No parent or guardian of any child shall authorize or knowingly
permit such child to violate any of the provisions of this article.
The provisions of Ch. 346 and 347, Wis. Stats., and applicable
City 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 City
applicable to the driver of the vehicle, except as to those provisions
of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.
The following specific or additional provisions apply:
A.
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.
B.
Every person when operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride such
bicycle in single file.
C.
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.
D.
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.
E.
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.
F.
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.
G.
No person may operate a bicycle or moped upon a roadway where a sign
is erected indicating that bicycle riding is prohibited.
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.
A.
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.
B.
Every bicycle, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with
a horn or bell in good working order, capable of emitting sound audible
under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 100 feet,
and it shall be unlawful for any bicycle to be equipped with a siren
or whistle, or to use any such bell or horn other than as a reasonable
warning to other users of the highway.
C.
Section 347.489, Wis. Stats., regarding lighting and other equipment
is incorporated herein by reference.
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.
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.
Except upon a footbridge, no person shall ride any bicycle upon
any sidewalk area. This prohibition shall not apply to bicycles with
wheels sized 20 inches or under, except that this exception shall
not apply to bicycles designed or modified to BMX specifications.
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.
No person may ride a moped or motor bicycle with the power unit
in operation upon a bicycle way.
A.
Unless two-way traffic is authorized by the Common Council 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.
B.
Entering or leaving bicycle lane.
(1)
Unless otherwise provided under Subsection B(2) below, a person operating a bicycle may enter or leave a bicycle lane only at intersections or at driveways adjoining the bicycle lane.
(2)
A person may leave a bicycle lane 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.
C.
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.
D.
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.
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 cost of the prosecution and, in default of such payment, the court
may suspend the child's operating privileges, 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 neither use this vehicle nor any other vehicle during said suspension.
(3)
Third offense in the same year: The Chief of Police shall invalidate
vehicle license stickers for a period of not less than 15 days no
more than 30 days as said officer may deem necessary. The owner of
said vehicle shall neither use this vehicle nor any other vehicle
during said suspension.
(4)
Fourth and subsequent offense in the same year: mandatory referral
to Pierce 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.