Burbank Municipal Code Art. 28 Bicycle Paths, Trails

6-1-2801: DEFINITIONS:

As used in this article, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the following words and terms shall mean:

BICYCLE: As defined in California Vehicle Code § 231.

a) ELECTRIC BICYCLE. A bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts. An electric bicycle is a bicycle, as defined in California Vehicle Code § 231.

CLASS ONE ELECTRIC BICYCLE or LOW-SPEED PEDAL-ASSISTED ELECTRIC BICYCLE. A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.
CLASS TWO ELECTRIC BICYCLE or LOW-SPEED THROTTLE-ASSISTED ELECTRIC BICYCLE. A bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty (20) miles per hour.
CLASS THREE ELECTRIC BICYCLE or SPEED PEDAL-ASSISTED ELECTRIC BICYCLE. A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of twenty-eight (28) miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer.

ELECTRIC MOBILITY DEVICE: As defined herein and includes the following devices, each as defined in the California Vehicle Code:

a) ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 313.

b) ELECTRICALLY MOTORIZED BOARD. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 313.5.

c) MOTORIZED SCOOTER. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 407.5.

d) POCKET BIKE. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 473(a).

e) MOTOR-DRIVEN CYCLE. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 405.

f) MOTORIZED BICYCLES OR MOPEDS. As defined in California Vehicle Code § 406. Any motorized bicycle and/or moped operated in excess of the speed limits set forth in § 406 shall be deemed a vehicle pursuant to California Vehicle Code § 670.

OPERATOR: A person who owns, operates, and/or controls an electric mobility device, bicycle, vehicle, or any other means of propulsion.
PUBLIC AREA: Any outdoor area that is open to the public, whether publicly or privately owned.
VEHICLE: As defined in California Vehicle Code § 670.
UNSAFE MANNER: Operation of a device in any manner whatsoever that displays a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of other persons or property. [Added by Ord. No. 26-4,038, 2/24/26.]

6-1-2802: RULES OF THE ROAD:

A. No person shall operate any unauthorized motor vehicle or electric mobility device on any pedestrian or bicycle facility, including, but not limited to, sidewalks; bicycle paths; bicycle trails; equestrian trails; any public drainage facility, culvert, ditch, or channel any other paved public area; in or upon any public athletic field, athletic/sports court, or gymnasium; hiking or recreational trail. Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices, Electric Motorized Boards, and Motorized Scooters, as defined by the California Vehicle Code, are permitted on Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 bikeways. Motorized Bicycles are permitted on Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4 bikeways only. Electric motorized boards are permitted on sidewalks.

B. Nothing herein shall be deemed to prohibit operation of any electric bicycle upon any bicycle path, bicycle trail, bicycle lane, or any other location where a standard bicycle is permitted.

C. No person under the age of sixteen (16) shall operate a Class 3 electric bicycle, per California Vehicle Code § 21213.

D. No Person shall ride a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or any other self-propelled or electric mobility device within a City-owned public parking lot, parking structure, public athletic field, athletic/sports court, gymnasium, or any other area designated by the City wherever signs are posted giving notice thereof.

E. No Person shall ride a bicycle, skateboard, or any other self-propelled or electric mobility device on the sidewalk in the Downtown District, defined as all sidewalks, streets or easements maintained by the City within the quadrant which is encompassed by and includes First Street to Third Street and Magnolia Boulevard to Verdugo Avenue.

F. Any person operating a bicycle or device on the sidewalk outside of the Downtown District shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, and when overtaking and passing a pedestrian, shall give an audible signal and shall pass to the left of the pedestrian only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.

G. No person shall ride a bicycle, electric bicycle, moped, motorized scooter, or any other electric mobility device, in an unsafe manner in any public area.

H. The operator of an electric mobility device shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the device, obey all traffic control devices, and take all other actions relating to the operation of the device as necessary to protect the safety of the operator, passengers, and any persons or other vehicles or devices in the vicinity.

I. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric mobility device faster than the posted speed limit in any public area.

J. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric mobility device on an equestrian path, defined as dirt, gravel, or decomposed granite paths between Alameda Avenue and the Los Angeles River.

K. Any person operating a bicycle or electric mobility device under the age of eighteen (18) shall wear a helmet, per California Vehicle Code § 21212, and any person who operates or rides upon a Class 3 electric bicycle shall wear a helmet regardless of age, per California Vehicle Code § 21213(b).

L. No person shall transport a passenger on an electric mobility device designed for a single person.

M. No person operating an electric mobility device shall cling or attach to any moving vehicle, or other moving motorized or non-motorized wheeled device.

N. Electric mobility device, electric bicycle, and bicycle operators who are under the age of sixteen (16) shall not ride “double” or “tandem,” or otherwise transport any other person, regardless of the device’s capacity or ability to do so.

O. Electric mobility device operators shall allow the inspection of such device while in any public area, upon request by any police officer to determine if the rider is legally allowed to operate the device, and/or when an officer has a reasonable suspicion that the device has been unlawfully modified, or otherwise as authorized by law.

P. No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway, bicycle lane, bicycle path, bicycle trail or bikeway unless it is equipped with required features per California Vehicle Code § 21201.

Q. Nothing in this section shall preclude any person who, due to physical disability, is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, invalid tricycle, or motorized quadricycle from operating such device in any area open to pedestrians, per California Vehicle Code § 415. [Added by Ord. No. 3673, 7/16/05; amended by Ord. No. 26-4,038, 2/24/26. Formerly 6-1-2801.]

6-1-2803: ENFORCEMENT:

A. This chapter does not prohibit any officer, in their discretion, from issuing a citation whereby the violator promises to appear in court for any violation of this chapter or the California Vehicle Code. A violation of this section pursuant to the California Vehicle Code shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both.

B. In the event an observed violation is not a violation of the California Vehicle Code, but is a violation of this chapter, an administrative citation may be issued pursuant to Chapter One of this code. The amount of administrative fines imposed for violations of this chapter are as follows:

a) First offense is one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125).

b) Second offense within twelve (12) months is two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

c) Third and subsequent offenses within twelve (12) months is five hundred dollars ($500).

C. In the event the operator of the electric mobility device is a juvenile, officers will make every effort to contact the parent(s) or responsible guardian(s) of the operator and advise them of the nature of the violation. This shall occur at the time of the stop or as soon as practical.

D. In lieu of a fine or administrative citation as authorized by this chapter and in lieu of filing charges in any court having jurisdiction over a violation, the Police Chief or designee may allow a juvenile violator and parents of the juvenile violator to complete a Police Department diversion safety program, if available, at their expense, as assigned by the Police Department designee.

E. Each parent or legal guardian having custody and control of a minor who is issued an administrative citation for violation of this chapter shall be jointly and severally liable with such minor for payment of the administrative fine. [Added by Ord. No. 26-4,038, 2/24/26.]

6-1-2804: EXEMPTIONS:

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any other section of this code, city personnel may operate electric mobility devices or other vehicles at any place in the city to perform their duties.

B. This chapter does not apply to or otherwise restrict persons with mobility disabilities utilizing a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 12101, et seq.) and § 36.311 of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations. [Added by Ord. No. 26-4,038, 2/24/26.]

6-1-2805: SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE TO THE USE OF THE MARIPOSA STREET BRIDGE:

In addition to the Rules of the Road, as set forth in 6-1-2802 which are incorporated herein by this reference, the following special rules for the Mariposa Street Bridge (Bridge) are as follows:

Every equestrian rider shall proceed over the Bridge in a safe, slow manner, and shall cause the horse to be in a walking gait while on the Bridge.
No person shall ride, walk or carry a bicycle, electric bicycle, or electric mobility device on the Bridge.
Pedestrians are allowed to use the Bridge.

The Public Works Director is authorized to place and maintain adequate signage, and/or markings to inform equestrians, cyclists and pedestrians of these rules. [Added by Ord. No. 16-3,875, eff. 3/25/16; amended by Ord. No. 26-4,038, 2/24/26. Formerly 6-1-2802.]