No person shall operate a bicycle upon a highway unless equipped
as required in § 347.489, Wis. Stats.
The provisions of Chs. 346 and 347, Wis. Stats., and applicable
Village ordinances shall govern the operation of bicycles where appropriate.
Every person driving a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all
the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the
driver of a vehicle by the laws of the state declaring rules of the
road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic ordinances of the Village
applicable to the driver of the vehicle, except as to those provisions
of laws and ordinances which, by their nature, can have no application.
A.
Street operation.
(1)
Unless preparing to make a left turn, every person operating a bicycle
upon a roadway carrying two-way traffic shall ride as near as possible
to the right edge of the unobstructed traveled roadway. On one-way
roadways, the operator of the bicycle shall ride as near as possible
to the right edge or left edge of the unobstructed traveled roadway.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall exercise due
care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same
direction, allowing a minimum of three feet between his bicycle and
the vehicle.
(2)
Every person, when operating a bicycle upon a roadway, shall ride
such bicycle in single file.[1]
(3)
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
number for which it is designed and equipped. Infant seats are permitted
if securely attached to the frame at the top mount and to the axle
and frame at the rear bottom mount and if provided with hand holds,
foot rests, foot guards and safety belt. The use of a backpack for
carrying an infant is permitted. Persons are not permitted to be located
on a bicycle in front of the operator of the bicycle.
(4)
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or
article which prevents the safe operation of the bicycle with at least
one hand on the handlebars at all times.
(5)
No rider of a bicycle shall remove both hands from the handlebars
or feet from the pedals or practice any acrobatic or fancy riding
on any street.
(6)
Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to
a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the
roadway.
(7)
No person may operate a bicycle or moped upon a roadway where a sign
is erected indicating that bicycle riding is prohibited.
B.
Bicycle parking. No bicycle shall be parked in front of or adjacent
to any commercial establishment unless the bicycle is parked on the
sidewalk parallel to the street and as close as possible to the curb.
No person shall leave a bicycle at such a place or in such a way as
to create a hazard to pedestrians, automobile operators or to anyone
else.
C.
Required equipment. Every bicycle, when operated upon a highway,
shall be equipped with a brake adequate to control the movement of
and to stop such vehicle whenever necessary. Such brake shall be maintained
in good working order at all times.
D.
Display of license. Valid license sticker must be displayed on the
bicycle so that it is clearly visible when such display is required
by Village ordinance.
E.
Bicycles not to be pulled by moving vehicles. No person riding upon
a bicycle shall cling or attach himself or his bicycle to any other
moving vehicle upon a street or highway, nor shall the operator of
any such bicycle tow or draw any coaster wagon, sled, person on roller
skates, toy vehicles or any other similar vehicle on such highway.
F.
Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than
is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions or in excess of
any posted speed limit.
G.
Operation on sidewalks.
(1)
No person over the age of 10 shall ride or propel any bicycle upon
any public sidewalk or thoroughfare of the Village set apart for pedestrians,
except bicycles having wheels sized 20 inches or under. This exception
shall not apply to twenty-inch or under bicycles designed or modified
to BMX specifications.
(2)
No person shall ride or propel any bicycle upon any public street,
alley, boulevard or sidewalk of the Village in such manner as to interfere
with the rights of other persons using such street, alley, boulevard,
or sidewalk.
H.
Bicycle operation while hearing obstructed. No person may operate
a bicycle upon a highway while such operator is using any audio device
attached directly to the ear or ears of such operator that materially
impairs the ability of such operator to hear traffic signals or warnings.
I.
Mopeds prohibited on bicycle ways. No person may ride a moped or
motor bicycle with the power unit in operation upon a bicycle way.
J.
Riding bicycle on bicycle lane.
(1)
Unless two-way traffic is authorized by the Village Board on any
portion of a roadway which it has set aside as a bicycle lane and
appropriate traffic signs are installed, every person operating a
bicycle upon a bicycle lane shall ride in the same direction in which
vehicular traffic in the lane of the roadway nearest the bicycle lane
is traveling.
(2)
Entering or leaving bicycle lane.
(a)
Unless otherwise provided under Subsection J(2)(b) below, a person operating a bicycle may enter or leave a bicycle lane only at intersections or at driveways adjoining the bicycle lane.
(b)
A person may leave a bicycle at any point by dismounting from
the bicycle and walking it out of the lane. A person may enter a bicycle
lane at any point by walking his bicycle into the lane and then mounting
it.
(3)
Every person operating a bicycle upon a bicycle lane shall exercise
due care and give an audible signal when passing a bicycle rider proceeding
in the same direction.
(4)
Every operator of a bicycle entering a bicycle lane shall yield the
right-of-way to all bicycles in the bicycle lane. Upon leaving a bicycle
lane, the operator of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to all
vehicles and pedestrians.
K.
A.
Any person 16 years of age or older who shall violate any provision
of this article may be issued a uniform traffic citation and be subject
to the penalties provided by the Uniform State Traffic Deposit Schedule.
B.
Any person 14 years of age through 15 years of age who shall violate
any provisions of this article may be issued a citation and be subject
to the penalties provided by the Deposit Schedule and, upon conviction
thereof, may be required to forfeit not more than $25, together with
the costs of the prosecution, and, in default of such payment, the
court may suspend the child's operating privilege, as defined
in § 340.01, Wis. Stats., for not less than 30 days nor
more than 90 days.
C.
Any person under 14 years of age who shall violate any provision
of this article may be issued a special bicycle violation warning
notice along with the following additional actions:
(1)
First offense in one year: a warning letter sent to the parent or
guardian.
(2)
Second offense in the same year. Vehicle license stickers shall be
invalidated by the Chief of Police for a period of not longer than
15 days, as said officer may deem necessary. The owner of said vehicle
shall use neither this vehicle nor any other vehicle during said suspension.
(3)
Third offense in the same year. Vehicle license stickers shall be
invalidated by the Chief of Police for a period of not less than 15
days nor more than 30 days, as said officer may deem necessary. The
owner of said vehicle shall use neither this vehicle nor any other
vehicle during said suspension.
(4)
Fourth and subsequent offenses in the same year: mandatory referral
to Dane County Juvenile Court.
D.
All violations shall be determined based on the preceding twelve-month
period to establish which violation has occurred.
E.
Any parent or guardian of any child who authorizes or knowingly permits
such child to violate any of the provisions of this article may be
subject to the provisions of §§ 346.77 and 346.82(1),
Wis. Stats.
