City Ordinance 10.20.120 - Riding on sidewalks.

1. Bicyclists and operators of other play vehicles, when exercising due care, may drive and operate their bicycles and play vehicles upon the sidewalks in residential and outlying business districts, authorized bike paths, pedestrian paths open to bicycling or public playgrounds and parks when such riding shall not jeopardize the safety of pedestrians thereon.
    
2. Bicycles and play vehicles shall not be operated on any sidewalk by any person in the central business district, namely, Main St., 300 block south to 300 block north; Maple St., 100 block east to 100 block west; Elm St., 100 block east; Walnut St., 100 block west to 100 block east; Locust St., 100 block east.  Click here for a map of this area.
    
3. "Play vehicles" are defined as skateboards, non-motorized scooters, roller skates or roller blade skates or other similar devices.
    
4. No person may operate their bicycle on any sidewalk after dark unless the bicycle is equipped with or the operator is wearing a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front of the bicycle and a red reflector that has a diameter of at least two inches mounted so that it is visible from five hundred (500) feet from the rear of the bicycle.

Pedestrians - Motorists responsibility to yield the right of way to pedestrians:

State statute 340.01(10) defines crosswalk as: 

(a)  Marked crosswalk.  Any portion of a highway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs, lines or other markings on the surface; or

(b)  Unmarked crosswalk.  In the absence of signs, lines or markings, that part of a roadway, at an intersection, which is included within the transverse lines which would be formed on such roadway by connecting the corresponding lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of such roadway or, in the absence of a corresponding sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of such roadway which is included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk across such roadway at right angles to the center line thereof, except in no case does an unmarked crosswalk include any part of the intersection and in no case is there an unmarked crosswalk across a street at an intersection of such street with an alley.

State statute 346.23 and 346.24 defines a motorists responsibility to yield to pedestrians.

346.23 Crossing controlled intersection or crosswalk. 

(1)  At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person who is riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who has started to cross the highway on a green or "Walk" signal and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding directly ahead on a green signal.  No operator of a vehicle proceeding ahead on a green signal may begin a turn at a controlled intersection or crosswalk when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green or "Walk" signal would be endangered or interfered with in any way.  The rules stated in this subsection are modified at intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones in the manner and to the extent stated in sub. (2).
 
(2)  At intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device who has started to cross the roadway either from the near curb or shoulder or from the center dividing strip or a safety zone with the green or "Walk" signal in the favor of the pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device.
 

346.24 Crossing at uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk. 

(1)  At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
 
(2)  No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield.
 
(3)  Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
 

If you have any questions in reference to this issue, please contact the police department by e-mail or by telephone @ 715-425-0909.