Chapter 12.11 BICYCLES

Chapter 12.11
BICYCLES

Sections:

12.11.010 Applicability of traffic regulations – Bicycle defined.

12.11.030 Mechanical condition – Equipment required.

12.11.010 Applicability of traffic regulations – Bicycle defined.

A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a street, alley, sidewalk or other public way shall be granted all the rights and be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this State declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the ordinances of this City applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature have no application.

B. For the purposes of this chapter, “bicycle” shall mean any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains, or gears and which has wheels at least 20 inches in diameter and a frame size of at least 14 inches. [Ord. 12-004.]

12.11.020 Regulations for operation.

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in the City in violation of the rules of the road as set forth herein:

A. No person shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the downtown business district, or upon any sidewalks in front of schools, stores or other buildings used for business or for public assembly.

B. Whenever any person is operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk not expressly prohibited in subsection A of this section, such person shall not ride abreast with another bicycle and shall at all times yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians.

C. No bicycle on any sidewalk shall be used to carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

D. Persons operating bicycles upon a sidewalk or other pedestrian facility shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of public ways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

E. No person operating a bicycle upon any sidewalk, pedestrian facility or on any public way set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from having full control of the bicycle at all times.

F. No person shall park a bicycle upon any street, sidewalk, alley or other public way other than immediately adjacent to the curb or edge of the traveled way or in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building, in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. When a rack is provided, no person shall park a bicycle, except in such a rack, on an adjacent street, sidewalk, alley or other public way within a distance of two hundred (200) feet from such rack.

G. No person shall operate a bicycle upon any playground or park or school ground, except on established paths or walkways, without permission of the person having supervision thereof.

H. No person upon roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, kick scooter, electric scooter, or riding in or on any coaster wagon, toy vehicle or similar vehicle device shall go upon or along any street, sidewalk, alley or public way within the City, except that such devices may be operated with due caution upon the sidewalk in a residential area. [Ord. 12-004.]

12.11.030 Mechanical condition – Equipment required.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride a bicycle in the City unless such bicycle is equipped as set forth in the following subsections. Every person must be able to demonstrate to the Police Department of the City or any members thereof that the bicycle meets the following requirements:

A. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake adequate to skid the front or rear tire of such bicycle upon application of such brakes.

B. Every bicycle equipped with a carrier must have such carrier securely attached to such bicycle.

C. Every bicycle operated at any time for one-half (0.5) hour after sunset to one-half (0.5) hour before sunrise and at any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person or vehicle on the streets, alleys, sidewalks or ways of the City shall be equipped with a white light visible for a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the front of such bicycle, and such bicycle shall be equipped with a red lamp affixed to the rear of such bicycle, which lamp shall be visible for a distance of fifty (50) feet from the rear of such bicycle; provided, however, that a red reflector of an approved type may be used in lieu of such rear lamp. [Ord. 12-004.]

12.11.040 Registration required.

It is required that: all bicycles within the City shall be registered with the City Police Department; that each owner of said bicycle shall physically bring each bicycle to the Police Department of the City; and that each owner shall then pay to the City the sum of one dollar ($1.00) for each year of the registration period pertaining to said owner. The Police Department shall then register each bicycle and shall affix to each bicycle a bicycle license and shall also stamp an identification mark on the frame of each bicycle (if said frame does not already contain an identification number).

Registration in the manner herein provided shall be valid for a period of three (3) years, expiring December 31st of the last year of each such three (3) year registration period, or unless a change of ownership occurs, in which event the following procedures are required:

A. In the event of sale or other disposal of a bicycle within the City, the new owner of the same shall register the same with the Police Department in the manner prescribed in this section, and at that time present evidence sufficient to the judgment of the Police Department of the validity of the new ownership.

B. As to those bicycles wherein ownership has not been changed during the period after original registration, said bicycles shall be registered on or before February 15th of the year immediately following the expiration of the prevailing three (3) year registration period. A registration fee of one dollar ($1.00) shall be charged for each year of registration.

C. Any bicycle found within the City after the owner has been a resident of this City for a period of sixty (60) days without the required registration shall be impounded by the Police Department, and shall not be returned to the owner until such time as proof of ownership is established to the satisfaction of the Police Department and the registration fee plus a penalty of five dollars ($5.00) is paid.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to deface, destroy, damage or remove a bicycle license affixed to any bicycle, and any person or persons found to have violated this subsection shall be guilty of an infraction pursuant to DMC 1.06.050. [Ord. 12-004.]