This chapter shall apply to the use of bicycles and e-conveyances (as those terms are defined below), in conformity with state law, and shall apply to any bicycle or E- Conveyance operated upon any public right-of-way within the city's jurisdiction. The provisions contained herein are enacted pursuant to the California Cal. Veh. Code, and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder pertaining to the licensing, and regulation of the operation, use and equipment of bicycles and e-conveyances. This chapter is not intended to conflict in any way with the provisions thereof. This chapter is not intended to regulate the use of electrically motorized mobility devices utilized by persons with disabilities as an aid to mobility such as, but not limited to, electric wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
BICYCLE
Means the same as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 231, as may be amended or superseded, and which, as of the date of the adoption of this section, provides that a bicycle includes any device upon which a person may ride which is propelled by exclusively human power through a system of belts, chains or gears, and having one or more wheels. "Bike" shall mean the same as bicycle, and the terms may be used interchangeably. For purposes of this chapter an electric bicycle is a type of bicycle.
BICYCLE LANE
The portion of the roadway which has been separated from any vehicular lanes by a solid white line or other pavement marking or defined for bicycle riders by appropriate signage.
BICYCLE PATH
A path or trail, paved or unpaved, that provides a completely separated right-of-way from vehicular traffic and is designated for the exclusive use of bicycles and pedestrians with crossflows by motorists minimized.
E-CONVEYANCE
Includes any electric bicycle, electrically motorized scooter, electrically motorized board, motorized bicycle which is powered at least in part by electrical energy, or any other device propelled by an electric motor and designed to transport one or more people.
ELECTRIC BICYCLE
Means the same as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 312.5, as may be amended or superseded, and which, as of the date of the adoption of this section, provides that an "electric bicycle," or "e-bike," is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, and is categorized by the following:
A. 
CLASS 1An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that is not capable of exclusively propelling the bicycle, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour, and that is not capable of providing assistance to reach speeds greater than 20 miles per hour.
B. 
CLASS 2An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
C. 
CLASS 3An electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour and is equipped with a speedometer.
ELECTRICALLY MOTORIZED BOARD
Means the same as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 313.5, as may be amended or superseded, and which, as of the date of the adoption of this section, provides that a "electric motorized board" is any wheeled device that has a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding that is not greater than 60 inches deep and 18 inches wide, is designed to transport only one person, and has an electric propulsion system averaging less than 1,000 watts, the maximum speed of which, when powered solely by a propulsion system on a paved level surface, is no more than 20 miles per hour. The device may be designed to also be powered by human propulsion.
ELECTRICALLY MOTORIZED SCOOTER
Means the same as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 407.5, as may be amended or superseded, and which, as of the date of the adoption of this section, provides that a "motorized scooter" is any two- or three-wheeled device that has handlebars, a floorboard that is designed to be stood on while riding and is powered by an electric motor or a source other than electrical power. This device may also have a driver seat that does not interfere with the ability of the rider to stand and ride, and may also be designed to be powered by human propulsion. For purposes of this chapter, a motorcycle, as defined in Section 400 of the Cal. Veh. Code, a motor-driven cycle, as defined in Section 405 of the Cal. Veh. Code, or a motorized bicycle or moped, as defined in Section 406 of the Cal. Veh. Code, is not an electrically motorized scooter.
MOTORIZED BICYCLE
Means the same as defined in Cal. Veh. Code § 406, as may be amended or superseded, and which, as of the date of the adoption of this section, provides that a "motorized bicycle" is any two-wheeled or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, an automatic transmission, and a motor which produces less than four gross brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
Means any place of any nature which is dedicated, or otherwise intended, for use by the general public for pedestrian and/or vehicular travel, and includes, but is not limited to, a street, sidewalk, walkway, curb, crossing, intersection, parkway, bicycle path, highway, boulevard, road, roadway, tunnel, bridge, parking lot, thoroughfare, alley, lane, pedestrian overpass, trail, or any other similar public way.
ROADWAY
Means a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel, including, but not limited to, highways, streets, roads, alleys, laneways, parking lots, bridges, tunnels, and vehicular rights-of-way of any kind. For purposes of this chapter, a roadway does not include sidewalks, curbs, driveways, medians, pedestrian overpasses, or bicycle paths.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Parental Responsibility. The parent or guardian of any minor shall not authorize or knowingly permit any minor to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
Penalties. Any person who violates this chapter is guilty of an infraction, unless specifically provided otherwise in this chapter, and punishable by a fine as set forth in Chapter 21.01 of Title 21 of the Galt Municipal Code. This chapter may also be enforced via administrative or civil actions as authorized by Chapter 21.02 of Title 21 of the Galt Municipal Code.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Every person riding a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights, and shall be subject to all of the duties, applicable to them under the laws of the state, under the terms of this code, or under any other applicable rule of the road.
