Chapter 11.72 — BICYCLES

Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Petaluma

11.72.010 Bicycle deDned.¶

For the purposes of this chapter, the word "bicycle" shall be deRned as 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. (Ord. 475 NCS §1; prior code §6.1.)

11.72.020 Violation of chapter by juveniles.¶

Where this chapter has been violated by juveniles under the age of eighteen years, in lieu of the Rne and

imprisonment as provided in general penalty for this code, and in lieu of Rling charges in the juvenile court, 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.

(Ord. 475 NCS §25; prior code §6.2.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.030 Alteration of serial numbers and license plates.¶

No person shall wilfully remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the manufacturer’s serial number or the city police serial

number, if any, on any bicycle frame, nor shall any person remove, destroy, mutilate or alter any license plate

during the period in which the license plate is operative. (Ord. 475 NCS §20; prior code §6.3.)

11.72.040 Use of police department serial numbers.¶

If the serial number of any bicycle is obliterated or defaced, and the possessor has satisfactory proof of

ownership, the chief of police is authorized to place a police department serial number thereon. (Ord. 475 NCS

§22; prior code §6.4.)

11.72.050 Dealing with certain bicycles prohibited.¶

No person shall buy, sell, receive, dispose of or conceal any bicycle or bicycle equipment, from which the

manufacturer’s name plate, serial number or any other distinguishing mark has been removed, defaced, covered,

altered or destroyed. (Ord. 475 NCS §21; prior code §6.5.)

11.72.060 Auction of unidentiDed bicycles.¶

All abandoned bicycles and unidentiRed bicycles remaining in the hands of the chief of police shall, at the end of

three months, be sold at auction. (Ord. 703 NCS § 1; Ord. 475 NCS §12; prior code §6.6.)

11.72.080 Examination of application.¶

Upon making an application for his Rrst bicycle license and license plates, the applicant may be required to be

examined by an examining oTcer designated by the chief of police. The chief of police may further designate the

manner of examination. Upon completion of the examination, the chief of police may refuse to issue a license to

the applicant if the examination discloses to the chief of police that the applicant does not have a reasonable

knowledge of the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of Section 452 of the Vehicle Code of the state, or that

the applicant is unable to exercise reasonable control in operating a bicycle. (Ord. 475 NCS §5; prior code §6.8.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.110 Loss of plates.¶

Upon loss of a license plate, the license shall be required to report its loss or theft within ten days. Upon receipt of

such report the chief of police shall cancel this license and issue a new license plate to the licensee upon receipt of

a fee of twenty-Rve cents. (Ord. 475 NCS §11; prior code §6.11.)

11.72.150 Bicycle report—Generally.¶

All persons required by this chapter to make reports to the chief of police shall make the same in duplicate upon

forms provided for that purpose. The original shall be mailed or delivered to the chief of police and the duplicate

shall remain with the dealer. This report shall be known as "the bicycle report." (Ord. 475 NCS §18; prior code

§6.17.)

11.72.160 Dealers.¶

All persons engaged in the business of buying secondhand bicycles are hereby required to make a monthly report

to the chief of police, giving the name and address of the person from whom each bicycle is purchased, the

description of each bicycle purchased, the frame number thereof, and the number of the license plate found

thereon if any. All persons engaged in the business of selling new and secondhand bicycles are hereby required to

make a monthly report to the chief of police, giving a list of all sales made by such dealers, the kind of bicycle sold,

together with a description and frame number thereof, and the number of the license plate attached thereto, if

any. (Ord. 475 NCS §17; prior code §6.18.)

11.72.170 Sales and transfers.¶

It shall be the duty of every person who sells or transfers ownership of any bicycle to report such sale or transfer

within ten days thereafter by notifying the chief of police of the sale or transfer together with the name and

address of the person to whom the bicycle was sold or transferred; and it shall be the duty of the purchaser or

transferee of the bicycle to apply for a bicycle license within ten days of the sale or transfer. (Ord. 475 NCS §16;

prior code §6.19.)

11.72.180 Dismantled bicycles.¶

Within ten days after any bicycle licensed under the provisions of this chapter shall have been dismantled and

taken out of operation, the information shall be reported to the chief of police by the person in whose name the

bicycle has been registered. Upon dismantling, the licensee shall turn in his license plate to the chief of police.

(Ord. 475 NCS §19; prior code §6.20.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.190 Operational rules—Violation unlawful.¶

It is unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in the city in violation of any of the rules of the road as set

forth in this chapter. (Ord. 475 NCS §15; prior code §6.21.)

11.72.200 Certain bicycles prohibited.¶

It is unlawful for any person to operate or use a bicycle in the city which has not been registered and licensed and

equipped with one or more license plates as provided by this chapter, except as may be speciRcally herein

exempt.

It is unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in the city unless the bicycle is equipped as provided in

this chapter and unless the bicycle is in a safe mechanical condition. (Ord. 475 NCS §§2, 14; prior code §6.22.)

