Any laws, rules, etc. a newbie in Madison should know??? (Fitchburg: apartment, house)

[mommyntheoc]

We're moving in 2 weeks and I'd like to know what laws, rules, etc. about the city, driving, etc. I shoud know when I get there that are not what I would already know from living out of state? Anyone caring to share their wisdom with me would be greatly appreciated!!! :-)

[ranger17]

if you are moving into the city itself, or will spend time driving near downtown, a couple suggestions.
- watch out for cyclists. A lot of them on the road; many of whom obey all rules and stay in the bike lanes, etc. But when it gets congested it can get tight on the pavement.
- if driving downtown, remember the capital area is really centered between the 2 lakes. The roads that go around it are all one way. It may take a few trips down there to get a feel for making a lap wihtout feeling lost, but it really isn't that bad.
- the worst traffic in the area is on the 'beltline' ( hwy 12/18 on the south of the city ) which connects east and west. It may not be "big city" traffic, but it can get downright nasty at rush hour. Especially in winter.

Good luck on the move, it really is a nice city. And if it hasn't been suggested before, try the farmer's market on the capital square on Sat am's. It wraps all around the capital property; and in fact the bulding itseld is wide open to walk around ( neat for kids as well ).

[Megan1967]

Bus lanes. On most major streets there is a lane on the far right side that is reserved for buses and right turns. You're not supposed to be in the bus lane until just before your right turn. The only exception to this is on Fish Hatchery Road, going East on the beltline. For that you can get into the right lane before the intersection that proceeds the exit. That's the only exception that I know of.

Anywhere in the city watch for bikes. They are everywhere and while most do abide by the laws, there are a fair chunk who run red lights and weave inbetween cars, too.

Dogs. Keep them on leashes except for designated dog parks (of which there are many). Most of the other parks don't even allow dogs on leash. I know of several people who have been ticketed. There is another poster who recently said that people who do anything illegal, like speed, don't have the right to tell him not to let his dog off leash and that is all good and fine, but the police don't see it that way. It's his (or her) money, spend it as he likes. Oh, and dog parks require a permit. I got checked once and didn't have a foster dog licensed (she had an adopt me bandana on so they believed me). They let me off without a ticket after taking the fee for a daily permit, but they often play hard ball accoring to other dog park participants.

In the winter, leave extra time to get to destinations that are time sensitive, esp during the first couple of snows before people have their winter driving caps on.

Speed limit. I wouldn't go more than 9 miles over on the beltline or 5 miles over anywhere else. A lot of people do and I did, too, until they got extra funding to nab speeders. There are now speed traps everywhere at just about any hour.

[subclavius]

If you're in a house, the city can be pretty quick to fine somebody for not clearing their sidewalk of snow or sanding the sidewalk if it's icy or snowpacked. There's also winter parking rules which regulate which side of the street you can park on. I can't tell you the specifics since I'm an apartment guy with a garage, but you'll obviously have a lot of time to check these laws out if you're moving into a home.

Parking downtown can be intimidating to a newbie, either for daily work or a big special event. My first year here I just learned where all the city run parking garages were and parked there. Both the city garage locations and policies, and the winter parking rules can be found on the city's website. Parking can be really tight when UW has a home football game, so when that time comes you'll want to cross check any downtown events you have planned with their schedule.

Be advised, due to the high level of foot traffic at the farmer's market, everybody walks in one direction. This is more of an unspoken rule. But after you move and ask people what you should go do or see, the first response will almost always be the farmer's market, and for good reason.

Being a big bike enthusiast, I'd have to reiterate what ranger17 said about being aware of cyclists. Madison is a big cycling town so they are everywhere. When driving, look for bike lanes and get used to where they are located. New folks tend to enter the lane in their car when turning right which forces the biker into the curb. Where the bike lane is also a bus lane (and as such much wider than normal), I've seen people use them as passing lanes, a major no-no. New drivers also tend to pull up too far at a red light and stop on the crosswalk, which then blocks safe passage of not only bikers but rollerbladers and pedestrians. We know you won't do that mommyntheoc, because you're an angel.

Depending on where you're moving to, traffic on McKee road also backs up during the evening rush hour.

Madison is one of the best microbrew cities in America. There's many restaurants and bars that make their own beer, but if you or your hubby go there, be careful. Most of these beers have a higher alcohol content than regular beer and people hit the legal limit much quicker than they expect.

