Chapter 10.07
SKATEBOARDING, INLINE SKATING, ROLLER SKATING, TOY VEHICLES AND BICYCLING
Sections:
10.07.020 Skateboarding, inline skating, roller skating, toy vehicles and bicycling.
10.07.025 Use of public paths and/or trails for other purposes.
10.07.030 Parental responsibilities.
10.07.035 No public duty created.
10.07.040 Violation – Penalty.
Prior legislation: Ord. 96-3.
10.07.010 Definitions.
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
“Bicycle,” also called a pedal cycle, bike, push-bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other.
“Downtown business district,” as used in this chapter, means the roadway and sidewalks from the NW Pacific Highway roundabout along 4th Street to Cedar Avenue.
“Inline skates” has its ordinary meaning and means a pair of shoes or boots mounted upon three or more sets of wheels located one behind the other under the attached shoe or boot, and is most often propelled by the user in an upright, standing position.
“Public parking lot,” as used in this chapter, means any city-owned property where a motor vehicle can legally park for a certain amount of time.
“Roller skates” has its ordinary meaning and means a pair of shoes mounted upon two sets of wheels, most often propelled by the user in an upright, standing position.
“Scooter” means a footboard mounted upon two or more wheels, controlled by an upright steering handle, and is most often propelled by the user, usually in an upright position or kneeling.
“Sidewalks,” as used in this chapter, means those sidewalks adjacent to a public street or right-of-way.
“Skateboard” has its ordinary meaning and includes a board of any materials with wheels affixed to the underside, including motorized skateboards, designed to be ridden by a person.
“Toy vehicle” means a vehicle built to transport a person and designed to be propelled by human power or gravity, and ordinarily used for recreation or play and includes any motorized, electric or propellant device such as roller skates, inline skates, a skateboard or similar wheeled device, and a drone notwithstanding it does not transport a person or is propelled by human power or gravity.
“Trails,” as used in this chapter, means paved and gravel trails located in the city’s park system. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
10.07.020 Skateboarding, inline skating, roller skating, toy vehicles and bicycling.
(1) No person shall ride a bicycle, skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, scooter, toy vehicle or any other device similar to the foregoing upon any sidewalk, public parking lot or other public property within the area designated as the downtown business district except within paths or sidewalks that are specifically designated by signage as permitting such use.
(2) Persons operating or riding a bicycle, skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, scooter or toy vehicles may cross at designated crosswalks and must otherwise comply with traffic control devices.
(3) Negligent Operation Prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to operate a skateboard, roller skates, inline skates, bicycle or any other nonmotorized recreational vehicle operated solely by human power in a negligent manner upon any roadway, parking lot, sidewalks, alleys, parking areas, pathways or trails within the city of La Center. For the purpose of this section, “to operate in a negligent manner” means the operation of a skateboard, roller skates, inline skates, bicycle, or other recreational, nonmotorized vehicle in such a manner as to endanger or to be likely to endanger any person or property or to obstruct, hinder, or impede the lawful course of travel of any motor vehicle or the lawful use of any pedestrian of public streets, sidewalks, alleys, parking areas, pathways, or trails within the city of La Center.
(4) It shall be unlawful for anyone to roller skate, inline skate, use a scooter, toy vehicle, any similar device or to ride a skateboard in any building or parking lot owned, leased or operated by the city.
(5) After Dark. No person upon a skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, scooter, toy vehicle or any similar device shall ride upon a public highway or public sidewalk during the hours between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise without wearing a reflective device on his or her front and back.
(6) Obstacles in Right-of-Way. No person shall place in the right-of-way of any road or sidewalk any obstacles which may be used in conjunction with the riding of a bicycle, skateboard, inline skates, roller skates, scooter, toy vehicle or any similar device.
(7) Except as provided in the preceding subsections, the following sections of the Model Traffic Ordinance dealing with skateboards, inline skates, roller skates, toy vehicles, and bicycles are not adopted by reference and are expressly deleted: WAC 308-330-250, 308-330-500, 308-330-505, 308-330-510, 308-330-515, 308-330-520, 308-330-525, 3008-330-530, 308-330-535 and 308-330-540. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
10.07.025 Use of public paths and/or trails for other purposes.
(1) It is unlawful for any person to drive, ride, propel or lead any motor vehicle, or vehicle other than a bicycle or similar nonmotorized vehicle, on and along any designated path or trail within the city limits of the city of La Center, except for crossings necessary for entry into driveways and other streets and travel into said lanes for turning purposes and when needed for city operations such as maintenance and setting up for special events.
(2) It is unlawful to park a motor vehicle within any portion of a street designated as a bicycle path. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
10.07.030 Parental responsibilities.
It shall be unlawful for every parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of any minor child under 18 years of age to knowingly permit such a minor child to violate this chapter. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
10.07.035 No public duty created.
(1) It is expressly the purpose of this chapter to provide for and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public and not to create or otherwise establish or designate any particular class or group of persons or individuals who will or should be especially protected or benefited by the terms of this chapter.
(2) Nothing contained in this chapter is intended nor shall be construed to create or form the basis of any liability on the part of the city or its officer, employees, or agents for any injury or damage resulting from any action or inaction on the part of the city related in any manner to the enforcement of this chapter by its officers, employees or agents. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]
10.07.040 Violation – Penalty.
Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a civil infraction, and upon finding of a violation thereof shall be subjected to a monetary penalty of not more than $250.00. [Ord. 2023-03 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023.]