RODALE NEWS, MADISON, WI—In a state known for harsh winters, it seems surprising that Wisconsin's capitol is one of the country's most two-wheel–friendly cities. They even have an award to prove it: In 2006, the League of American Bicyclists dubbed Madison a gold-level Bicycle Friendly Community, an award that didn't come quickly or easily. They remain one of only nine U.S. cities to ever get such a high ranking. On Saturday, during the 2009 Society of Environmental Journalists conference, Rodale.com got some insight into how they did it while cycling through the city with Madison's bike-commuting alderman, Mark Clear. As we rode, the temperature dropped below 40, and an icy lake-effect wind kept us from getting too overheated.

Here are a few of the actions Madison took to earn its gold medal and lessons that any community interested in becoming more bike-friendly can learn from them:

#1: Set ambitious goals and involve the whole community. Miffed that they weren't able to get a platinum-level ranking from the League (!), Clear says that the city council drafted a report titled "Making Madison the Best Place in the Country to Bicycle" in 2007. In 2008, the city adopted that report's recommendations, which included encouraging businesses to support bicycling as a mode of transportation; fostering mutual respect between drivers, bikers, and pedestrians; and including bicycles in all elements of future city planning.