Dixon Municipal Code Ch. 12.11 Bicycles and Electric Bicycles

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

"Bicycle"

means 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 twenty (20) inches in diameter and a frame size of at least fourteen (14) inches.

"Electric bicycle"

shall have the same definition as set forth in Cal. Veh. Code § 312.5, a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts, classified as:

"Class 1"

is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases at twenty (20) mph.

"Class 2"

is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and ceases assistance at twenty (20) mph.

"Class 3"

is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases at twenty-eight (28) mph and equipped with a speedometer.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

Every person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a street, alley, sidewalk or other public way shall be granted all the rights and be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this State declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the ordinances of this City applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature have no application.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in the City in violation of the rules of the road as set forth herein:

A. No person shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the downtown business district, or upon any sidewalks in front of schools, stores or other buildings used for business or for public assembly.

B. Whenever any person is operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk not expressly prohibited in subsection A of this section, such person shall not ride abreast with another bicycle and shall at all times yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians.

C. No bicycle on any sidewalk shall be used to carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

D. Persons operating bicycles upon a sidewalk or other pedestrian facility shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of public ways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

E. No person operating a bicycle upon any sidewalk, pedestrian facility or on any public way set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from having full control of the bicycle at all times.

F. No person shall park a bicycle upon any street, sidewalk, alley or other public way other than immediately adjacent to the curb or edge of the traveled way or in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building, in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. When a rack is provided, no person shall park a bicycle, except in such a rack, on an adjacent street, sidewalk, alley or other public way within a distance of two hundred (200) feet from such rack.

G. No person shall operate a bicycle upon any playground or park or school ground, except on established paths or walkways, without permission of the person having supervision thereof.

H. No person upon roller skates, in-line skates, skateboards, kick scooter, or riding in or on any coaster wagon, toy vehicle or similar vehicle device shall go upon or along any street, sidewalk, alley or public way within the City, except that such devices may be operated with due caution upon the sidewalk in a residential area.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or ride a bicycle in the City unless such bicycle is equipped as set forth in the following subsections. Every person must be able to demonstrate to the Police Department of the City or any members thereof that the bicycle meets the following requirements:

A. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake adequate to skid the front or rear tire of such bicycle upon application of such brakes.

B. Every bicycle equipped with a carrier must have such carrier securely attached to such bicycle.

C. Every bicycle operated at any time for one-half (0.5) hour after sunset to one-half (0.5) hour before sunrise and at any time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person or vehicle on the streets, alleys, sidewalks or ways of the City shall be equipped with a white light visible for a distance of three hundred (300) feet from the front of such bicycle, and such bicycle shall be equipped with a red lamp affixed to the rear of such bicycle, which lamp shall be visible for a distance of fifty (50) feet from the rear of such bicycle; provided, however, that a red reflector of an approved type may be used in lieu of such rear lamp.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

A. Operational Restrictions.

1. Electric bicycle operators must adhere to all regulations for bicycle operation as provided by DMC § 12.11.020.

2. Electric bicycle operators must operate an electric bicycle with at least one (1) hand on the handlebars.

3. Electric bicycle operators may not use a mobile device while operating an electric bicycle.

4. Electric bicycle operators may not carry more persons at one (1) time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

B. Helmet Requirements.

1. Operators and passengers under eighteen (18) years of age must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet meeting standards described in Cal. Veh. Code § 21212.

2. Operators and passengers of Class 3 electric bicycles, regardless of age, must wear a helmet as mandated by Cal. Veh. Code § 21213.

C. Speed Limits. Class 3 electric bicycles shall not be operated at speeds exceeding twenty-eight (28) miles per hour on any roadway.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

A. Violations of DMC § 12.11.050 shall be subject to fines as follows:

1. First offense: fifty dollars ($50.00);

2. Second offense: one hundred dollars ($100.00);

3. Third and subsequent offenses: two hundred dollars ($200.00).

B. Each instance a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)

A. An electric bicycle may be impounded if:

1. The operator has two (2) or more violations of DMC § 12.11.050 within the past twelve (12) months; or

2. The electric bicycle is operated in a manner that endangers public safety.

B. Impounded electric bicycles shall be held for a minimum of fourteen (14) days. Release requires payment of all fines and impound fees.

(Ord. 25-004 § 1)