Every person operating a bicycle shall have a right to use all public ways in the Town of Barnstable except where signs specifically prohibiting bicycles have been posted and shall be subject to the traffic laws and regulations of the Town and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, except that: 1) the bicycle operator may keep to the right when passing a motor vehicle which is moving in the travel lane of the way; and 2) the bicycle operator shall signal by either hand his/her intention to stop or turn.
Bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks outside business districts when necessary in the interest of safety. A person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk shall yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
Operators of bicycles shall be subject to the following regulations:
A.
The operator shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
B.
The operator shall ride single file on any way and as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle.
C.
Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to the roadway, the operator shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
D.
The operator shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached to the bicycle.
E.
The operator shall not carry another person on said bicycle, except on a "baby seat," so called, attached to the bicycle in which such person shall be able to sit upright; provided, however, that such seat is equipped with a harness to hold such another person securely in the seat and that protection is provided against the feet of such other person hitting the spokes of the wheel of the bicycle; and provided, further, that any such passenger between the ages of one year to four years, inclusive, shall wear a helmet. Such helmet shall fit the person's head and be equipped with straps to secure it in place and shall meet the standard for helmets of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z 90.4) or the Smell Memorial Foundations 1984 Standard for Protection Headgear for use in bicycling. The operator shall not carry any person under the age of one year on said bicycle.
F.
The operator shall give an audible warning whenever necessary to insure safe operation of the bicycle; provided, however, the use of a siren or whistle is prohibited.
G.
When emerging from an alley, driveway or building the operator shall upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway yield the right of way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway.
H.
The operator shall park his/her bicycle upon a way or sidewalk in such a manner as not to obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
I.
The operator shall not permit the bicycle to be drawn by any other moving vehicle.
J.
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.
K.
The operator shall not carry any package, bundle or section except in a basket, rack, trailer or other device designed for such purposes.
L.
The operator shall keep at least one hand upon the handlebars at all times.
A.
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.
B.
During the period from one hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, the operator shall display to the front of his/her bicycle a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet, and to the rear of said bicycle either a lamp emitting a red light, or a red reflector visible for not less than 600 feet, when directly in front of a motor vehicle. A generator powered lamp which emits light only when the bicycle is moving shall meet the requirements of this subsection.
C.
During the period from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, the operator shall display on each pedal of his/her bicycle a reflector, or around his/her ankles a reflective material visible from the front and rear for a distance of 600 feet, and reflectors or reflective material, either on said bicycle or on the person of the operator, visible on each side for a distance of 600 feet, when directly in front of a motor vehicle. This shall not prohibit a bicycle or its operator to be equipped with lights or reflectors in addition to those required by this subsection or Subsection B immediately above.
D.
No bicycle shall be operated upon a way with handlebars so raised that the operator's hands are above his/her shoulders while gripping them. Any alteration to extend the fork of a bicycle from the original design and construction of the bicycle is prohibited.
E.
Any federal product standards relating to bicycles which are more stringent than those set forth above shall supersede said requirements.
Violations of any provisions of this article shall be punished by a fine of not more than $25. The parent or guardian of any person under age 18 shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such person to violate any of the provisions of this article. A bicycle operated by a person under the age of 18 in violation of this article may be impounded by the Police Department for a period of not to exceed 15 days. A violation of any provision of this article by a minor under the age of 18 shall not affect any civil right or liability nor shall such violation be considered a criminal offense.