Chapter 10.30
BICYCLES AND SKATEBOARDS1
Sections:
10.30.010 License.
10.30.020 Regulations for the operation of bicycles.
10.30.025 Regulations for the operation of skateboards and skates.
10.30.030 Removal or alteration of distinguishing marks.
10.30.040 Abandoned bicycles.
10.30.050 Sale or transfer of ownership.
10.30.060 Dealer’s reports.
10.30.010 License.
A. Required. No person may operate or use a bicycle, propelled wholly or in part by muscular power, upon a street or public highway of the city without first obtaining a license from the chief of police.
B. Application. A person desiring a bicycle license shall apply to the chief of police on a form furnished by him or her. The application shall be filed in triplicate and shall contain such information as may be required by the chief of police as to the applicant and the description of the bicycle licensed. The chief of police shall not issue a license unless the bicycle complies with the requirements prescribed for safe mechanical condition.
C. Fees. The fee for a permanent license and the fee for a transfer of ownership or issuance of a new license after loss or theft is set by city council resolution.
D. Issuance. Upon approval of the application and payment of the license fee, the chief of police shall issue a bicycle license sticker and registration slip. The license permits the bicycle to be operated in the city and is not limited as to duration.
E. Form. The chief of police shall fix the size, form and character of the bicycle license sticker and registration slip. The license sticker shall be affixed to the bicycle in the manner designated by the chief of police.
F. Change of address. Every person in possession of a licensed bicycle who changes his or her address shall notify the chief of police in writing within 15 days of the change.
G. Loss of license or registration. The licensee shall report the loss or theft of a license sticker within 15 days. Upon receipt of the report, the chief of police shall cancel the license and issue a new license sticker to the licensee. Upon the loss of a registration slip, the licensee shall apply for a duplicate slip. The chief of police shall issue a duplicate slip without fee. (1991 code § 5-4.1)
10.30.020 Regulations for the operation of bicycles.
A. Rights and duties of operators. Every person riding a bicycle upon a public place in the city has the rights and is subject to the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by state law and by ordinance of the city, except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.
B. Subject to pedestrian regulations. Bicycles may be walked subject to all provisions of law applicable to pedestrians.
C. Riding on roadway or sidewalk.
1. Every person riding a bicycle on the roadway shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable. Persons riding bicycles upon the roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Whenever a person is riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, he or she shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.
2. No person shall ride a bicycle:
a. On a sidewalk or walkway within any of the following land use districts, when signs have been posted as described in subsection C.3 of this section:
i. The retail business land use district;
ii. The downtown area as defined in the Downtown Specific Plan;
iii. The neighborhood business district;
iv. The retail area of any mixed use district; or
v. The retail area of any planned unit district (PUD).
b. On city-owned property (such as City Hall, the police department and the public services center).
c. In any public parking lot or structure, except to park a bicycle where permitted by a bicycle parking zone.
d. Upon any playground, park, or school ground where children are playing without the permission of the person having supervision of the playground, park or school ground. (Veh. Code § 21206.)
3. Before bicycle riding may be prohibited on private property under subsection C.2.a of this section, the property owner must (a) post a sign approved by the city at each major entrance to the property and (b) submit a letter to the police department authorizing police enforcement of this section on the private property.
D. Speed limits. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
E. Yielding right-of-way.
1. The driver of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering a bicycle lane shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles approaching upon the lane, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
2. Upon approaching an intersection any person riding or operating a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles within or approaching such intersection, except that all vehicles which must stop before entering an intersection because of a stop sign, and all vehicles making a left-hand turn at an intersection, shall not proceed into the intersection nor make such a turn without first yielding the right-of-way to all bicycles within or approaching the intersection and shall proceed only when it is safe to do so.
F. Bicycle lanes. (Veh. Code § 21207.)
1. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon a roadway adjacent to which or upon which bicycle lanes have been designated, except within such bicycle lane or except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter.
2. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle within a bicycle lane in any direction except that permitted of vehicular traffic traveling on the same side of the roadway; provided, that bicycles may proceed either way along a lane where arrows appear on the surface of the lane designating two-way traffic.
3. Once having entered a bicycle lane, no person riding or operating a bicycle shall leave such lane except at intersections; provided, however, that such person may leave a bicycle lane upon dismounting from a bicycle, walking the same, and leaving subject then to all laws applicable to pedestrians; provided, further, that such person may leave the bicycle lane between intersections in order to make a U-turn, where such a turn is permissible for vehicular traffic or to turn into driveways on the right-hand or left-hand side of the bicycle lane. Upon leaving a bicycle lane, the rider or operator of such bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles and shall not leave the bicycle lane until it is safe to do so.
