LRB-1306/1
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2001 - 2002 LEGISLATURE
January 12, 2001 - Introduced by Senators Chvala, Baumgart, Burke, Erpenbach,
Moen, Risser and
Hansen, cosponsored by Representatives Urban, Bock,
Black, Ryba, Ott, Sykora and Albers. Referred to Committee on Insurance,
Tourism, and Transportation.
SB6,1,2
1An Act to amend 347.489 (1) of the statutes;
relating to: lamps emitting a
2flashing red or white light on bicycles and motor bicycles.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law requires that all bicycles and motor bicycles being operated upon
a highway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle way to be equipped with a rear red
reflector. A lamp emitting a red or flashing amber light may be used in addition to
the reflector, but the lamp may not substitute for the reflector.
This bill allows lamps emitting a red or white flashing light to be used on
bicycles and motor bicycles in addition to (but not in lieu of) the rear red reflector.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB6, s. 1
3Section
1. 347.489 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB6,2,64
347.489
(1) No person may operate a bicycle or motor bicycle upon a highway,
5sidewalk, bicycle lane
, or bicycle way during hours of darkness unless the bicycle or
6motor bicycle is equipped with or the operator is wearing a lamp emitting a white
7light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of the bicycle or motor
1bicycle. A bicycle or motor bicycle shall also be equipped with a red reflector that has
2a diameter of at least 2 inches of surface area on the rear so mounted and maintained
3as to be visible from all distances from 50 to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front
4of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red
or
5flashing amber light
, or a flashing red, white, or amber light, visible from a distance
6of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to but not in lieu of the red reflector.
