TriWisconsin Triathlon Club

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Jim Cummins

Trigeek

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Let us start the year right with knowledge. Below is a transcript from the Bike Federation of Wisconsin's website. It clarifies the cyclists' and motorists' rights to the road. Please read it over and make sure you understand. We have to be respectful of each other. Especially since we are wearing nothing more than Lycra and they have 4 wheels.

Disclaimer: Please refer to Wisconsin State Statutes for actual wording of the laws. Numbers in brackets below denote relevant State Statutes.

A. Vehicular Status

The bicycle is defined as a vehicle. [340.01(5)]
The operator of a bicycle is granted the same rights and subject to the same duties as the driver of any other vehicle. [346.02(4)(a)]

B. Lane Positioning, One Way Streets and Use of Shoulders

Always ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic. [346.80(2)(a)]
Ride as far to the right as is practicable (not as far right as possible). [346.80(2)(a)]
Practicable generally means safe and reasonable. 346.80(2)(a) lists a few situations when it is not practicable to ride far to the right:

Mid-block, your lane position depends largely on the width of the lane and your speed vis-a-vis other traffic. The faster you are traveling (such as down hill) the further left in the lane you need to be.
Approaching and at an intersection, your lane position depends upon your destination. On the right for a right turn, towards the center if going straight, to the left (or in a left turn lane) for a left turn.
Bicycles on a one-way street with 2 or more lanes of traffic may ride as near the left or right-hand edge or curb of the roadway as practicable (but only in the same direction as other traffic) [346.80(2)(b)]
Bicycles may be ridden on the shoulder of a highway unless prohibited by local authorities. [346.05(1m)]

C. Turning Movements

As indicated above under Lane Positioning, turns are made the same way on a bicycle as driving a car. To change your lane position, or your position within a lane, first look behind you to see if there is any other traffic close by, signal and change lanes/position within a lane when safe.
Bicyclists in Wisconsin are required to use the same hand signals as motorists [346.35]. (Some bicyclists will signal a right turn with the right arm outstretched. This is a legal hand signal for bicyclists in many states, although this is not included in Wisconsin statutes.)
The hand signal is required within 50 feet of your turn. The hand signal is not required continuously if you need both hands to control the bicycle [346.34(1)(b)].

D. Passing

A motorist passing a bicyclist in the same lane is required to give the bicyclist at least 3 feet of clearance, and to maintain that clearance until safely past. [346.075]
A bicyclist passing a stopped or moving vehicle is also required to give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing. [346.80(2)(c)]

E. Riding Two-Abreast

Riding two-abreast is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not impeded. When riding two-abreast on a street with two or more lanes in your direction, you both have to ride within a single lane. [346.80(3)(a)]

F. Use of Sidewalks

State Statutes prohibit all vehicles from being operated on sidewalks, but allows local units of government to permit vehicles on sidewalks through local ordinances. [346.94(1)]
When bicycles are allowed to be operated on sidewalks, bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing pedestrians traveling in the same direction. [346.804]
At intersections and other sidewalk crossings (alleys, driveways), a bicyclist on the sidewalk has the same rights and duties as pedestrians. [346.23, 24, 25, 37, 38]
Madison permits bicyclists to use sidewalks except where buildings abut the sidewalk. In these areas it is difficult for bicyclists to see and yield to pedestrians exiting buildings or crossing the sidewalk at intersections, alleys or driveways. [MGO 12.76(1)]

G. Bike Paths

Bike paths are multi-use facilities, open to pedestrians, skaters, wheelchairs and other non-motorized users (motorized wheelchairs are okay, mopeds are not). Bike paths attract users of varied abilities. Everyone needs to cooperate and be tolerant of others. If you want to travel at high speeds, you will probably be better off on the road than on a path.
While there are no set rules of right of way for bicycle paths, it is generally accepted that (a) everyone should travel in the same direction, on the right; (b) faster traffic on the path yields to slower traffic on the path.
Intersections of bicycle paths and streets are generally treated the same as the intersection of two streets. None-the-less, if there are no traffic controls for the bike path, it is best to err on the side of caution.

H. Bicycling at Night

Bicycling at night requires at least a white front headlight and a red rear reflector. The white front light must be visible to others 500 feet away. The red rear reflector must be visible to others between 50 and 500 feet away. A red or amber steady or flashing rear light may be used in addition to the required reflector. These are required no matter where you ride--street, path or sidewalk. [347.489(1)]
The law provides for a minimum level of lighting and reflectors so others can see you. The law does not require lights that allow you to see the road or other objects ahead of you. Buy the best lights you can afford, especially if you regularly ride after dark or before it gets light.

I. Bicycle Registration

Bicycle registration is another local option law [349.18(2)]. Madison does require bicycles used in the City to be registered [MGO 12.78]. Cost is $8.00 for a 4 year registration (with a family plan reduction to $5.00 for the third and subsequent registrations for a family). Bicycles can be registered at any bicycle shop in Madison or via mail. In Milwaukee, please call your police precinct for information.

J. Duty to Report Accident

The operator of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person; or total damage to property owned by any one person of $1,000 or more, shall immediately give notice of such accident to the police.
"Injury" means injury to a person of a physical nature resulting in death or the need for first aide or attention by a physician or surgeon, whether or not first aid or medical or surgical treatment was actually received.
"Total damage to property owned by one person" means the sum total cost of putting to property damaged in the condition it was in before the accident, or the sum total cost of replacing the property. This section does not apply to accidents involving only vehicles propelled by human power. [346.70]