(A) Notwithstanding provisions of this chapter to the contrary, this section shall apply to control of traffic and regulation of that certain class of vehicles falling within the definition of snowmobiles as to matters set forth herein. All provisions of this chapter, not relating to matters herein stated, apply as equally to snowmobiles as other vehicles.
(B) (1) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile on any freeway, interstate highway, state trunk highway, county state-aid highway or county highway except as otherwise permitted in this section.
(2) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile, except while passing, in any portion of a street other than the most right-hand lane.
(3) No person may operate a snowmobile in excess of 15 mph.
(4) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile on a public sidewalk, on boulevards or on private property without specific permission of the owner or person in control of the property.
(5) Snowmobiles may be operated upon the ditch bottom or areas outside of the main traveled portion of trunk highways, county state-aid and county highways where the highways are so configured within the city.
(6) It is required that individuals operating a snowmobile shall exit the corporate limits by the shortest, legal route possible.
(C) A snowmobile may be operated across a street or highway only as herein set forth, and it is unlawful to do so otherwise. The crossing shall be made at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with the direction of the street or highway, and at a place where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing; the snowmobile shall be brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way the driver shall yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic which constitutes an immediate hazard; in crossing a divided street, the crossing shall be made only at an intersection of the street or highway with another public street or highway; and, if the crossing is made between the hours of one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, or during conditions of reduced visibility, it shall be made only if both front and rear lights are on and in operating condition.
(D) It is unlawful to enter any intersection with a snowmobile without yielding the right-of-way to any other vehicles or pedestrians at the intersection, or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(E) (1) No person under 14 years of age shall operate a snowmobile on a street or make a direct crossing of a trunk highway, county state-aid or county highway, or other street. A person 14 years of age or older, but less than 20 years of age, may operate a snowmobile on streets and highways as permitted by this section and make the direct crossings of streets and highways only if he or she has in his or her immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate or a driver's license or identification card with a valid snowmobile qualification indicator issued by the state. The certificate or qualification indicator may only be issued upon successful completion of the course as provided by Minnesota Statutes.
(2) It is unlawful for a snowmobile owner to permit operation in violation of this division.
(F) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile in violation of this section.
(1) To tow any person or thing in a public street except with the use of a rigid tow bar attached to the rear of the snowmobile;
(2) Within 100 feet of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink or sliding area where the operation would conflict with use or endanger persons or property; and/or
(3) Leave a snowmobile in a public place without locking the ignition, removing the key, and taking the key away from the snowmobile. No person may intentionally drive, chase, run over or kill any animal with a snowmobile.
(G) It is unlawful to operate a snowmobile unless it is equipped as follows:
(1) Standard mufflers which are properly attached and which reduce the noise of operation of the motor to the minimum necessary for operation; (No person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass, straight pipe or similar device on a snowmobile motor.)
(2) Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold the snowmobile under any condition of operation;
(3) A safety or so-called “deadman” throttle in operating condition; (A safety or “deadman” throttle is defined as a device which, when pressure is removed from the engine accelerator throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged from the driving track.)
(4) When operated between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, or at times of reduced visibility, at least one clear lamp attached to the front, with sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a distance of at least 100 feet ahead during the hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions; and (The head lamp shall be so aimed that glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of an oncoming snowmobile operator. It shall also be equipped with at least one red tail lamp having a minimum candlepower of sufficient intensity to exhibit a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions.)
(5) Running lights or reflective material at least 16 square inches on each side, forward of the handlebars so as to reflect or beam light at a 90-degree angle.
(H) It is unlawful for any person to operate a snowmobile in the city except during set hours.
(1) No person shall operate a snowmobile in the city except during the following hours: Sunday through Thursday — 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and evening before Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, President's Day, Martin Luther King Day, New Year's Day — 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
(`86 Code, § 6.05) (Am. Ord. 618, passed 4-6-92; Am. Ord. 728, passed 1-5-99; Am. Ord. 852, passed 9-7-04) Penalty, see § 10.99