11.72.210 Riding where children playing.¶

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any playground, park or schoolground, where children are playing,

without permission of the person having supervision thereof. (Ord. 475 NCS §15.14; prior code §6.23.)

11.72.220 Riding on sidewalks.¶

A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in the central business district of the city unless traTc signs

are posted informing bicyclists and pedestrians that the sidewalk has dual usage. For purposes of this section, the

term "central business district" shall be deRned as that area described in Section 11.56.010 of this code.

B. No person shall ride a bicycle on any sidewalk which abuts the front of any school or any building used for

public assembly.

C. Every person who shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk in the city shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian

and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.

(Ord. 1164 NCS §1, 1974; Ord. 475 NCS §§15.1, 15.2; prior code §6.24.)

11.72.230 Group riding.¶

Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway, bicycle path or bicycle lane shall ride in single Rle. Persons riding bicycles

on a sidewalk shall ride in single Rle. (Ord. 1164 NCS §2, 1974; Ord. 475 NCS §15.4; prior code §6.25.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.240 Carrying passengers.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall carry another person on the bicycle, unless the person or

passenger is seated upon an individual seat or carrier separate from that intended to be used by the operator; nor

shall any person ride upon a bicycle as a passenger, unless he is seated upon an individual seat or carrier separate

from that intended to be used by the operator. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.6; prior code §6.26.)

11.72.250 Carrying articles.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall carry any package, bundle or article which prohibits the

rider from having full control of the bicycle at all times. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.8; prior code §6.27.)

11.72.260 Towing.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall tow any other vehicle or person, except that the bicycle

trailers of a type approved by the chief of police used for the delivery of newspapers, magazines or merchandise

may be towed when being used in such delivery service. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.7; prior code §6.28.)

11.72.270 Speed generally.¶

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle faster than is reasonable and proper, and every bicycle shall be operated

with reasonable regard to the safety of the operator and other persons upon the streets, sidewalks and public

highways of the city. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.13; prior code §6.29.)

11.72.280 Racing.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle upon a public highway or street shall participate in any race, speed or

endurance contest, unless such race or endurance contest has the written permission of the city manager, and is

under the supervision of the chief of police. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.9; prior code §6.30.)

11.72.290 Obedience to traFc signals.¶

Every person operating a bicycle in the city shall stop for all arterial highways and traTc signals. (Ord. 475 NCS

§ 15.11; prior code §6.31.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.300 Keeping to right.¶

Persons riding or operating bicycles on a highway or street shall keep the bicycles as close to the right-hand curb

as possible, except when preparing to make a left-hand turn. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.3; prior code §6.32.)

11.72.310 Parking.¶

No person shall park any bicycle against windows or parking meters or on the main traveled portion of a sidewalk,

nor in such manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traTc or property; however, if there are no bicycle

racks or other facilities intended to be used for parking of bicycles in the vicinity, bicycles may be parked on the

sidewalk in an upright position parallel to and within twenty-four inches of the curb. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.12; prior

code §6.33.)

11.72.320 Entering traFc from alleys, driveways, bicycle lanes or bicycle¶

paths.

The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, bicycle lane, bicycle path or otherwise approaching

upon a sidewalk or a sidewalk area extending along such alley, driveway, bicycle lane or bicycle path shall yield the

right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering a bicycle lane or

path shall yield the right-of-way to all bicycles approaching on said lane or path, and upon entering a roadway

shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles or bicycles approaching on said roadway. (Ord. 1164 NCS §3, 1974; Ord.

475 NCS § 15.19; prior code §6.34.)

11.72.330 Passing vehicles.¶

Every person operating a bicycle shall pass to the left when passing vehicles going in the same direction, and shall

pass to the right when meeting vehicles going in the opposite direction. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.21; prior code §6.35.)

11.72.340 Hand signals.¶

No person shall turn a bicycle or stop a bicycle which he is operating unless such movement can be made with

safety, and then only after giving the following appropriate signal during the last Rfty feet travelled by the bicycle

before turning or stopping:

Left Turn. Every person signalling a left turn shall do so by extending his left hand and arm horizontally beyond the

side of the bicycle;

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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Right Turn. Every person signalling a right turn shall do so by extending his left hand and arm upward beyond the

side of the bicycle;

Stop or Sudden Decrease of Speed. Every person signalling a stop shall do so by extending his left hand and arm

downward beyond the side of the bicycle.

(Ord. 475 NCS §§15.12, 15.23; prior code §6.36.)

11.72.350 Intoxication.¶

It is unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle upon any street or highway of the city while under the inSuence

of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.25; prior code §6.37.)

11.72.360 Clinging to moving vehicles.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle in the city shall cling or attach himself or his bicycle to any other moving

vehicle or streetcar, or person in any other vehicle. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.5; prior code §6.38.)

11.72.370 Trick riding.¶

No person riding or operating a bicycle shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatic, fancy or stunt riding

upon any public highway or street in the city. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.10; prior code §6.39.)

