Chapter XXI · Traffic

ARTICLE 3. BICYCLES, SKATEBOARDS, ROLLER SKATES, COASTERS AND OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES

Sections 21-301 to 21-304 · 4 sections

21-301 Bicycle license and registration.

In order to provide a means by which proof of the ownership of bicycles in the city can be established, and in order to expedite the return, upon recovery, of lost or stolen bicycles to their lawful owners, the city clerk shall provide a system by which residents of the city may register their ownership of such bicycles. All bicycles so registered shall be provided with a registration number, with the words “Newton, Kansas” to be applied to the frame. The obliteration or alteration of such registration number of label by any person or party other than the owner thereof, or by an agent of the owner, shall be unlawful. Whenever ownership of a bicycle, registered as aforesaid, shall be transferred, the new owner may present to the city clerk proof of such change of ownership, and the city clerk shall thereupon cause the registration records to show such change of ownership. The bicycle registration records of the city clerk shall constitute prima facie evidence of the ownership of any registered bicycle for all municipal purposes.

(Ord. 4011, Sec. 1)

21-302 Rental of bicycles.

No person or entity shall rent any bicycle or offer any bicycle for rent unless the bicycle is equipped with the lamps and other equipment required by law.

(Ord. 4011, Sec. 1)

21-303 Regulations.

Every operator or user of a bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, coaster or similar wheeled device within the city shall, in addition to the requirements of the Standards Traffic Ordinance of the city, be subject to the following:

(a)No such device shall be ridden or operated upon or about the public ways (streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and other public accommodations) at a speed that is faster than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances in relation to the safety of the rider or operator and in relation to the safety of other persons or their property upon or about such public ways.

(b)No such device shall be ridden or operated:

(1)Upon any public street or alley, other than play streets so designated by the chief of police in accordance with the Standards Traffic Ordinance (except that nothing herein shall prevent or restrict the lawful operation of bicycles upon the public streets and alleyways in such manner as prescribed under the Standards Traffic Ordinance), and other-them cross pedestrian crosswalks;

(2)Upon any sidewalk within any area zoned as a Central Business District (C-3 zoning district);

(3)Upon or across any public parking lot (except that nothing herein shall prevent a bicycle from being so operated if otherwise in conformance with vehicular traffic regulations);

(4)Upon or across any private parking lot or property when such property is clearly and visibly marked by a sign or signs indicating that such use of the property is prohibited, the police department being hereby authorized to enforce the provisions of this article on any private property so marked; or

(5)Upon, against, over or cross any curb, wall, barrier or other public improvement of any kind or nature whatsoever, other than the surface of permitted streets sidewalks, and other public ways.

(c)No such device shall be parked or left upon any sidewalk in such a manner as obstructs pedestrian traffic thereon or in such a manner as blocks or obstructs any entrance or exit of any kind to adjacent buildings, structures or properties.

(d)No bicycle shall be permitted on any sidewalk, street or other public highway of the city between 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise, without a headlight a rear, red light reflector conforming to the requirements for such devices under the Standard Traffic Ordinance as it has been adopted and is in effect from time to time by the city.

(Ord. 4011, Sec. 1)

21-304 Penalty.

Any person violating the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not exceeding $100. Furthermore, any law enforcement officer may impound any bicycle, skateboard, roller skates, coaster or other similar wheeled device being ridden or operated in violation of this article or of the Standard Traffic Ordinance, and upon such impoundment shall not release the same to the owner thereof until each of the following has occurred: (i) the expiration of a period of 30 days from the date of such impoundment, or the expiration of such shorter time as may be prescribed by order of the municipal court; (ii) payment has been made to the policy department of an impoundment fee of $10; and (iii) all fines or other obligations or conditions imposed by the municipal court, if any, have been satisfied in full.

(Ord. 4011, Sec. 1)