La Mirada Municipal Code Ch. 10.25 Bicycle Routes and Regulations

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall for the purpose of this chapter have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by the Vehicle Code of the state as of the effective date of the ordinance codified herein, or as hereafter amended, which meanings are adopted by reference and made part of this chapter: "authorized emergency vehicle," "authorized emergency vehicle (privately owned)," "crosswalk," "driver," "intersection," "motorcycle," "motor truck," "motor vehicle," "vehicle," "operator," "person," "private road or driveway," "residential district," "roadway," "safety zone," "sidewalk," "street," or "highway" and "through highway." (Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).

"Bicycle lane" as used in this chapter or any resolution adopted pursuant thereto means a separate lane established on a public street, on designated bicycle routes, between the traffic lane and the curb, for the exclusive use of bicycles, where warranted by traffic conditions, as authorized by Section 21207 of the California Vehicle Code, provided such bicycle lanes are designated by means of an eight-inch white strip painted on the pavement and/or by other appropriate traffic-control devices.

(Ord. 239 § 1, 1975; Ord. 211 § 1, 1974; Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).

"Bicycle," as used in this chapter or any resolution pursuant hereto, means 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 a tandem or tricycle arrangement.

(Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).

"Bicycle path," as used in this chapter or any resolution pursuant hereto, means a specifically designated area which is designated for the sole purpose of accommodating bicycles.

(Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).

"Bicycle route," as used in this chapter or any resolution pursuant hereto, means a recommended route for bicycle travel along bicycle paths and other facilities which safely accommodate bicycles and their riders.

(Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).

(a) Bicycle lanes may be established on bicycle routes in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and the location of such routes shall be designated by resolution adopted pursuant thereto.

(b) The city staff shall cause the placing of appropriate traffic control devices as may be warranted to designate bicycle routes and to establish bicycle lanes.

(c) No motor vehicle shall be driven within a bicycle lane or path except as may be necessary to execute the following movements:

(1) Entering a driveway;

(2) Exiting from a driveway;

(3) Entering an intersection;

(4) Departing from an intersection; provided, however, that in no case shall a motor vehicle be driven within a bicycle lane for a distance in excess of one hundred feet during execution of any of the above movements.

(d) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle on a roadway or sidewalk adjacent to which or upon which bicycle lanes have been designated, except within such bicycle lane or except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon a roadway adjacent to which there is a bicycle path which parallels the roadway and which bicycle path when measured from the edge of the roadway to the edge of the bicycle path nearest the roadway is no more than seventy-five feet distant, except within such bicycle path or except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter.

(e) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway or within a designated bicycle lane shall at no time ride more than two abreast, nor more than one abreast when approaching a designated bike ramp or a bicycle rider proceeding in the opposite direction.

(f) Upon approaching an intersection any person riding or operating a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles within or approaching such intersection, except that all vehicles which must stop before entering an intersection because of a stop sign and all vehicles making a left or right hand turn at an intersection shall not proceed into the intersection nor make such a turn without first yielding the right-of-way to all bicycles within or approaching the intersection and shall proceed only when it is safe to do so.

(Ord. 187 § 1 (part), 1972).