Wauwatosa's Mobility & Curb Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles mobility & curb rules a little differently. In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Bike Lane Rules

Wauwatosa defines a bicycle lane as roadway set aside for bicycles under Wis. Stat. § 349.23(2)(a), and Wauwatosa Municipal Code § 11.48.020 requires every street rider to keep a firm grip and ride in a careful, prudent manner, while § 11.48.040 allows riding two abreast only if it does not impede traffic.

Key details: Riding standard: Careful, prudent manner, firm grip required. Two abreast: Allowed only if not impeding traffic. Sidewalk ban: Wheels 24 inches or larger in diameter. Night lighting: Front white light visible 500 feet. Registration: Required with Wauwatosa police department.

Adult violations of Chapter 11.48 fall under the code's general penalty provisions per § 11.48.170. Juvenile riders are instead routed to a mandatory bicycle safety clinic run by the police department under § 11.48.180, and a parent or custodian who fails to get the juvenile to the ordered clinic is separately subject to the general penalty provisions.

Wauwatosa is more permissive than most cities when it comes to bike lane rules. That said, there are still limits.

Shared E-Scooter Rules

Wauwatosa bars riding an electric scooter or other dockless mobility device on any public sidewalk, pedestrian path, school ground or playground, and bans use on any street posted above thirty miles per hour, under Wauwatosa Municipal Code § 11.50.020.

Key details: No-ride zones: Sidewalks, pedestrian paths, school grounds/playgrounds. Speed-limit cutoff: No riding on roads above 30 mph. Parking: Bike racks, parking boxes, 5-ft sidewalk clearance. Impoundment trigger: Parked in place over 24 hours. Redemption fee: $100 for impounded device.

Section 11.50.050 sets a forfeiture of fifty to five hundred dollars per device, per day, for each electric scooter or dockless mobility device operated or parked in violation of Chapter 11.50 or the city's operating program. A second or later conviction raises the range to five hundred to one thousand dollars.

The Bottom Line

Wauwatosa's mobility & curb rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Wauwatosa is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Wauwatosa's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.