Bicycle Ordinances

Bicycle Ordinances

SECTION 22-195. OBSERVANCE OF TRAFFIC RULES.

All persons using or operating bicycles upon any street within the city shall observe all traffic rules as to traffic lights and highway stop signs and shall signal any change of direction or course of travel in the same manner as such signals are required under the law governing the use of motor vehicles upon streets and highway, and shall not turn left in traffic except at regular intersections of streets or alleys and shall not weave in and out of traffic. (Ord. No. 267, Section 9, 6-17-41.)

State law reference – Similar provisions, Section 321.234 (2), Iowa Code.

SECTION 22-196. LIGHTS.

All bicycles used within the city between sunset and sunrise shall display a headlight on the forward part of the bicycle exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least three hundred feet (300’), said headlight to be stationary. There shall be displayed on the rear part of the bicycle a lamp exhibiting a red light visible for a distance of three hundred feet (300’) to the rear, or a red reflector not to be smaller than one and one-half inches (1 1/2") in diameter, visible by reflected light for a distance of three hundred feet (300’) to the rear. (Ord. No. 267, Section 6, 6-17-41.)

SECTION 22-197. SINGLE-FILE RIDING, ON RIGHT, REQUIRED.

Bicycle shall be ridden single file. Bicycle shall at all times be operated as near the right curb as possible. (Ord. NO. 267, Section 7, 6-17-41.)

SECTION 22-199. TOWING; BEING TOWED; FOLLOWING FIRE APPARATUS.

It shall be unlawful for any person riding a bicycle to be towed or to tow any other vehicle upon the streets of the city. It shall also be unlawful for any person riding a bicycle to follow a fire truck or other fire equipment at any time. (Ord. No. 267, Section 10, 6-17-41.)

SECTION 22-200. PASSENGERS.

Passengers shall not be carried upon a bicycle at any time except upon a suitable device construed for the specific purpose, located over the rear wheel. (Ord. No. 267, Section 11, 6-17-41.)

SECTION 22-201. IMPROPER OPERATION.

It shall be unlawful for any person riding a bicycle within the city to ride in an irregular or reckless manner such as zigzagging, stunting, speeding or otherwise riding with disregard for either the operator’s safety or the safety of others. (Ord. No. 267, Section 12, 6-17-41.)

SECTION 22-202. RIDING ON SIDEWALKS.

No person shall ride any bicycle, skateboard, roller skates or roller blades upon any sidewalk in an area zoned C-1 - - Central Business District within the city limits of Oelwein, Iowa. Bicycles, skateboards, roller skates or roller blades may be ridden in a reasonable and prudent manner upon any sidewalk in areas zoned other than C-1 - - Central Business District. All riders of bicycles, skateboard, roller skates and roller blades must yield to pedestrians. (Ord. No. 926, 07/08/1996.)