SIDEWALKS - TO BIKE, OR NOT TO BIKE, THAT IS THE QUESTION

Continuing on our hot topic of the week, today we discuss the eternal question, "Can you bike on a sidewalk in Appleton?"

The answer is YES and NO.

YES - The City of Appleton allows bikes to be ridden on sidewalks throughout the city, except in the downtown (see below).

Wisconsin state statute 346.94 (1) allows local authorities to permit bike riding on city sidewalks. The City of Appleton allows this under Ordinance 19.183:

Sec. 19-183. Riding bicycle on sidewalk.
(a) Bicyclists exercising due care may operate their
bicycle upon the sidewalk, except on the sidewalks on
College Avenue between Drew Street and Badger Avenue
(this exception shall not apply to law enforcement officers
operating designed police bicycles).
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person operating a
bicycle on the sidewalk to attempt to pass another person
going in the same direction on the walk without giving an
audible signal as warning and until it becomes evident that
the person so warned is aware of the approach of such
person operating the bicycle. Pedestrians shall at all times
have the right-of-way upon sidewalks and, if necessary, the
person operating such bicycle shall vacate the sidewalk or
dismount and walk the bicycle to prevent an accident. Any
person operating a bicycle upon the sidewalk must have the
bicycle under control at all times.

NO - Ordinance 19.83 (a) prohibits bikes from being ridden on the sidewalks of College Avenue between Badger Avenue (west end) and Drew Street (east end). A city summons may be issued ($20 without a court date/$162.70 with a court date) at the officer's discretion.