Getting
around Milwaukee by
Bike safely is easy and
fun if your follow a few simple rules. Bicyclists in Wisconsin are
vehicles
that have the same right to the road as motor vehicles but they also
have the same responsibilities. This page will give you most of the
basics of riding your bike in traffic. But for more in depth information,
you might want to consider taking a safe bicycling class for adults.
These classes are offered a couple times a year by the Bicycle Federation
of Wisconsin.
In general, if you are older than ten, you are required to ride in
the street. It is actually illegal in Milwaukee to ride on the sidewalk
when buildings abut the walkway. This means its fine to ride down the
sidewalk in your neighborhood with your 6-year-old, but don't ride the
sidewalk in business districts. And when you are cycling on the sidewalk
or in a crosswalk, you must ride at a pedestrian pace.
Here are a few other safe bicycling rules to follow:
1. Always wear a properly-fitted helmet.
2. Make sure your bike is working properly and the tires are inflated
to the proper pressure indicated on the tire sidewall. Your bike must
be equipped with a red reflector on the back and a continuous white light
on the front for night riding
3. Always ride in the same direction as traffic. Never ride against
traffic like you may have been taught to walk. Motor vehicle drivers
do not look for oncoming traffic in their lane.
4. Ride as far to the right as is practicable not possible.
That means you should ride out far enough away from the curb to avoid
road hazards like gravel, grates or pot holes.
Example 4.
5. You should also keep about 3 feet away from parked cars to avoid
being "doored."
Example 5.
6. Ride in a straight line and in a predictable manner. Don't weave
in and out of parked cars.
Example 6.
7. When riding on narrow lanes in which there is not enough room for
cars to pass you safely without moving into the other lane, bicyclists
should ride farther out into the lane so motorists are not tempted to
squeeze by and possibly force you into the curb. This technique, called
"taking the lane," is legal but may earn you a few honks from
the horns of impatient drivers.
6. Check over your shoulder before making lane changes and signal your
intentions.
.
For more detailed commuting and safe bicycling tips, check out the
Bicycle
Federation of Wisconsin Commuter Guide
