[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Elm Grove 3-22-1955; as amended through 9-12-1988. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 12-11-2000; 2-26-2002; 4-22-2025]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
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 LANE
That portion of a roadway set aside by the Village Board for the exclusive use of bicycles or other modes of travel where permitted under § 349.23(2), Wis. Stats., and designated by appropriate signs and markings.
BICYCLE LICENSE
A license with numbers issued by the Village of Elm Grove indicating that the bicycle displaying it is registered.
BICYCLE WAY
Any path or sidewalk or portion thereof designated for the use of bicycles by the Village Board.
BIKE ROUTE
Any bicycle lane, bicycle way or highway which has been duly designated by the Village Board and which is identified by appropriate signs and markings.
BRAKE
A device operated by hand or foot adequate to control the movement and stopping of the bicycle whenever necessary.
ELECTRIC BICYCLE
A bicycle pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ph) that is equipped with fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and an electric motor of 750 watts or less and that meets the requirements of any of the following classifications:
A. 
Class 1 electric bicycle is an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
B. 
Class 2 electric bicycle is an electric bicycle that may be powered solely by the motor and is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
C. 
Class 3 electric bicycle is an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER
A device pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ps) weighing less than 100 pounds that has handlebars and an electric motor, is powered solely by the electric motor and human power, and has a maximum speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by the electric motor. "Electric scooter" does not include an electric personal assistive mobility device, motorcycle, motor bicycle, electric bicycle or moped.
HIGHWAY
All public ways and thoroughfares and bridges on the same. It includes the entire width between the boundary lines of every way open to the use of the public as a matter of right for the purpose of vehicular travel.
OPERATOR
A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.
PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY
A paved walkway within the Village that is not a concrete sidewalk, including those found in public parks.
REFLECTOR
A device designed to warn an approaching driver by reflective light from the headlamps of the approaching vehicle. It may be constructed of metal, glass or plastic with a diameter of no less than two inches of surface area which is visible from all distances between 50 to 500 feet when traveling directly in front of any motor vehicle at night displaying lawfully lighted headlamps. Such device is to be so constructed as to show a red color when illuminated by motor vehicle headlights. Such device shall be affixed to the rear of a bicycle at any point on the frame fender at a height between an axis of the wheel and the bottom of the rider's seat.
Whenever a bicycle is operated upon a highway, bicycle lane or bicycle way, the following rules apply:
A. 
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
B. 
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
C. 
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator's placement of one hand on the handlebars at all times.
D. 
No person riding a bicycle shall attach his or her person or bicycle to any other vehicle while on a roadway.
E. 
No person may ride a motor-driven vehicle on a bicycle way.
F. 
Any person riding or operating a bicycle on any street within the limits of the Village of Elm Grove shall observe all applicable ordinances, statutes and traffic rules and regulations.
G. 
Bicycles shall be permitted on all pedestrian pathways and sidewalks within the Village pursuant to § 346.94(1), Wis. Stats., and in conformity with § 346.804, Wis. Stats. Every person operating a bicycle upon a Village pedestrian pathway or sidewalk shall yield right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall exercise due care and give an audible signal when passing a bicycle rider or pedestrian proceeding in the same direction.
[Amended 2-26-2002]
H. 
Every bicycle shall be operated as close to the extreme right-hand side of the highway as possible.
I. 
Every person shall operate a bicycle in single file only. No bicycles may be operated two or more abreast.
J. 
No person riding upon a bicycle shall participate in any race or speed or endurance contest with any other vehicle.
K. 
No person riding a bicycle shall remove either both hands from the handlebars or feet from the pedals or engage in acrobatic riding maneuvers while on any street within the Village of Elm Grove which may endanger the safety of the rider or distract operators of other vehicles.
A. 
No person may operate a bicycle upon a highway, bicycle lane or bicycle way during the hours of darkness unless such bicycle is equipped with, or the operator is wearing, a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet from the front of such bicycle. Such bicycle shall also be equipped with a red reflector as stated in this chapter. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to, but not in lieu of, the red reflector.
B. 
No person may operate a bicycle upon a highway, bicycle lane or bicycle way unless it is equipped with a brake in good working condition adequate to control the movement of and to stop the bicycle whenever necessary.
C. 
No bicycle may be equipped with nor may any person riding upon a bicycle use any siren or compression whistles.
It is unlawful for anyone to ride a bicycle in the Village of Elm Grove unless it is registered with a municipality or unless it is owned by a person domiciled in a place not having a provision for registration of bicycles.
A. 
The one-time fee for each bicycle licensed shall be as established by the Village through adoption of a resolution and shall be paid in advance at the time of the issuance of the license. This fee shall be paid one time and shall not be required again, provided ownership of the bicycle remains unchanged.
B. 
Application for licenses shall be made to the Police Department on forms provided and shall be signed by the applicant. The application shall contain the name, date of birth and address of the owner together with a complete description of the bicycle.
C. 
The Village shall retain a record of the date of issuance of each license, to whom it is issued and the number thereof. Registrations shall be serially numbered and kept on file at the Village Hall.
D. 
After payment of the fee, the Village shall issue a license which shall be affixed to the bicycle in a prescribed manner set forth by the Village and shall remain on the bicycle until ownership changes or upon removal by the Police Department for cause.
E. 
A license may not be transferred when the ownership of the bicycle is transferred.
F. 
A replacement license shall be issued by the Village when the original is lost, destroyed, mutilated beyond recognition or stolen, and a fee comparable to the original fee shall be paid for the same.
G. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the number of any bicycle license issued pursuant to this chapter.
No bicycle shall be registered unless it is in a safe mechanical condition. The Police Department may inspect bicycles and deny registration for any bicycles found to be mechanically unsafe.
[Amended 7-26-2005]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made under this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-16 of this Code. In addition, the Municipal Court may prohibit such person from riding a bicycle for a period not to exceed six months and may order such person's license plate confiscated.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 9.08(a), Bicycle clinics for violators, which immediately followed this section, was deleted 12-11-2000.