Lake Forest Municipal Code Ch. 12.24 Bicycles, Skateboards and Pedestrians

A. Direction of Travel. Persons riding or operating a bicycle or electric bicycle on a bicycle trail or path may proceed in either direction except on those trails or paths designated for one way traffic by appropriate markings or signs defined by the direction of adjacent vehicular traffic.

B. Walking Bicycles. Bicycles and electric bicycles may be walked subject to all provisions of law applicable to pedestrians.

C. Unsafe Operation. In any event, no person shall operate a bicycle or an electric bicycle in any manner that endangers any person or animal or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for other users and the surface, width, and grade of the road or trail, and in no event in excess of 10 miles per hour, unless a different speed is posted. The operation of bicycles and electric bicycles on sidewalks is subject to additional requirements and prohibitions set forth in Section 12.24.020 of this Code.

D. Parking. No person shall leave a bicycle or electric bicycle lying on its side on or in a road or trail in such a way as to obstruct pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, or other vehicular traffic.

E. Helmets. No person under 18 years of age shall ride or operate, whether or not as a passenger, a bicycle or an electric bicycle on any road, bikeway, sidewalk, or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. The bicycle helmet must meet the standards set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 21212.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007; Ord. 358 § 18, 2022)

A. Riding on Sidewalks. Bicycles, electric bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, nonmotorized and motorized scooters, nonmotorized skateboards, electrically motorized boards, and other similar forms of transportation may be ridden on all sidewalks in the City of Lake Forest at a speed not to exceed five miles per hour except upon sidewalks within a business district, upon sidewalks adjacent to any public school building when school is in session, recreation center when in use, church during services, or over any pedestrian overcrossing. At all times, all such modes of transportation shall be operated at a speed that is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for weather, visibility, pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, and other vehicular traffic, and the surface and width of the sidewalk, and in no event at a speed or in a manner that endangers the safety of any person or property. No person shall leave a bicycle, electric bicycle, roller skate, roller blade, scooter, skateboard, electrically motorized board, electric personal assistive mobility device, or other similar nonmotorized or motorized form of transportation lying on or in a sidewalk in such a way as to obstruct pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, or other vehicular traffic.

B. Director to Designate Prohibitions. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, the Director, or designee, may designate and declare certain portions of sidewalks and public property where the riding or operation of bicycles, electric bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, nonmotorized and motorized scooters, nonmotorized skateboards, electrically motorized boards, electric personal assistive mobility devices, and other similar nonmotorized and motorized forms of transportation are prohibited. The Director is authorized to erect and maintain signs adjacent to sidewalks designating limits of bicycle prohibitions.

C. Yielding Right-of-Way. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, roller skates, roller blades, a nonmotorized or motorized scooter, a nonmotorized skateboard, electrically motorized boards, electric personal assistive mobility devices, or other similar nonmotorized or motorized form of transportation, such person shall yield right-of-way to any and all pedestrians. A person riding or operating any such form of transportation shall further yield to all traffic upon entering a roadway or driveway.

D. No Effect on ADA Power-Driven Mobility Devices. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, wheelchairs and other power-driven mobility devices used as a mobility aid by a person with a disability may be ridden or operated on all sidewalks in the City at the speed of pedestrian traffic and in a manner which is safe for the user and other pedestrians.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007; Ord. 358 § 19, 2022)

A. No person shall ride a skateboard, scooter, roller skates, or other similar vehicle, other than a bicycle, or cause or permit the same to roll or coast within, the right-of-way of any street or highway in the City of Lake Forest.

B. The provisions of subsection A shall not apply to cul-de-sacs where the length of the cul-de-sac is 500 feet or less.

C. Unsafe Operation. In any event, no person shall ride or operate a skateboard, scooter, roller skates, or other similar vehicle in any manner that endangers any person or animal or at a speed that is greater than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for other users and the surface, width, and grade of the road or trail, and in no event in excess of 10 miles per hour, unless a different speed is posted. The operation of such modes of transportation on sidewalks is subject to additional requirements and prohibitions set forth in Section 12.24.020 of this Code.

D. Parking. No person shall leave a skateboard, scooter, roller skates, or other similar vehicle on or in a road or trail in such a way as to obstruct pedestrian, equestrian, bicycle, or other vehicular traffic.

E. Helmets. No person under 18 years of age shall operate or ride, whether as a passenger or not, a skateboard, scooter, roller skates, or other similar vehicle on any road, bikeway, sidewalk, or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. The bicycle helmet must meet the standards set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 21212.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007; Ord. 302 § 44, 2018; Ord. 358 § 20, 2022)

The Director is hereby authorized to place and maintain signs or markings to prohibit or to restrict pedestrian crossings at certain legs of intersection.

(Ord. 171 § 1, 2007)

A. Except where otherwise stated in this chapter, no person shall repair, assemble, disassemble, sell, offer to sell, rent, offer to rent, distribute, offer to distribute, or store the following items on any public street, sidewalk, alley, public passageway, public right-of-way, public park, or any other property owned, operated or managed by the City of Lake Forest:

1. A bicycle frame with the gear cables or brake cables cut;

2. Three or more bicycles and/or bicycle frames, with or without missing parts (the term "parts" shall mean handles, handlebars, wheels, forks, pedals, cranks, seats, or chains); or

3. Five or more bicycle parts that are not attached to a bicycle.

B. Definitions. For purposes of this chapter:

1. "Parts" shall mean handlebars, wheels, forks, pedals, cranks, seats, chains, or any other items or components that are attached to a bicycle that are necessary for its operation.

2. "Bicycle" shall include bicycle as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 231 and electric bicycle as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as these sections are periodically amended.

C. Exceptions. The prohibitions set forth in subsection A shall not apply to any of the following:

1. Activities performed in accordance with a valid license or permit issued by the City of Lake Forest.

2. The owner or another individual in lawful possession of a bicycle or bicycle part(s) who is present during the repair of his or her single bicycle or bicycle part, with valid documentation, proof, or supporting evidence to verify that he or she is in lawful possession of the bicycle or bicycle part(s). Supporting evidence for a claim of lawful ownership or possession may include, but is not limited to:

a. Bill of sale from the original owner with the signature of the original owner, as well as the name, address, and telephone number of the original owner.

b. Rental agreement or receipt.

c. Video or photographic evidence demonstrating ownership.

d. Whether the bicycle or any bicycle parts retain their original serial number (as opposed to being filed off, for example).

e. Bicycle registration bearing the name and address of the individual claiming to be the owner or lawful possessor of the bicycle.

f. Verifiable electronic communication from the previous owner to the possessor relinquishing ownership of the bicycle or bicycle parts.

g. Credible testimony or facts and circumstances that would objectively indicate that the individual is the lawful owner or possessor of the bicycle or bicycle parts.

D. Falsification of Records. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly falsify or cause to be falsified any information in any documentation, proof, or other supporting evidence intended to show valid proof of ownership or possession of a bicycle or bicycle part(s).

E. Violations. Each and every violation of this chapter shall constitute a separate violation and shall be subject to all remedies and enforcement measures authorized by the Lake Forest Municipal Code. Each and every bicycle or bicycle part(s) unlawfully possessed is a separate violation of this chapter. It is unlawful and subject to punishment in accordance with Section 1.01.200 et seq., of Title 1 of this Code, for any person to violate any provision of this chapter. The remedies provided herein are not to be construed as exclusive remedies. The City is authorized to pursue any proceedings or remedies provided by law.

(Ord. 374, 2/4/2025)