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DRAFT Pedestrian Plan

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Amie Goldman and Apr 23 2026 at 5:14PM on page 48

Needs Attention

Hello. I live at 2121 Madison St and am commenting to express opposition to adding a sidewalk on the east side of Edgewood Ave. between Madison and Jefferson for many reasons including the risk to mature trees and the tree canopy if sidewalks are added and the fact the sidewalk would terminate in a neighbor's driveway. Due to the character limitation, I'll send my more detailed feedback via the email provided. Thank you.

Ted Elsaesser Apr 23 2026 at 8:43AM on page 21

Needs Attention

The intersection of Oakland and Monroe is challenging for pedestrians to cross. Vehicles turning onto Monroe from Regent or coming over the rise near the stadium heading SW on Monroe are usually traveling at high speed and have little time to react to pedestrians making this crossing. Adding flashing pedestrian crossing signs would help with visibility.

Michelle 1 Apr 22 2026 at 8:46PM on page 36

Suggestion

It is incredibly stressful as a pedestrian to try to walk on the sidewalk at Dunning St and Atwood Ave while trying not to get hit by bikes criss-crossing the sidewalk. Maybe the two should flip and have the bikes continue on a path along the street so they will never cross the sidewalk for the pedestrains. I am partially blind. If I get hit by a bike, I will sue the city for making the sidewalks unsafe for pedestrians and the disabled. Bike lanes are safer and slow traffic.

Michelle 1 Apr 22 2026 at 3:34PM on page 16

Suggestion

I'd like to comment that as a person who has partial blindness, I DO NOT feel safe even walking on Madison sidewalks when bikes are permitted on them, let alone the multi-purpose paths - and especially when bicyclists do not let you know when they are passing. I enjoy walking, but it becomes less enjoyable when the possibility of being hit by a bike is imminent. Please have consideration for people with disabilities. Do not permit bikes on sidewalks. Put in bike lanes instead.

Austin Griesbach 4 Apr 22 2026 at 7:01AM on page 48

Suggestion

Darwin Road is an important missing gap. It's basically the only reasonable way to walk between a bus route (Route B) and the airport in the many situations where the D2 doesn't cut it (ghost busses, super long headways, late/early service, etc.)

I've had to walk on this road late at night in the dark rolling my luggage behind me about a dozen times.

Dave Stecher 1 Apr 21 2026 at 9:33PM on page 31

Suggestion

Northport and troy is a great example of an impossible crossing! Can you use a picture that actually shows that you're crossing a 6 lane highway with a median that is so narrow that you can feel the mirrors going by you and if you fall over you land in the traffic lanes. Maybe take the photo during rush hour use the wide angle lens and hold the camera up high looking across the street as if you were crossing as a pedestrian.

Ronald Apr 21 2026 at 8:11PM on page 1

Variety of pedestrians represented in this presentation--wheelchair, walker, blind. Excellent!!

John skolaski Apr 21 2026 at 7:45PM on page 1

Things I Love

Excellent presentation, very clear and easy to understand. Amazing. Thanks for all of the detail

in reply to Michelle Livanos's comment

Aaron Apr 21 2026 at 12:21PM on page 9

Things I Love

They are if they are using a wheelchair, mobility device, or other low-speed rolling devices. Those users have different needs and also need to be considered in this report.

Jake Apr 21 2026 at 11:24AM on page 32

Needs Attention

Speedway and Mineral Point from West High to Midvale should be one of the least stressful places to walk because it's surrounded by cemeteries, a golf course, and neighborhoods, but as this map shows it's one of the most stressful areas in the City. Lane reductions and other traffic calming are desperately needed.

Sandra E Ward Apr 21 2026 at 10:25AM on page 58

I'm so pleased to see a section that emphasizes the importance of trees. I would like to see a strengthening of the actions so that we figure out ways to make room for canopy trees in the downtown area. Where can we remove concrete and replace it with tree? Where can pedestrian bump outs accommodate both the pedestrian and a tree? Make more room on State Street for trees -- narrow the street and add terrace room for tress.

Thank you,
Sandy

Neighbor Apr 20 2026 at 9:05PM on page 25

Suggestion

It would be helpful if Parking Enforcement would be more active in issuing tickets to people who intentionally ignore "No Standing/No Stoping" signs in school zones and bus drop offs at release times.

