Chapter 4-1 BICYCLES

The provisions of this chapter are for the purpose of adopting bicycle regulations, under the authority of and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 39000 through 39011 of Division 16.7 of the Vehicle Code of the State and any future amendments thereto, and in addition to any other regulations provided by law.

4-1-02 Effect of regulations.

(a) It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden by, or to fail to perform any act required by, the provisions of this chapter.

(b) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.

(c) The provisions of this chapter applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions set forth in this chapter.

4-1-03 Licenses required.

No person who resides within the City shall ride or propel a bicycle on any street or upon any public lane set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, unless such bicycle has been licensed, and a license sticker is attached thereto as provided in this chapter.

4-1-04 Licenses: Applications: Fees.

Applications for bicycle licenses and stickers shall be made upon forms provided by the City and shall be made to the City. License fees shall be set by resolution of the City Council and amended from time to time and shall be paid to the City before each license is granted.

(1124-CS, Amended, 09/28/09)

4-1-05 Issuance of licenses.

(a) The City, or its authorized agents, upon receiving a proper application therefor, is authorized to issue a bicycle license which shall be effective for three (3) years after the date of its issuance.

(b) The City designee shall not issue a license for any bicycle when he knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner or entitled to the possession of such bicycle.

(c) The City designee shall keep a record of the number of each license, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued, the number on the frame of the bicycle for which issued, and all bicycle license fees collected by him.

4-1-06 Attachment of license stickers.

(a) The City designee, upon issuing a bicycle license, shall also issue a State bicycle license sticker bearing the license number assigned to the bicycle and a sticker bearing the date of expiration.

(b) The City designee shall cause such license stickers to be firmly attached to the bicycle frame directly below the bicycle seat.

4-1-07 Inspections.

The City designee assigned such responsibility shall inspect each bicycle before licensing the bicycle and shall refuse a license for any bicycle which he determines is in an unsafe mechanical condition.

4-1-08 Renewal of licenses.

Upon the expiration of any bicycle license, the license may be renewed upon an application therefor and the payment of the same fee as upon an original application.

4-1-09 Transfer of ownership.

(a) A license may be transferred when the ownership of such bicycle is transferred, and a fee of One and no/100ths ($1.00) Dollar shall be paid for the registration of such transfer. Such license transfer shall be within ten (10) days, or a new license will be required.

(b) All transfers of ownership shall be applied for and conducted at the Police Department.

4-1-10 Rental agencies.

A rental agency shall not rent or offer any bicycle for rent unless the bicycle is licensed and a license sticker is attached thereto, as provided in this chapter, and such bicycle is equipped with the lamps and other equipment required by the provisions of this chapter.

4-1-11 Bicycle dealers.

Every person engaged in the business of buying or selling new or secondhand bicycles shall not sell at retail any bicycle without issuing a license for such bicycle. All retail sellers in the City, and possessing a business license, shall act as agents of the City when licensing bicycles. Forms and licenses shall be furnished by the City. All completed forms and all revenues from the sales of licenses shall be collected from the retailers on a monthly basis. Retailers shall be paid by the City at the rate of twenty (20) cents for each license issued.

4-1-12 Traffic laws applicable to persons riding bicycles.

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 vehicle by the laws of the State declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic laws of the City applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to the special regulations provided in this chapter and except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.

4-1-13 Bicycle lane defined.

“Bicycle lane” shall mean that portion of a roadway set aside for the use of bicycles and so designated as provided in Section 4-1-14 of this chapter. A bicycle lane shall be construed as a lane for bicycles and pedestrians paralleling a roadway. Persons riding bicycles upon such lanes shall be subject to the provisions of Section 4-1-19 of this chapter.

4-1-14 Establishing bicycle lanes.

The Council shall adopt, by resolution, those portions of roadways for bicycle lanes.

4-1-15 Obedience to traffic control.

(a) Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right, left, or U turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign, accept where such person dismounts from the bicycle to make any such turn, in which event such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.

(c) Once having entered a bicycle lane, no person riding or operating a bicycle shall leave such lane except at intersections; provided, however, such person may leave a bicycle lane upon dismounting from a bicycle, walking the bicycle, and being subject then to all laws applicable to pedestrians.

4-1-16 Riding bicycles.

(a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than 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 such bicycle is designed and equipped.

4-1-17 Riding on roadways and bicycle lanes.

(a) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except in a bicycle lane designated by the Council as a two-way bicycle lane.

(b) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast, except on lanes or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

(c) Whenever a usable lane for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such lane and shall not use the roadway.

4-1-18 Speed.

No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

4-1-19 Emerging from alleys, bike lanes, or driveways.

The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle lane, building, or otherwise and approaching upon a sidewalk or a sidewalk area extending along any such area shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and, upon entering a bicycle lane, shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles approaching on such lane, and, upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles or bicycles approaching on such roadway.

4-1-20 Carrying articles.

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

4-1-21 Parking.

No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb, or in a bicycle rack, or against a building, or at the curb in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic. Where a parking rack is provided, no person shall park a bicycle, except in such rack, on an adjacent street or sidewalk within a distance of 400 feet from such rack.

4-1-22 Vehicles crossing bicycle lanes.

No person shall drive a vehicle upon or across a bicycle lane except to enter a driveway and except to park such vehicle or leave a parking space. No person shall drive or cross a bicycle lane as permitted by this section except after giving the right-of-way to all bicycles within the lane.

4-1-23 Riding on sidewalks.

(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district, and no person twelve (12) or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district.

(b) Any person who, by reason of physical disabilities, is otherwise unable to move about shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.

4-1-24 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.

(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 300 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from fifty (50) feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of the lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

4-1-25 Auction sales.

Any bicycle in the possession of the Police Department after six (6) months from the recovery of theft, impounding, or other reasons shall be auctioned to the public. The time and date shall be published in a local newspaper.

4-1-26 Violations: Penalties.

No fine imposed for a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be less than Twenty-five and no/100ths ($25.00) Dollars.

(820-CS, Amended, 06/22/1993)