[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rochester City Council 1-24-1967 by Ord. No. 67-37. (This ordinance replaced an ordinance adopted 1-22-1952, as last amended 1-24-1961.) Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 9-17-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-287]
As used in chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BICYCLE
Every two- or three-wheeled device upon which a person or persons may ride, propelled by human power through a belt, a chain or gears, with such wheels in a line or tricycle arrangement.
BIKE LANE
The portion of a roadway that has been delineated and marked for the use of bicycles, not including any lane specifically marked for the shared use of bicycles and motor vehicles.[1]
CENTER CITY DISTRICT
Center City District as established pursuant to Chapter 120 of the Municipal Code, Zoning.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72[2]]
CYCLE TRACK
A pathway in the public right-of-way that is physically separated from motor vehicle traffic and distinct from the sidewalk and that is marked for the use of bicycles. A cycle track may be configured for one-way or two-way traffic.
ELECTRIC BICYCLE
A bicycle which is no more than 36 inches wide, has an electric motor of less than 750 watts, is equipped with operable pedals, and qualifies to be operated on public roadways as a Class One or Class Two "bicycle with electric assist" as defined and regulated in the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
ELECTRIC SCOOTER
A wheeled device weighing less than 100 pounds that has handlebars and a floorboard or a seat that can be stood or sat upon while operating, can be powered by an electric motor and/or human power, has a maximum speed of no more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by the electric motor, and qualifies to be operated on public roadways as an "electric scooter" as defined and regulated in the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
IN-LINE SKATE
A device consisting of a frame or shoe that is intended to be secured to a person's foot, with either a pair of small wheels near the toe and another pair at the heel or a series of wheels in a row mounted or permanently attached to the frame or shoe, for skating or gliding by means of human power, including but not limited to devices referred to as in-line skates, rollerblades, roller skates, quad skates, and skate shoes.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
ROC CITY SKATEPARK
An outdoor area located under the Frederick Douglass-Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge adjacent to the Genesee Riverway Trail near South Avenue having structures and surfaces purposely built for skateboarding. The definition and regulation of Roc City Skatepark in this chapter shall not be construed as the designation of a park pursuant to Chapter 79 of the Municipal Code, nor is it to be construed as having otherwise dedicated the area as parkland unless the area is explicitly dedicated as such by City Council.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
SKATEBOARD
A device consisting of a platform having a pair of small wheels near the front and another pair at the rear mounted or permanently attached to the platform, for skating or gliding by means of human power.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
[1]
Editor's Note: The former definition of "central traffic district," which immediately followed this definition, was repealed 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72.
[2]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also changed the title of this Ch. 34 from "Bicycles" to its current title.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
A. 
Bicycle riding rules for persons 12 years of age or under. Unless accompanied by a rider over 18 years of age, children 12 years of age or under shall ride bicycles on the sidewalk, cycle track, Genesee Riverway Trail or other multi-use trail.
B. 
Bicycle riding rules for persons over age 12. Persons over 12 years of age shall ride a bicycle either on a usable bike lane or cycle track or, if a usable bike lane or cycle track has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder. Riding should be in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic, except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along the bike lane, cycle track or right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Conditions to be taken into consideration as potentially unsafe include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, skateboarders, animals or surface hazards.
Within the Center City District, persons over 12 years of age shall not ride a bicycle on the sidewalk except where the sidewalk is identified as part of the Genesee Riverway Trail or other multi-use trail system, or if riding with a child 12 years old or under, or if reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions in a bike lane, cycle track or roadway. Outside of the Center City District, persons over 12 years of age may ride bicycles upon the sidewalk, Genesee Riverway Trail or any multi-use trail.
C. 
Permissible ages and places for operating electric bicycles. No person less than 16 years of age shall operate an electric bicycle. Electric bicycles may be operated on streets within the City of Rochester with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Persons 16 years of age or older shall operate an electric bicycle either on a usable bike lane or cycle track or, if a usable bike lane or cycle track has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder. Riding should be in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along the bike lane, cycle track or right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Conditions to be taken into consideration as potentially unsafe include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, skateboarders, animals or surface hazards.
Within the Center City District, no person shall operate an electric bicycle on the sidewalk except where the sidewalk is identified as part of the Genesee Riverway Trail or other multi-use trail system, or if riding with a child 12 years old or under, or if reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions in a bike lane, cycle track or roadway. Outside of the Center City District, persons 16 years of age or older may operate electric bicycles upon the sidewalk, Genesee Riverway Trail or any multi-use trail. Any persons operating electric bicycles on the sidewalk shall ride single file.
D. 
Yield to pedestrians. The operator of a bicycle or electric bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
E. 
Passengers and towing. No bicycle or electric bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. The operators of bicycles and electric bicycles shall not pull another person on in-line skates, a skateboard or similar device and shall not pull or tow a sled, wagon or other item unless by the use of a bicycle trailer, trailing bicycle or other device designed and intended to be connected to a bicycle for that purpose.
F. 
Parking on sidewalks. Bicycles and electric bicycles shall be parked at bike racks where available. No person shall park or leave a bicycle or electric bicycle in a manner that interferes with the free passage of pedestrians on a sidewalk or that blocks handicap accessible ramps or curb access.
G. 
Police and other officials. Restrictions on where bicycles and electric bicycles may be operated, parked or placed shall not apply to police officers. City personnel and designated government officials in the performance of their duties.
H. 
