Belvedere Municipal Code Ch. 10.64 Bicycles

For the purpose of this chapter:

A. “Bicycle” means any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears, having two or three wheels (one of which is at least eighteen inches in diameter) in tandem or tricycle arrangement, or having a frame size of at least fourteen inches.

B. “Bicycle path” means a pathway for bicycles and pedestrians paralleling a roadway, the side of the bicycle path closest to the roadway being not more than seventy-five feet distance from said roadway.

C. “Bicycle Safety Officer” means the duly appointed representative of the City Manager who is responsible for conducting the program of bicycle safety in the City. (Ord. 87-4 § 46, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 1, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

A. Every person desiring a bicycle license shall make application to the police department upon a form provided by it. Such application must be filed in triplicate and shall contain the name, date of birth, and address of the owner, together with the complete description of the bicycle and such other information as may be required by the police department. No license shall be issued unless the bicycle to be licensed complies with the requirements of this chapter and the Vehicle Code of the State as to its safe mechanical condition.

B. Upon the proper application and payment of a license fee established by the Chief of Police, the police department is authorized to issue a bicycle license which shall be effective for the duration of ownership of said bicycle by said licensee. (Ord. 87-4 § 48, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 3, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

The police department shall not issue a license for any bicycle when it knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner of or entitled to the possession of such bicycle. (Ord. 87-4 § 549, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 5, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

Upon issuance of the license, the police department shall issue a bicycle license tag bearing the license number assigned to the bicycle. The tag shall be firmly affixed to the frame of the bicycle below the seat in a conspicuous place and shall remain so affixed until removed by the proper authority for cause, or until the bicycle is dismantled. In case of theft or loss of the tag, a new license shall be issued upon payment of a fee established by the Chief of Police. (Ord. 87-4 § 50, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 4, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

At the time of issuance of the bicycle license hereunder, the police department shall cause to be kept a record in numerical order of the date of issuance of each license, to whom issued, and the serial number thereof, and a record of all bicycle licenses collected by it. (Ord. 87-4 § 51, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 10, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

The police officer assigned such responsibility shall inspect each bicycle before licensing the same and shall refuse a license for any bicycle which he -determines is in an unsafe mechanical condition. (Ord. 87-4 § 52, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 6, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

• A. Bicycles registered and licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall be required to be relicensed upon the transfer of ownership and possession of such bicycle to another person.

B. Upon the sale or other transfer of a licensed bicycle, the licensee shall notify the police department. Upon proper application, with the payment of a fee established by the City Manager, the new owner of the bicycle may have the license transferred to his name. (Ord. 87-4 § 53, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 9, 1977; Ord. 76-3 § 1, 1976.)

Every person riding a bicycle upon a public street, highway, alley or bicycle path shall be subject to the provisions of all State laws and ordinances applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application, and except as otherwise provided in this chapter. (Ord. 77-10 § 13, 1977.)

Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles and bicycles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(A), 1977.)

• A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(B), 1977.)

No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. (Ord. 77-10 § 14 (C), 1977.)

Every person operating a bicycle upon a public street or highway shall stop for all arterial highways and automatic traffic signals. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(J), 1977.)

The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle path, building or otherwise approaching upon a bicycle lane shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles approaching on such lane, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all motor vehicles or bicycles approaching on such roadway. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(D), 1977.)

Bicycles may be walked subject to all provisions of law applicable to pedestrians. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(M), 1977.)

Every person when operating a bicycle upon a street or highway shall ride such bicycle in single file only and at no time shall bicycles be operated two or more abreast. (Ord. 77-10 § 14 (I), 1977.)

No person operating a bicycle upon a public street or highway shall participate in any race or speed or endurance contests with any other vehicles. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(G), 1977.)

No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(E), 1977.)

The operator of a bicycle shall not tow or draw any coaster, sled, person on roller skates, toy vehicle, skateboard, or other similar vehicle on a public street or highway. (Ord. 77-10 § 14 (F), 1977.)

No rider of a bicycle shall remove both hands from the handlebars, or feet from the pedals, or practice any acrobatic or fancy riding on any street. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(H), 1977.)

No bicycle shall be operated upon any public sidewalk or upon any pedestrian paths in the public parks. (Ord. 77-10 § 14(K), 1977.)

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any playground, park or school ground where children are playing without the permission of the persons having supervision of the playground, park or school ground. (Ord. 77-10 § 14 (L), 1977.)

No person shall remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the license tag during the period in which such license tag is operative. (Ord. 87-4 § 56, 1987; Ord. 77-10 § 15, 1977.)