346.595 Motorcycles and mopeds. Whenever a motorcycle or a moped is operated the following rules apply:

(1) All motor vehicles including motorcycles and mopeds are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane and no vehicle may be driven or operated in such a manner so as to deprive any other vehicle of the full use of a traffic lane. With the consent of both drivers, motorcycles may be operated not more than 2 abreast in a single lane, but mopeds may be so operated only where the speed limit is 25 miles per hour or less.

NOTE: Sub. (1) is shown as amended eff. 5-1-20 by 2019 Wis. Act 50. Prior to 5-1-20 it reads:

(2) No person shall ride any motorcycle or moped while in a side-saddle position.

(3) No passenger may ride a motorcycle who, when properly seated, cannot rest the feet on assigned foot rests or pegs. No passenger may ride on a moped.

NOTE: Sub. (3) is shown as amended eff. 5-1-20 by 2019 Wis. Act 50. Prior to 5-1-20 it reads:

(3m) No more than 2 persons may ride on a motorcycle having 2 wheels in tandem during operation unless a sidecar has been attached to the motorcycle and the additional passengers are provided with adequate seating within the sidecar.

NOTE: Sub. (3m) is shown as amended eff. 5-1-20 by 2019 Wis. Act 50. Prior to 5-1-20 it reads:

(4) No passenger shall ride in front of the operator on a motorcycle.

(5) The headlamps on motorcycles shall be lighted whenever the motorcycle is in operation. Motorcycles may be operated to the nearest repair facility for headlamp repair in the event of mechanical or electrical headlamp failure except during hours of darkness. Mopeds shall observe the requirements for lighted headlamps and tail lamps under s. 347.06.

(6) On any road for which the speed limit is more than 25 miles per hour, mopeds shall be operated only when riding single-file in the extreme right-hand lane. No person may operate a moped on any restricted access highway.

History: 1977 c. 288; 1981 c. 52; 1983 a. 243; 1985 a. 65 ss. 20, 29; 2019 a. 50.

The provision requiring headlamps to be lighted is constitutional. City of Kenosha v. Dosemagen, 54 Wis. 2d 269, 195 N.W.2d 462 (1972).