Note: Numbers in brackets refer to state statutes.

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

Lane Positioning: Always ride on the right, in the same direction as other traffic.  [346.80(2)(a)]  Ride as far to the right as practicable (not as far right as possible).  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:

• When overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction;

• When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or driveway;

• When reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions, including fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards or substandard width lanes (lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a motor vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.)

One Way Streets: Bicycles on a one-way street with two or more lanes of traffic may ride as near the left or right-handed edge or curb of the roadway as practicable.  (In the same direction as traffic)  [346.80(2)(b)]

Use of Shoulders: Bicycles may be ridden, but are not required, to ride on the shoulder of a highway unless prohibited by local authorities.  [386.04 (lm)]

Riding 2-Abreast: Riding 2 abreast is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not impeded.  When riding 2 abreast on a 2 or more lane roadway, you both have to ride within a single lane.  [346.80(3)(a)]

Hand Signals: Bicyclists are required to use the same hand signals as motorists [346.35].  Hand signals are required within 50 feet of your turn.  It is not required continuously if you need both hands to control the bicycle [346.34(1)(b)]

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)]

Use of Sidewalks: State Statutes allow 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]

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 at least 500 feet away.  The red rear reflector must be visible to others between 50 and 500 feet away.  A red 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)]

Duty to Report Accident: [346.70] The operator involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person, or total property damage 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 aid or attention by medical personnel, whether or not first aid or medical treatment was actually received.  This section does not apply to accidents involving only vehicles propelled by human power.

Red Traffic Signal: [346.37(1)(c)4] allows a bicyclist facing a red signal at an intersection, after stopping as required, for not less than 45 seconds, to proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator believes the signal is vehicle actuated.  The bicyclist shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic when proceeding through the green signal at the intersection.

The definition of “motor bicycle”: [346.79(5)] was amended to include a bicycle that has fully operative pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts and that is capable, when powered solely by the motor, of a maximum speed of less than 20 miles per hour with a 170-pound rider on a dry, level, hard surface with no wind.  No person may ride a motor bicycle with the power unit in operation upon a bicycle way.

This information is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Program. For more information, please refer to the Wisconsin State Statutes.