[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Augusta
as Ch. 5 of the 1990 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord. No. 244]
A.
BICYCLE
LICENSEE
OPERATE
POLICE CHIEF
RESIDENT
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Includes a vehicle having a minimum of two wheels, neither
of which is less than 20 inches in diameter, with solid or pneumatic
tires, having a steering bar, handle or wheel and propelled by human
power.
Any person who procures from the City a license plate or
tag and a registration card for any bicycle.
Includes any form or tense thereof and shall mean and refer
to the use, putting into action or motion, or causing to function
of a bicycle by any person mounted thereon.
The Police Chief of the City of Augusta or his designee unless
otherwise specified.
A resident of the City of Augusta, Maine.
[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord. No. 244]
A.
It shall be unlawful for any resident to operate any bicycle upon
any street, sidewalk, public way or in any other public place or place
where the public is afforded access on a regular basis without having
first registered such bicycle and displaying a license plate or tag
as required.
B.
Application for registration and license for a bicycle shall be made
on forms provided by the Police Department.
C.
The Police Chief may establish a fee necessary to cover the cost
of such licensing. Any such fee shall be subject to the review and
approval of the City Council.
D.
The Police Chief shall, upon receiving an application, issue to the
owner of any bicycle a registration form which contains the name and
address of the owner of the bicycle, a complete description of the
bicycle, including the serial number thereof, and any other information
deemed necessary. The Police Chief shall also issue a license plate
or tag that indicates the license number and date of expiration for
such license. This license plate or tag shall be attached to, and
displayed from, the front of the bicycle immediately below the steering
handle.
E.
All licenses issued shall be for an indefinite term.
F.
No license so issued shall be transferable. In the event that any
such bicycle is sold, lost or stolen, the owner shall immediately
notify the Police Chief.
G.
The Police Chief shall maintain a record of all bicycle licenses
and registrations for the City.
A.
When two or more persons are riding in a group on a roadway, they
shall ride single file and as far to the right as is practicable.
B.
No person shall, while operating a bicycle, cling to or attach himself
or the bicycle to any other moving vehicle.
C.
No person operating any bicycle shall ride other than astride a regular
and permanent seat attached thereto. No person shall ride or carry
another person on the handlebars of a bicycle or in such a manner
as to affect the safe and proper operation of the bicycle. This section
shall not be construed as prohibiting the use of an infant seat or
child carrier, so-called, as long as the same is securely attached
to the bicycle, its use does not affect the safe operation of the
bicycle and there is an adequate restraint system, for the child,
in use.
D.
No person shall operate a bicycle while under the influence of intoxicating
liquor or drugs.
E.
No bicycle shall be operated within the period from sunset to sunrise
unless the bicycle shall have a lighted headlight attached to the
front of the bicycle and visible under normal atmospheric conditions
for a distance of not less than 200 feet; and a red reflector or taillight
clearly visible to the rear of said bicycle for a distance of 200
feet. In addition, any bicycle manufactured and originally equipped
with pedal reflectors or wheel reflectors shall be required to maintain
such reflectors.
F.
No person shall operate any bicycle that is not in such mechanical
condition so as to be operated safely.
G.
No person shall operate any bicycle on any sidewalk or pedestrian
walkway so as to interfere with any pedestrian thereon.
H.
No person shall operate any bicycle in other than a reasonable and
prudent manner. The operator shall be required to have his hands on
the handlebars when said bicycle is operated. No bicycle shall be
operated at an unsafe speed. When operated on a public way, no person
shall permit his bicycle to weave in and out of traffic lanes, except
that he may move across lanes to engage in allowed turning movements
when such movements can be accomplished with a reasonable degree of
safety.
I.
When on a roadway, the operator of any bicycle shall conform to all
traffic laws, ordinances and regulations.
J.
All bicycles shall be equipped with brakes capable of stopping said
bicycle within a reasonable distance.
[Amended 1-6-1992 by Ord. No. 244]
A.
Inspections. Any officer of the Police Department is hereby authorized
to inspect any bicycle, at any time, for the purpose of making a check
of the license plate and number, serial number, and for the purpose
of determining the mechanical condition of the bicycle.
B.
Removal or alteration of plate, tag or registration card. It shall
be unlawful for any person knowingly and willfully to remove, destroy,
mutilate or alter the serial number of any bicycle; or to remove,
destroy, mutilate or alter the license plate, tag or registration
card during the time such license or registration is in effect.
C.
Unauthorized use of bicycle. It shall be unlawful for any person
to use or operate any bicycle within the City without the consent
of the owner.
D.
Receipt of bicycles from which serial number removed. It shall be
unlawful for any person residing in the City, or any dealer in bicycles
operating within the City, to purchase, receive in trade or otherwise
acquire any bicycle from which the serial number on the frame has
been removed, destroyed, mutilated or altered, without first reporting
the same to the Police Chief.
E.
Identification numbers. The Police Chief is hereby authorized to
stamp or otherwise permanently affix to the frame of any bicycle,
in a legible manner, numbers for the purpose of identification, if
such bicycle displays no serial number or if the serial number is
illegible or insufficient for identification purposes.
A.
Enforcement. The Police Chief shall enforce the provisions of this
chapter.
B.
Penalties. Any person of the age of 17 years or over who violates
any provisions of this chapter shall, upon adjudication, be punished
by a fine of not more than $10. The Police Chief, when satisfied that
a juvenile under the age of 17 years has violated any of the provisions
of this chapter, may impound the bicycle for a period not to exceed
five days for the first offense, for a period not to exceed 10 days
for a second offense and for a period not to exceed 30 days for any
subsequent offense.