Emerson Apr 20 2026 at 9:01AM on page 32

Suggestion

I would like to see crossing safety improvements in all directions at Milwaukee St. and Fair Oaks Ave, and I'm surprised the nearby NPA isn't extended to this intersection. I cross this intersection on foot up to your 6 times per day between bus commuting, dog walking, and running. If I could avoid this intersection entirely, I would, but that isn't possible. I am nearly hit by a vehicle about 90% of the times I cross the street here, even when I have a walk signal and if I wave my arms around.

Pat Watson Apr 20 2026 at 5:47AM on page 20

Lights at Milwaukee St and 51 do not work for pedestrians, to short and volume of cars often seem to be in a hurry, especially right turning ones. Need lights that walkers can control for longer walk times or better yet to stop all traffic (like bike crossing signals) to enable safe crossings. This light is right by Woodman's & main post office. There is a crossing bridge nearby which is used but due to height and location is difficult for use & takes walkers quite a bit out of the way.

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 10:31PM on page 31

Needs Attention

The pictures shown do not clearly show the physical differences between the crossing types. These all look pretty much the same to me.

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 9:59PM on page 26

Suggestion

Can you change the word evaluated to prioritized? Evaluate sounds non-committal. We need the city's commitment to the Prioritization of pedestrian needs.

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 9:54PM on page 26

Suggestion

Can this be expanded so that temporary measures (such as flexi-post bumpouts) be evaluated/installed as part of chipsealing? Since chipsealing happens more frequently than resufacing.

in reply to Bob Betzig's comment

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 9:48PM on page 25

Yes Bob! This is what is needed for crossing our arterial streets with more than one lane of traffic in each direction. I also like the ones on Page 5-42 that just have a ped controlled regular Red-Yellow-Green stoplight - (Pedestrian light control activation - PELICAN) and TouCan (for where a multiuse path crosses an arterial, has a shorter cycle for bikes). Every driver understands a Red-Yellow-Green stoplight.

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 9:35PM on page 25

Things I Love

Yes a curb extension standard would be great! Please start with one for neighborhood (i.e. non-collector/non-arterial) street intersections since they require the least special engineering coordination to satisfy the user groups. Please also standardize the implementation - such as: Install temporary flexi-post extensions when the street is chipsealed. Install the permanent extensions by default when street is re-Surfaced.

in reply to James Kreft's comment

Dave Stecher Apr 19 2026 at 9:17PM on page 24

Suggestion

I agree - perhaps the text can change to "Procure dedicated funding to rapidly expand the use of..."

Leanne Puglielli Apr 19 2026 at 8:47PM on page 10

Needs Attention

I live downtown where I can walk to ,90,% of what I need and want. I am not safe because of bikes who choose to use the sidewalks and ignore the walk bikes signs. I have complained ...I got. Defense of bikes, an apology and finally no acknowledgement at all. I have been sideswiped. Blood has been drawn. This plan needs to police the bikes on the entire inner loop. I think I have a right to be safe on my neighborhood sidewalks.

Neighbor Apr 19 2026 at 11:28AM on page 48

Needs Attention

West side of Potter Ellis Ct is missing sidewalk

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:19PM on page 58

Things I Love

Water fountains would be terrific for pedestrians and cyclists alike

in reply to Courtney Konieczko's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:13PM on page 53

Suggestion

Coordinating with neighborhood groups to organize walking school “buses” might also help.

in reply to Austin Griesbach's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:12PM on page 51

Suggestion

Providing cut-through paths that provide pedestrian linkages through large blocks should also be considered for new plats and redevelopments.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:07PM on page 50

Suggestion

And Rennebohm, which has one of the few accessible playgrounds in the city.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:06PM on page 49

The lack of connectivity to the Southwest Path from Zook Park is another egregious example.

in reply to Austin Griesbach's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:05PM on page 49

Suggestion

Completely agree. At least starting with BRT stations, it’s not unreasonable to have a physical printed neighborhood map with key destinations posted at the station, as well as better signage to enable wayfinding off the platform.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 4:00PM on page 45

Suggestion

And transit routes

in reply to Amy Jones's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:59PM on page 44

Things I Love

That is the brilliance of Madison’s network redesign and BRT. The Metro network is so much more intuitive now, and I love having 15-minute frequency on the A on weekdays and Saturdays. (If only we could have that on evenings and Sundays too!)

