LRB-4037/1
ARG&BAB:jld&cjs:pg
2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE
February 8, 2008 - Introduced by Senators Risser, Miller, Lehman, Cowles, Lassa,
Olsen and Schultz, cosponsored by Representatives Davis, Black, Ballweg,
Bies, Montgomery, A. Ott and Townsend. Referred to Committee on
Transportation and Tourism.
SB470,1,4
1An Act to amend 340.01 (5), 346.35 (intro.) and 347.489 (1) of the statutes;
2relating to: the definition of bicycle; lighting of bicycles, motor bicycles, and
3electric personal assistive mobility devices; and manual turn signals for
4bicyclists.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, a "vehicle" is defined, with certain exceptions, to mean every
device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn
upon a highway. Certain legal consequences relating to a vehicle and its operation
might follow from the classification of the vehicle, including equipment standards,
traffic regulations, and registration requirements. Under current law, "bicycle" is
defined as every vehicle propelled by the feet acting upon pedals and having wheels
any two of which are not less than 14 inches in diameter.
This bill modifies the definition of "bicycle" to include vehicles propelled by
hand.
Under current law, vehicle equipment requirements are generally inapplicable
to bicycles, motor bicycles, and electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMDs)
except as otherwise expressly provided. Current law expressly prohibits a person
from operating a bicycle, motor bicycle, or EPAMD, which is commonly known by its
trade name "Segway," on a highway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way during
hours of darkness unless the bicycle, motor bicycle, or EPAMD is equipped with or,
with respect to a bicycle or motor bicycle, the operator is wearing, a lamp emitting
a white light visible to the front. The bicycle, motor bicycle, or EPAMD must also be
equipped with a red reflector or, with respect to an EPAMD, reflective tape, on the
rear. A lamp emitting a red or flashing amber light to the rear may be used in
addition to the reflector, but the lamp may not substitute for the reflector.
This bill eliminates the provision specifying that a lamp emitting a red or
flashing amber light to the rear of a bicycle, motor bicycle, or EPAMD may be used,
thereby allowing any color of flashing light to the rear of the bicycle, motor bicycle,
or EPAMD.
Under current law, persons operating vehicles on highways in this state are
required to use stop and turn signals that can be either by a signal lamp or by hand
and arm signals. If the operator of a vehicle uses hand and arm signals, the signals
must be given on the left side of the vehicle.
This bill allows bicyclists to use hand and arm signals for turns and stops with
either hand and arm.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB470, s. 1
1Section
1. 340.01 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB470,2,32
340.01
(5) "Bicycle" means every vehicle propelled by
the feet
or hands acting
3upon pedals and having wheels any 2 of which are not less than 14 inches in diameter.
SB470, s. 2
4Section
2. 346.35 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB470,2,12
5346.35 Method of giving signals on turning and stopping. (intro.)
6Whenever a stop or turn signal is required by s. 346.34, such signal may in any event
7be given by a signal lamp or lamps of a type meeting the specifications set forth in
8s. 347.15. Except as provided in s. 347.15 (3m), such signals also may be given by the
9hand and arm in lieu of or in addition to signals by signal lamp. When given by hand
10and arm, such signals
, except signals by the operator of a bicycle, who may use either
11hand and arm, shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner
12and shall indicate as follows:
SB470, s. 3
13Section
3. 347.489 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB470,3,1314
347.489
(1) No person may operate a bicycle, motor bicycle, or electric personal
15assistive mobility device upon a highway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way
1during hours of darkness unless the bicycle, motor bicycle, or electric personal
2assistive mobility device is equipped with or, with respect to a bicycle or motor
3bicycle, the operator is wearing, a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance
4of at least 500 feet to the front of the bicycle, motor bicycle, or electric personal
5assistive mobility device. A bicycle, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive
6mobility device shall also be equipped with a red reflector that has a diameter of at
7least 2 inches of surface area or, with respect to an electric personal assistive mobility
8device, that is a strip of reflective tape that has at least 2 square inches of surface
9area, on the rear so mounted and maintained as to be visible from all distances from
1050 to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps
11on a motor vehicle.
A lamp emitting a red or flashing amber light visible from a
12distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to but not in lieu of the red
13reflector.
