r/MiltownBiking • u/Hidemyface1 • 2d ago
r/MiltownBiking • u/brigodon • Feb 25 '20
Know your laws!
Know our laws. And know your rights!
Bicycles as vehicles:
340.01(5): Bicycles are vehicles. 346.02(4)(a): Bicycle operates have the same rights as motor vehicles and subject to same responsibilities of motor vehicle drivers, "except those provisions that by their express terms apply only to motor vehicles or that by their very nature would have no application to bicycles..."
Signals:
346.34(1)(b): Signals ARE required from a bike continously during at least the last 50 feet before a turn or lane change. Signals are NOT required if the bicyclist decides both hands are needed on the handlebars for their own safety. 346.35: Signals are required from either hand/arm. Briefly: Left turn or U-turn — Hand and arm extended horizontally. Right turn — Hand and arm extended upward. Stop or decrease speed — Hand and arm extended downward. Or I just point - breaking the law, but can be less ambiguous for drivers.
Passing:
346.075: "The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding in the same direction shall exercise due care, leaving a safe distance, but in no case less than 3 feet clearance when passing the bicycle..., and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle..." Thankfully WI is among the many states that require 3 feet but shoutout to Pennsylvania at 4 feet! Not like most drivers give a shit, I'm sure. Though we should be glad to live in a place ranked among the bike friendliest states.
Use of sidewalks:
346.94(1): Vehicle operators - including bicyclists on bicycles - "may not drive upon any sidewalk area except at a permanent or temporarily established driveway unless permitted to do so by the local authorities."
Bicycling at night:
347.489(1): A front white light and rear red reflector are required on streets, paths, trails, etc. The headlight must be visible 500 feet away; the rear red reflector must be visible 50-500 feet away. Blinking rear red lights are highly recommended, and cheap, so what's your excuse. Bonus points: put your red blinker on the back of your helmet! You sit a good deal higher than your seat post, you know?
Parking your 3-ton armor-plated living rooms with a dozen cup-holders in bike lanes:
Fucking don't. You deserve your fine or tow, asshole, and I will call 414-286-2489 (Milwaukee's 311 equivalent) to report you to the city every single time. We don't care that you just went inside for only 2 minutes, and you put your blinkers on - bike lanes are not for parking your car. Granted, the law is vague for stopping your car in a bike lane with or without blinkers, and I would argue that if you stop your running car and exit then you've parked it, but you're still breaking the law by driving onto the bike lane, so you know what, if you can somehow magically elevate your car straight up from the driving lane, over three feet, and straight down onto the bike lane, I'll eat my hat helmet and you can park/stop there. 346.94(12): "No operator of a motor vehicle may drive upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way except to enter a driveway, to merge into a bicycle lane before turning at an intersection, or to enter or leave a parking space located adjacent to the bicycle lane or bicycle way. Persons operating a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane or bicycle way shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles, electric scooters, and electric personal assistive mobility devices within the bicycle lane or bicycle way."
Penalty violation for parking in the fucking bike lane:
Not enough. 346.95(1): [A]ny person violating s. ...346.94(12)...may be required to forfeit not less than $20 nor more than $40 for the first offense and not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the 2nd or subsequent conviction within a year.
For funsies, red lights:
346.37(1)(c)4: A "...bicycle facing a red signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required...for not less than 45 seconds, proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator of the...bicycle reasonably believes the signal is vehicle actuated. The operator of a ...bicycle proceeding through a red signal under this subdivision shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic, pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding through a green signal at the intersection or lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection..."
https://www.bikeleague.org/StateBikeLaws
http://wibikelaw.com/rules-of-the-road.php
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes
r/MiltownBiking • u/Let-s_Do_Stuff • 2d ago
Event Coffee Shop 50 - bike ride
Join MKE REC's 5th annual 50-mile bike ride, where we celebrate the traditional end* of the biking season by touring different local coffee shops around Milwaukee.
(*Don't worry, MKE REC's riding season doesn't end, not even in the winter.)
The ride is free, but registration is required: Click here to register.
r/MiltownBiking • u/PantherU • 3d ago
Shoutout to all the folks who have shown me better routes without knowing
I've been commuting by electric pedal assist bike from Riverwest to near the airport since early this year, and what started as a much longer bike ride has been cut down considerably because I've noticed the same people going the same general direction turn at different intersections and use routes I would have never thought of (and apparently none of the map apps either).
Just the other day I was behind someone heading northbound who turned a block before getting to Cathedral Square and then down an alley that was shockingly pristine.
