The Madison Traffic Commission approved a proposal to redesign Regent Street to prioritize pedestrian experience over expanding bike lane access on March 4.
While city engineers emphasized the importance of pedestrian safety on Regent Street based on survey data and a recent pedestrian death, community members and several alders expressed concern for the lack of bike paths on the street.
Project designers met with the Traffic Commission to review the new preferred plan and give feedback to engineers on their proposed redesign of Regent Street between Randall Avenue and South Park Street.
Now, the proposal will move forward to the Madison Common Council.
The redesign proposal will feature a two-lane roadway to make more sidewalk and terrace space. The street currently has a 6-foot sidewalk and two traffic lanes, with parking spots turned into peak lanes during the busiest hours, but no bike lanes.
Based on a city survey from November 2025 that showed residents prefer a redesign that prioritizes safety, the proposed plan emphasizes pedestrian amenities and traffic flow.
A recent pedestrian death on South Park Street only emphasized this need for safety. The city engineering team said they will have parking spots along the street to protect pedestrians, as well as shortened crosswalks and new raised crossings.
The proposal would extend the sidewalk to 9 feet on both sides, while also allowing businesses more access to parking and loading spaces. Bus routes and stops will remain the same under the proposed redesign, according to Tom Mohr, the city’s traffic engineer for the project.
“Pedestrian experience is the number one thing we are trying to improve, and we think this design does a really good job of that,” Mohr said.
The new plan also aims to meet Green Street criteria — an approach to infrastructure design that balances sustainability with user safety.
Mohr said there will be more opportunities for trees and vegetation with larger sidewalks and terraces. The project will also move most power lines underground to clear more space above the sidewalks.
The proposal does not add bike lanes on Regent Street, instead creating more parking and delivery lane cut outs.
Members of the commission and Madison community, including district alders, expressed concern for the lack of bike lanes.
District 2 Alder Will Ochowicz said he believes there should be bike paths added in order to expand the network of existing paths.
“The fact that we have a bike lane a block and a half away isn't a good reason to not have a bike lane here,” Ochowicz said. “It's a better reason.”
The new plan does plan to add new connections to existing bike paths, such as the Southwest Commuter Path. There are also plans for adding a bike lane to Randall Street by narrowing lanes to add a bike lane and adding signage and removing parking spots on Mills Street for additional bike access.
Nick Davies, a community member at the meeting, said bikes should be prioritized over street parking spots.
“Businesses overestimate how many customers a single parking space can possibly provide,” Davies said. “It’s just disappointing to see.”
Regent Street will remain a community main street under the new redesign. The city plans to start construction in spring 2027 while focusing on designing amenities and specifics throughout 2026.