Additional provisions. Further rules regarding the operation of bicycles and electric bicycles are included in Article 34 of Title 7 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 34-2, Registration of bicycles, as amended, was repealed 6-18-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-201.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
A. 
Permissible ages and places for operating electric scooters. No person less than 16 years of age shall operate or ride as a passenger upon an electric scooter, and no person 16 years of age or older shall allow any person less than 16 years of age to operate or ride as a passenger upon an electric scooter. Electric scooters may be operated on streets within the City of Rochester with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Persons 16 years of age or older shall operate an electric scooter either on a usable bike lane or cycle track or, if a usable bike lane or cycle track has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder. Riding should be in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic except when preparing for a left turn or when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions that would make it unsafe to continue along the bike lane, cycle track or right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. Conditions to be taken into consideration as potentially unsafe include, but are not limited to, fixed or moving objects, motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, skateboarders, animals or surface hazards.
Within the Center City District, no person may operate an electric scooter on the sidewalk except where the sidewalk is identified as part of the Genesee Riverway Trail or other multi-use trail system or if reasonably necessary to avoid unsafe conditions in a bike lane, cycle track or roadway. Outside of the Center City District, persons 16 years of age or older may operate electric scooters upon the sidewalk, Genesee Riverway Trail or any multi-use trail. Any persons operating electric scooters on the sidewalk shall ride single file.
B. 
Yield to pedestrians. The operator of an electric scooter shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
C. 
Speed limit. No person shall operate an electric scooter at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour.
D. 
Passengers and towing. No electric scooter shall be used to carry more than one person at one time. A person operating an electric scooter shall not carry any person as a passenger in a pack fastened to the operator or to the scooter and shall not pull or tow any separate device.
E. 
Parking on sidewalks. Electric scooters shall be parked in designated scooter parking areas or at bike racks where available. No person shall park or leave an electric scooter in a manner that interferes with the free passage of pedestrians on a sidewalk or that blocks handicap accessible ramps or curb access.
F. 
Police and other officials. Restrictions on where electric scooters may be operated, parked or placed shall not apply to police officers, City personnel and designated government officials in the performance of their duties.
G. 
Additional provisions. Further rules regarding the operation of electric scooters are included in Article 34-D of Title 7 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 34-3, Applications for registration, amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. 75-208, was repealed 6-14-1988 by Ord. No. 88-216.
[Added 3-16-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-72]
A. 
In-line skating and skateboarding rules for persons 12 years of age or under. Unless accompanied by a person over 18 years of age, children 12 years of age or under shall skate or skateboard on the sidewalk, cycle track, Genesee Riverway Trail or other multi-use trail.
B. 
In-line skating and skateboarding rules for persons over age 12. Persons over 12 years of age shall skate or skateboard either on a usable bike lane or cycle track or, if a usable bike lane or cycle track has not been provided, near the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or upon a usable right-hand shoulder in such a manner as to prevent undue interference with the flow of traffic. Persons over 12 years of age may skate or skateboard upon the sidewalk, Genesee Riverway Trail or any multi-use trail.
C. 
Prohibited areas for in-line skating and skateboarding. In-line skating and skateboarding are prohibited in the following areas:
(1) 
In parks within the Center City District, not including Roc City Skatepark.
(2) 
In the Liberty Pole area bordered by the east facade of the Sibley Building, East Main Street and Franklin Street.
(3) 
On the ramps, steps and plaza in front of and adjacent to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
(4) 
In the parking garages designated in § 111-118 of the Municipal Code, as well as all entrances thereto.
(5) 
On the Inner Loop and its frontage.
(6) 
On interstate highways.
The Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Human Services shall have the authority to designate additional prohibited areas on City recreation center properties and City-operated parks and open spaces. The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services shall have the authority to designate additional prohibited areas within the public right-of-way and within other City-owned properties other than recreation centers, parks and open spaces. Such designated prohibited areas shall be marked with signage.
D. 
Yield to pedestrians. Persons skating or skateboarding shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
E. 
Additional provisions. Further rules regarding the operation of in-line skates and skateboards are included in Article 34 of Title 7 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law.
F. 
Roc City Skatepark. The Commissioner of the Department of Recreation and Human Services shall establish, and amend as needed, rules for the Roc City Skatepark, and such rules shall be posted at the park and on the City of Rochester website.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 34-4, Issuance of registration cards and plates, amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. 75-208, was repealed 6-14-1988 by Ord. No. 88-216.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 34-5, Fees for an expiration of licenses, amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. 75-208, was repealed 6-14-1988 by Ord. No. 88-216.
[Amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. 75-208]
A. 
The Municipal Code Violations Bureau shall hear and determine charges involving violations of this chapter. Any person who violates this chapter shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 13A-11 of the Municipal Code.
[Amended 6-19-1990 by Ord. No. 90-258]
B. 
If said violator is a minor, the Rochester Police Department Juvenile Unit will notify by mail said minor's parent or guardian and shall specify the violation and the time and place where said violation occurred. The form letter sent to the parent shall have space for said parent to acknowledge receipt of letter and return to the Juvenile Unit. This procedure will enable the Juvenile Unit to have knowledge that said parent or guardian was properly notified of the violator's infraction.
[Amended 11-10-1992 by Ord. No. 92-403]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 34-8, Record of violations, amended 6-10-1975 by Ord. No. 75-208, was repealed 6-14-1988 by Ord. No. 88-216.