[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Argyle 12-7-2005 as Title 10, Ch. 2, of the 2005 Village Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Juveniles — See Ch. 360.
Snowmobiles and recreational vehicles — See Ch. 541.
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 630.
The following definitions shall be applicable in this chapter:
BICYCLE
Every device propelled by the feet acting upon pedals and having wheels, any two of which are not less than 14 inches in diameter.
BICYCLE WAY
Any path or sidewalk, or portion thereof, designated for the use of bicycles by the responsible governing body.
BICYCLES' LANE
That portion of a roadway set aside for exclusive use of bicycles and so designated by appropriate signs and markings by the responsible governing body.
BIKE ROUTE
Any bicycle lane, bicycle way or highway which has been duly designated by the responsible governing body and identified by appropriate signs and markings.
CARRIER
Any device attached to a bicycle designed for carrying articles.
IN-LINE SKATES
Skates with wheels arranged in a single line rather than in pairs.
PLAY VEHICLES
Any coaster, skateboard, roller skates, sled, toboggan, in-line skates, roller skis, unicycle or toy vehicle upon which a person may ride.
RIGHT-OF-WAY
The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.
ROLLER SKATES
A pair of shoes with a set of wheels attached for the purpose of moving by alternate action of the legs.
ROLLER SKIS
A pair of narrow strips of wood, metal or plastic curving upward in the front with a set of wheels attached for the purpose of moving by alternate action of the legs.
SKATEBOARD
A toy consisting of a short, oblong board with a pair of wheels at each end, ridden in a standing position.
The provisions of Chs. 346 and 347, Wis. Stats., and applicable Village ordinances shall govern the operation of bicycles and play vehicles where appropriate. Every person driving a bicycle or play vehicle 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. 
Regulations. It shall be unlawful for any person to use, operate or ride a skateboard, roller skates, roller skis, in-line skates, or any other type of play vehicle in any of the following areas:
(1) 
On any Village streets, except while crossing a roadway at a crosswalk.
(2) 
On any sidewalk in a business district. For purposes of this section, "a business district" shall be defined as any area primarily commercial in nature.
(3) 
On any public parking lot.
(4) 
On any municipally owned property.
(5) 
On private property, unless permission has been granted by the owner, lessee or person in charge of that property.
B. 
Yield to pedestrians. Operators or riders of skateboards, roller skates, in-line skates, roller skis, or other play vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to other pedestrians using Village sidewalks and shall not otherwise endanger or interfere with normal pedestrian traffic on those sidewalks.
C. 
Play vehicles not to be pulled by moving vehicles. No person riding upon any coaster, roller skates, skateboard, roller ski', sled, toboggan or play vehicle shall attach the same or himself/herself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
A. 
Parental responsibility. No parent or guardian of any child shall authorize or knowingly permit such child to violate any of the provisions of §§ 177-3, 177-4 and this section.
B. 
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/her bicycle and the vehicle.
(2) 
Every person when operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride such bicycle in single file.
(3) 
It shall be unlawful for any person riding upon a bicycle to cling to or attach himself/herself or the bicycle to any other moving vehicle upon a street or highway.
(4) 
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.
(5) 
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.
(6) 
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.
(7) 
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.
(8) 
No person may operate a bicycle or moped upon a roadway where a sign is erected indicating that bicycle riding is prohibited.
C. 
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.
D. 
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. The use of bicycle lights is required during hours of darkness: a front white light, rear red light and reflectors.
E. 
Bicycles not to be pulled by moving vehicles. No person riding upon a bicycle shall cling or attach himself/herself or his/her 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. 
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 ear or ears of such operator that materially impairs the ability of such operator to hear traffic signals or warnings.
H. 
Mopeds prohibited on bicycle ways. No person may ride a moped or motor bicycle with the power unit in operation upon a bicycle way.
I. 
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 on the lane of the roadway nearest the bicycle lane is traveling.
(2) 
Entering/exiting bicycle lanes.
(a) 
Unless otherwise provided under Subsection I(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/her bicycle into the lane and then mounting it.
(3) 
Every person operating a bicycle upon a bicycle lane shall exercise due care and given 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.
J. 
Riding bicycle on bicycle way.
(1) 
Every person operating a bicycle upon a bicycle way shall:
(a) 
Exercise due care and give an audible signal when passing a bicycle rider or a pedestrian proceeding in the same direction.
(b) 
Obey each traffic signal or sign facing a roadway which runs parallel and adjacent to a bicycle way.
(2) 
Every person operating a bicycle upon a bicycle way open to two-way traffic shall ride on the right side of the bicycle way.
(3) 
Every operator of a bicycle entering a bicycle way shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles and pedestrians in the bicycle way.
The following penalties shall be applicable for violations of this chapter.
A. 
Persons 12 years old and younger.
(1) 
First offense. A warning letter shall be sent to the parent or guardian of the child requiring the parent's signature and return of the warning letter to the Village of Argyle Police Department.
(2) 
Second offense (within one year). A mandatory conference between the Village of Argyle Police Department, the child and the child's parents.
(3) 
Third offense (within one year). Forfeiture of $25, plus costs.
B. 
Persons over age 12.
(1) 
First offense. A warning letter shall be sent to the person requiring signature and return of the warning letter to the Village of Argyle Police Department.
(2) 
Second offense (within one year). A mandatory conference between the Village of Argyle Police Department, the child and the child's parents.
(3) 
Third offense (within one year). Forfeiture of $25, plus costs.
C. 
Miscellaneous provisions.
(1) 
Any person 16 years of age or older who shall violate any provision of this chapter may be issued a uniform traffic citation and be subject to the penalties provided by the Uniform State Traffic Deposit Schedule.
(2) 
All violations shall be determined based on the preceding twelve-month period to establish which violation has occurred.
(3) 
Any parent or guardian of any child who authorizes or knowingly permits such child to violate any of the provisions of this chapter may be subject to the provisions of §§ 346.77 and 346.82(1), Wis. Stats.