4. 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 subsection except after giving right-of-way to all bicycles within the lane.
G. 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. (Veh. Code § 21210.)
H. Helmets. A person under 18 years of age may not ride a bicycle, or be a passenger on or behind a bicycle, without wearing a helmet. This subsection applies to those on a street, bikeway, public bicycle path or trail. (Veh. Code § 21212.) (Ord. 817 § 2, 2006; 1991 code § 5-4.2)
10.30.025 Regulations for the operation of skateboards and skates.
A. Definitions. In this section:
Skateboard is a vehicle constructed of wood, plastic, metal, fiberglass, or other material which has wheels attached to it. For the purposes of this section, skateboard includes roller skates, in-line roller skates and scooters.
B. Riding prohibited in certain areas.
1. No person shall ride a skateboard:
a. On a sidewalk, walkway, plaza, bench, paseo or anywhere within any of the following land use districts, when signs have been posted as described in subsection B.2 of this section:
i. The retail business land use district;
ii. The downtown area as defined in the Downtown Specific Plan;
iii. The neighborhood business district;
iv. The retail area of any mixed use district; or
v. The retail area of any planned unit district (PUD).
b. On city-owned property (such as City Hall, the police department and the public services center).
c. In any public parking lot or structure.
d. On any public street in one of the land use districts listed in subsection B.1.a of this section, except to cross the street. (Veh. Code § 21967.)
2. Before skateboard riding may be prohibited on private property under subsection B.1.a of this section, the property owner must (a) post a sign approved by the city at each major entrance to the property and (b) submit a letter to the police department authorizing police enforcement of this section on the private property.
3. No motorized skateboard may be ridden on a sidewalk, roadway, bikeway, bicycle path or trail, equestrian trail, hiking or recreational trail. (Veh. Code § 21968.)
C. Helmets. A person under 18 years of age may not ride a skateboard on a street, bikeway, public bicycle path or trail without wearing a helmet. (Veh. Code § 21212.) (Ord. 817 § 3, 2006)
10.30.030 Removal or alteration of distinguishing marks.
A. No person shall:
1. Willfully remove, destroy, mutilate, or alter the manufacturer’s serial number, or the city’s serial number on any license plate and registration card during the period the license plate and registration card are operative; or
2. Buy, sell, receive, dispose of, or conceal a bicycle or bicycle equipment from which the manufacturer’s nameplate, serial number, or other distinguishing mark is removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed.
B. The chief of police may place a police department serial number on a bicycle if the serial number is obliterated or defaced, and the possessor has satisfactory proof of ownership. (1991 code § 5-4.3)
10.30.040 Abandoned bicycles.
The chief of police shall sell all abandoned bicycles and unidentified bicycles remaining in the possession of the department for at least 90 days at a public auction to the highest bidder as provided in PHMC Chapter 5.15. (1991 code § 5-4.4)
10.30.050 Sale or transfer of ownership.
Every person who sells a licensed bicycle or transfers the ownership of a licensed bicycle shall report the sale or transfer by returning to the chief of police the registration slip issued to the person as licensee together with the name and address for the new owner. The report shall be made within 15 days after sale or transfer. (1991 code § 5-4.5)
10.30.060 Dealer’s reports.
A. Purchases. Every person engaged in the business of buying used bicycles in the city shall make a monthly report to the chief of police on a form provided by the city, setting forth as to each bicycle purchased:
1. The name and address of each seller;
2. The manufacturer;
3. The description and frame number; and
4. The number of the license plate, if any.
B. Sales. Every person engaged in the business of selling new or used bicycles in the city shall make a monthly report to the chief of police on a form provided by the city, setting forth as to each bicycle sold:
1. The name and address of each purchaser;
2. The manufacturer;
3. The description and frame number; and
4. The number of the license plate, if any. (1991 code § 5-4.6)
Editor’s note: For statutory provisions regarding the operation of bicycles, see Vehicle Code section 21200 et seq.; for provisions regarding the authority of a city to license and regulate the operation and equipment of bicycles, see Vehicle Code section 21206. For provisions regarding the applicability of traffic regulations to persons riding bicycles, see PHMC § 10.05.320; for provisions regarding bicycle parking zones, see PHMC § 10.15.170; for provisions regarding the disposition of lost bicycles held by the city, see PHMC Chapter 5.15.