Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 10.72 Bicycles and Motorized Bicycles

For purposes of this chapter the words set out in this section are defined as follows:

A. A "bicycle" is a device as described in Section 231 of the California Vehicle Code.

B. A "motorized bicycle" is a device as described in Section 406 of the California Vehicle Code.

C. The provisions of this chapter apply to bicycles and motorized bicycles.

(Ord. No. 548, 5-26-09)

A. As per California Vehicle Code Section 21200, every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by Division 11 of the California Vehicle Code. However any police officer operating a bicycle during the course and scope of his/her duties is exempt from the requirements of this chapter if the bicycle is being operated under any of the following circumstances:

1. In response to an emergency call.

2. While engaged in rescue operations.

3. In the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.

B. It is unlawful to operate a bicycle on a roadway unless it is equipped with the required equipment as set forth in California Vehicle Code Section 21201.

C. It is unlawful to violate any of the following provisions of the California Vehicle Code:

D. It is unlawful to operate any bicycle which is in an unsafe condition, which is not equipped as required by this code, or which is not safely loaded.

E. Any person under the age of eighteen years old and any parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor, must comply with the requirements of California Vehicle Code Section 21212 pertaining to helmets.

F. No person shall equip a bicycle with a siren or operate or use a bicycle so equipped; provided, that nothing in this section prohibits the equipping, operation or use of a public safety department bicycle with a siren as approved by the chief of police.

G. Every bicycle equipped with a carrier must have the carrier securely attached to the bicycle.

H. Every bicycle that is equipped with handlebar grips must have the grips securely fitted, glued or cemented to the handlebars.

I. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any sidewalk in a business district unless such sidewalk is officially designated as a bicycle route.

J. Any person riding or operating a bicycle upon any street where a bicycle lane or path appropriate to his/her direction of travel is established and officially designated may ride or operate such bicycle in such bicycle lane or path or on the sidewalk where otherwise allowed by this code. "Street" means any way or place of whatever nature publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of travel.

K. No person riding or operating a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, sled, toy vehicle, or any other similar human-powered or motor-powered device upon a public right-of-way or upon park or open space lands owned and/or controlled by the city shall tow any other vehicle or person, including a skateboard and rider, except that bicycle trailers used for the delivery or transportation of newspapers, magazines, people or merchandise may be towed when being used in such activity.

L. No person riding or operating a bicycle, moped, skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, sled, toy vehicle, or any other similar human-powered or motor-powered device upon a public right-of-way or upon any land, property, or facilities owned or controlled by the city, shall participate in any race, speed, or endurance contest unless such race, speed or endurance contest has been approved by the city.

M. No person riding or operating a bicycle, moped, skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, sled, toy vehicle, or motorcycle shall perform any acrobatic, fancy, stunt, or trick riding upon a public right-of-way or upon any land, property, or facilities owned or controlled by the city.

N. No person shall park a bicycle against any window or on the main-traveled portion of the sidewalk, nor in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic or property.

O. No person shall willfully or maliciously remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the identification number of any bicycle frame.

(Ord. No. 548, 5-26-09)

Any person who is convicted of violation of any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction, punishable by:

A. A fine not exceeding fifty dollars for a first violation;

B. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars for a second violation of the same chapter within one year;

C. A fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars for each additional violation of the same chapter within one year.

(Ord. No. 548, 5-26-09)