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
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 a vehicle, except as to those provisions
of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.
B.
Street operation.[1]
(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.
(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)
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.
(6)
No person may operate a bicycle or moped upon a roadway where a sign
is erected indicating that bicycle riding is prohibited.
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.[3]
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.
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.[5]
(1)
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.
(2)
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.
A.
Any person 16 years of age or older who shall violate any provisions of this article may be issued a uniform traffic citation and be subject to the penalties provided by the Uniform State Traffic Deposit Schedule or may be issued a nonmoving traffic citation pursuant to Chapter 394, Vehicles and Traffic, of this Code.
B.
Any person
under 16 years of age who shall violate any provisions of this article
may be issued a special bicycle violation warning notice along with
the following additional actions:
