Title 11 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 11.72 Bicycles
Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Petaluma
Cite as: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 11.72 · Text as of 2026-10-04
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.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
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.)
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;
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.)
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.
(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.)
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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