DRBC Legal Notes: Rules of the Path
By Ross Seymour
Bicycling on trails.
Wisconsin has a short statute on how people are to use bike/ped paths. Those rules are found at Sec. 346.803 of the Wisconsin statutes. The rules apply to “Bicycle Ways.” Bicycle ways are defined as any path or sidewalk designated for the use of bicycles by the relevant governmental body. (Sec. 340.01(5s)) Bicycle ways are distinguished from bicycle lanes. Lanes are for the exclusive use of bicycles while ways are not exclusively for bicycles (presumably to include pedestrians).
First, the bicyclist must exercise due care and give an audible signal when passing another bicyclist or a pedestrian. Due care would mean giving a wide enough berth while passing or taking care to pass on a section where it would be safe. While most bicycle ways around here have good sight lines there are a few places where you can’t see far ahead enough to pass safely. On a regular road these sections would have “no passing” signs or markings.
The audible signal requirement actually comes out of the Rule of the Road for motor vehicles. A little known requirement is that when passing another automobile, the passing car is required to give an audible signal while passing (presumable a toot of the horn). (Sec. 346.07(3)) An “audible signal” is left undefined by the statutes. Read more
Found Online May 2011
Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Lanes, Bike Paths, Commuting, DRBC, Lifestyle
Found Online is a collection of links to interesting articles and items we come across online. Most of these are also posted to our Facebook page throughout the month (be sure to like our page) as we find them and are put here about once a month.
|
myemail.constantcontact.com The best biking cities of the East race toward Gold: Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C. all receive Silver-level designations
|
|
lacrossetribune.com Read more |
Found Online September 2010
Filed under: Advocacy, Bike Lanes, Bike Paths, Commuting, Education, Issues, Lifestyle
Found Online is a collection of links to interesting articles and items we come across online. Most of these are also posted to our Facebook page (be sure to like our page) as we find them and are put here about once a month.
The Gutter Bunny: A Sad Story – Bicycling Sonoma – The Press Democrat – Santa Rosa, CA – Archive
Cute story, but a great lesson in street riding. Don’t be a gutter bunny!-
Streetsblog.net » Our Car-Based Environments Are Making Us Sick
More arguments for passing Complete Streets at the local level where we do most of our driving. http://driftlessbicycle.org/completestreets/ -
Streetfilms | The Taming and Reclaiming of Prospect Park West
The positive effects of bike lanes, slower traffic, improved safety for pedestrians and nicer neighborhoods.
Welcome to the DRBC
The DRBC work to getting more people on bikes, more often by advocating for bicycling infrastructure and a dynamic bicycling culture.
The DRBC currently seeking organizations and individuals who support the idea of complete streets in our community.
Learn More...