I hate to jinx us all by saying this, but I think that the weather has broken towards spring. Hopefully this means that the number of bicyclists on the roads is going to steadily increase from now until it hits a peak right before the UW lets out for summer.

More bicyclists on the roads means more on-road interactions between bikes, peds, and cars. Unfortunately, I’d guess that a majority of folks in each of those categories has very little idea what the law says with regards being on the road. Even MORE unfortunately, they all THINK that they DO know.

Public service announcement…rules of the road 101:

1. Slower traffic keeps to the right

2. Bicycles and cars drive WITH traffic. Bicycles and cars both are vehicles and have a right to be on the road. Pedestrians, when walking on the road, walk AGAINST traffic. Pedestrians are not vehicles, and should yield to other traffic when moving linearly on the roads.

3. Bicycles should normally ride as far to the right as is practicable, but at least 3 feet from the curb. Traffic passing a bicycle needs to provide at least 3 feet of clearance (if this is not possible, they should not pass). In the case of a one way street, the bicyclists may ride to the far right or far left with traffic.

4. Wisconsin state law says that all vehicles must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. Every corner of every street intersection is a pedestrian crosswalk whether it is marked or not. The exception is when there is a traffic light present, then the pedestrians must wait for their light to turn green (traffic light and/or pedestrian signal).

5. When turning right…move to the right most lane. When turning left…move to the left most lane.

6. First come, first served. Whoever is first to arrive at a 4-way stop intersection gets to go first. Then you proceed to the right for the order.

7. [Author's note: #7 was removed because it wasn't clear or particularly useful to the average bicyclist]

8. Riding bicycles two-abreast is legal in Wisconsin, but singling up when a vehicle wishes to pass is courteous. Riding more than two-abreast is not legal.

9. Riding a bicycle on a sidewalk in Wisconsin is illegal unless allowed by local ordinance. A general guideline is that most communities do not allow bicycling on a sidewalk in business districts where the sidewalk directly abuts doors leading into buildings. If you are bicycling on a sidewalk, you should yield to pedestrian traffic and ride at a speed that is consistent with pedestrian travel. Be wary of any driveways or intersections that cross the sidewalk as these are crash danger points.

10. If you are in a crash, report it to the police. You are required to do so if there is a motor vehicle involved and there is an injury or more than $1,000 in damage.
11. At night, bicyclists must use a white front light and a red rear reflector.

12. All road users must follow all laws and obey all signs and signals.

Disclaimer:
It is better to be alive and un-injured than right. Always be prepared for other road users to make errors. Even if you know that you are legally correct, protect yourself. Be a confident road user, but don’t take your life in your hands to prove a point.