[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown as
Ch. 66 of the 1949 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 293.
The violation by any person of any provision of this chapter shall constitute
a traffic infraction.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 91-2, Responsibility of parents
or guardians, was repealed 12-5-2005.
The provisions of Chapter 293, Vehicles and Traffic, and the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law shall apply to every person riding or operating a bicycle upon a roadway within the City, except such provisions as by definition or by their very nature have no application and except provisions concerning matters which have been otherwise specifically covered in this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former §§ 91-4 through 91-14, regarding
bicycle licenses, dealers and manner of riding, as amended, were repealed
12-5-2005.
Every person riding or operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride
as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due
care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
No person riding or operating bicycles upon any roadway shall ride more
than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive
use of bicycles.
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any sidewalk.
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is
reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
No person riding or operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle
or article which prevents the rider or operator from keeping at least one
hand upon the handlebar.
Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a
roadway, persons riding or operating bicycles shall use such path and shall
not use the roadway.
[Added 7-15-1991]
The following paths shall not be considered sidewalks but are multipurpose
recreation trails, which may be used for bicycle riding:
No person shall park or leave standing a bicycle upon a street other
than upon the edge of the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in
a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at a curb in such manner
as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic and motor vehicle
traffic.
No person shall ride or operate any bicycle upon any street during the
period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, unless such
bicycle shall display a lighted lamp on the front which shall project either
white or yellow light visible from a point 500 feet ahead of such bicycle,
nor unless such bicycle is equipped upon front and rear with a red reflector
which shall be visible at least 200 feet when opposed by a motor vehicle displaying
lawful undimmed headlights at night on a lighted highway.
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with
a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of
at least 100 feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall
any person use upon a bicycle, any siren or whistle.
No person shall ride or operate any bicycle unless the same is equipped
with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid
on a dry, level, clean pavement.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 91-25, Special hearings for minors,
was repealed 12-5-2005.
[Amended 12-1-1986 by L.L.
No. 1-1986]
Every person convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter
shall be punished as set forth in § 1800 of the New York State Vehicle
and Traffic Law or by removal and detention of the license plate from such
person's bicycle for a period not to exceed one year or by impounding of such
person's bicycle for a period not to exceed 90 days, or by any combination
thereof.
