Milwaukee, WI Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Milwaukee Code § 101-21.5
- Prohibited
- Parking or driving unauthorized vehicles in lane
- Exceptions
- Crossings, turns, driveways, curbside bus stops
- Penalty basis
- Forfeiture under Wis. Stat. § 346.17
- Marked by
- Commissioner of Public Works signage
Summary
Milwaukee bars driving or parking an unauthorized motor vehicle in a marked bicycle or bus lane, allowing only narrow exceptions for crossings, turns, driveway access, and curbside stops.
The commissioner of public works is authorized to mark, by appropriate marks and signs, the area or space set apart within the roadway for the exclusive use of bicycle and/or bus traffic, and it shall be unlawful to operate or park an unauthorized motor vehicle thereon unless otherwise indicated by official signs. Specific locations of bicycle and/or bus lanes are to be found in the common council proceedings; the official record on file in the city clerk's office; and the code on file in the legislative reference bureau.
9/23/2025
-536-
2. OTHER TRAFFIC. The operator
of an unauthorized motor vehicle shall not drive
upon any portion of a bicycle and/or bus lane,
except for one of the following purposes:
a. To cross a bicycle and/or bus lane
at an intersection with a highway.
b. As a means of approaching an
intersecting highway for the purpose of
executing a turn thereon.
c. As a means of approaching a
driveway for the purpose of ingress or egress to
a private or public premises.
d. As a means of ingress or egress
to a parallel parking space or designated loading
zone adjacent to the bicycle and/or bus lane.
e. In the case of a public transit bus
or school bus being driven on an exclusive
bicycle lane, as a means of executing a curbside
stop to board or discharge passengers.
3. PENALTY. a. Any person violating
any of the provisions of this section shall upon
Full Breakdown
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 101-21.5 lets the commissioner of public works mark bicycle and/or bus lanes with signs and pavement markings, and it is unlawful to operate or park an unauthorized motor vehicle in that space unless official signs say otherwise. Drivers may enter a marked lane only to cross it at an intersection, approach a cross street to turn, reach a driveway for ingress or egress, access adjacent parallel parking or a designated loading zone, or, for transit and school buses, make a curbside stop to board or discharge passengers. A violation carries a forfeiture set under the schedule adopted from Wis. Stat. § 346.17, plus prosecution costs, with jail time available only for nonpayment of the forfeiture.
Violations & Fines
Driving or parking an unauthorized vehicle in a marked bicycle/bus lane outside the listed exceptions draws a forfeiture under Wis. Stat. § 346.17 plus court costs; unpaid forfeitures can mean up to 30 days in the county jail or house of correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park in a marked bicycle lane in Milwaukee?
When can a car legally enter a Milwaukee bike lane?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
Compare Milwaukee to another location·View the Wisconsin mobility & curb rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Bike Lane Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle bike lane rules.