June 6, 2026 – Jackson, WI – On Thursday, June 4 at 7:23 p.m., Jackson officers were dispatched to a personal injury accident on Hwy 60 at Jackson Drive involving an e-bike and a motor vehicle. The operator of the e-bike struck a vehicle turning right on a green light as the e-bike operator passed stopped traffic on the right shoulder.
The operator was treated and released at a local hospital, but this collision was feet, if not inches, away from being a deadly tragedy. The e-bike operator forfeited their right-of-way by utilizing a non-travel lane (the shoulder) to pass stopped vehicles at an active intersection, making them the striking vehicle and the primary cause of the collision.
While e-bikes are a great way to get around, it’s critical to remember that under Wisconsin law, e-bike operators have the exact same rights—and the 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬—as motor vehicle drivers.
Attempting to pass a vehicle on the right at an active intersection is dangerous and a violation of traffic laws.
• 𝐍𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫: Under 𝐖𝐢𝐬. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭. § 𝟑𝟒𝟔.𝟎𝟖, you can only pass a vehicle on the right if they are making a left turn, or if there is a dedicated, lawful second lane. Bypassing traffic on the shoulder at an intersection is illegal.
• 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞: 𝐖𝐢𝐬. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭. § 𝟑𝟒𝟔.𝟖𝟎(𝟐)(𝐜) explicitly requires bicycle and e-bike riders to use extra care and caution when passing any stopped or moving vehicle.
𝐄-𝐁𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬:
• 𝐁𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Do not ride on the shoulder to skip ahead of stopped traffic at intersections. Wait your turn in line just like a car.
• 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬: If you are approaching an intersection, look closely at the front vehicles’ turn signals. Assume they cannot see you in their passenger-side mirror.
• 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝: E-bikes do not qualify as “motor vehicles” under Wisconsin law; you cannot get an OWI on a legal e-bike. That said, just because OWI doesn’t apply doesn’t mean anything goes. E-bikes are considered vehicles under the rules of the road. If an e-bike is operated carelessly or endangers others, the rider can face charges of Reckless Driving. If an injury or death occurs, riders could also face severe criminal charges like Recklessly Endangering Safety.
Let’s look out for one another out there. Ride smart, drive safe, and protect your community.
