(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“PEDESTRIAN.” Any person afoot or in a wheelchair.
“RIGHT-OF-WAY.” The right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction, speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the other.
“ROADWAY.” That portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. If a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term “ROADWAY” as used herein shall refer to any roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.
(B) Traffic laws apply. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by this chapter made applicable to the driver of a vehicle.
(C) Obedience to traffic-control devices. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs, posted speed and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(D) Method of riding. 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.
(E) Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.
(1) Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride in the designated bicycle lane or if there is no designated bicycle lane, then as near to the right hand side of the roadway as practicable and exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(2) Persons riding or pushing bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride or push two abreast.
(3) Whenever a designated bicycle path has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(4) No person shall ride a bicycle on any designated limited-access highway.
(5) No motorized vehicles shall be allowed on any designated bicycle path.
(F) Operation of bicycle. No person shall ride a bicycle at a distance of more than five feet from the curb or edge of a roadway except when passing another vehicle or when riding in a designated bicycle lane.
(G) Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is posted and reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
(H) 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 such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on such roadway.
(I) Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
(J) Clinging to vehicles. No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same or himself or herself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
(K) Parking. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb, in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(L) Riding on sidewalks.
(1) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within the business district or where a bicycle lane is present.
(2) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(3) It shall be unlawful for any person on a bicycle to ride on any sidewalk within the city in such a manner as to endanger pedestrians.
(M) Equipment.
(1) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of a lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(2) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(3) Every bicycle shall be equipped with good tires, safe steering, pedals and tight fittings.
(N) Pedestrian traffic.
(1) Bicycle lanes shall not be used for pedestrian traffic except when crossing at an intersection.
(2) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.
(3) Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.
(4) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking on or along a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-way roadway shall walk only on the left side of the roadway.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(1976 Code, § 11-7) (Am. Ord. 2012-17, passed 9-11-12) Penalty, see § 52.999