Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Clayton Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Bicycles
Clayton Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Clayton
Cite as: Clayton Municipal Code Chapter 10.56 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Footnotes:
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State Law reference— For statutory provisions on bicycle licensing, see Vehicle Code § 39000 et seq.; for provisions on bicycle equipment and operation, see Vehicle Code § 21200 et seq.; for provisions on local regulation of bicycles, see Vehicle Code §§ 21100 and 21206.
10.56.010 - Definitions.¶
A. "Bicycle" as used in this chapter means a device upon which any person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain, or gears and having either two (2) or three (3) wheels in a tandem or tricycle arrangement.
B. "Chief of police," as used in this chapter means the chief of police for the City of Clayton.
(Ord. 119, 1969)
10.56.020 - License—Required.¶
No person shall operate or use a bicycle propelled wholly or in part by muscular power upon any streets or public highways of the city without first obtaining from the chief of police a license therefore.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.030 - License—Issuance—Validity—Identification Number.¶
A. The chief of police, or his agent, is authorized and directed to issue bicycle licenses upon written application therefore. Such licenses issued shall be valid so long as the bicycle remains in the continuous ownership of the individual to whom the license is issued.
B. The chief of police is authorized and directed to stamp or imprint a Clayton identification number on the bicycle frame.
(Ord. 74, 1969; Ord. 119, 1973)
10.56.040 - License—Attachment—Records Kept.¶
The city shall provide an appropriate license. The license shall be attached to the frame of the licensed bicycle. The license shall remain attached during the continuous ownership of the bicycle. The chief of police shall keep a record of the date of issuance of each license, the person to whom issued, the number thereof, and the frame number and name of manufacturer, if any, of the bicycle.
(Ord. 74, 1969; Ord. 119, 1973)
10.56.050 - Secondhand Bicycle Dealers—Report of Purchases.¶
Persons engaged in the business of buying secondhand bicycles in the city are required to make a monthly 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;
D. The number of the license found thereon, if any.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.060 - New and Secondhand Bicycle Dealers—Report of Sales.¶
All persons engaged in the business of selling new or secondhand bicycles in the city are required to make a monthly report to the chief of police giving a list of all sales made by such dealers, which list shall include:
A. The name and address of each person to whom a bicycle was sold;
B. The kind of bicycle sold;
C. The description and frame number thereof,
D. The number of the license attached thereto, if any.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.070 - Sale or Transfer of Ownership—Report Required.¶
It shall be the duty of every person who sells or transfers ownership of any bicycle to report such sale or transfer to the chief of police, together with the name and address of the person to whom the bicycle was sold or transferred. The report shall be made within five (5) days of the date of sale or transfer. If shall be the duty of the purchaser of transferee of the bicycle to apply for a transfer of registration therefore, within five (5) days of sale or transfer.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.080 - Destroying Bicycle Frame Number Prohibited.¶
No person shall wilfully or maliciously remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the number of any bicycle frame licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.090 - Destroying License Prohibited.¶
No person shall remove, destroy, mutilate, or alter any license during the license period.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.100 - License Fees.¶
For the issuance of a license pursuant to this chapter, the sum of three dollars ($3.00) shall be paid. For each transfer the sum of three dollars ($3.00) shall be paid. A duplicate license shall be issued for a fee of fifty cents ($0.50).
(Ord. 74, 1969; Ord. 78, 1969; Ord. 119, 1973)
10.56.110 - Obedience to Traffic Rules.¶
Every person riding a bicycle upon the highways and city streets has all the tights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle as defined in the state of California Vehicle Code, except those provisions which by their very nature can have no application.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.120 - Riding in a Group.¶
Persons riding or operating bicycles in the city 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. 74, 1969)
10.56.130 - Clinging to Moving Vehicles.¶
No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall cling or attach himself or his bicycle to any other moving vehicle or public or private conveyance or person in any other vehicle.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.140 - Carrying Passengers.¶
No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall carry another person on said bicycle, unless such person or passenger is seated upon an individual seat or carrier separate from that intended to be used by the operator. No person shall ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, unless he is seated upon an individual seat or carrier separate from that intended to be used by the operator.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.150 - Towing Prohibited—Exceptions.¶
No persons riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall tow any other vehicle or persons, except that bicycle trailers used for delivery of newspapers, magazines or merchandise may be towed when being used in such delivery service.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.160 - Racing Prohibited—Exceptions.¶
No person riding or operating a bicycle upon a public highway or street shall participate in any race, speed or endurance contest unless such race or endurance contest has the written permission of the chief of police, and is under the supervision of the chief of police.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.170 - Trick Riding Prohibited.¶
No person riding or operating a bicycle shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatics, fancy or stunt riding upon any public highway or street in the city.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.180 - Parking Restrictions.¶
No person shall park any bicycle against windows or parking meters or on the main traveled portion of the sidewalk, nor in such manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic or property. If there are no bicycle racks or other facilities intended to be used for parking bicycles in the vicinity, bicycles may be parked on the sidewalk in an upright position parallel to and within twenty-four (24) inches of the curb.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.190 - Speed Regulations.¶
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle faster than is reasonable and proper. Every bicycle shall be operated with reasonable regard to the safety of the operator and other persons upon the streets, sidewalks and public highways of the city.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.200 - Riding in Parks Playgrounds and Schools.¶
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.
(Ord. 74, 1969)
10.56.210 - Accidents—Operator's Responsibilities—Report When.¶
The operator of any bicycle involved in an accident shall take reasonable steps to ascertain whether or not anyone was injured, and he 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. 74, 1969)
10.56.220 - Auction Sale of Unclaimed Bicycles.¶
The chief of police or such other person as shall be designated by him, may sell at public auction all unclaimed bicycles that have been in his custody and possession for a period of three (3) months. He shall fix a day upon which the sale shall take place and shall give notice thereof by publication at least five (5) days prior to the date of sale in the official newspaper. The notice shall state the day and hour when the sale shall commence and shall contain a general description of the property to be sold or shall refer to a list thereof on file with the chief of police. The notice shall be signed by the chief of police. Proceeds of such sale shall be paid into the city treasury. In no case shall any bicycles be sold or disposed of until the necessity for the use thereof as evidence has ceased. If no bids were received at the public auction, the chief of police may dispose of such unsold bicycles in a manner that he deems to be in the best public interest.
(Ord. 74, 1969; Ord. 78, 1969)
10.56.230 - Bicycle Lanes and Paths—Use Required—Designation.¶
When provided, bicyclists shall use designated bicycle lanes or paths. Such lanes and paths shall be designated by appropriate signs and markings.
(Ord. 74, 1969; Ord. 119, 1973)
10.56.250 - Exemption for Bicycles Operated by Clayton Police Officers Engaged in Their Assigned Duties.¶
Regulations and restrictions of this Chapter 10.56 shall not be applicable to any Clayton Police Officer operating a bicycle while engaged in the performance of his or her assigned duties.
(Ord. 344, § 1, 1998)
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