Imperial Beach Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Bicycle Licensing and Regulation

"Bicycle,"

for the purpose of this chapter, means any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears, having either two or three wheels (one of which is at least 20 inches in diameter) or having a frame size of at least 14 inches, or having four or more wheels.

(Prior code § 6510; Ord. 371 § 1, 1975; amended during 1991 republication)

It is unlawful for any person to operate or use a bicycle propelled wholly or in part by muscular power upon any of the public streets, alleys, sidewalks or public highways within the City without first obtaining a license issued by the City. The chief of law enforcement is authorized and directed to issue, upon written application therefor, a bicycle license to any person residing within the City, which license shall be effective for a period of three years from the date of issuance, during the period of time such licensee retains title to such bicycle.

(Prior code § 6511; Ord. 103 § 1, 1958; Ord. 299 § 3, 1972; Ord. 371 § 2, 1975)

The license, when issued, shall entitle the licensee to operate such bicycle upon the streets, alleys and public highways in the City in accordance with traffic regulations therefor.

(Prior code § 6512; Ord. 103 § 1, 1958)

The City shall provide proper indicia, which shall be adhesive, durable, flexible, and of a size to permit it to be affixed to the bicycle frame. Each indicia shall bear a unique license number and shall be permanently assigned to a bicycle.

(Prior code § 6513; Ord. 103 § 1, 1958; Ord. 150, 1960; Ord. 332, 1973; Ord. 371 § 3, 1975)

No bicycle license plate shall be issued for any bicycle unless such bicycle has permanently stamped or cast on its frame a serial number unique to the particular bicycle of each manufacturer. Serial numbers shall be stamped or cast in the head of the frame, either side of the seat downpost tube, or on the bottom sprocket bracket.

(Prior code § 6513.1; Ord. 103 § 2, 1958; Ord. 150, 1960; Ord. 332, 1973; Ord. 371 § 4, 1975)

It shall be the duty of the chief of law enforcement to issue a registration card to the licensee.

(Prior code § 6513.2; Ord. 103 § 2, 1958; Ord. 2023-1235, 10/18/2023)

Such license plates and seals shall remain attached during the existence of such license.

(Prior code § 6513.3; Ord. 103 § 2, 1958; Ord. 332, 1973)

The chief of law enforcement shall keep a record of the date of issue of each license, to whom issued, and the number thereof.

(Prior code § 6513.4; Ord. 103 § 2, 1958)

Any firm, partnership, individual or corporation doing business as a bicycle store for sale of bicycles and related items for bicycles may, upon authorization of the chief of law enforcement, issue license plates and keep the records as set forth in Section 10.56.080. Monthly they shall remit to the chief of law enforcement the amount of moneys collected for the issuance of licenses.

(Prior code §§ 6514, 6514.1; Ord. 103 § 2, 1958; Ord. 150, 1960)

All fees shall be paid in advance.

(Prior code § 6515.3; Ord. 103 § 3, 1958)

The chief of law enforcement or any officer or person assigned such responsibility shall inspect each bicycle before licensing the same and shall refuse a license for any bicycle which he or she determines is in unsafe mechanical condition. Further, a license shall be refused to any bicycle that does not have installed upon such bicycle to be licensed the required safety equipment as required by the Vehicle Code of the State.

(Prior code § 6516; Ord. 103 § 7, 1958; Ord. 371 § 8, 1975)

All persons engaged in the business of buying and/or selling secondhand bicycles are required to make a monthly report to law enforcement giving a list of all purchases, sales or trades made by such dealers, which list shall include the following information:

A. The name and address of each person from whom each bicycle is purchased or received in trade;

B. A description of each bicycle sold, purchased or received in trade, including the brand name, color and other distinguishing marks;

C. The serial number and where located on the bicycle;

D. The number of the City license tag affixed thereto, if any.

(Prior code § 6517; Ord. 299 § 1, 1972)

A. It is the duty of every person who sells or transfers ownership of any bicycle to report such sale or transfer to the chief of law enforcement, together with the name and address of the person to whom the bicycle was sold or transferred. The report shall be made within 10 days of the date of transfer.

B. It is the duty of the purchaser or transferee of the bicycle to apply for a transfer of registration therefor, within 10 days of sale or transfer.

C. Whenever the owner of a bicycle licensed pursuant to this chapter changes his or her address he or she shall within 10 days notify the chief of law enforcement of the old and the new address.

(Prior code § 6518; Ord. 299 § 2, 1972; Ord. 371 § 9, 1975)

Any indicia issued to the owner of a bicycle under the requirements of AB 3329, State of California by any jurisdiction shall be honored by the City of Imperial Beach, if such licensed bicycle owner moves from the issuing jurisdiction to within the City of Imperial Beach. Such license shall be honored until the expiration date of said license and the licensed owner shall immediately make application for a current bicycle license to be issued under the requirements of this chapter.

(Prior code § 6518.1; Ord. 371 § 10, 1975)

It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in a business district.

(Prior code § 6521; Ord. 103 § 4, 1958)