Cars and a biker on a multi-lane road. There is also a person walking on the sidewalk.
Traffic Engineering
Yang Tao, Traffic Engineering Director

Get Walking

Walking in Madison

Hawthorne Elementary kids walking to school

 

Walking is an important sustainable mode of transportation as well as a free, healthy recreational activity. Madison features many beautiful paths along our lakes, the State Street Pedestrian Mall, numerous hiking trails and close to 1,200 miles of city sidewalk. 

In 2021, Madison was recognized with a Gold “Walk Friendly” Community designation. The City is committed to continuing its work to building a safe and connected network of facilities for walking.

Recently, Madison was ranked the 2nd safest city for pedestrians out of the largest 101 metropolitan areas across America!

More about Madison's Program

  • News and Events

    Learn more about events and activities throughout Madison that support walking. 

  • Safety and Education

    Learn more about how the City is working to make walking safer and ways you can help make Madison a safe, convenient, and enjoyable place for walking.

  • Pedestrian Plan

    The blueprint for achieving a safe, accessible City where everyone can enjoy the benefits of walking.

  • Safe Routes to School

    A collaborative program to encourage more students to walk and bike to school through a variety of programming efforts including walking education, encouragement and infrastructure improvements.

  • Crossing Guard Program

    Madison’s School Crossing Guard Program is integral in supporting active transportation to and from our elementary schools. The primary role of a Crossing Guard is to guide children safely across the street but they also remind drivers that they are in a school zone and are valuable members of the city and school community.

  • Pedestrian Facilities Map

    This map created by the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization shows sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities throughout Dane County.

  • Vision Zero

    The City’s initiative to eliminate fatal and serious traffic crashes.

  • Safe Streets Madison

    A program focused on improving traffic safety and filling gaps in the walking and biking network to ensure Madison streets are accessible for everyone.

  • Parks and Trails

    Madison is home to numerous Parks that include paved and natural surface walking trails. 

  • Sidewalk Program

    Each year the City builds and repairs sidewalks through the Sidewalk Repair Program, Engineering projects and the Safe Streets Madison program.

  • Winter Walking

    Learn more about the rules regarding clearing of sidewalks and the clearing of shared-use paths.

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