Madison, Wisconsin named most walkable

I just checked weather.com and in Madison, Wisconsin right now it's a "balmy" 39 degrees. Actually -- since a month ago it was a mere 6 degrees in Madison -- 39 probably sounds pretty good to the city's residents! In any case, despite their northern location, Madison was recently rated the most walkable city by Prevention magazine and the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The list of 100 (which was drawn from the country's most populated cities) was based on criteria such as access to parks, number of people who walk to work, and crime rates. Madison began developing a "walking attitude" 10 years ago when the city began putting a priority on pedestrian walkways and bike ways. It's also home to the Fit City Initiative, which combines the city's government and over 30 other groups to fight obesity and encourage fitness.

Madison was the only city on the list that wasn't in the South or the West, so I think other Midwest cities should be keeping tabs on Madison and maybe taking a few hints. Winter will only hinder your fitness if you let it, and the citizens of Madison are proof!