Ione Municipal Code Ch. 10.30 Bicycles

This chapter is adopted pursuant to Section 21206 of the Vehicle Code of the state, and is intended to implement and supplement provisions of Division 11, Chapter 1 of such code.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A "bicycle" is a device upon which any person may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, chain or gears, and having either two or three wheels in tandem or tricycle arrangement, wheels which are at least twenty inches in diameter and with a frame size of at least fourteen inches.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A "motorized bicycle" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or an automatic transmission and a motor which produces less than two gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty miles per hour on level ground.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

"Pedal cycle" means any device upon which a person may ride which has two or more wheels and is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears and does not meet the requirements of Section 10.30.020 of this chapter.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

It is unlawful for any person to wilfully or maliciously remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the number of any bicycle frame licensed, pursuant to this chapter.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

It is unlawful or any person to remove, destroy, mutilate or alter any license plate, registration card or receipt during the time in which such license plate, registration card or receipt is operative.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

The police department is authorized to investigate the possession and ownership of any bicycle bearing a license issued by another city, and if there is probable cause for believing that the cycle is a stolen bicycle, the police department finds that the same is a stolen bicycle, it shall then communicate with the appropriate enforcement officers of the city and of the reasonable costs of the impounding and storage of the bicycle, but which charge shall at no time exceed the sum of ten dollars. In this connection, however, it is further provided that where municipalities have entered into reciprocal agreements for the storage and return of bicycles licensed by the municipalities, that the fees and charges shall be those that may be provided by such reciprocal agreement.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle on any sidewalk in front of schools, stores, or buildings used for business purposes. Riding on sidewalks in residential areas shall be permissible only for juveniles under the age of ten years, exercising due care and giving proper regard for the safety of pedestrians.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle pursuant to Division 11 of the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. No person shall operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make one braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

B. No person shall operate on the highway any bicycle equipped with handlebars so raised that the operator must elevate his hands above the level of his shoulders in order to grasp the normal steering grip area.

C. No person shall operate upon any highway a bicycle which is of such a size as to prevent the operator from safely stopping the bicycle, supporting it in an upright position with at least one foot on the ground, and restarting it in a safe manner.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practical to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right hand curb or edge.

B. Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway or a highway which carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes, may ride as near the left hand curb or edge of such roadway as practical.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person riding upon any bicycle, motorized bicycle, motorcycle, coaster, roller skates, sled, or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle on the roadway.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. No person operating a bicycle upon a highway shall ride other than upon or astride a permanent regular seat attached thereto.

B. No operator shall allow a person riding as a passenger, and no person shall ride as a passenger on a bicycle upon a highway other than upon or astride a separate seat attached thereto. If the passenger is a minor weighing forty pounds or less, the seat shall have adequate provisions for retaining the minor in place and for protecting the minor from the moving parts of the bicycle.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. Whenever a bicycle lane has been established on a roadway pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21207, any person operating a bicycle upon the roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction, shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane;

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway;

3. When reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions.

B. No person operating a bicycle shall leave a bicycle lane until the movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided by the California Vehicle Code in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. A bicyclist facing a circular green signal shall proceed straight through or turn right or left or make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits a U-turn. Any bicyclist, including one turning, shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.

B. A bicyclist facing a green arrow signal shown alone or in combination with another indication, shall enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by the green arrow or any other movement that is permitted by other indication shown at the same time shown at the same time. A bicyclist facing a left green arrow may also make a U-turn, unless prohibited by a sign. A bicyclist shall yield the right-of-way to other traffic and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A. A bicyclist facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is showing except as provided in subsection B of this section.

B. Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a bicyclist, after stopping as required by subsection A of this section, facing a steady circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. A bicyclist making such a turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to traffic lawfully using the intersection.

C. A bicyclist facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow, and unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain stopped until an indicator permitting movement is shown.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow light is used in a traffic signal or with a traffic sign, it shall require obedience by a bicyclist as follows:

A. Flashing Red (Stop Signal). When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, a bicyclist shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersection roadway when the bicyclist has a view of approaching traffic or the intersecting roadway before entering it, and the bicyclist may proceed subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

B. Flashing Yellow (Caution Signal). When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, a bicyclist may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

It is unlawful for any bicyclist to fail to obey any sign or signal erected or maintained to indicate and carry out the provisions of the California Vehicle Code or any local traffic ordinance or resolution adopted pursuant to a local traffic ordinance.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle sounding a siren and having at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of one thousand feet to the front of such vehicle, except as otherwise directed by a traffic officer, a bicyclist shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately ride to the position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right hand edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection and thereupon stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

A bicyclist shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the bicyclist approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person shall turn a bicycle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the manner provided by the California Vehicle Code.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last one hundred feet traveled by the bicyclist before turning.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a bicycle on a highway without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in the California Vehicle Code to the driver of a vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give the signal.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person shall ride a bicycle upon the highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface width of the roadway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

The rider of any bicycle approaching a stop sign at the entrance to or within an intersection, or railroad grade crossing, shall stop at a limit line, if marked, otherwise before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, the bicyclist shall stop at the entrance to the intersecting roadway or railroad grade crossing.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

The rider of any bicycle approaching a railroad grade crossing shall stop not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail and shall not proceed until he can do so safely, whenever the following conditions exist:

A. A clearly visible electric or mechanical signal device or a flagman gives warning of the approach or passage of a train or car;

B. An approaching train or car is plainly visible or is emitting an audible signal and, by reason of its speed or nearness, is an immediate hazard.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

No person shall park any bicycle against any windows or in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic or property. If there are no bicycle racks or other facilities used to park bicycles in the vicinity, bicycles may be parked on the sidewalk in an upright position parallel to and within twelve inches of the curb.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).

Where this chapter has been violated by juveniles under the age of eighteen years, in lieu of a fine and imprisonment and in lieu of filing charges in the juvenile court, and the chief of police may prohibit the operation upon the streets, alleys and public places in the city for a period not to exceed thirty days of a bicycle so used in such violation, in which event the bicycle so used in such violation shall be impounded by the chief of police and retained by him during the period of the operation which is prohibited and the owner's registration card shall be held for a like period. In addition, the juvenile violator may be issued a notice to appear. For 1st-3rd violators, an "educational program" will be mandated. This program will be administered by the chief of police. A graduated fee of five dollars, ten dollars, fifteen dollars will be charged. Fourth and subsequent violators will be referred to county probation.

(Ord. 339 §1(part), 1993).