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City of Northwoods, MO
St. Louis County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (6) Index
As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall mean:
BICYCLE
Every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, or two (2) parallel wheels and one (1) or two (2) forward or rear wheels, all of which are more than fourteen (14) inches in diameter, except scooters and similar devices.
MOTORIZED BICYCLE
Any two- or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, but excluding an electric bicycle, as defined in Section 300.010 of this Code. A motorized bicycle shall be considered a motor vehicle for purposes of any homeowners' or renters' insurance policy.
Every bicycle and motorized bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle or motorized bicycle within twenty-five (25) feet from a speed of ten (10) miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.
A. 
Every bicycle and motorized bicycle when in use on a street or highway during the period from one-half (½) hour after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise shall be equipped with the following:
1. 
A front-facing lamp on the front or carried by the rider which shall emit a white light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred (500) feet;
2. 
A rear-facing red reflector, at least two (2) square inches in reflective surface area, or a rear-facing red lamp on the rear which shall be visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lower beams of vehicle headlights at six hundred (600) feet;
3. 
Reflective material and/or lights on any part of the bicyclist's pedals, crank arms, shoes or lower leg visible from the front and the rear at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at two hundred (200) feet; and
4. 
Reflective material and/or lights visible on each side of the bicycle or bicyclist and visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at three hundred (300) feet. The provisions of this Subdivision shall not apply to motorized bicycles which comply with National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration regulations relating to reflectors on motorized bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle as provided by Chapter 304, RSMo. and this Title, except as to special regulations in this Chapter, and except as to those provisions of Chapter 304, RSMo. and this Title, which by their nature can have no application.
Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one (1) proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles.
A. 
A person operating a bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway may operate as described in Section 385.050 of this Chapter, or may operate on the shoulder adjacent to the roadway.
B. 
A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder adjacent to a roadway, shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.
C. 
For purposes of this Section, and Section 385.050, "roadway" means that portion of a street or highway ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.
The operator of a bicycle shall signal as required in Section 340.190 of this Title, except that a signal by the hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed to control or operate the bicycle. An operator of a bicycle intending to turn the bicycle to the right shall signal as indicated in Section 340.190 of this Title, or by extending such operator's right arm in a horizontal position so that the same may be seen in front and in rear of the vehicle.
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this Section, every person riding an electric bicycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the operator of a bicycle. An electric bicycle shall be considered a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle.
B. 
An electric bicycle or a person operating an electric bicycle is not subject to provisions of law that are applicable to motor vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, off-highway vehicles, motor vehicle rentals, motor vehicle dealers or franchises, or motorcycle dealers or franchises, including vehicle registration, certificates of title, drivers' licenses, and financial responsibility.
C. 
Beginning August 28, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a permanent label to each electric bicycle. The label, which shall be affixed to the electric bicycle in a prominent location, shall contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle. The text on the label shall be Arial font and in at least nine-point type.
D. 
No person shall tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle unless he or she replaces the label required under Subsection (C) of this Section with a new label indicating the new classification.
E. 
An electric bicycle shall comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, 16 CFR 1512.
F. 
An electric bicycle shall operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.
G. 
An electric bicycle may be ridden where bicycles are permitted to travel, subject to the following provisions:
1. 
An electric bicycle may be ridden on bicycle or multi-use paths where bicycles are permitted;
2. 
Following notice and a public hearing, a municipality, local authority, or State agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a Class 1 electric bicycle or Class 2 electric bicycle on that path if it finds that such a restriction is needed for safety reasons or compliance with other laws or legal obligations;
3. 
A municipality, local authority, or State agency having jurisdiction over a bicycle or multi-use path may prohibit the operation of a Class 3 electric bicycle on that path; and
4. 
The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to a trail that is specifically designated as non-motorized and that has a natural surface tread that is made by clearing and grading the native soil with no added surfacing materials. A local authority or agency of the State having jurisdiction over a trail described in this Subsection may regulate the use of an electric bicycle on that trail.
H. 
The use of Class 3 electric bicycles shall be subject to the following provisions:
1. 
No person under sixteen (16) years of age shall operate a Class 3 electric bicycle. A person under sixteen (16) years of age may ride as a passenger on a Class 3 electric bicycle that is designed to accommodate passengers; and
2. 
All Class 3 electric bicycles shall be equipped with a speedometer that is capable of displaying the speed an electric bicycle is traveling in miles per hour.
