Atwater Municipal Code Ch. 10.52 Bicycles

A "bicycle" is defined, for the purposes of this chapter, as any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power, through a system of belts, chains or gears, and which has wheels at least 20 inches in diameter and a frame size of at lease 14 inches.

(Prior Code § 3-4.101)

No resident of the City shall operate any bicycle on any street, road, highway or other public property within the City limits unless such bicycle is licensed in accordance with this chapter.

(Prior Code § 3-4.102)

Upon written application and the payment of the license fee provided in Section 10.52.070, the chief of police is authorized and directed to issue to the applicant a bicycle license which shall be effective for the licensing period as provided, in Section 10.52.040.

(Prior Code § 3-4.103)

Each license issued shall be for a period not to exceed four years. All licenses issued prior to December 31, 1978, will expire on December 31, 1978.

(Prior Code § 3-4.104)

Upon expiration of an issued license, and upon payment of the license fee as provided in Section 10.52.070, a renewal of the license shall be issued for a period not to exceed three years.

(Prior Code § 3-4.105)

A. Upon application for a license under this chapter, and payment of the fee therefore, the police department of the City shall issue a state-wide bicycle plate, which shall be authorized, designed and distributed by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

B. Upon application for a renewal, and the payment of the license fee provided in Section 10.52.070, the police department of the City shall issue a renewal tab which shall be affixed near the license plate, which renewal tab shall be issued for a three-year period.

(Prior Code § 3-4.106)

The licensing fee which shall be paid by the applicant to the City for each license issued or each renewal tab issued shall be $2.00 per year or any fraction thereof.

(Prior Code § 3-4.107)

The revenues derived from license and renewal fees shall be retained by the City and shall be used first for the support of the bicycle licensing ordinance codified in this chapter, and any remaining funds shall be used by the City to improve bicycle safety programs and the establishment of bicycle facilities, including bicycle paths and lanes within the limits of the City.

(Prior Code § 3-4.108)

Upon application for licensing or renewal, the applicant shall furnish the City, on a form provided, the bicycle license number, the bicycle serial number, the make, type and model of the bicycle and the name and address of the licensee. The registration forms shall be maintained by the police department of the City during the licensing period, or upon notification that the bicycle no longer is to be operated.

(Prior Code § 3-4.109)

Each retailer of bicycles within the City shall supply to each purchaser of a bicycle a record containing the name of the retailer, the address of the retailer, the year and make of the bicycle sold, and the serial number of the bicycle sold.

(Prior Code § 3-4.110)

Persons and firms engaged in the business of buying secondhand bicycles within the City are required to make a weekly report to the chief of police, specifying:

A. The name and address of the person from whom each bicycle is purchased;

B. The description of each bicycle purchased;

C. The frame number thereof: and

D. The number of metallic license plate found thereon, if any.

(Prior Code § 3-4.111)

After December 31, 1974, no retailer of bicycles shall sell a new bicycle in the City unless the bicycle has permanently stamped or cast on its frame a serial number unique to the particular bicycle of each manufacturer. Serial numbers shall be stamped or cast in the head of the frame, either side of the seat down the post tube, or the bottom sprocket.

(Prior Code § 3-4.112)

A. Whenever the owner of a bicycle licensed under this chapter sells or otherwise disposes of the bicycle, he shall, within ten days, inform the police department of such disposition.

B. Any person who purchases or otherwise acquires possession of a bicycle shall, within ten days of taking possession of same, apply for the transfer of license to his name.

C. A transfer fee of $0.50 shall be charged by the police department for the transfer of the license of any bicycle.

D. A fee of $0.50 shall be charged for the replacement of license plates or renewal tabs lost, stolen or mutilated.

(Prior Code § 3-4.113)

It is unlawful for any person to willfully or maliciously cause the removal, destruction, mutilation or alteration of the number of any bicycle frame, license or renewal tab of any bicycle license which is effective in the City.

(Prior Code § 4-3.114)

A. Any bicycle found within the City limits, without the required license or renewal pursuant to this chapter, shall be subject to seizure by the police department and shall be released only upon the owner thereof being issued a license or renewal as provided by this chapter.

B. In the event that a bicycle seized under this section has not been released as hereinabove provided within a period of 90 days from the date of seizure, or 90 days from the date notice of seizure shall have been mailed to a known owner, then the bicycle shall be deemed to have been abandoned and shall be sold at public auction and the receipts from the sale shall be deposited in the general fund.

(Prior Code § 3-4.115)

Whenever the owner of a bicycle licensed pursuant to this chapter changes his address, he shall, within ten days, notify the police department of the old and new address.

(Prior Code § 3-4.116)

The fines which shall be imposed for any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall not exceed $10.00.

(Prior Code § 3-4.117; Ord. CS 766, 11-10-1998)

Pursuant to the provisions of California Vehicle Code Section 21100(h), it is hereby determined that it is permissible to ride bicycles upon sidewalks in all residential areas and upon sidewalks along the entire length of Bellevue Road. Except as permitted herein, it is prohibited to ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any business district as defined by Section 235 of the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. CS 633, 1987)