Chapter 8.25
BICYCLES1
Sections:
8.25.010 Penalty for violation.
8.25.020 Riding on sidewalks – In business district.
8.25.030 Riding on sidewalks – Elsewhere in city.
8.25.040 Riding on sidewalks – Yield to pedestrians.
8.25.050 Use right half of roadway.
8.25.004 Purpose and policy.
(1) This chapter is enacted as an exercise of the authority of the city of Federal Way to protect and preserve the public health and welfare. Its provisions shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of these purposes.
(2) It is the express purpose of this chapter to provide for and to promote the health and welfare of the general public, and not create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms of this chapter.
(3) It is the specific intent of this chapter to place the obligation of complying with its requirements upon any person falling within this scope, and no provision of, nor term used in, this chapter is intended to impose any duty whatsoever upon the city of Federal Way or any of its officers or employees, for whom the implementation or enforcement of this chapter shall be discretionary and not mandatory.
(Ord. No. 09-591, § 7, 1-6-09. Code 2001 § 15-197.)
8.25.006 Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Terms not defined here are defined according to FWRC 1.05.020.
“Bicycle” means every device propelled solely by human power upon which a person or persons may ride, having two tandem wheels, either of which is 16 inches or more in diameter, or three wheels, any one of which is more than 20 inches in diameter (RCW 46.04.071). Within this chapter, the term “bicycle” shall include any attached trailers, side cars, and/or other device being towed by a bicycle.
“Guardian” means a parent, legal guardian, an adult with custody, or temporary guardian who maintains responsibility, whether voluntary or otherwise, for the safety and welfare of a person under the age of 18 years.
“Public area” means public roadways, bicycle paths, sidewalks, parks, or any right-of-way or publicly owned facility under the jurisdiction of the city of Federal Way.
(Ord. No. 09-591, § 8, 1-6-09. Code 2001 § 15-198.)
8.25.010 Penalty for violation.
Any person violating the provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction for which the monetary penalty shall be $47.00.
(Ord. No. 91-91, § 3(F), 4-2-91. Code 2001 § 15-191.)
8.25.020 Riding on sidewalks – In business district.
(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a business district, unless the sidewalk is classified and published as a Class III bike route.
(2) The public works director is authorized to and shall designate and publish a list of sidewalks, as appropriate, within any business district, as Class III bike routes.
(3) A list of all sidewalks classified as Class III bike routes shall be maintained on file with the public works department.
(4) “Business district” for purposes of this section means the Sea-Tac Mall and its immediate vicinity. This area is particularly described as:
The northwest corner of the right-of-way at the intersection of South 316th Street and Pacific Highway South; thence east along the north margin of the right-of-way of South 316th Street to the northeast corner of the right-of-way at the intersection at 23rd Avenue South and South 316th Street; thence southeast along the northeast margin of the right-of-way of 23rd Avenue South to the northeast corner of the right-of-way at the intersection at 23rd Avenue South and South 317th Street; thence east along the north margin of the right-of-way of South 317th Street to the northeast corner of the right-of-way at the intersection of South 317th Street and Gateway Center Boulevard; thence generally south along the east margin of the right-of-way of Gateway Center Boulevard to the southeast corner of the right-of-way at the intersection of Gateway Center Boulevard and South 320th Street; thence west along the south margin of the right-of-way of South 320th Street to the southeast corner of the right-of-way of the intersection at South 320th Street and 23rd Avenue South; thence south along the east margin of the right-of-way of 23rd Avenue South to the right-of-way of the curving intersection at 23rd Avenue South and South 324th Street; thence west along the south margin of the right-of-way of South 324th Street to the southwest corner of the right-of-way at the intersection at South 324th Street and Pacific Highway South; thence north along the west margin of the right-of-way of Pacific Highway South to the northwest corner of the right-of-way at the intersection of Pacific Highway South and South 316th Street, the true point of beginning.
(5) “Class III bike route” means a sidewalk designated by the public works director and published as such.
(Ord. No. 93-175, § 1, 5-18-93; Ord. No. 91-91, § 3(A), (B), 4-2-91. Code 2001 § 15-192.)
Cross references: Streets and sidewalks, FWRC Title 4, Division II; business districts, Chapter 19.215 FWRC; community business districts, Chapter 19.220 FWRC.
8.25.030 Riding on sidewalks – Elsewhere in city.
A person may ride a bicycle on any other sidewalk or any roadway unless restricted or prohibited by traffic control devices.
(Ord. No. 91-91, § 3(C), 4-2-91. Code 2001 § 15-193.)
8.25.040 Riding on sidewalks – Yield to pedestrians.
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, where allowed, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.
(Ord. No. 91-91, § 3(D), 4-2-91. Code 2001 § 15-194.)
8.25.050 Use right half of roadway.
Any person operating a bicycle in the roadway where allowed shall ride as near to the righthand side of the roadway as practicable.
(Ord. No. 91-91, § 3(E), 4-2-91. Code 2001 § 15-195.)
8.25.060 Bicycle helmets.
(1) Generally – Helmet required.
(a) Any person bicycling or riding as a bicycle passenger on or in tow of a bicycle upon any public area in the city of Federal Way shall wear a bicycle helmet and shall have either the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely while the bicycle is in motion.
(b) No person shall transport another person on or in tow of a bicycle upon any public area in the jurisdiction of the city of Federal Way, unless the passenger is wearing a helmet that meets the requirements of this title.
(c) A parent or guardian is responsible for requiring that a child under the age of 16 years wears a bicycle helmet while bicycling or riding as a passenger on a bicycle in any public area in the city of Federal Way, and has the neck or chin strap of the helmet fastened securely.
(2) Bicycle races and events.
(a) Any person managing a bicycle race, an organized event involving bicycling, or a bicycle tour in the public areas of the city of Federal Way shall require that all participants on or in tow of bicycles wear approved bicycle helmets.
(b) The person managing any such event shall include the bicycle helmet requirement in any promotional brochures and on registration materials.
(3) Bicycle rental or loan.
(a) Any person engaging in the business of renting or loaning (e.g., “a test drive”) any bicycle for use in any public place in the city of Federal Way shall supply the persons leasing or using bicycles with bicycle helmets, along with the bicycles, unless the bicycle riders and passengers possess bicycle helmets of their own for use with the bicycle.
(b) The rental papers (contract, agreement, or receipt) must advise the person renting the bicycle of the bicycle helmet requirements of this title.
(4) Penalties – Traffic infraction.
(a) Effective January 1, 2005, any person violating any of the provisions of this title shall have committed a traffic infraction and shall be liable for monetary penalties as set forth in FWRC 8.25.010.
(b) The court may waive, reduce, or suspend the penalty and clear the notice of violation as a warning for an individual who has not received a notice of violation of this title within one year, and provides proof that he or she has acquired a bicycle helmet at the time of appearance in court.
(c) Each rental and each event under subsection (3) of this section shall be a separate violation.
(Ord. No. 09-591, § 6, 1-6-09; Ord. No. 04-476 § 1, 12-21-04. Code 2001 § 15-196.)
Cross references: Appeal procedure, Chapter 1.25 FWRC; skateboarding, bicycling and skating restricted in parks and recreation areas, FWRC 4.05.360; bicycle facilities required improvements, FWRC 19.135.150.