There’s a new gang in town, and they want to get you on a bike.

Madison Bikes, a group of cycling heavyweights, officially launched on Wednesday with the aim of making Madison the bike city it aspires to be.

“Madison is a great city for getting around by bike,” said Grant Foster, the group’s president. “It’s great for confident riders in particular, but many people who are interested in riding their bikes don’t feel comfortable on busy streets with nothing separating themselves from fast-moving cars except a stripe of paint.”

Foster said his group will be advocating for changes in the local bike network that he believes could double the number of people who use bikes for transportation.

Think of it as a local version of the Wisconsin Bike Federation, which works with community groups and government officials to make biking easier and safer in Wisconsin. Madison Bikes might work in partnership with the statewide organization, but will be independent.

The group, which recently applied for nonprofit status, is in the process of generating interest. At the end of the summer members plan to hold a membership drive.