreational rides, rider instruction, commuter education and advocacy, and more. The Driftless Regional Bicycle Coalition is a regional advocacy group whose goals are, "getting more people on bicycles more often by advocating for an improved bicycling infrastructure, and a dynamic bicycling culture."
A growing system of on and off road routes and trails in the region promotes bicycle commuting in the county. La Crosse River Marsh trails connect all parts of the City of La Crosse through an offroad network. The Wisconsin Department of Public Transportation provides county bike trail maps. Plans are underway to identify and sign a series of north-south and east-west bicycle commuter routes. (See the LAPC Bicycle Plan Recommendations page for details).
Local bicycle shops (sales, rentals, service, education, etc) include
Bikes Limited
Blue Steel Mobile Bike Shop
Coulee Bicycle Company
River Trail Cycles
Smith's Bike Shop
Wrench and Roll Collective
Wyatt Bicycle Company
In addition, bicycles may be purchased through area retail stores and private parties online. Used bikes are often available from Goodwill, Salvation Army Thrift Store, Play it Again Sports, Sometimes free bikes are available through La Crosse FreeCycle. Every spring, the City of La Crosse Police Department auctions bicycles that have been abandoned or stolen but not claimed.
Walking and bicycling to work, school, appointments, errands, and entertainment provides many benefits to health, family finances, and our environment. The Sustainable La Crosse Commission aims to increase and support a switch from personal vehicle use to walking and bicycling.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
La Crosse MTU (Municipal Transit Utility) is a City of La Crosse entity that provides fixed route public transportation throughout the city of La Crosse and into some neighboring communities. During weekdays, most routes run every half hour. Scheduled service is less frequent week nights and on weekends. All MTU buses are accessible for wheel chairs and are equipped with bicycle racks which may extend range of a commuter. Increasing MTU ridership is a goal of the La Crosse Sustainability Commission.
MTU offers lower cost student passes
(for elementary and high school students) during academic year
semesters and summer to encourage students to learn to and get into the
habit of riding the bus. Passes are also available for the general public with reduced cost passes for elders and disabled persons. One time fares are paid in exact change to the driver in cash/coin or with tokens which may be purchased from the MTU offices or, during limited hours at the Transit Center.
Free Fare Mondays are offered by the MTU on the first Monday of every month. Those considering adding public transportation to their commuting routine can try out the system for free on these special days. The MTU also offers a series of How-To videos - how to ride, how to read the schedule, how to use your bike on the MTU, etc.
MTU Works is a program that works with area businesses to encourage their employees to use public transportation rather than private vehicles to commute to work.Gundersen Health System participates in the program, allowing employees to purchase monthly bus passes for a lower cost.
Local universities have special programs for their students and staff:
- UWL's U-Pass program is the result of a partnership among the UWL Student Association, UWL Administration and the MTU that began in the fall of 2000. Students ride free with their IDs and faculty, staff, and retirees are able to puchase annual passes for a reduced rate.
- Viterbo University's VU-Pass program is available for students.
- At Western Technical College, students and staff ride free by showing their WTC ID.
Transfers area available to use among MTU buses (limited times and transfer locations) and may also be used to transfer from the MTU to the OHWS public transit system (see below).
Park and Ride lots are unofficial but useful for those who commute to City of La Crosse work from outside the city and those wishing to avoid congestion and parking costs in the downtown area.
- Valley View Mall (La Crosse)- connect with the #5 bus at the Food Court entrance or at the north entrance bus stop
- Center 90 (Onalaska) - connect with the #9 bus (caution: VERY limited schedule)
- La Crescent - see route map for possible park and ride locations - connect with the #10 bus
- Walmart (south La Crosse) - connect with the #1 bus
- Former K-Mart - connect with the #4 or the #2 bus
SMRT (Scenic Mississippi Regional Transit) is an award-winning public-private partnership providing fixed route public transportation for commuters in the greater western Wisconsin region. Four routes connect points as far south as Prairie du Chien with Lynxville, Genoa, La Farge, Viroqua, La Crosse, Onalaska, Bangor, Sparta, Tomah, and other points. Fares are $3 cash (reduced costs for pre-purchased passes and punch cards). Buses are handicap accessible and have bicycle racks. Schedules are limited, two or three times per day during weekdays. Stops are along public streets near major employers or municipal centers (some stops in La Crosse are at MTU stops).
OTHER LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS are described at the Aging and Disability Resources of La Crosse County web page.
RENEWABLE FUELS AND VEHICLES
ELECTRIC BIKES AND SCOOTERS may extend a commuter's comfortable distance. Electric bikes are available locally and online.
ELECTRIC/HYBRID CARS are widely available. Chris Schneider of Honda Motorwerks has been advocating for and educating about hybrid and electric vehicles for decades.
CHARGING STATIONS are limited in the area but more are planned. Currently, you may charge an electric vehicle at
- Cameron Park (on King Street between Fourth Street South and Fifth Avenue South) Not available May through October on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Honda Motorwerks (500 Fourth Street South)
- La Crosse Regional Airport (2850 Airport Drive) in short term lot (ChargePoint)
- Midwest Prairie Business Center (2845 Midwest Drive, Onalaska) TESLA ONLY
- Pischke Motors Nissan (517 Third Street South)
- Western Technical College (Pine and Seventh Street South) Must have WTC parking pass/ChargePoint
