Cars and a biker on a multi-lane road. There is also a person walking on the sidewalk.
Traffic Engineering
Yang Tao, Traffic Engineering Director

Walk-tober

walk-tober logo, yellow rectangle with red child graphics: running, in a wheelchair, and roller skating. "An event for everyone to walk, roll or wheel!"

Walk-tober 2023 – Celebrate Walking in Madison

October is a great month for walking. The temperature is usually cooler and the fall colors start to change. Take this opportunity to walk to work, walk to the store, walk to get a snack or just walk for fun. 

The Walk or Wheel (WOW) Challenge is a fun way for students at any Dane County school to get walking and rolling in the month of October. October 4th is National Walk to School Day, but we encourage families to walk or roll all month long. Contact Caitlin from Wisconsin Bike Fed or City of Madison Ped/Bike Outreach Specialist, Colleen, for Safe Routes to School resources and support.

White Cane Safety Day - October 15, 2023

October 15 is recognized nationally as White Cane Safety Day. Its purpose is to promote the independence of people with vision loss by increasing awareness of the White Cane Law, which protects the right-of-way of pedestrians who use white canes and guide dogs.
Every state has its own version of the White Cane Law. Wisconsin’s White Cane Law states that a person operating a vehicle must stop at least 10 feet from someone who is using a white cane or guide dog.

Other ways to be a part of Walk-tober:

  • Get inspired by checking out some books from the Madison Public Library about walking, bicycling and rolling.
  • Take advantage of City of Madison Parks events, including a variety of fun and educational activities in our Conservation Parks
  • Dane County is hosting a Story Walk along the trails at the Lussier Family Heritage Center just outside Madison along the Capital City Trail. Walk the trail and the pages of the featured book will unfold as you go. A new book is posted on October 1st and can be read throughout the month.
  • Marquette Neighborhood Association is hosting a Book Walk all day at Orton Park on October 8, featuring local author Kevin Henkes’ book, “In the Middle of Fall.”

A number of local non-profits host organized walks for a good cause:

More Ideas

  1. Spend some time exploring your own neighborhood. Try a different route than you normally walk and get a new perspective on where you live or stick to your favorite and reflect on what you enjoy about your neighborhood. Walk Ideas
  2. Check out one of the many Madison Parks hiking trails or just walk looking for different birds, trees, flowers still in bloom or take in the view from one of our lakes or streams.
  3. Madison's Preservation Plan has ideas for Cultural Walking Tours in historic districts, including Native American Mounds in Madison and Dane County
  4. What better time than Halloween to do some walking? 
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