Can Bicyclists go Through a Red Light in Wisconsin?

Yes, under certain circumstances. Because some traffic lights do not change when a person riding a bicycle is stopped for a red light, the law allows the person on the bicycle to go through the red light after first waiting for 45 seconds. When this is allowed, the person riding the bicycle has to yield to traffic facing the green and pedestrians within the crosswalk. The exception also applies to mopeds and motorcycles.

Wis. Stat. 346.37(1)(c)4.4. Notwithstanding subd. 1., a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle facing a red signal at an intersection may, after stopping as required under subd. 1. for not less than 45 seconds, proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator of the motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle reasonably believes the signal is vehicle actuated. The operator of a motorcycle, moped, motor bicycle, or bicycle proceeding through a red signal under this subdivision shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicular traffic, pedestrian, personal delivery device, bicyclist, or rider of an electric scooter or an electric personal assistive mobility device proceeding through a green signal at the intersection or lawfully within a crosswalk or using the intersection. This subdivision does not affect any authorization for a bicyclist under subd. 2.