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

Sec. 12-29(b) of the Jefferson County Code governs the county's bike paths, defined to include the Glacial River Bike Trail, Jefferson Interurban Trail and Korth Park Connector Trail, all treated as multiuse paths open to pedestrians, bicycles, e-bicycles, inline skates, play vehicles and electric scooters unless posted otherwise. A rider passing another person or vehicle going the same direction must give a verbal warning or use a bike horn, bell or similar device so the person being passed is aware of the approach. Pedestrians have the right-of-way at all times, and a cyclist or e-bike/e-scooter rider must dismount and leave the traveled portion of the path if necessary to avoid a collision.

Riders must keep to the extreme right-hand side of the path and travel single file at all times, and must keep the bicycle, e-bicycle, e-scooter or other vehicle under control at all times. Electric vehicle users on the bike paths must also comply with the state's electric-vehicle statutes, Wis. 82. Off the bike paths, Sec. 12-29(a) separately bars motorized and non-motorized vehicles from park trails except where the trail is marked for that use, though personal assistive mobility devices remain allowed on trails open to pedestrians.

Temporary regulations, restrictions and closures posted by the county parks department at trail heads and crossings apply on top of these standing rules. A rider who violates the passing, right-of-way or single-file rules is subject to the general parks penalties in Sec. 12-34, a forfeiture under the county's cash deposit schedule plus costs, with jail time possible if the forfeiture goes unpaid.