in reply to Vasanth s's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:57PM on page 43

The map below likely doesn’t account for the recent redevelopment, but it should.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:56PM on page 43

Suggestion

“Hilldale Mall” should be expanded to include Madison Yards and Sheboygan Avenue.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:55PM on page 42

Suggestion

Consider including parks in this metric, as they are important to quality of life, particularly for families with children

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:54PM on page 40

Suggestion

Can we somehow call out the TOD overlay as an especially important area for this? Both for the city and private property owners. The stretch of Segoe bordering the Rennebohm Park greenway is often cleared late and very icy, yet is essential for Karen Arms residents to access BRT.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:50PM on page 39

Suggestion

It would be helpful to include clear criteria for what is considered damaged and worthy of repair. Otherwise people may file things to Report a Problem and get no response because they don’t meet the city’s standard.

in reply to Noah's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:48PM on page 38

Particularly where arterials meet neighborhood streets, to send a clear reminder to slow down.

in reply to Courtney Konieczko's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:47PM on page 35

Or pedestrian-heavy areas west of Midvale, such as Sheboygan Avenue, which has high density and transit ridership.

in reply to Ella Christoph's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:45PM on page 35

I am skeptical that arterials will ever be low-stress for cyclists. We should focus on widening shared-use paths and separating different user speeds where possible, rather than forcing cyclists (of any speed) onto arterials.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:42PM on page 34

Suggestion

Side paths should be preferred for boulevards also, since they are often high-stress for cyclists.

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:40PM on page 31

Suggestion

I would surmise that high-stress crossings are also disproportionately concentrated around transit routes, making transit less accessible and useful.

in reply to Evan 1's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:34PM on page 24

People walking on arterials deserve to be safe, too.

in reply to Ella Christoph's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:32PM on page 23

I find the prospect of being a pedestrian on streets with AVs terrifying, second only to the prospect of my toddler coming anywhere near them. The technology is far from proven to be safer in independent, non-tech-industry-affiliated research. We should not raise our hands to be guinea pigs for AVs.

in reply to Cindy Poe's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:29PM on page 22

I worry that RRFBs give pedestrians the illusion of safety while actually not changing driver behavior to the extent you would hope for. Particularly in multi lane roads where the right lane may stop but the left lane doesn’t - Whitney Way at South Hill, Midvale at the SW Path.

in reply to Susan's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:27PM on page 22

I would actually argue we should spend less staff time on the “high injury network” and just focus on the streets that are most dangerous (large arterials) and identify and make improvements more quickly. If we wait for injury and fatality crashes to add streets to the HIN, whether annually or biannually, the city will be perpetually behind the 8-ball.

in reply to James Kreft's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:24PM on page 22

Especially not “so we preserve on-street parking” or “because the traffic model says we won’t meet level of service [for cars] at peak times”.

in reply to Matthew Wise's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:21PM on page 19

Suggestion

Comments at a recent Transportation Commission meeting by Harald Kliers indicated that the HIN methodology was somewhat strained to not “just” focus on large arterials. Perhaps that is where the focus ought to be - large arterials regardless of specific crash history.

in reply to Michelle Livanos's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:17PM on page 16

Multi-use paths are overwhelmingly safe for pedestrians and cyclists. All users have a responsibility to behave responsibly. Parallel routes with sidewalks for pedestrians only are usually available if that is more comfortable.

in reply to Michelle Livanos's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 3:15PM on page 13

Bikes have a separate plan. Rollers includes wheelchair users, strollers, and other wheeled means at the speed of walking. Inclusivity is important.

in reply to Ella Christoph's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 2:59PM on page 8

I strongly support this comment. Madison makes so many investments in being a great place to raise kids (e.g., most playgrounds per capita). It is important to recognize that a complete and stroller-accessible sidewalk network is critical infrastructure for parents of young kids. Safe walking routes and sidewalks also enable independence for older kids.

in reply to Michelle Livanos's comment

Vasanth s Apr 18 2026 at 2:57PM on page 8

Explanation of terminology at right clearly indicates bikes re not encompassed by “rolling”. And in any case, biking on the sidewalk is legal in much of Madison (and often the safest option, particularly for kids). Bikes are a minimal hazard to pedestrians, relative to cars.

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