Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
The Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the region's federally designated transportation planning agency. It serves all or parts of 36 communities across the Greater Madison area.
The MPO brings communities together to address transportation issues that cross municipal boundaries. It also allocates millions of dollars in federal funding to support local roadway, public transit, biking and walking projects.
The MPO is an independent regional agency with its own budget and is guided by its Policy Board. It operates within the City of Madison's Planning Division. The City provides administrative, information technology, and human resources support.
Connecting Commuters with Transportation Resources
Round Trip Greater Madison
RoundTrip Greater Madison is an MPO program. It helps people in Dane County find easier, more affordable ways to get to work or school without driving alone. This can include carpooling, riding the bus, biking, and walking or rolling.
The RoundTrip program helps people find carpool and bike partners. The program administers the Dane County Emergency Ride Home program for commuters who carpool or commute without a car. It provides commuters who carpool or travel car-free with up to six $75 Union Cab vouchers per calendar year. The program serves as a safety net when unexpected situations arise, such as illness, a bike breakdown, or a carpool partner leaving early.
The program also hosts two annual transportation challenges that encourage people to try new ways of getting around.
2025 RoundTrip Program Summary
- 831 new members joined the program
- 27,000 alternative trips logged
- 162,200 alternative miles traveled
- 59.6 tons of CO₂ avoided (equivalent to removing about 14 gas-powered cars from the road for a year)
- $41,000 saved in gas and vehicle maintenance costs
Launch of RoundTrip Mobile App
In the fall of 2025, RoundTrip launched its new mobile app (available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store). The mobile app makes it easier than ever to compare transportation options on the go and participate in interactive challenges.
The mobile app is available to commuters and employers across the Greater Madison region. It provides a convenient way to plan trips, log sustainable travel, and earn rewards.
New Bike Buddies Program
The RoundTrip Bike Buddies program was launched this year. The program connects experienced bike commuters in Dane County with residents who are thinking about biking to work or school. Participants are matched based on similar routes. This gives new riders a trusted resource to ask questions, learn practical tips, and even join a test ride to build confidence before commuting on their own. Interest grew quickly in the program's first year. There are now 51 Bike Buddies registered to support new riders across the region.
Week Without Driving 2025
The Week Without Driving is a national awareness campaign that highlights transportation accessibility. This includes the daily challenges faced by non-drivers. Nondrivers include youth, older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals who cannot afford a vehicle. The campaign encourages those who typically drive to go a full week, a day, or even just one trip without using their personal vehicle. The campaign especially encourages community leaders and elected officials to take part.
The 2025 Week Without Driving took place September 29 to October 5. The Greater Madison MPO led the effort locally. Throughout the week, the MPO hosted events and connected with residents. This included tabling at the Dane County Farmers' Market to raise awareness and spark conversation.
The effort was recognized by the MPO, Capital Area Regional Planning Commission, and the cities of Fitchburg, Madison, Middleton, Monona, Sun Prairie, and Verona. It also received statewide recognition. State Senator Melissa Ratcliff issued a Citation of Commendation recognizing September 29 to October 5, 2025, as Week Without Driving and commending the coalition's work.
Community Discussions
Three community discussion events were held across the Greater Madison region. The events brought residents together for thoughtful, solutions-focused conversations about transportation equity and accessibility.
Anna Zivarts' book When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency inspired the events. The events explored how car dependency shapes daily life for people with disabilities, older adults, young people, and others who cannot drive. Participants discussed the real-world impacts of limited transportation options. They also discussed what it takes to build communities where everyone can travel safely and independently.
First Ever CARPC-MPO Fall Forum Event
In October 2025, the Greater Madison MPO partnered with their sister agency, the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC) to host the first-ever Fall Forum. The Fall Forum was a full-day, in-person event designed to bring local leaders together.
More than 50 community leaders and elected officials from communities in Dane County gathered to connect, learn, and collaborate. The focus was on addressing cross-jurisdictional transportation and infrastructure challenges and identifying practical ways to plan and invest more effectively, together.
Active Transportation Plan for Dane County
The Greater Madison MPO is developing an Active Transportation Plan for Dane County. The Plan will guide the future of walking, biking, and rolling across the region.
The Plan will identify what people who bike, walk, and roll need to travel safely and comfortably. And it will serve as a practical tool for planners and decision-makers working to design better streets, sidewalks, and shared-use paths across Dane County.
In 2025, the MPO gathered input from more than 3,000 community members through a regional survey. This feedback is helping shape the plan, which should be released in early 2026.
Meet “Data Bowie”: The MPO’s Data Bike
To help keep the City's regional trail system safe, smooth, and accessible, the Greater Madison MPO introduced an e-cargo “Data Bike" in 2025. The bike is named Data Bowie after a community naming contest. It has sensors and cameras so that Data Bowie can measure trail roughness. Data Bowie also captures geolocated photos for Street View platforms.
The information collected helps municipalities across the region:
- Prioritize maintenance and repairs
- Plan long-term capital improvements
- Make data-driven investments in trail infrastructure
The 360-degree imagery will also be publicly available. This allows residents to preview trail conditions before heading out for a ride, walk, or roll.
New Dane County Bicycle Maps
The Greater Madison MPO released an updated Dane County Bike Map. The redesigned map features a countywide view on one side. On the other side, there is a detailed close-up of Madison and the Monona Lake Loop. This makes it easier to navigate both urban and rural routes. It also reflects recent improvements, including new paths, overpasses, and other bicycle facilities.
Printed copies are available at libraries, bike shops, park offices, and other community locations across Dane County. Copies are also made available to businesses or offices upon request.