Some people might reply that Wisconsin State Statutes permit bicyclists to run red traffic signals. I even know some cops who believe this. In my opinion, these people are mis-interpreting a section of law intended only to govern the actions of bicyclists riding on sidewalks and crossing a street in a crosswalk, not applying to bicyclists operating on the street.
Here is the law they are mis-interpreting, citing sub-paragraph (c)(2) as permitting a bicyclist to run red lights. 346.37 Traffic-control signal legend. (1) Whenever traffic is controlled by traffic control signals exhibiting different colored lights successively, or with arrows, the following colors shall be used and shall indicate and apply to operators of vehicles and pedestrians as follows: (c ) Red. 1. Vehicular traffic facing a red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of an intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection or at such other point as may be indicated by a clearly visible sign or marking and shall remain standing until green or other signal permitting movement is shown. 2. No pedestrian or bicyclist facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic. Note that this paragraph reads "No pedestrian or bicyclist facing such signal . . . " This is because the bicyclist in this case is on the sidewalk crossing the street in a crosswalk and thus follows the same rules as a pedestrian in this situation. This is clearly the intent if one looks back at 346.02 Applicability of chapter. (4) APPLICABILITY TO PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES AND MOTOR BICYCLES (b) Provisions which apply to the operation of bicycles in crosswalks under ss. 346.23, 346.24, 346.37 (1) (a) 2., (c ) 2 and (d) 2. and 346.38 do not apply to motor bicycles. >From the Applicability section, it should be clear that section 346.37(c)(2) "applies >to the operation of bicycles in crosswalks", and not to the operation of bicycles on >the street. I agree with Maurice. The bicyclist who runs a red light, even after stopping first, is not doing himself any favors, nor is she doing the rest of us any favors. Sure it might save the individual a few seconds of travel time, but the motorists left waiting at the light are unlikely to give three feet of clearance when passing a few seconds later. For the rest of us, I don't like being yelled at, passed unsafely, etc. by motorists who think all bicyclists are jerks because they see some bicyclists run red lights, ride against traffic, etc. I often hear bicyclists say something about how much more difficult it is for a bicyclist to re-start after stopping. If this is your excuse, please learn how your gears work and shift into an easier to pedal gear before stopping so you can get started again easily. Arthur Ross Pedestrian-Bicycle Coordinator City of Madison _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
