15.56.010 - Applicability of state laws.

Every person who operates a bicycle upon any street or road shall be subject to the state laws concerning bicycles as set out in Title 9 of the Indiana Code and to all city traffic ordinances except where additional requirements are imposed by this chapter, or the nature of such rules or ordinances renders them inapplicable to bicycles or bicycle traffic.

(Ord. 00-16 § 1, 2000; Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.015 - Definitions.

When appearing in this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings:

"Bicycle" means a human powered vehicle with two wheels in tandem designed to transport, by the action of pedaling, one or more persons seated on one or more bicycle seats on its frame. Such term also includes a human-powered vehicle designed to transport by pedaling which has more than two wheels where the vehicle is used on a public highway, public bicycle path or other public right-of-way, but does not include a tricycle.

"Bicycle trailer" means a vehicle with two or more wheels that is attached to a bicycle and pulled in whole or in part by the pedaling action of the operator of the bicycle.

"Operator" means a person who travels on a bicycle seated on a bicycle seat from which that person is intended to and can pedal the bicycle.

"Passenger" means any person who travels on a bicycle in any manner except as an operator.

"Protective bicycle helmet" means a piece of headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standards for protective bicycle helmets set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the Snell Memorial Foundation.

"Restraining seat" means a seat separate from the seat of the operator of the bicycle that is fastened securely to the frame of the bicycle and is adequately equipped to restrain the passenger in such seat and protect such passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.

"Tricycle" means a three-wheeled human powered vehicle designed for use as a toy by a single child under the age of six years of age, the seat of which is no more than two feet from ground level.

(Ord. 96-07 § 1, 1996)

15.56.020 - Operating bicycles.

Every person who operates a bicycle on public property shall comply with the following provisions.

(a)

No person shall operate a two-wheeled bicycle on a sidewalk if the wheel diameter of the bicycle exceeds fourteen inches. All persons riding bicycles on sidewalks permitted by this section shall yield to pedestrians. Such restrictions do not apply to officers of the Bloomington police department who are in the act of performing their duties. A violation of this provision shall be a Class G Traffic Violation, which bears a penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(h).

(b)

No person shall operate a bicycle in violation of:

(i)

15.12.010 (running a stop sign);

(ii)

15.12.020 (running a yield sign);

(iii)

15.12.030 (running a traffic light);

(iv)

15.16.010 (going the wrong way on a one-way street);

(v)

15.16.020 (going the wrong way on a one-way alley).

A violation of this provision shall be a Class F Traffic Violation, which bears a penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(g).

(Ord. 00-16 § 2, 2000: Ord. 97-17 § 10, 1997; Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.025 - Prohibition of coasters, skateboards and roller skates.

(a)

No person upon roller skates, skateboards, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street in a crosswalk, and when so crossing such person shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians.

(b)

Operating a skateboard in the following locations is hereby declared a public nuisance and is therefore prohibited.

STREETS:

Kirkwood Avenue from Indiana Avenue to College Avenue.

Sixth Street from Walnut Street to College Avenue.

Walnut Street from Third Street to Seventh Street.

College Avenue from Third Street to Seventh Street.

PARKS:

Third Street Park fountain circle.

(c)

The city shall have the discretion to post signs as necessary and appropriate.

(d)

Violation of Section 15.56.025 is a Class G Traffic Violation and subject to the penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(h).

(Ord. 01-09 § 24, 2001; Ord. 00-16 §§ 3, 4, 2000; Ord. 91-54 § 1, 1991; Ord. 90-42 §§ 1—3, 1990; Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.030 - Bicycle license required.

(a)

No person shall ride a bicycle on any road, street, or bicycle path within the city unless the bicycle has been licensed and a valid license decal firmly attached to the seat tube of such bicycle. Bicycles owned by non-residents of Bloomington and bicycles validly registered by Indiana University, Bloomington, are exempt from this license requirement.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.040 - Issuance of license.

The city controller shall, upon receiving proper application, issue a bicycle license decal, at no charge to the applicant.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.050 - Bicycle license records.

(a)

The city controller shall maintain a record of all bicycle licenses issued. Such record shall contain the number of the license decal issued, the date of issue, the name and address of the owner, the make and serial number of the bicycle, and any other information deemed necessary.

(b)

A duplicate of the record provided for in subsection (a) of this section shall be maintained by the city police department.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.060 - Removal of license decal prohibited.

No person shall remove a license decal from a bicycle during the period for which the license was issued except upon a transfer of ownership of the bicycle, or in the event the bicycle is dismantled and is no longer operated upon any street, road or bicycle path in the city.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.070 - Bicycle rentals.

(a)

Any person or business who rents or offers a bicycle for rent in this city shall be responsible for compliance with all license and safety equipment requirements and shall indemnify any person renting such bicycle for fines incurred due to any noncompliance with these requirements.

(b)

Failure to license rental bicycles and to indemnify renter for any fines incurred is a Class B Traffic Violation subject to the penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(b).

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

15.56.080 - Bicycle paths established.

Bicycle paths are established for the purpose of providing a separate traffic lane on designated city streets for the sole use of persons riding bicycles. Bicycle paths shall be located on a strip four feet wide and shall be separated from the automobile traffic lane by solid lane-marking strips. The location of bicycle paths shall be designated by signs and/or appropriate markings on the surface of the street. The following are designated bicycle paths:

(1)

East side bicycle path: the path that runs parallel to and south of the Illinois Central and Gulf Railroad tracks between the State Road 46 bypass and the Park Ridge subdivision.

(2)

Tenth Street bicycle path: the path that runs parallel to and north of Tenth Street between the University Elementary and Middle Schools and the extension of Pete Ellis Drive.

(3)

Path running between Maxwell Lane and Binford Middle School.

