Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 10.74 Bicycles, Skateboards and Like Vehicles

A. Except as is otherwise provided in this code, it shall be lawful for a person to ride, use or operate a bicycle propelled by human power or other means of conveyance propelled by human power, including roller skates, a skateboard, coaster, scooter, or tricycle, any place in the city upon a public sidewalk or public pedestrian or bicycle path.

B. It is unlawful for any person to ride, use, or operate a bicycle or other conveyance propelled by human or motor power, including roller skates, a skateboard, coaster, scooter, tricycle, or other similar device any place in the city upon a sidewalk, or pedestrian or bicycle path, at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, traffic, width of sidewalk or path, or at a speed or in such a manner which endangers the safety of persons or property. When a person riding, using, or operating a bicycle or similar conveyance identified above encounters a pedestrian upon a sidewalk, they should yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian when reasonable and prudent given the totality of the circumstances.

C. It is unlawful for any person to ride, use, or operate a bicycle or other conveyance propelled by human or motor power identified in subsection (B) of this section, upon the sidewalks in the downtown Plaza area, specifically the public sidewalks on both sides of First Street West between Spain Street and Napa Street, First Street East between Spain Street and Napa Street, Napa Street between First Street East and First Street West, and Spain Street between First Street East and First Street West.

D. Except as is otherwise provided in SMC 10.74.011, it is unlawful for any person to ride, use, or operate a bicycle propelled by motor power or other conveyance propelled by motor power any place in the city upon a sidewalk, or pedestrian or bicycle path. This subsection does not apply to (1) self-propelled wheelchairs, motorized tricycles or motorized quadricycles operated by persons who, by reason of physical disability, are otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian and (2) means of conveyances that are solely powered by battery, are manufactured for use by children and are commonly considered toys.

E. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of an infraction, and the operation of any conveyance in any manner prohibited by this section by any person, or by any group of persons in company with another, is declared a public nuisance which may be summarily abated by any peace officer retained by the city by seizure and impoundment of the conveyance or conveyances used in the offense. Any conveyance seized and impounded under this section shall be held for disposition as may be ordered by the court which hears and disposes of the infraction charge against the offender, or any other court of competent jurisdiction.

F. This section shall not apply to city personnel who are authorized to ride, use or operate a bicycle propelled by human or motor power or other means of conveyance propelled by human or motor power any place in the city upon a sidewalk, or pedestrian or bicycle path. (Ord. 01-2014 § 1, 2014; Ord. 99-9 § 1, 1999).

Except for authorized city personnel, no person shall operate any motor-driven vehicle, including a motor-driven bicycle, scooter, skateboard or similar device onto or along any city bicycle path, except those defined as follows:

A. A “motorized bicycle,” which is a device that has fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power and has an electric motor that meets all of the following requirements: has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts; is incapable of propelling the device at a speed of more than 20 miles per hour on level ground; is incapable of further increasing the speed of the device when human power is used to propel the motorized bicycle faster than 20 miles per hour.

B. A “motorized scooter,” which is any two-wheeled device that has handlebars, is designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, and is powered by human propulsion and electrical energy with a motor that has a power output of not more than 1,000 watts and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on level ground. (Ord. 01-2014 § 3, 2014).

A. All persons must comply with the following regulations while inside the skate park facility:

1. Skate park facility use will be from 8:00 a.m. to dusk. Use of the skate park at any other time is prohibited unless by special city permission and permit. The facility shall only be used when gates are open or the skate area is not posted as closed.

2. All persons riding a skateboard or in-line skates shall wear personal safety equipment, which consists at a minimum of helmet, elbow pads on each elbow and kneepads on each knee.

3. All person not actively participating in a skating activity shall remain on the outside of the fence.

4. All food and drink are prohibited in the designated skate area.

5. No movable obstacles or materials (i.e., ramps/jumps) are allowed in the park.

6. Bicycles, scooters, motorized or gear-driven conveyances are prohibited and declared a public nuisance within the fenced area of the park.

7. Placing graffiti or vandalizing anywhere in or on the park is prohibited and the park will be closed until the graffiti or vandalism is removed and/or repaired. In addition to other penalties provided herein, any person putting graffiti or vandalizing on any part of the skate park shall pay for the cost of removal and damages thereof.

8. The following personal conduct and behavior are prohibited in the park area at all times:

a. Possession or use of drugs or alcohol or being under the influence;

b. Fighting or other violence;

c. Possession or use of firearms, knives, or other weapons of any kind;

d. Smoking or use of tobacco products.

9. Everyone will treat each other with respect and courtesy.

B. Penalties.

1. Any person in violation of any of the regulations of this section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be subject to citation. A first offense may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $50.00 for a first violation; a second violation within a year may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $100.00; a third or further infraction with a year may be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250.00.

2. Second and subsequent offenses within a year may be prosecuted as an infraction or misdemeanor.

3. Any person found by a preponderance of the evidence to have violated any provision of this section may lose his/her privilege to use the skate park facility for up to one year. (Ord. 2000-15 § 2, 2000).