A group of six men ride bicycles in a single-file line along a bike path in a park on a sunny day

Photo by Amadou Kromah

Biking Around Madison

Bikers cruise along the popular Capital City Trail, at Monona Bay.

Biking Around Madison

Cruising the Capital City

No matter when you’re visiting Greater Madison, don’t forget to bring your bike! Our miles and miles of trails have some of the best views in Greater Madison during summer and fall, but biking enthusiasts see the snow and cold as a cool challenge—from the moment the flakes start to fly all the way through the end of winter.

Healthiest City

One way to learn about Greater Madison’s biking scene is to cycle through the city’s accolades and rankings. We agree with Livability.com, which ranked Madison as one of the healthiest cities in America in 2015 because of our “vast recreational options and highly active citizens.”

Our residents are active because neighborhoods contain well-maintained networks of paths that make biking fun. While in town, explore like a local and take the UW-Madison Arboretum trail—discover local flora and fauna, and end your day on nearby Monroe Street, an inviting and quaint neighborhood home to local shops and restaurants. Or, start your day at Olin Park and loop around Lake Monona. Don’t forget to stop at Monona Terrace, take the bike elevator and see the amazing city views.

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Discover Your Trail

Platinum Status

Madison is the unofficial bike capital of the Midwest and boasts more bikes than cars. In recognition of the city’s efforts, the League of American Bicyclists bestowed Madison with Platinum status in November 2015. Only four cities in the U.S. received this honor, and Madison is the sole city east of the Mississippi River. The surrounding communities of Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona and Sun Prairie also received accolades by the League. In addition, the Wisconsin Bike Federation also honored Madison with platinum status as a bicycle-friendly city.

What does this mean for visitors? A safe and fun place to bike! Riding in the city is not only acceptable, it’s accessible. For example, tool around downtown with the help of Madison BCycle, the city’s urban bike-sharing program that makes it convenient to get around Madison on a bike. BCycle has 40+ stations across the city and renting is easy through their check in/out program. Some of their sites are also open during the winter months.

One of America’s Greatest

Bicycling.com, one of the nation’s top cycling websites, considers Madison one of the nation’s top cycling cities!

USA Today also compiles a ranking of America’s greatest cities for cycling and gave Madison fourth place. Kudos went to Madison’s mountain biking opportunities, such as single track at Cam-Rock Park, 25 minutes outside of Madison. Other off-road options include Devil’s LakeBadger Prairie Park and Quarry Ridge. You can rent mountain bikes, gear, helmets and more at Machinery Row Bicycles, which is right on the Lake Monona bike path.

Best City on Earth to Bike

If you’re going to bike anywhere on Earth, why not choose Madison? It is one of the "Best Places on Earth to Bike" according to Yahoo Travel, along with other amazing cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Montreal.

This recognition is due in part to city trails commuters and visitors use to traverse the city (even in winter on fat bikes). More than five percent of Madison residents commute by bicycle, utilizing 75 miles of bike paths. When in town, ride by the Monona Terrace and check out the city’s Bike Barometer, which displays the daily and yearly count of bicyclists.

From our designation as a platinum biking community to the more than 200 miles of trails available, there are numerous honors—and adventures—to have in Greater Madison. Learn more about our trails by visiting the City of Madison web site and plan your cycling adventure today!

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