[Ord. No. 466, § 1, 10-28-1983; Ord. No. 753, § 1, 6-15-1994; Ord. No. 927, § 1, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1058, 12-13-2011]
(a)
Bicycles shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of
the City and the commonwealth, except that:
(1)
Bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks when necessary in the interest
of safety, except no bicycle shall be operated on the sidewalks of
North Street between the intersection of Tyler Street on the north,
and East and West Streets on the south and South Street between Park
Square on the north, and East and West Housatonic Streets on the south
by any person over the age of 10 years old. The person operating a
bicycle on a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.
(2)
The operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle
which is moving in the travel lane of a public way.
(b)
Operators of bicycles shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1)
The operator shall ride single file on any way except when passing.
(2)
The operator shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent
and regular seat attached to the bicycle. The operator shall not carry
another person on said bicycle, except on a baby seat attached to
the bicycle; provided, that such seat is equipped with a harness to
hold the person securely in the seat and that protection is provided
against the feet of said person hitting the spokes of the wheel of
the bicycle.
(3)
The operator shall give an audible warning whenever necessary
to ensure safe operation of the bicycle; provided, however, that the
use of a siren or whistle is prohibited.
(4)
The operator shall park his bicycle upon a way or a sidewalk
in such a manner as not to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
(5)
The operator shall not permit the bicycle to be drawn by any
other moving vehicles. The operator shall not tow any other vehicle
or person, except that bicycle trailers properly attached to the bicycle
which allow for firm control and braking may be used.
(6)
The operator shall not carry any package, bundle or article
except in or on a basket, rack, trailer or other device designed for
such purposes. The operator shall keep at least one hand upon the
handlebars at all times.
(7)
Every bicycle operated upon a way shall be equipped with a braking
system to enable the operator to bring the bicycle traveling at a
speed of 15 miles per hour to a smooth, safe stop within 30 feet on
a dry, clean, hard, level surface.
(8)
During the period from 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before
sunrise the operator shall display toward the front a white light
which shall be visible for not less than 100 feet in the direction
in which the bicycle is proceeding or facing or a front-facing colorless
reflector, and toward the rear a red light or red reflex reflector
visible for not less than 100 feet to the rear when in the lower beams
of the headlamps of a motor vehicle.
(9)
During the period from 1/2 hour after sunset and 1/2 hour before
sunrise the operator shall display a reflex reflector or reflective
material on the pedals visible from the front and rear from a distance
of 200 feet when in the lower beams of the headlamps of a motor vehicle
and additional reflective material visible from each side of the bicycle,
either on said bicycle or on the person of the operator, for a distance
of 200 feet.
(10)
No bicycle shall be operated upon a way with handlebars so raised
that the operator's hands are above his shoulders while gripping them.
Any alteration to extend the fork of a bicycle from the original design
and construction of the bicycle manufacture is prohibited.
(11)
The operator of a bicycle shall report any accident involving
either personal injury or property damage in excess of $100, or both,
to the Police Department in the city or town in which the accident
occurred.
(c)
This section shall not apply to police officers when engaged in the
lawful performance of their duties.
(d)
No
person shall permit a minor to operate a bicycle, skateboard, rollerblade
or scooter in violation of any provisions of this article. Any violation
of this article by a minor shall constitute a separate and independent
violation by the parent or guardian of the operator.
[Ord. No. 466, § 1, 10-28-1983; Ord. No. 927, § 1, 5-25-2004; Ord. No. 1058, 12-13-2011]
The officers of the Police Department and the parking control
officers of the City shall have the sole authority to enforce this
article.
[Ord. No. 927, § I, 5-25-2004]
Skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters shall be subject to
the traffic laws and regulations of the City and the commonwealth,
except that:
(a)
Skateboards, rollerblades, and scooters may be ridden on sidewalks
when necessary in the interest of safety, except no skateboards, rollerblades,
or scooters shall be operated on the sidewalks of North Street between
the intersection of Tyler Street on the north, and East and West Streets
on the south, and South Street between Park Square on the north and
East and West Housatonic Streets on the south. The person operating
a skateboard, rollerblade, or scooter on a sidewalk shall yield the
right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking
and passing the pedestrian.
(b)
The operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle which
is moving in the travel lane of a public way.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 13-8-132, Violations and
penalties, adopted 10-28-1963 by Ord. No. 466, was repealed 5-29-1991
by Ord. No. 674.
[Ord. No. 927, § I, 5-25-2004]
All fines, forfeitures and penalties shall be paid into the
City treasury.
[Ord. No. 674, § 9, 5-29-1991; Ord.
No. 927, § I, 5-25-2004]
[Ord. No. 1058, 12-13-2011]
A violation of this article shall be and is hereby deemed and
declared a public nuisance and may be abated by the City, including,
but not limited to, seizure and removal of bicycles, skateboards,
rollerblades or scooters in violation of this article.
