Del Mar Municipal Code Ch. 14.54 Bicycles

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish regulations regarding the use of Bicycles and Electric Bicycles on any public roadway, street, highway, parkway, right-of-way, alley, or other public property within the City of Del Mar.

(Ord. No. 1020, § 3, 7-7-2025)

For purposes of Chapter 14.54, the following definitions shall apply:

Bicycle shall have the same meaning as ascribed in California Vehicle Code Section 231, as that section may be amended from time to time. The term Bicycle as used herein shall include Electric Bicycles, as defined below.

Electric Bicycle (E-bike) shall have the same meaning as ascribed in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as that section may be amended from time to time.

Business District shall mean the Village Center District, as outlined in the Community Plan (General Plan), and any commercial zone in the City of Del Mar.

(Ord. No. 1020, § 3, 7-7-2025)

A. Any person operating or riding a Bicycle shall exercise reasonable care and safety, and shall observe all applicable laws, including, but not limited to, yielding to pedestrians and obeying the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other devices applicable to vehicles.

B. Any person operating or riding a Bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted those rights and subject to those duties established by the laws of the State of California and by this Title, which are applicable to persons operating or riding in a vehicle, except for those provisions that, by their nature, can have no application.

C. It shall be unlawful for any person required by the California Vehicle Code to wear a helmet while operating or riding a Bicycle to wear the helmet in any way other than the fashion for which the helmet is designed to be worn, including, but not limited to, the use of straps and strap closure mechanisms.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person operating or riding a Bicycle to cling or attach themselves or the Bicycle to any other moving vehicle.

(Ord. No. 1020, § 3, 7-7-2025)

Within the City of Del Mar, it shall be unlawful for any person to ride a Bicycle in, on or upon:

A. Any sidewalk in a Business District.

B. Any sidewalk posted with signs prohibiting such riding.

C. Any street or sidewalk with a designated bicycle path or way, requiring such riding to be within the designated bicycle lane, unless an exception applies in accordance with Section 21208 of the California Vehicle Code, as that Section may be amended from time to time.

D. Any park or preserve (consistent with Section 8.04.090 of this Municipal Code).

E. Any trail or walkway within the confines of the San Dieguito Lagoon and River Valley, unless designated and signed as permitting Bicycle access, with the exception of the Coast to Crest Trail, which shall expressly permit Bicycles, including class 1 and class 2 Electric Bicycles as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as that Section may be amended from time to time (consistent with Section 8.12.030 of this Municipal Code).

(Ord. No. 1020, § 3, 7-7-2025)

In lieu of the imposition of the penalties authorized by this Title and/or the filing of charges in a court of competent jurisdiction, the Sheriff or Chief of Police or designee may allow a first-time violator of this Chapter to complete an agency-approved bicycle training safety course, if and when such a program is available.

(Ord. No. 1020, § 3, 7-7-2025)