National City Municipal Code Ch. 11.52 Bicycles

A. A "bicycle" is any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through the assistance of belts, chains or gears and which has wheels at least twenty inches in diameter and a frame size of at least fourteen inches.

B. An "electric bicycle" has the same meaning as in CVC section 312.5:

1. Class 1 eBike - a low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle, is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches twenty miles per hour. These e-bikes are legal on any paved surface that a regular bike is allowed to operate.

2. Class 2 eBike - a low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle, is equipped with a motors that can exclusively propel the bicycle, but that cannot provide assistance when the bike reaches twenty miles per hour. These e-bikes are legal on any paved surface that a regular bike is allowed to operate.

3. Class 3 eBike - a speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle, is equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bicycle reaches twenty-eight miles per hour. Operators of Class 3 e-bikes must be sixteen or older and wear a helmet. Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited from Class I multi-use bike paths unless specifically authorized by a local ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2023-2520, 4-18-2023)

A. It is unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within any business or residence district of the city, with the exception herein stated.

B. The council may, by resolution duly adopted, authorize the riding of bicycles on the sidewalks of such residential districts or area with such limitations as to hours and specific purposes as they may deem proper.

C. It is an infraction for any person to violate any of the terms or provisions of this chapter or to use a bicycle in and upon any street, alley, park or other public place in this city, or upon any path or lane set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles within this city, without complying in all respects with the terms and provisions of this chapter.

D. It is an infraction for any parent or guardian of any child or of anyone who has the custody or control of any child in this city to knowingly permit such child to use a bicycle in this city in violation of the terms and provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 2023-2520, 4-18-2023)

A. Every person convicted of a violation of any provisions of this chapter is guilty of an infraction and is punishable as prescribed in Chapter 1.20 or by impounding the bicycle of the person convicted for a period not to exceed thirty days, or by any or all said penalties or any combination thereof.

B. The Chief of Police shall also have authority, in the event that any juvenile or person under the age of twenty-one years is found violating any provision of this chapter to take and impound the bicycle of such juvenile or minor so found violating such chapter, and to hold the same for a period not to exceed thirty days, during which said time the chief of police shall notify the parents or guardian or other person having the custody and control of said juvenile or minor of such offense.

(Ord. No. 2023-2520, 4-18-2023)