Four Bogus Myths About Bicycle Safety

 A bike is a toy, so it is silly for me to follow traffic laws. 

A bike is a vehicle, and bikes must follow the same rules of the road that drivers of cars and trucks do. STOP MEANS STOP!

 I should ride my bike in the opposite direction that cars travel, so I can see cars.

Riding your bike against traffic will make it difficult for cars to see you at the intersection.  GO WITH THE FLOW!

 When we ride in a group, we can ride anywhere in the street that we want.

When riding in a group, ride single file and as near to the right edge of the road as possible.

 Bike helmets are bogus.  Wearing one won’t do me any good, and my friends would laugh at me if I wore one.

Bicycle helmets are way cool and can save your skull if you are in a crash.  If your friends laugh at you, tell them to eat asphalt!

Wisconsin Bicycle Laws
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 as 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 is practicable (not as far right as possible). [346.80(2)(a)] Practicable generally means safe and reasonable.

One Way Streets – 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 (in the same direction as other traffic). [346.80(2)(b)]

Riding 2 Abreast – Riding 2 abreast (side-by-side) 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 in a single lane. [346.80(3)(a)]

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

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

Bicycling at Night – At night, bicycles are required to have at least a white front headlight and a rear red reflector. The white front light must be visible to others 500 feet away. The red reflector must be visible to others 50 to 500 feet away. This is required whether you are riding on a street, path or sidewalk [347.489(1)]

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/vehicle/bicycle/docs/bikelaws.pdf

For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov