Chapter 10.44
BICYCLES
Sections:
10.44.010 Definitions.
10.44.020 Statutory provisions adopted by reference.
10.44.030 License – Required.
10.44.040 License – Application – Attachment to bicycle.
10.44.050 License – Fees – Renewal.
10.44.060 Sales by dealers – Report and recordkeeping requirements.
10.44.070 Rental agency requirements.
10.44.080 Police department records.
10.44.090 Bicycle lanes – Establishment.
10.44.100 Bicycle lanes – Cyclist to ride at right side.
10.44.120 Bicycle lanes – Stopping restrictions for riders.
10.44.130 Riding on sidewalks and playgrounds – Restrictions.
10.44.140 Violation by minor – Responsibility of parent or guardian.
10.44.150 Violation by minor – Penalty.
10.44.010 Definitions.
A. “Bicycle” is as defined in Section 39000 of the Vehicle Code of the state.
B. “Bicycle lane” means that portion of a roadway set aside by striping for the use of bicycles, and so designated as provided in LMC 10.44.100.
C. “Bicycle path” means a pathway for bicycles and pedestrians that has been physically separated from a roadway. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.1)
10.44.020 Statutory provisions adopted by reference.
In addition to the provisions of this chapter, all provisions of the California Vehicle Code pertaining to operation of a bicycle shall be observed whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or sidewalk, or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.3)
10.44.030 License – Required.
It is unlawful for any person to operate or use a bicycle unlicensed by either the City of Livermore or the state of California upon any of the streets, alleys or public highways of the City. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.040 License – Application – Attachment to bicycle.
A. Upon written application, any bicycle may be licensed and registered, as provided in this chapter. The City shall provide all necessary materials for licensing and registration, and provide registration opportunities at times and places convenient to the public.
B. The license shall be attached to the bicycle, and shall remain attached as long as the license is in force. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.050 License – Fees – Renewal.
A. The license fee to be paid for each bicycle shall be $1.00 per year, and shall be paid in advance to cover a three-year period. If a license or registration card is lost, mutilated, destroyed or stolen, the licensee shall obtain another license or registration card without charge. Each license-renewal fee shall be $1.00 per year, and shall be paid in advance to cover a three-year period.
B. All fees collected under this chapter shall be accounted for in accordance with accepted accounting practices, and shall be used for the support of the bicycle license program, to improve bicycle safety programs, and to establish bicycle facilities. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.060 Sales by dealers – Report and recordkeeping requirements.
A. All persons engaged in the business of buying secondhand bicycles are required to make written reports, within 24 hours of a purchase, to the city police department, giving the name and address of the persons from whom each bicycle is purchased, the description of each bicycle purchased, the frame number thereof, and the number of the license found thereon, if any.
B. All persons engaged in the business of selling new or secondhand bicycles are required to maintain a record of all sales, the record to be available for police department review during business hours. The record shall include the name and address of each person to whom the bicycle was sold, the kind of bicycle sold, together with a description and frame number thereof, and the number of the license attached thereto, if any. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.070 Rental agency requirements.
A rental agency shall not rent or offer any bicycle for rent unless the bicycle is licensed and a license plate is attached thereto as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.080 Police department records.
The city police department shall keep the bicycle license records required by the California Vehicle Code. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)
10.44.090 Bicycle lanes – Establishment.
The traffic engineer is authorized to erect or place signs upon any street or adjacent to any street in the City indicating the existence of a bicycle lane or path, and otherwise regulating the operation and use of vehicles and bicycles with respect thereto as the same are consistent with the state law. The bicycle lane shall be designated on the roadway by appropriate painting, reflectorized buttons, or in such manner as the city engineer shall determine will provide sufficient notice of the existence of such bicycle lane. When such signs are in place, no person shall disobey the same. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.30)
10.44.100 Bicycle lanes – Cyclist to ride at right side.
While proceeding in a bicycle lane or path, a bicyclist must ride in the furthermost right-hand portion of the lane or path, when possible. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.33)
10.44.120 Bicycle lanes – Stopping restrictions for riders.
A bicyclist may stop in a bicycle lane or path after giving the appropriate signal in the manner provided in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 22100) of the Vehicle Code; providing, that he has not blocked the path or lane, such that at least one moving bicyclist may pass by him and still be in the path or lane. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.32)
10.44.130 Riding on sidewalks and playgrounds – Restrictions.
A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk except in residential areas, or where such riding is permitted.
B. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
C. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any playground, park or school ground where children are playing under supervision in an organized activity, without the permission of the person having supervision of the playground, park or school ground. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.6)
10.44.140 Violation by minor – Responsibility of parent or guardian.
It is unlawful to violate any of the provisions of this chapter or of the California Vehicle Code pertaining to operation of bicycles. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. Violation of this chapter is an infraction. (Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006; 1960 code § 5A.2)
10.44.150 Violation by minor – Penalty.
Where this chapter or the provisions of the California Vehicle Code pertaining to operation of bicycles have been violated by persons under the age of 18 years, in lieu of fine, and in lieu of filing charges in juvenile court, the Chief of Police or his duly appointed representative shall notify the parents of the violator of the offense, and require of the violator any of the following, or any combination thereof:
A. Have the parents of the violator deprive the violator of the bicycle for a period not to exceed 30 days;
B. Have the bicycle equipment inspected at the police department within five days of any equipment violation;
C. Obtain a city bicycle license immediately;
D. Read the city bicycle ordinance and write a composition about bicycle use;
E. Take an examination on bicycle use and safety. (Ord. 2065 § 1(A), 2018; Ord. 1787 § 1, 2006)