Riding . . . and Smiling . . . surrounded by infrastructure

Where I'm from (Utah), once in a great while a roadway boasts some bicycle-friendly infrastructure, such as a bike lane or a "Share the Road" sign. Some good friends [1] [2] are working hard to improve things in Orem & Provo, respectively. For quite some time, I had heard rumors of the wonders that Madison has to offer cyclists, so I spent some time this morning on an infrastructure scavenger hunt, and these are some examples of what I've found (and used in my own commute):

Paths through the woods:

Dedicated bike LANES on both sides of a one-way street:

• One with the flow of traffic:

• One against the flow with a separating curb:

Bike Boulevards (Mifflin & Wilson streets):

Clearly marked areas in front of car stop lines at select intersections:

This is the leg of a 50-year-old-ish woman

Multi-use paths that interconnect throughout the city:

Multi-use paths with lights powered by solar panels:

Bridges (this one is over University):

Bike elevators (Monona Terrace):

Bike parking, anyone? (Not that I need it with the Brompton):

Trek-owned Mansion Hill Inn B-Cycles

Huge "Diamond" lanes throughout the city that allow only buses, right-hand turns, and bikes:

Traffic lights for cyclists only:

And the proposed site of a bike-path-only accessible restaurant:

The city has clearly made a concerted effort over several years to make the whole of the city accessible by means other than a personal vehicle. Imagine being a business owner in a city like this and having your business patronized by more than one demographic. One could effectively market to and serve motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and those using mass transit as a result of a comprehensive transportation plan that allows for more than motor vehicle access alone.

When one does have to drive around Madison, congestion is modest and one can get around smoothly due to readily accessible and well-used transportation options. Traffic incidents are much lower than in Utah cities (based on my own observations of zero incidents so far), resulting in reduced costs for everyone. Simply a healthier and safer way to live.