Ride The Drive

Ride the Drive 2026 Canceled

"After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year's Ride the Drive scheduled for Sunday, August 9. We know many community members were looking forward to the event and we share this disappointment. Canceling Ride the Drive was not a decision we made lightly. Decisions like this are never easy, especially an event that brings people together. While the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets is now open, we believe holding Ride the Drive would continue to disrupt the neighborhood and businesses. We appreciate everyone's understanding, and most importantly, the continued resilience of the neighborhood and city."

— Eric Knepp, Madison Parks Superintendent

Sunday • August 09 • 2026 | 10am to 2pm

New route for 2026!

With RTD's signature route along John Nolen Drive under reconstruction, we have an exciting redesigned new route for this year's event.

Stroll, roll, pedal or glide your way through Ride the Drive 2026 -- a free community event connecting activity hubs with miles of select city streets closed to motor vehicles. Start your RTD journey at an activity hub or any point along the designated route.

Three Miles & Three Activity Hubs

McPike Park, 202 S. Ingersoll
Lakefront Porch, 201 S. Hancock
Capitol Square, Mifflin at Carroll

View the Hubs & Route Activities

Ride the Drive event route map — *Click map to enlarge.*

What is Ride The Drive?

Ride the Drive is a single, one-day, free community event for all ages. The event closes select city streets to motor vehicles and offers hubs along the route overflowing with free activities.

Ride the Drive encourages healthy living for adults and children by promoting alternative methods of transportation without the fear or noise of motor vehicles, for just a small part of one day a year.

Since the inaugural Ride the Drive in 2009, this event continues to celebrate Madison’s commitment to a healthy, active living, focusing on the environmental and economic impacts and the importance of social integration.