MADISON - Wisconsin - page 151

the university by State Street (which cannot be driven on, so take Wisconsin Avenue north
of the capitol to Gorham Street and follow that to the university).
The main artery between east and west Madison is the white-knuckled swells of the
Beltline—U.S. 12/14 and 151/18 (or any combination thereof). It's unlikely you'll be able
to avoid the Beltline altogether; just avoid rush-hour peaks. (A Windy City denizen has de-
scribed it as “the only place where Madison traffic ever rivals Chicago's.”)
Parking here is either not numerable enough or too expensive.
UnlikeMilwaukee,nobodyfollowsthelawsregardingright-of-way,stopping,andother
such things. Pay attention out there.
MAD DRIVING
Pleaseacceptalocal'sapologyinadvance.Whileontheonehand, most Madisonians
are some of the politest folks you'll ever meet (Wisconsin, actually, was #2 in the
country in an Oxford University study), you have to remember that we also think
we're the center of the universe. Thus, when many of us are driving, pedaling, or
walking, we will simply not pay any attention to anyone else. All here are culpable:
pedestrians, bikers, drivers. When you're driving, bikers will fly through a stop sign
in front of you; when you're biking, pedestrians will walk across a red light in front
of you and give you a sniff if you even look like you may question it; when walking,
you're fair game (no matter what the signs or laws say).
Now, I know a lot of people are going to dispute this, but yes, we all do it. I also
know that many people will laugh and say, “Dude, you should come to ... “. Here,
the goat-getter is the hypocrisy mixed with self-righteousness. We honestly believe
we're Mr. and Ms. Polite, yet when we're riding our bikes, stop signs just don't ap-
ply to us. We may growl at you to stop at a stop sign on your bike, but we don't
have to use our turn signals. Or give a pedestrian right of way in our car. (Even the
cops—oneofthebest,mostpatientpoliceforcesI'veeverwitnessed—nevergiveme
and my dog the right of way.)
Therefore, here'ssome advice fordriving anywhere in downtown Madison: First,
always assume that a bicycle is in your blind spot, and this includes opening your
door after parking. Second, anywhere near State Street, pedestrians will waltz right
out in front of your car.