Cyclists are sometimes their own worst  enemies on the roadway.  While most cyclists diligently follow the rules of the road out of both courtesy and self-interest for their own safety, some riders are less careful. 

Unfortunately, those riders often create a bad reputation for all cyclists.  It is also true that some motorists have no patience for cyclists, either because of a misunderstanding of cyclists’ rights or out of impatience. 

Motorists occasionally complain to local police departments, particularly when encountering group rides, cyclists riding too close to the center line, or riders ignoring traffic signals.  From the perspective of cyclists, police officers occasionally overreact to complaints. 

Useful reminders:

• Don’t invite complaints.  The most common legitimate criticism of cyclists involves riding near the middle of the roadway or blatantly disregarding traffic signals, particularly when vehicles are in the area.  Avoid making these mistakes.

• If stopped, never argue with an officer.  When issuing a ticket, the officer issuing the citation records an assessment of the violator’s demeanor.  If the driver or cyclist is rude, disrespectful or argumentative, the information will be conveyed to the prosecuting attorney.  Obtaining a dismissal or negotiating a resolution of the citation is more difficult when the citation reflects aggression toward the officer than if the report is that the cyclist was polite and respectful.  Give yourself or your attorney a chance by being polite.  In addition, showing respect to the officer may result in his or her decision to simply issue a warning instead of a ticket.

• If asked, always give your proper name, address and telephone number.  Providing false information to a police officer can result in penalties far more serious than those associated with the traffic violation.

• Obtain the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses that you feel may be able to support your description of the incident.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation maintains a demerit point system assessed against drivers convicted of moving violations: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/points/point.htm. The accumulation of excessive points can result in the revocation of an individual’s motor vehicle drivers license.  Receiving points will likely also result in increased automobile insurance premiums. 

Traffic violations arising out of the use of a bicycle are not supposed to be recorded in Wisconsin’s demerit point system.  The Uniform Traffic Citation form has a box which describes the type of vehicle involved.  If completed properly, it should indicate “Other” or “O” in the vehicle type section.  If the form is completed improperly, demerit points may be assessed against a cyclist’s drivers record and reported on their license abstract.  Additionally, municipal clerks occasionally inadvertently report cycling citations to the Wisconsin Department of Motor Vehicles. 

If you are convicted of a traffic citation or stipulate to payment of a fine it is important to check your drivers abstract [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/points/abstract.htm] to make certain points were not inadvertently assessed.

The Village of Bayside, WI, a small suburb of Milwaukee with only one main road and a population of 4,500 people, has hundreds or sometimes thousands of bicyclists passing through the village everyday thanks to its excellent urban escape route for anyone in the central city of Milwaukee.

Being the Executive Director of the BFW, I couldn't be happier to hear about the number of cyclists passing through Bayside daily; however, my elation turned to concern when I received a call from the Bayside Police Department. The department continues to field numerous complaints from residents about the large number of cyclists engaged in various types of illegal riding: riding more than two abreast, exceeding posted speed limits and ignoring stop signs. When the police witness these behaviors, they have no choice but to issue citations to offenders.

The Bayside Police Department has contacted the Bicycle Federation to enlist our help in combating the problem. Both the Village Staff and Police are very welcoming to bicyclists on the streets of Bayside, but they insist that all bicyclists respect the law.  So the next time you're on your bike, whether you are riding through Bayside or any other Wisconsin municipality, please remember that not only do you have a legal responsibility to obey all laws, but that your actions while riding are being scrutinized by the citizens and law enforcement of the towns where you ride.