Madison maintains an extensive network of bike lanes, paths, and protected facilities under the Madison in Motion plan, with rules governing motorist passing distance, parking in bike lanes, and shared-use of multi-use paths around the isthmus and university.
The Madison in Motion transportation and bicycle plan, integrated with the Comprehensive Plan, guides bike-lane installation, the Capital City Trail network, and connections to UW-Madison. State law under Wis. Stat. ch. 346 requires motorists to give at least three feet when passing cyclists, prohibits driving in marked bike lanes except to turn, and grants cyclists most rights and duties of vehicles. Madison General Ordinances add local rules on path use, sidewalk-riding districts downtown, and reverse-angle parking near protected lanes. The Pedestrian, Bicycle and Motor Vehicle Commission advises the Common Council on improvements and policy.
Driving or parking in a marked bike lane carries fines around $98-$200 plus court costs; unsafe passing of a cyclist under three feet adds points to the driver's license under state demerit rules.
Madison, WI
Madison regulates shared electric scooters and dockless bikes through a city permit program operated by Madison Transportation, requiring rider speed limits,...
Madison, WI
Madison's Bus Rapid Transit lines, launched in 2024, anchor station-area planning that allows higher density, reduced parking, and mixed-use development with...
See how Madison's bike lane rules rules stack up against other locations.
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