For bicyclists, there is no better mid-size city than Madison, according to the March 2006 issue of Bicycling magazine.
According to the magazine, Madison is at the top of the list for cities with a population of 200,000 to 500,00 because of its commitment to providing a friendly environment for cyclists. Along with its hundreds of miles of bicycle paths, Madison has had a bicycle transportation plan on the books since 1975.
The city is also looking to receive a 'Bicycle Friendly' certification from the League of American Bicyclists later this year, according to a release from Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
In addition to its recognition for bicycle friendliness, Madison also boasted a Metro ridership of over 11 million in the last year. The city's highest metro usage since 1986 resulted in the reduction of over 15,000 tons of CO2 emissions, according to the mayor's office.