11.72.380 Accident report—Procedure.¶

The operator of any bicycle involved in an accident shall take reasonable steps to ascertain whether or not anyone

was injured, and he shall give his name, address and the license number of his bicycle to the person with whom he

was in collision; and he shall obtain the same information from the other person.

It shall be the duty of the bicycle operator to make a written report of any accident resulting in death or injury to

the police department within twenty-four hours of such accident. (Ord. 475 NCS §15.24; prior code §6.40.)

11.72.390 Turning at intersections.¶

Every person riding or operating a bicycle upon the streets and highways of the city shall turn only at intersections

except as otherwise provided in this division. (Ord. 475 NCS §15.15; prior code §6.41.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.400 Right turn generally.¶

Every person riding or operating a bicycle intending to turn to the right at an intersection or into an alley or

driveway shall approach the turning point in the line of traTc nearest the right-hand curb of the street. (Ord. 475

NCS §15.16; prior code §6.42.)

11.72.410 Right turn at red light.¶

The operator of a bicycle which is stopped as close as practicable to the entrance of an intersection in obedience

to a red light or "stop" signal may make a right turn, unless a sign has been posted at the intersection prohibiting

such turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traTc proceeding as directed by the signal at

the intersection. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.20; prior code §6.43.)

11.72.420 Left turn.¶

Every person riding or operating a bicycle intending to turn left at an intersection or to enter an alley or driveway

shall approach the point of turning in the line of traTc nearest to the center of the roadway. The operator of a

bicycle in turning left at an intersection shall pass to the right of the center of the intersection before turning,

unless otherwise directed by markers, buttons or signs. (Ord. 475 NCS § 15.17; prior code §6.44.)

11.72.430 U-turns.¶

No bicycle shall be turned in any business district so as to proceed in the opposite direction, except at

intersections; nor shall any bicycle operated in a residence district be turned so as to proceed in the opposite

direction when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within two hundred feet, except at an

intersection. (Ord. 475 NCS §15.18; prior code §6.45.)

11.72.440 Bicycle lanes.¶

A. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon a roadway 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.

B. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon a roadway adjacent to which there is a bicycle path which

parallels said roadway and which bicycle path when measured from the edge of the roadway to the edge of the

bicycle path nearest the roadway is not more than seventy-Rve feet distant, except within such bicycle path or

except as otherwise permitted by the provisions of this chapter.

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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(Ord. 1164 NCS §4, 1974.)

11.72.450 Bicycle lane and bicycle path deDned.¶

A bicycle lane shall be deRned as that portion of a roadway set aside for the use of bicycles and so designated as

provided in Section 11.72.480 of this code. A bicycle path shall be deRned as a pathway for bicycles paralleling a

roadway, the side of the bicycle path closest to the roadway being not more than seventy-Rve feet distant from

said roadway. Persons riding bicycles upon such pathways shall be subject to the provisions of this code. (Ord.

1164 NCS §5, 1974.)

11.72.470 Direction along bicycle lanes.¶

No person shall ride or operate a bicycle within a bicycle lane in any direction except that permitted for vehicular

traTc traveling on the same side of the roadway; provided, that bicycles may proceed in either direction along a

lane where arrows appear on the surface of the lane designating two-way traTc. (Ord. 1164 NCS §7, 1974.)

11.72.480 Establishment of bicycle lanes, signs.¶

The traTc engineer is authorized to erect or place signs upon any street in the city that is designated as a bicycle

route on the bicycle route study dated March, 1974, and approved by the city council on August 5, 1974, or

adjacent to any street in the city so designated, indicating the existence of a bicycle lane or bicycle path and

otherwise regulating the operation and use of vehicles and bicycles with respect thereto, so long as the same are

consistent with this chapter. Before such a sign is erected, the subject bicycle lane shall be designated on such

street by appropriate painting, reSectorized buttons or in such other manner as the traTc engineer shall

determine will provide suTcient notice of the existence of such bicycle lane. When such signs are in place, no

person shall disobey the same. No bicycle lane or bicycle path shall be set out as hereinabove provided until the

city council by resolution approves the implementation thereof and determines that funds are available therefor.

(Ord. 1164 NCS §8, 1974.)

11.72.481 No riding on Eood wall.¶

No person shall ride or operate any bicycle on top of the concrete cap on the Sood wall in the Payran Street area

adjacent to the Petaluma River, speciRcally from four hundred feet downstream of the Lakeville Street Bridge to

six hundred feet upstream of the Payran Street Bridge; and adjacent to Washington Creek from the conSuence of

the Petaluma River and Washington Creek to the Holly Lane Bridge over Washington Creek. (Ord. 2121 NCS § 3,

2001.)

     The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

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11.72.540 Provisions of California Vehicle Code.¶

The provisions of Article 4 of Chapter 1 of Division 11 of the California Vehicle Code, as the same may be amended

from time to time, are made applicable to all bicycles and all persons riding bicycles in the city. (Ord. 1167 NCS §12,

1975.)

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