Madison is also a great thrift store city. Besides the normal outlets like Goodwill and Saint Vincent DePaul's, UW has a used surplus store where you can find stuff incredibly cheap.

Edit: After reading Megan1967's post that reminds me-I think Madison has a pooper scooper law, I'm sure someone will correct me if that's not true. Also, the police regularly shoot radar not only on the Beltline but East Washington as well.

[Megan1967]

Yep, there's a pooper scooper law. Though it is hard to enforce, it is basic common curtsy. Kind of like the noise ordinance. Neighbors shouldn't hear anything you are doing 75 feet from your home or you are technically breaking the law. I think, sort of blatant abuse, you couldn't get a squad car out for most infractions, but again, it is common curtsy not to blare your stereo (or in my neighbor's case electric guitar.... ).

That's right! Bike lanes. These are between the cars and the buses. Honestly, I use the sidewalks which is legal in Madison, but not in Monona. I don't know about Middleton or Fitchburg. There aren't any areas where you aren't allowed to bike, but I stick to the many bike trails rather than risk the streets, too many clueless drivers. If you are biking to work I guess you have to use the main arteries sometimes, but I'd rather take the bus in those areas and bike in the safer zones. Most (if not all?) buses have racks for bikes on the front.

[mommyntheoc]

Wow, lots of great info! Thank you!!! Keep it coming!! We're moving near McKee & Maple Grove (southwestern side) so I'm wondering what the best way is going to be to get to UW for daily commutes?

[Megan1967]

Originally Posted by mommyntheoc

Wow, lots of great info! Thank you!!! Keep it coming!! We're moving near McKee & Maple Grove (southwestern side) so I'm wondering what the best way is going to be to get to UW for daily commutes?

Pretty much the only way from that area is up Verona Road (which turns into Midvale). It is kind of pain during rush hour for that same reason, but certainly very doable, esp since you are from a large metro area. It will probably seem like a drive in the country to you.

[subclavius]

I live in the same area.

Verona Road is going to be your most likely choice to UW, but Midvale and Whitney might work if you need to go to the western side of campus. Be advised, there's a ton of road work going on around campus now. You might want to drive around and check it out before your first day of work just to make sure there isn't some time killing detour in your path.

For someone from the urban sprawl of California, the drive is going to be a walk in the park. If you get a chance, check out the Southwest Commuter Trail. It's a MUP (multi use pathway) that runs from the Beltline to a couple of blocks south of UW and the Capitol. A lot of bikers use it, but you'll see lots of young couples pushing their kids in strollers and enjoying the weather. It's a good way to get around, and it's a good way to see town. There's also quite a few parks in the southwest side of Madison, which is nice.

[mommyntheoc]

I think the physics lab is on the western side of campus...how about the bike trails from that area to UW? Are there dedicated bike trails the entire way or do you have to go on street bike lanes too? Is the MUP car-free? (I know this sounds dumb, but we just don't have those here) We GPSed our house and there are 12 parks within a mile...so we're pretty excited about that! :-) We love the outdoors! Looking forward to overcoming my fear of falling through ice and being trapped...since we'll get to try lots of new winter things soon if I can get over that fear!

[beetpapp]

Originally Posted by Megan1967

Dogs. Keep them on leashes except for designated dog parks (of which there are many). Most of the other parks don't even allow dogs on leash. I know of several people who have been ticketed. There is another poster who recently said that people who do anything illegal, like speed, don't have the right to tell him not to let his dog off leash and that is all good and fine, but the police don't see it that way. It's his (or her) money, spend it as he likes.

As the poster in mention, just to defend/explain myself a bit. I started a thread inquiring about official & unofficial dog parks. I live in a place where there are a few parks where it's not technically an off-leash park, but locals frequently throw balls for their dogs on the grass and no one seems to mind. I wanted to know if this kind of thing happened in Madison (and totally fair if it doesn't). My dog is on leash like 95% of the time anyhow.

I just wanted some advice. What I didn't want was to hear any personal axes about the general dog off- or on-leash debate. Or that I should or shouldn't do something simply because it's prohibited -- because c'mon, we ALL do some things that are technically prohibited! And to be fair, I didn't say people didn't have a right to tell me not to do it, I said that I didn't want to hear it.

Info regarding tendency to ticket, permits, etc. (like the info you provided in your post) are welcome and encouraged! Being scolded or having a finger wagged at me is what I was unwelcoming towards.

(apologies for taking us off task -- thanks for the info, as I'm packing for the move to Madison as well and have found it very helpful)