Chapter 10.24
BICYCLES
Sections:
10.24.030 License--Application.
10.24.040 License--Issuance--Records.
10.24.050 License--Plate or decal.
10.24.060 License--Inspection.
10.24.090 Obedience to traffic-control devices.
10.24.110 Riding on sidewalks.
10.24.120 Rider rights and duties.
10.24.130 Manner of riding--Overloading.
10.24.140 Clinging to vehicles.
10.24.150 Roadway and bicycle path use.
10.24.170 Lamps--Reflectors--Brakes.
10.24.010 Definitions.
The following terms shall be deemed to have the meanings hereinafter stated:
A. “Chief of police” means the chief of police, or duly appointed acting chief of police, of the city, or his designee.
B. “Local authority” means the city.
C. “Public path” means any paved or unpaved strip of land duly designated for only pedestrian or nonmotorized vehicle travel within the jurisdiction of the local authority.
D. “Roadway” means any street, alley, road, highway or other right-of-way for vehicular travel within the jurisdiction of the local authority. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; prior code §5.56.010)
10.24.020 License--Required.
No person within the jurisdiction of the local authority shall ride or propel a bicycle on any roadway or upon any public path unless such bicycle has been licensed and a license plate or decal is attached thereto as provided in this chapter. (Prior code §5.56.020)
10.24.030 License--Application.
Application for a bicycle license and license plate or decal shall be made upon a form provided by and submitted to the chief of police. A license fee of one dollar shall be paid to the local authority before each license or renewal thereof is granted. Duplicate license plates or decals may be supplied for the same cost as the original plate or decal in the event of loss of the plate or decal. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; prior code §5.56.030)
10.24.040 License--Issuance--Records.
A. The chief of police, upon receiving proper application therefor, is authorized to issue a bicycle license.
B. The chief of police shall not issue a license for any bicycle when he knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner of, or entitled to the possession of, such bicycle.
C. The chief of police shall keep a record of the number of each license, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued, and a record of all bicycle license fees collected by him. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; prior code §5.56.040)
10.24.050 License--Plate or decal.
A. The chief of police, upon issuing a bicycle license, shall also issue a license plate or decal bearing the license number assigned to the bicycle, and the name of the local authority.
B. Such license plate or decal shall be firmly attached to the rear mudguard or frame of the bicycle for which issued in such position as to be plainly visible from the rear and not be readily removable or transferable.
C. No person shall remove a license plate or decal from a bicycle during the period for which issued except upon a transfer of ownership or in the event the bicycle is dismantled and no longer operated upon any public path or roadway within the jurisdiction of the local authority. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; prior code §5.56.050)
10.24.060 License--Inspection.
The chief of police may inspect each bicycle before licensing the same and may deny a license for any bicycle which he determines is in unsafe mechanical condition, until such unsafe condition is corrected. (Ord. 1457 §2(part), 2015; Ord. 1372 §1(part), 2008; prior code §5.56.060)
10.24.070 License--Transfer.
Upon the sale or other transfer of a licensed bicycle, the licensee may upon proper application, but without payment of additional fee, have a plate or decal assigned to another bicycle owned by the applicant, if the original license is first cancelled and surrendered, or reissued to the transferee of such original licensed bicycle. (Prior code §5.56.070)
10.24.080 Rental agencies.
A rental agency shall not rent or offer any bicycle for rent unless each such bicycle is licensed and a license plate or decal is attached thereto as provided herein and such bicycle is equipped with the equipment required by this chapter. (Prior code §5.56.080)
10.24.090 Obedience to traffic-control devices.
A. Any person operating a bicycle shall comply with all official traffic-control requirements, devices and/or signs applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by any law enforcement officer.
B. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the directions of any such sign, except where such person dismounts from the bicycle at the right-hand curb or as close as is practicable to the right edge of the right edge of the right-hand shoulder to make any such turn, in which event such person shall then obey the rules applicable to pedestrians. (Prior code §5.56.100)
10.24.100 Parking.
No person shall park a bicycle upon a sidewalk or street right-of-way other than:
A. Off the roadway, except in designated areas; or
B. Upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle; or
C. Against a building; or
D. In such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. (Prior code §5.56.110)
10.24.110 Riding on sidewalks.
A. No person shall ride a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or any other wheeled, human or otherwise powered vehicle upon a city sidewalk within the business district. Business district boundaries are defined as follows: From the north side of the intersection of Chatfield and Broadway, west to the intersection of Golden Street and Broadway, thence south on the west side of Golden to the intersection of Golden and Burgen Street. Thence east along the south side of Burgen to the intersection of Chatfield and Burgen, then north along the east side of Chatfield to the point of beginning, Broadway and Chatfield Streets.
B. A person may ride a bicycle or other human powered vehicle on any other city sidewalk or any roadway, unless restricted or-prohibited as designated by traffic control devices or signs.
C. Whenever any person is riding any human powered vehicle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.
D. This section does not apply to wheelchairs or similarly designed devices used for the mobility of handicapped persons. (Ord. 1059 §1, 1990: prior code §5.56.120)
10.24.120 Rider rights and duties.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle. (Prior code §5.56.130)
10.24.130 Manner of riding--Overloading.
A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. (Prior code §5.56.140)
10.24.140 Clinging to vehicles.
No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway. (Prior code 55.56.150)
10.24.150 Roadway and bicycle path use.
A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles:
C. Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway. (Prior code 55.56.160).
10.24.160 Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bars. (Prior code §5.56.170)
10.24.170 Lamps--Reflectors--Brakes.
A. Every bicycle when in use during the hours of darkness as defined in RCW 46.37.020, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall: emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the State Commission on Equipment which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to three hundred feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear may be used in addition to such red reflector.
B. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement. (Prior code §5.56.180)
10.24.180 Unclaimed bicycles.
All unclaimed bicycles in the custody of the police department shall be disposed of as provided in RCW Chapter 63.32. (Prior code 55.56,190)
10.24.190 violation—Penalty.
Every person convicted of violating any provision of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars for each such violation. (Prior code §5.56.200)