Subd. 1. Definition. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A. BICYCLE. A bicycle is 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 a tandem or tricycle arrangement with one or more of the wheels being 20 inches in diameter.
Subd. 2. Equipment on bicycles. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
Subd. 3. Sirens and whistles. No person shall equip a bicycle with a siren or whistle or operate or use a bicycle so equipped.
Subd. 4. Lock parked bicycle. No owner or operator of a bicycle shall leave or park it unattended on the streets, sidewalks, alleys, designated parking areas and other public grounds without first affixing a lock thereon so as to prevent the theft of the bicycle.
Subd. 5. Compliance with mechanical standards. It is unlawful for any person to ride or operate a bicycle in the city unless the bicycle is equipped, as provided in this section, and unless the bicycle is in a safe mechanical condition.
Subd. 6. Bicycle riding equipment. Every bicycle when in use at night time shall be equipped with a light and reflectors of a type approved by the Department of Public Safety. A white lamp must be visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front. An amber reflector shall be located on the frame or wheels so that it is visible from 50 to 300 feet on each side of the bicycle when directly in front of the lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A red reflector facing the rear must be visible from 50 to 300 feet when directly in front of the lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
Subd. 7. Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
Subd. 8. Obedience to traffic control devices.
A. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey traffic control devices applicable to vehicles unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
B. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign.
Subd. 9. Signals required. Before turning or changing the direction of any bicycle upon any street, highway, parkway or public place, it shall be the duty of the bicycle rider to give a signal by the extension of the hand to indicate the direction it is the intention to proceed.
Subd. 10. Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any packages, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bar.
Subd. 11. 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.
Subd. 12. Ride and passengers on bicycles. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. No person operating a bicycle on a highway shall permit any person to ride on the handle bars.
Subd. 13. Ride on sidewalks in business district. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.
Subd. 14. Parking and parking spaces.
A. No person shall park a bicycle against any window or parking meter or on the main traveled portion of the sidewalk nor in a manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrians, traffic or property.
B. Notwithstanding Subpar. A of this subdivision, when bicycle parking spaces have been established and designated by official signs and markings pursuant to the City Code, no person shall park a bicycle in the vicinity thereof, except in bicycle parking spaces.
Subd. 15. Riding on sidewalks generally. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk in a location other than a business district, the person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal or call before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.
Subd. 16. Entering or emerging from alley or driveway. The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area and, upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching the roadway.
Subd. 17. Vehicles prohibited from bicycle lanes and paths. No person shall operate a motor vehicle within an established and officially designated bicycle lane or path, except when necessary to park where parking is allowed, for purposes of ingress or egress to and from driveways or for purposes of intersectional travel.
Subd. 18. Where to ride. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway, as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
Subd. 19. Ride abreast. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for exclusive use of bicycles.
Subd. 20. Hitching rides. It is unlawful for any person operating a bicycle upon any street, highway, parkway or public place to attach himself or herself to any other moving vehicle.
Subd. 21. Traffic laws apply to bicycle riders. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the regulations applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of the state or by the traffic provisions of the City Code applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to special regulations in this section and except as to those provisions of laws and provisions of the City Code which, by their nature, can have no application.
Subd. 22. Effect of regulations. It is unlawful for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this section. The parent of any child or minor and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any child, minor or ward to violate any of the provisions of this section. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or highway within the city or upon any path or trail therein set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.
Subd. 23. Juvenile bicycle law offender. All persons under the age of adulthood, as defined by the State Statutes of Minnesota, and who violate any of the subdivisions of this section shall be declared a juvenile bicycle law offender and the proceedings against the individual will take place in the Juvenile Court of the county under rules and regulations prescribed by the Court.
Subd. 24. Impoundment of bicycles. Where a person is apprehended by a police officer, and is convicted by a judge for using a bicycle in a manner contrary to any provision of this section or of the state statute, the judge may impound the bicycle for a period not exceeding three months.
Subd. 25. Impounding and fees. Whenever any bicycle shall be impounded pursuant to this section, it shall be surrendered at the expiration of the impounding period to an adult owner or to the parent or guardian of the juvenile offender on a payment of $2 for storage charges. If any unattended bicycle is found on any street, alley, highway, boulevard or public grounds without a license identification tag or mutilated frame serial number, it shall be prima facie evidence that the bicycle is being operated on the streets of the city without being registered. The bicycle shall be immediately impounded and shall only be surrendered to the owner thereof, upon proof of ownership satisfactory to the Police Department, on the payment of license registration fee and impounding fee. If any bicycle is not claimed by the owner within three months of impoundment after notice is given by mail to the registered owner, if the bicycle is registered, the bicycle may be disposed of as unclaimed property pursuant to the provisions of the City Code.
Subd. 26. Enforcement. The duties of enforcing the provisions of this section may be delegated to persons other than police officers who may be appointed by the Council for that purpose. The persons appointed by the Council may be employed on a part-time or full time basis, shall be not less than 18 years of age and shall have authority to issue summons for the violation of this section.
(`80 Code, § 7.10) Penalty, see § 1.99