(4)

Path running between Wexley Road and Winslow Sports Complex.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

(Ord. No. 11-03, § 8, 4-6-2011)

15.56.085 - Right-of-way of bicycle riders.

(a)

Any bicycle rider legally within a bicycle path shall have the right-of-way.

(b)

The use of motorized vehicles on bicycle paths is prohibited; provided, however, that motorized bicycles of less than fifty cubic centimeters (cc) engine displacement shall not be considered motorized vehicles for purposes of this section.

(c)

Rules and regulations applying to pedestrians, bicycles, and motorized bicycles of less than 50 cc engine displacement shall apply on bicycle paths.

(Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).

(Ord. No. 11-03, § 9, 4-6-2011)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 11-03, adopted April 6, 2011, renumbered the former § 15.56.090 as § 15.56.085 and enacted new §§ 15.56.090 and 15.56.095 as set out herein. The historical notation has been retained with the amended provisions for reference purposes.

15.56.090 - Bicycle parking.

(a)

No person shall park a bicycle:

(1)

In a manner as to hinder or obstruct pedestrian traffic or to damage public property in any manner; or

(2)

In any space designed and intended for use by motor vehicles unless such area shall be specifically allocated to bicycle parking by placement of a bicycle rack.

(b)

Bicycle racks may be installed in the public rights-of-way upon application for a no-charge permit from the office of the city engineer and approval of the board of public works. All bicycle racks constructed pursuant to this section shall be located, constructed and maintained in accordance with the specifications of the city engineer who shall be responsible for keeping sufficient records of permits and specifications.

(c)

Any bicycle parked in violation of this chapter or abandoned pursuant to Section 15.56.095 is subject to impoundment. It is lawful for the city to remove locking devices in order to impound a bicycle. The city shall not be responsible for damage done to locks during impoundment.

(Ord. No. 11-03, § 10, 4-6-2011)

Note—See the editor's note to § 15.56.085.

15.56.095 - Abandoned bicycles.

(a)

Abandoned Bicycles.

(1)

No person shall abandon any bicycle on any public way within the city. A bicycle shall be deemed abandoned if it: (i) is in such a state of disrepair as to be incapable of being operated in its present condition, (ii) has not been moved for at least two weeks; or (iii) bears physical indicia of having been abandoned.

(2)

Any bicycle deemed abandoned pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may have a notice affixed to it which informs the bicycle's owner that the bicycle appears to be abandoned. The manager of parking enforcement or designee is authorized to affix such notices upon bicycles. This notice shall indicate: (i) a telephone number for the owner to call to inform the department of parking enforcement that the bicycle is not abandoned; and (ii) the date after which the bicycle may be removed if it is not claimed by its owner. A bicycle shall not be deemed to be abandoned if the owner of the bicycle, within seven days of the affixing of a notice of abandonment, notifies the department of parking enforcement that the bicycle is not abandoned.

(3)

If a bicycle is not relocated or claimed by its owner within seven days of the affixing of a notice of abandonment, that bicycle may be removed and impounded by the department of parking enforcement.

(b)

Reclaiming Impounded Bicycle. Impounded bicycles may be reclaimed by the owner of the bicycle. A fee of thirty dollars shall be paid before the bicycle is released to the owner.

(c)

An impounded bicycle shall be subject to disposal in accordance with state law if the bicycle has remained unclaimed for at least one year.

(Ord. No. 11-03, § 11, 4-6-2011)

Note—See the editor's note to § 15.56.085.

15.56.100 - Requirements for helmet and restraining seat use.

With regard to any bicycle used on a public highway, public bicycle path, or other public right-of-way:

(a)

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person under the age of eighteen to operate or be a passenger on a bicycle or bicycle trailer unless at all times when the person is so engaged he or she wears a protective bicycle helmet of good fit fastened securely upon the head with straps of the helmet.

(b)

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person under the age of eighteen (18) to be a passenger on a bicycle or bicycle trailer unless at all times:

(1)

The person is able to maintain a seated position on the bicycle or bicycle trailer; and

(2)

The person is properly seated alone on a bicycle seat separate from that of the operator; or

(3)

With respect to any person who weighs less than forty pounds, or who is less than forty inches in height, the person can be and is properly seated in and adequately secured to a restraining seat.

(c)

It shall be a violation of this chapter for any parent or legal guardian of a person below the age of eighteen to permit such person to operate or be a passenger on a bicycle in violation of subsection (a) or (b) of this section.

(d)

It shall be a violation of this chapter to rent or lease any bicycle to or for the use of any person under the age of eighteen unless:

(1)

The person is in possession of a protective bicycle helmet of good fit at the time of such rental or lease; or

(2)

The rental or lease includes a protective bicycle helmet of good fit, and the person intends to wear the helmet, as required by subsection (a), at all times while operating or being a passenger on the bicycle.

(e)

Any person violating the requirements of parts (a) through (c) of this section shall be subject to a Class G Traffic Violation, which bears the penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(h). And, any person violating the requirements of part (d) of this section shall be subject to a Class B Traffic Violation, which bears the penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(b).

(f)

In the case of a person's first citation under parts (a), (b), or (c) of this section, the fine may be waived upon receipt of satisfactory proof that the cited person has since the date of the violation purchased or otherwise obtained, as appropriate, a protective bicycle helmet or a restraining seat, and uses and intends to use the same whenever required to do so under the terms of this chapter.

(Ord. 96-07 § 2, 1996).

15.56.110 - Violations and penalty.

Unless a provision refers to another penalty, a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a Class E Traffic Violation and is subject to the penalty listed in Section 15.64.010(e). Except for those violations which, by their very nature, can occur more than once in one day, each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(Ord. 00-16 § 5, 2000: Ord. 96-97 § 3, 1996: Ord. 82-1 § 1 (part), 1982).