(A) Ninety days after the passage, approval and publication of §§ 73.01 through 73.14, no person shall ride or propel a bicycle upon any street, sidewalk, alley or any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, unless the bicycle has been licensed and a license plate is attached as provided herein. However, a license shall not be required, but may be purchased, for a bicycle the wheels of which are less than 20 inches in diameter. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any bicycle owner or rider from another city or community who is therein licensed in accordance with provisions substantially like those set forth in this section. A rider from without the city limits who is not licensed and is operating his or her bicycle within the city limits may then register his or her bicycle and purchase a license for his or her protection.
(B) Registration of permanent bicycle titles and licenses shall be made at the place or places designated as licensing agencies from time to time by the Controller of the city, on forms provided by the Police Department. Each bicycle shall be presented at such place or places in order to receive a permanent registration number. A license fee of $0.50 shall be paid by the owner to the Controller and the Controller’s receipt shall be exhibited by the owner to the licensing agent when the owner applies for registration. The registration is to be issued in triplicate form. The original shall be filed in the Elkhart Police Department, 1 copy shall be delivered to the bicycle owner and 1 copy shall be filed in the Controller’s office.
(C) A license shall not be issued for any bicycle if the licensing agent has reasonable grounds to believe that the applicant is not the owner or entitled to the possession of the bicycle.
(D) The Police Department shall keep a permanent record of the number of each bicycle license, the date it is issued, the name of the person to whom it is issued and the number on the frame of the bicycle for which it is issued. The Controller shall have the responsibility of ordering and maintaining all supplies, which shall be paid for out of these license fees.
(E) The license plates shall be firmly attached to the steering post of the bicycle by the licensing agent, and will bear the number stamped by the licensing agent in a designated spot on the crank housing of the bicycle.
(F) No person shall remove a license plate from a bicycle except when the bicycle is dismantled or when it is no longer operated in the city. Upon transfer of ownership, the transfer shall be made on the title showing the date of transfer and the signature of the owner and parent or guardian.
(G) The licensing agent shall inspect each bicycle before licensing it and shall not license any bicycle which is determined to be in an unsafe mechanical condition.
(H) In the event a license plate is lost or stolen, upon application to the Police Department, and the payment of a $0.25 fee, a duplicate registration plate shall be issued.
(I) Every person engaged in the business of buying or selling new or second-hand bicycles shall, within seven days after each purchase or sale, make a report to the Police Department of each used bicycle purchased and of each bicycle sold by the dealer, giving the name and address of the person from whom purchased or to whom sold, a description of the bicycle by name or make, the frame number and the number of the license plate, if any.
(1979 Code, § 73.13) (Ord. 1894, passed 7-19-1961) Penalty, see § 73.99