Alameda Municipal Code § 11-4 Operation of Bicycles

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a bicycle by this chapter, and with certain sections of the California Vehicle Code affecting the operations of a bicycle. Every driver shall be responsible for obeying each of these duties and it shall be unlawful for any such person to disobey them.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-331; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

Bicycles may be ridden on the sidewalk, except such sidewalks that pass directly in front of or adjacent to any stores, schools, or other buildings used for business purposes during the hours that such establishment is open for business.

a. 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.

b. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle in any pedestrian crosswalk at a signal controlled intersection, adjacent to any school, or one which is under the control of the school crossing guard. At all other intersections the bicyclist shall exercise due caution before entering onto the roadway.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-332; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.; Ord. No. 1713 N.S.)

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle in the traffic lanes of any bridge leading to or from the City. Bicycles must be walked across these bridges in the pedestrian walkways. Provided, however, if there is a barrier at least as high as the seat of the bicycle, between the walkway and the traffic lanes, the bicycle may be ridden across the walkway.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-333; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

a. Any person operating a bicycle upon any street of Alameda at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, shall ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including but not limited to, fixed or moving object, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right hand curb or edge.

b. Bicycle Path. Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.

c. Bicycle Lane. Wherever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane.

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

3. When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-334; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.; Ord. No. 1859 N.S.)

Persons riding or operating bicycles in Alameda shall not ride more than two (2) abreast, except on paths or parts of a roadway set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles; provided, further, that persons riding bicycles on the sidewalk shall do so in single file.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-335; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person riding a bicycle in the City shall cling or attach himself or his bicycle to any other moving vehicle, including trains, or person in any other vehicles.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-336; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person riding a bicycle in the City shall carry another person on the bicycle, unless such person or passenger is seated upon an individual seat, or, unless there is adequate room on the bicycle seat to safely afford space for both riders.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-337; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person riding or operating a bicycle in the City shall tow any other vehicle or person, except that bicycle trailers used for the delivery of newspapers, magazines or merchandise may be towed when being used in such delivery service.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-338; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one (1) hand upon the handlebars.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-339; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person riding or operating a bicycle upon a public highway or street shall participate in any race, speed or endurance contest.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3310; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person riding or operating a bicycle shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatic, unusual or stunt riding upon any public highway or street in the City.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3311; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

The Public Works Director shall cause to be installed and maintained such traffic control markings and devices that are necessary to the efficient and safe flow of bicyclists. Such controls may include bike detector loops, bike signage, lane markings, bike controls, and shall be in conformance with adopted City Policies such as the Bike Plan.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3312; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.; Ord. No. 2881 N.S. § 16)

a. No person shall park any bicycle against windows or on the main traveled portion of the sidewalk, nor in such manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic or property.

b. Bicycles must be parked in approved racks or such places as designated by the Public Works Director. If there is no bicycle rack or other facilities intended to be used for the parking of bicycles in the vicinity, bicycles may be parked on the sidewalks in an upright position parallel to and within twenty-four (24") inches of the curb.

c. Any merchant or person desiring to construct and erect bicycle racks may do so after obtaining approval from the Public Works Director as to the type or rack and place where such merchant or person intends to erect such rack.

d. The Planning and Building Department Director shall cause to be installed and maintained bicycle racks at businesses and developments throughout the City of a type and quantity that conforms to adopted City policies such as the Bike Plan.

e. The Building Official shall cause to be installed and operated, bicycle parking at events, in a manner and quantity that conforms to adopted City policies such as the Bike Plan.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3313; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.; Ord. No. 2881 N.S. § 16)

It shall be unlawful for any person to leave an unlocked bicycle unattended in any public place. For purposes of this section, a bicycle shall be deemed locked when it is secured or immobilized by chain and lock, lock or other device which restricts or prevents movement of the wheels, or when the bicycle is attached to a structure by chain and lock, lock or other device.

(Ord. No. 1717 N.S.)

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle faster than is reasonable and proper, and every bicycle shall be operated within reasonable regard to the safety of the operator and other persons upon the streets, sidewalks and public highways of the City.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3314; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any playground, park or school ground, where children are playing, without permission of the person having supervision thereof; provided, further, that if bicycle paths are available in such an area the bicyclist may ride a bicycle upon the path.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3315; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

* Editor's Note: For additional provisions regarding parks and playgrounds, see Chapter XV of this Code.

Every person riding or operating a bicycle intending to turn to the right at an intersection or in an alley or driveway, shall approach the turning point in the line of traffic nearest the right hand curb of the street.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3316; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

Every person riding or operating a bicycle intending to turn left at an intersection or to enter an alley or driveway, shall approach the point of turning in the line of traffic nearest to the center of the roadway. The operator of a bicycle in turning left at an intersection shall pass to the right of the center of the intersection before turning, unless otherwise directed by markers, buttons or signs. However, if the intersection is controlled by signal lights the left turn shall be completed by remaining on the right side of the roadway and proceeding to ride the bicycle to the far right corner where the rider will wait for the signal light to change. At the time the light changes the person on the bicycle will proceed in their new direction remaining as close to the right curb as possible.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3317; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No bicycle shall be turned in any business district so as to proceed in the opposite direction, except at intersections where the turn will be completed to the far right side of the roadway.

a. No bicycle operated in a residence district shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction if such movement would create a hazard to either the operator of the bicycle or the vehicle.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3318; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

The operator of a bicycle on leaving any alley, driveway, bicycle path or bicycle lane, when his view of either the sidewalk or street area is obstructed, shall stop such bicycle immediately prior to riding upon such sidewalk or street area.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3319; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.; Ord. No. 2292 N.S.)

A right hand turn may be made at an intersection by the operator of any bicycle against a red traffic signal unless otherwise posted, provided that it is safe to begin and complete such a maneuver.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3320; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

Every person riding a bicycle may pass to the left when passing vehicles going in the same direction only when such passing maneuver can be completed safely.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3321; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

No person shall turn a bicycle or stop a bicycle which he is riding or operating unless such movement can be made with safety, and then only after giving an appropriate signal during the last fifty (50') feet traveled by the bicycle before turning or stopping.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3322; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

a. Left Turn. Every person signaling a left turn shall do so by extending his left hand and arm horizontally beyond the side of the bicycle.

b. Right Turn. Every person signaling a right turn shall do so by extending his left hand and arm upward beyond the side of the bicycle.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3323; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

The operator of any bicycle involved in an accident shall take reasonable steps to ascertain whether or not anyone was injured, and shall give his name, address and the license number of his bicycle to the person with whom he was in collision; and he shall obtain the same information from the other person. It shall be the duty of the bicycle operator to make a written report of any accident resulting in death or injury, to the Police Department within twenty-four (24) hours of such accident.

(Ord. No. 535 N.S. § 7-3324; Ord. No. 1665 N.S.)

Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway, any person operating a motor vehicle in such roadway shall not drive within this bicycle lane except to park where parking is permitted, to enter or leave the roadway, or prepare for a turn.

(Ord. No. 1859 N.S.)

No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal.

(Ord. No. 1859 N.S.)