(a) Definitions.
(1) “Bicycle lane” means any portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(2) “Bicycle” has the same meaning as contained in Section 301.04(a).
(b) Designated Bicycle Lane Direction. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle within a bicycle lane different from the direction of other vehicular traffic in the traveled portion of the roadway adjacent to the designated bicycle lane.
(c) Operation of Bicycle in Bicycle Lane.
(1) No persons riding or operating a bicycle shall ride more than two abreast in a bicycle lane.
(2) No person shall park a bicycle in a bicycle lane unless there are exigent or emergency circumstances.
(3) No person riding or operating a bicycle shall make a left turn at an intersection from the bicycle lane.
(4) Every person riding or operating a bicycle in a bicycle lane shall be subject to the provisions of this Traffic Code and the traffic laws of the State applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.
(d) Driving in a Bicycle Lane.
(1) No person shall drive or operate a motor vehicle upon or across a bicycle lane except as follows:
A. By briefly crossing the bicycle lane to enter or leave an alley, building, private road or driveway.
B. To prepare for a right turn at an intersection, or into an alley, building, private road or driveway. Such turn shall be accomplished by moving the motor vehicle into the bicycle lane within a distance of 200 feet of the intersection, alley, building, private road or driveway to be turned into.
C. The motor vehicle operation upon or across a bicycle lane is required in the course of official duty.
(2) No motor vehicle shall move into or cross the bicycle lane without yielding the right of way to any bicycle that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.
(e) Electric Assisted Bicycle; Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device; Mopeds. An electric assisted bicycle, personal assistive mobility device, and a moped used under pedal power shall be considered a bicycle, rather than a motor vehicle, for purposes of the Westlake Codified Ordinances, except when otherwise specifically provided by ordinance.
(f) Duty of Motorist to Bicyclist.
(1) In approaching or passing a person on a bicycle every person operating a motor vehicle shall proceed with caution and shall pass the bicyclist at a reasonable speed and keep a safe distance from the bicyclist.
(2) No person operating a motor vehicle shall harass or endanger a bicyclist by the movement or maneuvering of his or her motor vehicle.
(g) Obstructing a Bicycle Lane.
(1) No person shall:
A. Stop, stand, sit or loiter upon any bicycle lane.
B. Place any object upon any bicycle lane, which impedes or blocks the normal and reasonable movement of any bicyclist unless the placement or parking is necessary for the safe operation or is otherwise in compliance with the law.
C. Park a vehicle or motor vehicle within a bicycle lane.
(2) Subsection (g)(1)C. does not apply to:
A. Emergency or public safety vehicles while displaying a red, white, or blue rotating, flashing or oscillating light, or a rotating, flashing or oscillating light combining any of those colors.
B. School buses picking up or discharging students.
C. Rubbish, garbage, recycling materials, leaf or yard waste collection vehicles while actually engaged in the collection of rubbish, garbage, recycling materials, or leaf and yard waste removal while displaying a rotating, flashing or oscillating amber light.
D. Highway maintenance vehicles as defined in Section 303.04
(d) while displaying a flashing, rotating or oscillating amber light.
E. Air compressors, tractors, trailers, trucks, and other equipment while being used in the construction, reconstruction, installation, repair or removal or facilities near, on, over or under a bicycle lane while displaying a flashing, rotating or oscillating amber light.
F. Busses and taxicabs when actually engaged in the loading or unloading of passengers and while simultaneously flashing the front and rear turn signals.
G. Delivery and service vehicles while actually engaged in making deliveries or providing services and while simultaneously flashing the front and rear turn signals.
H. Vehicles for which permission has been granted to park in the bicycle lane by the Chief of Police or his designee for good cause shown. (Ord. 2007-48. Passed 4-5-07.)