On A Bicycle
Wis. Stat. 346.80 — as close to the right as practicable, and 3 feet to pass
In Wisconsin, a bicycle rides on the roadway under its own section of the rules of the road, shared with electric scooters and similar devices.
Near the right edge, with exceptions. A rider going slower than the normal speed of traffic rides as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when passing, preparing for a left turn or U-turn, or avoiding unsafe conditions, including surface hazards and lanes too narrow to share safely. On a one-way road with 2 or more lanes, the rider may ride near the left edge.
3 feet to pass. A driver overtaking a bicycle leaves a safe distance, never less than 3 feet, and keeps that clearance until safely past. A rider passing a parked motor bus, or a school bus not flashing red lights, allows at least 3 feet.
- Riders may go 2 abreast if it does not impede normal traffic, within a single lane, and not more than 2 abreast outside a path set aside for bicycles.
- A rider entering a highway yields to motor vehicles, except where the right of way sections say otherwise.
- No riding on a roadway where a sign prohibits bicycles.
Light, reflector and brake. In darkness, a bicycle carries, or the rider wears, a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet, and the bicycle has a red rear reflector of at least 2 inches or a red rear lamp visible from 500 feet. Every bicycle on a highway has a brake in good working condition, and no siren or compression whistle.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionRiding two abreast is always illegal | What the law actually doesAllowed when it does not impede normal traffic, within a single lane |
| The assumptionA driver may pass a bicycle as close as there is room | What the law actually doesNever less than 3 feet, held until safely past |
Sidewalk riding, bicycle registration and local ordinances are not all on this page. What a particular situation carries is a question for a licensed Wisconsin attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- Wis. Stat. 346.80 — Riding bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device on roadway
- Wis. Stat. 346.075 — Overtaking certain vehicles and devices
- Wis. Stat. 347.489 — Lamps and other equipment on bicycles and other vehicles and devices
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Wisconsin attorney.