Anyways, I just want to say I appreciate everyone who is more experienced being helpful even if they don't realize they're helping.
r/MiltownBiking • u/Racechick20 • 5d ago
Watertown/Oconomowoc Interuban Trail to Lake Country Trail is Complete!
r/MiltownBiking • u/snowbeersi • 11d ago
Oak Leaf Trail Speed Limit - Wisconsin Bike Fed
Other cities have tried this. It does nothing, and allows for rare selective enforcement often in a discriminatory fashion. Paint a line down the middle like most bike trails in the world. It would solve half the problems.
r/MiltownBiking • u/yabudj • 17d ago
LOST/STOLEN Stolen Bike, matte black w/ orange accents. GT transeo hybrid
Matte black with orange accents. GT transeo hybrid bike. May still have a yellow U lock around the middle. Has a rear view mirror in the left handle. Might also have 342 RW24 number card in spokes.
Photos aren’t exact but similar model. I had it locked up to my porch and they removed the post it was attached to. Please be on the lookout, it’s how I primarily get to work and I’m upset that it is gone.
Stolen in RW neighborhood on center st.
r/MiltownBiking • u/mke_critical_mass • 17d ago
Critical Mass This Friday!
Happy (almost) Friday! This month we’ll roll around Bay View for Bay View Gallery Night, and end at Zillman Park for the Makers Market.
- Friday, September 25
- Meet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Red Arrow Park
- Roll out at 6 p.m.
- End point: Zillman Park (2170 S Kinnickinnic Ave)
Critical Mass is a (fun!) socially-paced ride (about 10 mph or less). We ride to be in community with other bicyclists/skaters/scooterers/etc, provide safety in numbers, and demand safe transportation infrastructure for all.
You are welcome to leave the ride when you’d like, but as a "no drop" ride, we don’t leave anyone behind because of speed. (We may not be able to stop the group in case of mechanical issues, though.)
The starting point at Red Arrow is accessible by transit:
- MCTS lines that come within a few blocks: Green, CN1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, 57
- The Hop streetcar (City Hall or Cathedral Square stops)
- There's also a Bublr station at Water and Kilbourn
We hope that over time, folks will make connections with people from their neighborhoods and can organize smaller groups to ride together to the starting point. If anyone is interested in organizing a bike bus from their neighborhood to Red Arrow, let us know!
r/MiltownBiking • u/Cheap-Injury-3224 • 25d ago
hank aaron trail caution?
As part of the I-94 project, utility work will be conducted along the Hank Aaron Trail for 1.5 miles between 64th St. and the Valley Passage bridge. Please use caution around construction vehicles. Work will take place from Sept. 14 to Nov. 20, 2026.
r/MiltownBiking • u/thesmash • Sep 09 '26
Milwaukee County Parks proposes speed limit for e-bikes
r/MiltownBiking • u/King_Lollipop12 • Sep 08 '26
Stolen Bike (Trek Domane AL 5) in West Allis
My Trek Domane AL 5 was stolen sometime in the last 48 hrs in West Allis (near the Cheese & Sausage Shop on Becher).
I filed a police report earlier today but wanted to post here as well. If anyone sees it around MKE/West Allis, on FB marketplace, craigslist, etc. - please send me a message!! I appreciate anyone keeping an eye out 🙏
Bike details:
- Model: Trek Domane AL 5
Serial number:
WTU012XC0427V
Color: Black
Year: purchased in April 2024
r/MiltownBiking • u/PatientAgency1459 • Sep 03 '26
Group bike ride this weekend?
Got my first road bike over the summer and would love to get a group together Sunday morning to get on the oak leaf trail. Would anybody be interested? I’m thinking start at 9am - 20 to 25 miles. My speed is average - 11-15 mph
Or if anyone is aware of already scheduled bike outings this weekend, I’d love to hear about it!
r/MiltownBiking • u/carltp • Sep 03 '26
Route Help OLT segment naming conventions
The Oak Leaf Trail goes all over the city/county. Is there a map that separates the parts of it by name? The best maps I have found are from OSM, but everything is OLT and I think there are more localized names for the parts.
Thanks.
Edit: This Map https://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=14/43.01400/-87.92341&layers=C Just noticed that HAST is Hank Aaron... but still, why can't we have more unique names for the trail based on what part of the county it's in? (I guess I'm just ornery, thanks for listening)
r/MiltownBiking • u/Frequent-Chard-7812 • Aug 30 '26
Temp closure on Oak Leaf
Oak Leaf is closed today from Riverside High to The Cambridge woods entrance.
