OK folks, let get back on track here. I'll get it started since I don't have any dogs.
I do have 11 bikes, so that's what I'll talk about. Oops, make that 12. I got one for free last weekend (score!).
Bicycle registration is required by law but hardly anybody does it. It costs $10 per bike and can be done online or in person. Some of the local bike stores will do it for free if you buy a new bike. Details can be found here:
Bicycling Registration - Traffic Engineering: City of Madison, Wisconsin
That's also the website that explains the winter parking rules, but you're going to find that on a different page. Same goes for a map of all the bike paths and bike lanes.
There's a new dooring ordinance, meaning the operator of a motor vehicle is responsible for checking for oncoming traffic (mainly bikes) before opening their car door.
Motor vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians and cyclists who are in a crosswalk, however, it seems a lot of drivers either don't know this or ignore it unless the crosswalk is at an intersection and the light is red. So if you're driving and stopping for pedestrians, check to make sure the guy driving behind you sees you stopping. If you're biking, don't assume all drivers are going to stop, especially where the bike paths cross a heavily trafficked road that is not controlled by a light.
Madison is a city with a lot of health nuts and we all get cabin fever after a long winter so when summer comes along there are people walking, biking, jogging, and rollerblading everywhere. When you first move here and start driving take care not to block sidewalks or crosswalks while waiting to turn onto a street.
A bicycle is
generally considered a street legal vehicle which has the same rights as a car. As such a cyclist has the right to "take the lane" or occupy a lane of traffic. This is normally only performed as a matter of safety or when the bike lane is obstructed. You probably won't encounter this until winter when the bike lanes become covered with plowed snow. Yes, people bike during the winter here. Bikes must have a light on the front and reflector on the back if riding at night, no matter what time of the year.
No motorized vehicles are allowed on a MUP, but you'll see just about every other of type of transportation on them, especially on the weekend. Most streets are bike friendly even if they aren't specially designated for it, especially in the southwest side of town.
Not all parks are created equal. Elver Park is primarily used for sporting purposes, but it's a public space so you can do just about anything there as long as you don't get naked. Some parks are partially or completely designated as a conservation park, meaning nobody mows the grass. And a couple of the parks like North Prarie Park are really for drainage and water control. They might not have a playground for the kiddies but just about all of the other ones will.
Woodman's is one of the best (or at the least the cheapest) place to get groceries, but no sane person shops there on Saturdays. Crazy crowds and it takes forever to checkout.
There's some kind of law on the books prohibiting smoking inside bars and restraurants, but I believe it's still OK if an area outside is designated for it. I don't smoke so I didn't really pay attention to this one.
And some miscellaneous tidbits: a water fountain is called a "bubbler". UW's Memorial Terrace is a cool place to read a book and make new friends on the weekends. There's no shortage of coffee shops on State Street. The orange jumpsuit guy is pretty cool. Do not proclaim yourself a fan of any football team that is an adversary of the Green Bay Packers. In some circles the name of Bret Favre is expressly forbidden. If the back end of your car gets a little rust on it, cover the entire thing with eco-friendly bumper stickers. If you have a bike rack on the car, leave it on year round.
And cheese. Learn it, live it, love it.
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. I know she was talking about the police enforcement, and I indicated that was helpful information. Wasn't really worried. Just didn't want to be misrepresented. Good luck with your move as well.
I see so many people writing their own rules just seeing how much they can get away with or playing dumb. This is ONE of the reasons our country is going to hell in a handbasket!
There is also Governor Dodge State Park with water access between Westport and Middleton.
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