Willits Municipal Code Ch. 10.52 Bicycles

Footnotes:

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* For statutory provisions on bicycle licensing, see Vehicle Code §39000 et seq.; for provisions on local regulation of bicycles, see Vehicle Code §§21206 and 21207. For violations of the provisions of this chapter, see Ch. 1.12 of this code.

A. "Bicycle" means a light vehicle with saddle type or similar seat for the rider and propelled by pedals operated by the rider and generally consisting of two wheels, one in front of the other. "Bicycle" as used in this chapter includes a one-wheel vehicle similarly propelled commonly called a unicycle, and also includes a bicycle having one or more additional wheels attached for balance, commonly called a trainer bicycle, and also large tricycles designed for adults. Small tricycles and all other bicycles having a wheel diameter of less than twelve inches, designed and manufactured for operation by small children upon the sidewalks shall be excluded from the definition of a bicycle as used in this chapter.

B. All rules and regulations applicable to bicycles shall be applicable to all vehicles included in the definition of bicycles as used in this section, except those rules and regulations which by their very nature can have no application.

(Ord. 71-2 §1).

A. It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by the provisions of this chapter.

B. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.

C. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or city street or alley or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to those exceptions stated in this chapter.

(Ord. 71-2 §2).

No person shall operate or use, or suffer or permit to be operated or used any bicycle on any of the streets, alleys, or public ways of the city without first registering said bicycle and obtaining from said city a license therefor as required in this chapter. No person shall use or operate or suffer or permit to be used or operated on any of the streets, alleys or public ways of said city, a bicycle which has not affixed thereto in a conspicuous place the license plate issued.

(Ord. 71-2 §3).

Each owner of a bicycle shall procure a license for each bicycle within thirty days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or within thirty days after acquiring ownership of a bicycle.

(Ord. 71-2 §4).

A. The chief of police, upon receiving proper application therefor is authorized to issue a bicycle license which shall be effective for the life of the bicycle provided ownership of the bicycle does not change or the license does not become readily illegible.

B. The chief of police shall not issue a license for any bicycle when he knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner of or entitled to the possession of such bicycle or does not meet the minimum mechanical safety standards prescribed by this chapter.

C. The chief of police shall keep a record of the number of each license, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued, the number on the frame of the bicycle for which issued.

(Ord. 71-2 §5).

Prior to the issuance of any license or registration card required by this chapter, the bicycle for which the application is made shall be brought to the Willits police station or other place designated by the police department for a mechanical safety inspection. Such inspection shall be made by an officer of the Willits police department. The bicycle examined shall meet the following minimum mechanical safety standards and shall have the equipment required in this section and all additional equipment required by the California Vehicle Code.

A. An operative wheel brake on at least one wheel capable of stopping rotation of the wheel immediately upon application;

B. Such front lamp and rear light as required by the California Vehicle Code;

C. Rear reflector meeting the requirements of the California Vehicle Code;

D. Handlebars of the same approximate size and in the same approximate location as placed by the manufacturer and firmly fastened so as to eliminate any vertical motion;

E. A saddle type seat in good repair and firmly fastened to the bicycle frame;

F. Pedals installed and in good repair;

G. Handle grips firmly cemented in place on handlebars;

H. Wheels in good repair with all necessary spokes in place;

I. Chain properly adjusted;

J. Chain guard installed so as to protect the rider's clothing from being caught in the chain when in operation.

(Ord. 71-2 §6).

Upon the sale or other transfer of a licensed bicycle, the licensee shall remove the license plate and shall surrender the same to the chief of police, and the new owner shall relicense the bicycle.

(Ord. 71-2 §7).

A rental agency shall not rent or offer any bicycle for rent unless the bicycle is licensed and license plate is attached thereto as provided in this chapter and such bicycle is equipped with lamps and other equipment required in this chapter.

(Ord. 71-2 §8).

Every person engaged in the business of buying or selling new or secondhand bicycles shall make a report to the chief of police of every bicycle purchased or sold by such dealer, giving the name and address of the person from whom purchased or to whom sold, a description of such bicycle by name or make, the frame number thereof, and the number on the license plate, if any is found thereon.

(Ord. 71-2 §9).

Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway in this city shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of the state or by the traffic ordinance of the city applicable to the driver of a vehicle, with the following additional provisions:

A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.

B. No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle on the roadway.

C. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.

D. No person operating a bicycle upon a highway shall permit any person to ride on the handlebars.

E. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.

F. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.

G. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.

H. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk or, if no sidewalk exists, within the sidewalk area used by pedestrians.

I. No person shall park a bicycle upon a roadway except against the curb or in the curb area, or against a building, if the bicycle is to be parked in a sidewalk area, if a building is adjacent thereto.

(Ord. 71-2 §10).

A. Any police officer is authorized to take up and impound any bicycle found to be used or operated within the corporate limits of the city which is not registered pursuant to this chapter or which has not affixed thereto a license plate issued under the provisions of this chapter.

B. Any such bicycle taken up and impounded as provided in this chapter shall be released to the owner thereof upon demand ten days after impounding unless proceedings have been commenced in a court of competent jurisdiction, in which case such bicycle shall continue to remain impounded until the completion of such proceedings or until written order of the court ordering the release of such bicycle.

(Ord. 71-2 §11).

Every bicycle operated within the city shall at all times be maintained so as to meet the minimum safety standards and have the equipment provided in Section 10.52.060. Any bicycle not so maintained may be impounded by any police officer in such manner and for such period as provided in Section 10.52.110, for unlicensed or nonregistered bicycles.

(Ord. 71-2 §12).