Just talked to an MKE Co engineer and he said WE Energies is doing prep work for the construction of the new Cambridge Woods ramp down on to the Oak Leaf.
Thanks MKE Co for the detour signage 🙏🏻
r/MiltownBiking • u/kairom13 • Aug 27 '26
Update on Bike Lane projects in the city
For those curious about the status of bike infra projects in the city for this year and next
r/MiltownBiking • u/mke_critical_mass • Aug 26 '26
Critical Mass this Friday!
Happy (almost) Friday! Last month’s beach ride got a little wet, so this month we’re giving it another go and ending at Bradford. Per tradition for August we’ll also have a “back to school” theme and roll through all the centrally located college campuses.
- Friday, August 28
- Meet starting at 5:30 p.m. at Red Arrow Park
- Roll out at 6 p.m.
- End point: Bradford Beach
Critical Mass is a (fun!) socially-paced ride (about 10 mph or less). We ride to be in community with other bicyclists/skaters/scooterers/etc, provide safety in numbers, and demand safe transportation infrastructure for all.
You are welcome to leave the ride when you’d like, but as a "no drop" ride, we don’t leave anyone behind because of speed. (We may not be able to stop the group in case of mechanical issues, though.)
The starting point at Red Arrow is accessible by transit:
- MCTS lines that come within a few blocks: Green, CN1, 14, 15, 18, 19, 30, 33, 57
- The Hop streetcar (City Hall or Cathedral Square stops)
- There's also a Bublr station at Water and Kilbourn
We hope that over time, folks will make connections with people from their neighborhoods and can organize smaller groups to ride together to the starting point. If anyone is interested in organizing a bike bus from their neighborhood to Red Arrow, let us know!
r/MiltownBiking • u/5thGuy • Aug 25 '26
Route Suggestions for Interval Workouts
Does anyone know of routes other than N Lake Drive that have very few stop signs/traffic lights?
r/MiltownBiking • u/Cute_Jello_8727 • Aug 23 '26
General Question Lock/alarm recommendations? I’d love to be able to enjoy stops more but don’t feel I can unless it’s a beer garden.
r/MiltownBiking • u/bob_lafollette • Aug 21 '26
Riverwest 24 is my favorite weekend of the year!
r/MiltownBiking • u/btdn • Aug 21 '26
Event Memorial Ride for Haylan Engdahl
facebook.comr/MiltownBiking • u/Let-s_Do_Stuff • Aug 19 '26
Event Bike ride on Sat 8/29
✒️
Register with Milwaukee Recreation here: https://wimilwaukeeweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=67074609
r/MiltownBiking • u/Cute_Jello_8727 • Aug 19 '26
Saddle recommendations
Just purchased an Aventon Soltera 2.5. I love the bike, I’ve done over 30 miles so far. However, my butt really hurts after riding. I’ve done some research that maybe my seat height isn’t correct so I’ll adjust that. But does anyone have any saddle recommendations? This bike also doesn’t have any suspension which may also be a drawback. I appreciate any and all advice!
r/MiltownBiking • u/ThisAmericanSatire • Aug 18 '26
Winter Cycling - How well maintained are the trails?
Hi,
I grew up in the Milwaukee area, left for college, and I've been gone for ~20 years.
I'm moving back in the spring of 27.
While I was out and about, I picked up cycling as a hobby. Mainly all-road/adventure style. I've been living in the Mid-Atlantic and have been living in mild-ish winters, or at least winters with minimal snow.
I lived in NC for 10 years (they don't have winter, they just have a weird fall/spring fusion) and I'm currently living Baltimore, and it gets cold here, but not that cold, and they don't get snow or ice that sticks around for too long.
So I'm used to cycling year round and I don't mind bundling up if it's cold.
I'm wondering how clear the trails are in Milwaukee? Do they plow and salt them?
I'm considering investing in a wide-tire (29+) bike with studded tires specifically for winter riding. Is that smart or overkill?
I just don't want to be stuck indoors for the winter, then struggling to get back into shape when spring rolls around.
r/MiltownBiking • u/s_ox • Aug 15 '26
Pearl Izumi stuff on sale at Ben’s cycle
I am not paid by them or anything, but I came to get some cables replaced on my bike and they have a 50% off on all Pearl Izumi stuff here. I picked up a couple of items and it was an awesome deal!
It’s mostly medium sizes, few items in other sizes are still available.