Janesville, WI Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)

Janesville Code of General Ordinances § 38-517 grants every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway all the rights and subjects them to all the duties this traffic chapter applies to a motor vehicle operator, except Articles XV, XVII, and XX and any provision that by its terms applies only to motor vehicles or has no application to bicycles by its nature. Section 38-518 allows bicyclists exercising due care to ride on sidewalks, but makes it unlawful in the Central Business District, in outlying business districts, on pedestrian paths, or within one block of school grounds or public playgrounds when the riding would jeopardize pedestrian safety.

Section 38-519 bars a bicyclist on a sidewalk from passing another person going the same direction without warning and until the warned person is aware of the approach, declares pedestrians have the right-of-way on sidewalks at all times, requires the bicyclist to dismount and vacate the sidewalk if necessary to avoid a collision, and requires the bicycle be kept under control at all times. Section 38-515 separately bars coasting a bicycle on a City street with the rider's feet off the pedals, and § 38-516 bars leaving or parking a bicycle where it creates a hazard to pedestrians, drivers, or anyone else.

A parent or guardian who knowingly permits a child under 18 to violate these bicycle rules or the state bicycle statutes adopted by reference at § 38-1 faces a separate forfeiture under § 38-522.