Bike/Pedestrian Safety

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Police would like to stress the importance of being safe while riding bikes or play vehicles, or simply walking around campus. With the nice weather and increased gas prices, more people are using alternative means to travel to and from campus, causing more congestion on sidewalks and campus streets. The following links provide information on the laws pertaining to these areas, safety tips, and the common problems police officers have seen. We ask that you travel safely and show courtesy to others while traveling through campus.

If you would like to read Wisconsin State Statutes involving bicycle, pedestrian, and play vehicle regulations, click here.

Play Vehicles

Defined as: “a coaster, skateboard, roller skates, sled, toboggan, unicycle, or toy vehicle upon which a person may ride.”

• Does not include inline skates

These vehicles may not be operated on any roadway except when crossing the street at a designated crosswalk.

University Ordinance UWS18.10(8) restricts the use of inline skates, skateboards, and roller skates on campus to designated areas. Roadways are NOT a designated area.

Tricks and stunts are restricted on campus. These vehicles may be used for transportation purposes on sidewalks, using due regard for pedestrians.

Common Problems Seen by the University Police:

• Skateboarding or Rollerblading in the street
• Riding skateboards and rollerblades down the Garfield Ave. hill
• Failure to use due care when riding on sidewalks crowded by pedestrians
• Tricks and stunts being performed on University property, causing damage to benches, stairs, railings, and ramps

To learn more about regulations governing certain Play Vehicles on University property, click here (scroll down to UWS 18.10 (8)).

Information for Bicyclists

Defined as: “every vehicle propelled by the feet acting upon pedals and having wheels any 2 of which are not less than 14 inches in diameter.”

When traveling on the roadway:

• Stay to the right
• Must obey all traffic laws that pertain to motor vehicles
• Stop at stop signs
• Speed Limits
• Yield to Pedestrians
• Obey traffic control signals
• Forward facing headlamp at night
• Fines are $20.00 in Eau Claire County and as high as $135.00 in Wisconsin

Bicycle operators are encouraged to wear helmets and other safety equipment and to operate at a controllable speed that allows for defensive action to other operators.

The bicycle may only carry the number of persons it is designed for.

Bicycles are not allowed to be attached to a motor vehicle for the purposes of pulling or pushing it. This also includes hanging onto a motor vehicle while riding a bicycle.

Common Problems Seen by the University Police:

• Failure to Stop at Stop Signs
• Park Ave. and Garfield Ave
• Garfield Ave. side of Footbridge at the end of the ramp
• Stop signs at top and bottom of Garfield Ave. hill
• Speeding down the Garfield Ave. Hill (Speed limit is 15mph)
• Failure to use due care when biking on a sidewalk crowded with pedestrians

Information for Pedestrians

We would like to bring to your attention the following tips to help you remember the duties and responsibilities of pedestrians under state law. These tips are provided by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

• Pedestrians have certain duties and responsibilities under our state laws when crossing a street or highway. At intersections with pedestrian signals, only start across the street or highway on “Walk”. If the signal starts flashing “Don’t Walk”, finish moving to a median safety island (if one exists) or the other side of the street or highway. Do not start crossing when either the flashing or steady “Don’t Walk” signal comes on
• When crossing intersections without signals, do not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and move into the path of a vehicle, which is so close it is difficult for the motorist to yield
• When crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk, yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway
• When walking along a street or highway without sidewalks, walk along the left side. When encountering traffic, if practicable, move to the extreme outer limit of the traveled portion of the street or highway. (The traveled portion of the highway includes the shoulder.)

Pedestrians should be aware that simply having the right of way does not mean they should always enter the street. Before entering a crosswalk controlled by traffic control signals, signs or marked pavement pedestrians should look to be sure that motorists are aware of their presence and are yielding to them.

Should you have any questions in regard to these tips or any other traffic laws, please contact the University Police and ask to speak to a police officer. You may contact us by visiting our offices at the Crest Wellness Center, room 119 or by calling us at 836-2222.

Common Problems Seen by the University Police:

• Sudden pedestrian movement into traffic
• People are distracted by the use of their cell phones, iPods, etc. that they do not look for traffic before crossing the street
• Crossing the street mid-block of 100 and 200 Water St.