CHAPTER 4
BICYCLES

4.1 Intent of chapter.

This chapter is adopted pursuant to section 21206 of the Vehicle Code of the state and is intended to implement and supplement provisions of division 11, chapter 1 of such Code. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.2 "Bicycle" defined.

"Bicycle" as used in this chapter shall be as defined in section 39000, chapter 16.7 of the Vehicle Code of the state. (Ord. No. 72-37; Ord. No. 75-5, § 1.)

4.2.1 "Pedal cycle" defined.

"Pedal cycle" means any device upon which a person may ride, which has two or more wheels and is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.2.2 "Bicycle dealer" defined.

"Bicycle dealer" means any person, firm, partnership or corporation which is engaged wholly or partly in the business of selling bicycles or pedal cycles or buying or taking in trade bicycles or pedal cycles for the purpose of resale, selling or offering for sale or otherwise dealing in bicycles or pedal cycles whether or not such bicycles or pedal cycles are owned by such person or entity. The term also includes persons, agents or employees of such person or entity. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.2.3 "License agent" defined.

For the purpose of registration, a "license agent" means a person, agency, department or bicycle dealer designated by the city manager. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.3 Mechanical requirements - Bicycles.

No person shall ride or operate any bicycle or pedal cycle on the roadway or no public or school property in the city unless it is equipped as required by law and unless it is in a safe mechanical condition. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.3.1 Same - Pedal cycles.

A pedal cycle is subject to the same equipment requirements as a bicycle when operated on a public roadway or public or school property. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.3.2 Inspections generally.

Members of the police department shall have the authority to inspect any bicycle or pedal cycle operated upon any public street or upon any public or school property for the purpose of enforcement of safety requirements and any other provisions of this chapter or the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.4 Registration and licensing - Required for bicycles; fee; term; nonresidents.

All bicycles operated in the city shall be licensed and registered by the city pursuant to the requirements contained herein. The registration and license fee shall be three dollars. Forms for registration shall be provided by the city or the state. Registration shall be valid for a period of three years from the date of issuance. This section does not apply to bicycle manufacturers or dealers transporting or displaying the bicycles or to the operators of bicycles not residing within the city limits; provided, that such operators not residing within the city limits have complied with registration and licensing requirements of the state. (Ord. No. 72-37; Ord. No. 75-5, § 2.)

4.4.1 Same - Pedal cycles.

The owner of a pedal cycle may register his pedal cycle if he chooses to do so. If the owner of a pedal cycle voluntarily registers his pedal cycle, he shall have the same rights and duties of an owner of a registered bicycle. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.4.2 Same - Renewal; renewal fee.

The owner of a bicycle or pedal cycle may have an expired registration renewed by the city designated license agent upon presentation of the bicycle or pedal cycle and payment of a three dollar fee. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.5 Impoundment by police - Authorized.

Officers of the city police department, upon witnessing a violation of any terms of this chapter or the state Vehicle Code by a person under the age of eighteen, may impound and retain possession of any bicycle or pedal cycle. Such property impounded pursuant to this section may be released to the parent or guardian of the operator upon request; provided, that the parent or guardian acknowledge future compliance with this chapter and the state Vehicle Code. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.6 Same - Sale.

If a bicycle or pedal cycle is not reclaimed by the owner or operator of the bicycle or pedal cycle within ninety days of the date the bicycle was impounded or stored, the bicycle or pedal cycle may be sold pursuant to section 24-2. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.7, 4.7.1 Repealed by Ordinance No. 75-5, §§ 3, 4.

4.8 Removal, destruction, etc., of license; replacement fee for damaged license.

No person shall willfully remove, destroy or alter, or mutilate any bicycle or pedal cycle license issued pursuant to this chapter during which time the registration is valid and unexpired. The owner of a bicycle may have a valid license which has become mutilated, damaged, or destroyed, replaced by a licensed agent upon presentation of the bicycle and a fee of one dollar. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.9 Operation - Bicyclist to comply with state law.

No bicyclist shall operate or ride his bicycle on public or school property in the city in violation of the Vehicle Code of this state or the sections of this chapter. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.9.1 Same - Pedal cyclist to have same rights and duties as bicyclist.

A pedal cyclist shall have the same rights and duties of a bicyclist in relation to operating or riding on a roadway or public and school properties in the city. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.9.2 Same - Riding in crosswalks.

No bicycle or pedal cycle shall be ridden in a pedestrian crosswalk, except as provided for vehicular traffic. Bicycles and pedal cycles when traveling across pedestrian crosswalks shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully using such crosswalks. (Ord. No. 72-37.)

4.9.3 Same - Riding on sidewalks and parking within fifteen feet of business building entrance, etc.

No bicycle or pedal cycle shall be ridden on sidewalks or parked within fifteen feet of the entrance of a business or public building. A business or public building that provides bicycle racks or designated bicycle parking areas within fifteen feet of the entrance, and bicycles parked on private property, are exempted from this section. (Ord. No. 72-37, Ord. No. 2005-18.)

4.9.4 Same - Parking upon street.

No bicycles shall be parked where posted signs prohibit bicycles parking. Bicycles parked in areas where parking is prohibited or bicycles parked in a rack for a period of time that exceeds the maximum amount of time posted shall be subject to removal by the City. Any bicycles removed will be subject to sale or disposal pursuant to Chapter 24 of this code. (Ord. No. 72-37, Ord. No. 2005-18.)

4.9.5 Same - Carrying persons.

No bicycle or pedal cycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. (Ord. No. 72-37.)