Any person seventeen (17) years of age or older who violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an infraction and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). If any person under seventeen (17) years of age violates any provision of this Chapter, in the presence of a Peace Officer possessing the duty and power of arrest for violation of the general criminal laws of the State or for violation of ordinances of Counties or municipalities of the State, said officer may impound the bicycle or motorized bicycle involved for a period not to exceed five (5) days upon issuance of a receipt to the child riding it or to its owner.
A. 
No person shall operate a motorized bicycle on any highways, streets or roads in this City unless the person has a valid license to operate a motor vehicle.
B. 
No motorized bicycle may be operated on any public thoroughfare located within this City which has been designated as part of the Federal interstate highway system.
C. 
Violation of this Section shall be deemed an ordinance violation.
No person shall operate a motorized bicycle on any highways, streets or roads in this City unless it is equipped in accordance with the minimum requirements for construction and equipment of MOPEDS, Regulation VESC-17, approved July, 1977, as promulgated by the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission.
A. 
Parking Bicycles. Bicycles, when parked in the business district, shall be parked in zones or places designated and marked for that purpose. It shall be unlawful to park any bicycle along buildings in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrians, or along roadways where they may interfere with traffic. No person other than the owner or operator shall move, or in any manner interfere with, any bicycle properly parked, nor shall any person interfere or in any manner hinder any person from properly parking a bicycle, except that members of the Police Department and Fire Department may move, or, in proper cases, prevent the parking of the bicycle, when in the judgment of the Policeman or Fireman, his/her action is necessary in order to properly safeguard persons or property.
B. 
Speed. No bicycle shall be operated at any time faster than is reasonable or proper, and every bicycle shall be operated with reasonable regard to the safety of the rider and of other persons and property.
C. 
Any member of the Police Department is authorized to inspect any bicycle, at any reasonable time, for the purpose of making a checkup of the serial number, and for the purpose of determining the mechanical condition of the bicycle.
D. 
Removal Of Serial Number. It shall be unlawful for any person, willfully or maliciously, to remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the serial number of any bicycle.
E. 
Use Of A Bicycle Without Consent Of Owner. It shall be unlawful for any person to use or operate any bicycle within the City without the consent of the owner.
[Ord. No. 01-04 §1, 8-28-2001]
A. 
Every person operating or being a passenger on a bicycle or similar device on a public roadway, public bicycle path or other public rights-of-way shall wear a bicycle helmet of good fit, fastened securely upon the head with the straps of the helmet. As used in this Section, the term "bicycle helmet" means a piece of headgear which meets or exceeds the impact standard for protective bicycle helmets set by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission Federal safety standards, those developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Memorial Foundation or the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM).
B. 
No person operating a bicycle or similar device on a public roadway, public bicycle path or other public rights-of-way shall allow anyone to ride as a passenger unless the passenger is wearing a bicycle helmet as defined above; or else is in an enclosed trailer or other device which meets or exceeds current nationally recognized standards of design and manufacture for the protection of the passenger's head from impacts in an accident without the need for a helmet.
C. 
No parent, custodian or legal guardian of a person age sixteen (16) and under shall knowingly permit said person to operate or be a passenger on a bicycle or similar device without wearing a bicycle helmet as defined in this Section.
D. 
No person operating a bicycle on a public roadway, public bicycle path or other public right-of-way shall allow anyone who is either four (4) years old or younger, weighing forty (40) pounds or less, to ride as a passenger on a bicycle other than in a seat which shall adequately retain the passenger in place and protect the passenger from the bicycle's moving parts.
E. 
Any bicycle or similar device, operator or passenger found to be in violation of this Section may be issued an equipment violation notice as prescribed on a Missouri Uniform Complaint and Summons. The person responsible for a payment of the violation may have the violation dismissed if the person submits a receipt for a proof of purchase of a bicycle helmet along with the helmet to the Police Department within twenty-five (25) calendar days of the date of the violation notice. Any violation of this Section regarding the wearing of helmets shall be subject to a fine of between twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and one hundred dollars ($100.00).
F. 
Fines assessed to juvenile violators (age sixteen (16) and under) will be the legal responsibility of the violator's parent, custodian or legal guardian and therefore any summons issued as a result of a violation committed by such a juvenile shall be issued to said violator's parent, custodian or legal guardian.
G. 
Emerging From Alleyway, Private Roadway Or Driveway. The operator of a bicycle or similar devices emerging from an alleyway, private roadway, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area. Upon entering the highway or roadway, the operator shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway or roadway.
H. 
Every bicycle or scooter shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
I. 
This Section shall only apply to bicycles and similar devices operated on public access and not on private residential property. The terms bicycles and similar devices as described in this Chapter shall include all bicycles, unicycles, tricycles, roller blades, skateboards and scooters.