Fiscal Note
There may be a minimal increase in General Fund revenues derived from fines.
Title
Creating Secs. 12.76(5), (6), and (7) and Sec. 12.79(8) and amending Sec. 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to regulate bicycle traffic through bicycle-specific traffic control signals and to establish a bail deposit for violations.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: For the purpose of regulating bicycle traffic independently from other traffic, this amendment establishes regulations which apply where a bicycle-specific traffic control signal has been installed.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Subsection (5) entitled "Bicycle Signals" of Section 12.76 entitled "Special Rules Applicable to Bicycles" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"(5) Bicycle Signals.
(a) Unless otherwise directed by a bicycle signal as provided in Secs. 12.76(6) - 12.76(7), MGO, the operator of a bicycle shall obey the provisions of these ordinances and of the Wisconsin Statutes applicable to the operator of a vehicle.
(b) Whenever an official traffic control signal exhibiting different colored bicycle symbols is shown, the operator of a bicycle facing those traffic control signals shall obey the bicycle signals as provided in Secs. 12.76(6) - 12.76(7)."
2. Subsection (6) entitled "Bicycle Traffic−Control Signal Legend" of Section 12.76 entitled "Special Rules Applicable to Bicycles" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"(6) Bicycle Traffic-Control Signal Legend.
(a) Whenever bicycle traffic is controlled by bicycle traffic control signals exhibiting different colored bicycle symbols successively, or with arrows, the following colors shall be used and shall indicate and apply to operators of bicycles as follows:
1. Green. Bicycle traffic facing a green bicycle signal may proceed straight through, make a U−turn, or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits the turning maneuver, but bicycle traffic shall yield the right−of−way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time the signal is exhibited.
2. Yellow. When shown with or following the green, bicycle traffic facing a yellow bicycle signal shall stop before entering the intersection unless so close to it that a stop may not be made in safety.
3. Red.
a. Bicycle traffic facing a red bicycle 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.
b. No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
c. Bicycle traffic facing a red bicycle signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required under Sub. a., cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn into the nearest lawfully available lane for traffic moving to the right or to turn left from a one-way highway into the nearest lawfully available lane of a one-way highway on which bicycle traffic travels to the left. No turn may be made on a red bicycle signal if lanes of moving traffic are crossed or if a sign at the intersection prohibits a turn. In making a turn on a red bicycle signal bicycle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices lawfully within a crosswalk, to operators of vehicles making a lawful U-turn, and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection.
4. Green Arrow.
a. Bicycle traffic facing a green bicycle arrow signal may enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the bicycle arrow but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices lawfully within a crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. Bicycle traffic facing a left turn bicycle arrow may make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits U-turns. When the green bicycle arrow signal indicates a right or left turn bicycle traffic shall cautiously enter the intersection.
b. No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device facing such signal shall enter the roadway unless he or she can do so safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic.
(b) In the event an official bicycle traffic signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of this section are applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of any such sign or marking the stop shall be made at the signal."
3. Subsection (7) entitled "Flashing Bicycle Signals" of Section 12.76 entitled "Special Rules Applicable to Bicycles" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"(7) Flashing Bicycle Signals. Whenever flashing red or yellow bicycle signals are used they require obedience by bicycle traffic as follows:
(a) Flashing Red (Stop Signal). When a red bicycle lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of bicycles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed is subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(b) Flashing Yellow (Caution Signal). When a yellow bicycle lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, operators of bicycles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution."
4. Subsection (8) entitled "Penalty" of Section 12.79 entitled "Penalty for Violating Sections 12.74 Through 12.782" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"(8) Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of Section 12.76(6) or 12.76(7) may be required to forfeit not more than $20."
5. Subdivision (a) of Subsection (3) entitled "Schedule of Deposits" of Section 1.08 entitled "Issuance of Citations for Violations of Certain Ordinances and Providing a Schedule of Cash Deposits" of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
"Offense Ord.No./ Adopted Statute No. Deposit
Bicycle traffic-control signal violations. 12.76(6)-(7) $10"
EDITOR'S NOTE: New bail deposits must be approved by the Municipal Judge prior to adoption. These deposits have been so approved.