Waukesha County, WI Mobility & Curb Rules: Bike Lane Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trail rule
- Bicycles allowed only on designated park trails
- Lane rule
- Single file, extreme right-hand lane of drives
- State law tie-in
- Must follow Wis. Stat. §§ 346.77-346.82
- Child exception
- Under 20-inch wheels may use footwalks
- Penalty
- $10 to $600 forfeiture per offense
Summary
Waukesha County confines bicycles to designated trails inside its park system and requires riders to travel single file in the extreme right-hand lane of park drives at all times. Section 14-165 also bars towing a bike by rope and riders from grabbing onto moving vehicles for a free ride.
(d) Bicycles are only allowed on designated trails. (e) Bicycle riders shall proceed in the extreme right-hand lane of the drives at all times, in a single file only. (f) A bicycle shall not be towed by a rope or otherwise, nor shall any rider hold on to any moving vehicle for purpose of being drawn along.
Full Breakdown
Section 14-165 of the Waukesha County Code sets five specific riding rules for the county park system. 82 directly into the park ordinance. Two further subsections round out the safety rules. Subsection (f) prohibits towing a bicycle "by a rope or otherwise," and bars any rider from holding onto a moving vehicle to be pulled along. Subsection (g) carves out an exception for children: riders on bicycles with wheels under twenty inches in diameter may use the footwalks instead of the designated trail or right-hand lane.
Subsection (h) directs that bicycles be parked in the racks or areas the Department has provided for that purpose whenever possible. Because Waukesha County's regulatory reach runs to its park system rather than town or state highways, this is the county's only "bike lane" style rule: it governs bicycle travel within park drives and trails, not striped bicycle lanes on public roads maintained by the towns, which fall outside county jurisdiction. Violations of Section 14-165 are enforced under the general parks penalty in Section 14-140, a forfeiture of $10 to $600 per offense with up to 90 days in jail if unpaid.
Violations & Fines
A bicycle rider who leaves the designated trail, rides outside the single-file right-hand lane, tows a bike, or grabs a moving vehicle in a Waukesha County park violates Section 14-165 and is subject to Section 14-140's forfeiture of $10 to $600 per offense, plus costs, with up to 90 days in county jail if the forfeiture is not paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride my bike anywhere in a Waukesha County park?
What state traffic rules apply to cyclists in county parks?
Can kids ride bikes on the sidewalk in a county park?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin mobility & curb rules overview
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