A Social and Political Geography of Bicycle Transport in Madison, WI

Abstract

The state capital and university town of Madison, Wisconsin is home to a thriving bicycle culture. The existing landscape of bicycle infrastructure in Madison is the result of a network of feedback loops involving people, historical events, city policies, and processes. This paper is the culmination of a look into the impetus of Madison?s bicycle culture and infrastructure. Surveys, interviews, mapping, photo analysis, and other research methods illuminated specific incidents and general paradigm shifts that are leading Madison in its mission to become a top-rate bicycling city. Engineering infrastructure for bicycle use creates a framework that allows social pro-bicycling groups to enact policies that aim to increase bicycle ridership.