B. 
It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to operate a bicycle or e-conveyance in an unsafe manner on any public right-of-way, including any roadway, bicycle path, bicycle lane, park, sidewalk, or upon any private property which is held open to the public for pedestrian travel. Operating a bicycle or e-conveyance in an unsafe manner includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:
1. 
Violating any provision of the Galt Municipal Code, the Cal. Veh. Code, or other existing law.
2. 
Intentionally swerving or riding around stopped or slowed traffic at excessive speed and/or in a manner that unreasonably obstructs the sightlines or visibility of other roadway users.
3. 
Operating a bicycle or e-conveyance in a manner it was not designed for, including carrying passengers when not intended for carrying passengers and carrying more passengers than the number for which the bicycle or e-conveyance is designed and equipped.
4. 
Not obeying posted signs or signals.
5. 
Riding a bicycle or e-conveyance without a properly fitted and fastened helmet if the rider is under 18 years of age.
6. 
Intentionally lifting one or more wheels of a bicycle or e-conveyance into the air while riding on a public right-of-way.
7. 
Attempting to perform any acrobatic trick or stunt in any public right-of-way.
8. 
Operating a bicycle or e-conveyance any manner that endangers the operator, passengers, other motorists, other riders, pedestrians in the area, animals, or property.
9. 
Operating on any public right-of-way, against the direction of traffic.
10. 
Operating upon any public drainage facility, culvert, ditch, or channel.
11. 
Operating at a speed greater than as provided in the Cal. Veh. Code or, if no such speed limit is provided in the Cal. Veh. Code, 20 miles per hour on any public right-of-way, including all roadways, bike paths, and sidewalks, or at any speed greater than is reasonable or prudent under the conditions then existing, taking into account the safety of persons, animals, and property.
12. 
Failing to yield to pedestrians.
13. 
Operating while hitched to or physically attached to any moving vehicle or motorized device.
14. 
Operating while failing to yield the right-of-way to any and all pedestrians or failing to yield the right-of-way to a vehicle upon entering a roadway or driveway from a sidewalk.
15. 
Operating upon any unpaved hiking, equestrian, or walking trail, other than designated bicycle paths, unless permitted by the Galt Municipal Code or by any other provision of law.
16. 
Operating a bicycle or e-conveyance while holding and operating a handheld wireless telephone or an electronic wireless communications device unless the wireless telephone or electronic wireless communications device is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation, and it is used in that manner while riding.
17. 
Operating a bicycle or e-conveyance while under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs in violation of the Cal. Veh. Code. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a misdemeanor.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
It shall be unlawful for any person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance to fail to obey the instructions of official traffic-control signs and other traffic-control devices applicable to vehicles, and/or bicycles or e-conveyances, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a bicycle or e-conveyance while wearing headphones, earbuds or any other device which obstructs and/or covers any portion of the ear canal.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Any person under the age of 18 years old must wear a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet when riding any bicycle or e-conveyance on a public right-of-way within the city, except that all riders of electronically motorized boards and Class 3 electric bicycles regardless of age shall properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Cal. Veh. Code § 21212.
B. 
All people operating or riding as a passenger upon a Class 3 electric bicycle shall comply with Cal. Veh. Code § 21213 regarding the wearing of a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of either the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), or standards subsequently established by those entities.
C. 
Any person under the age of 16 years old shall not operate a Class 3 electric bicycle.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
No person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance on a public right-of-way after sunset without a front facing white light that is visible from a distance of 300 feet in front of the person and from the sides. All bicycles and e-conveyances shall have solid or flashing red lights with a built-in reflector on the rear of the bike or e-conveyance that shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
Every bicycle and e-conveyance, when operated within the city, shall comply with all of the equipment requirements contained in Cal. Veh. Code § 21201, as well as this chapter.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Any person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb, edge of the roadway, or bicycle lane, except under any of the following situations:
1. 
When overtaking and passing another bicycle, e-conveyance or vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
2. 
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway; or
3. 
When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side-by-side within the lane) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge;
4. 
Any person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a roadway which carries traffic in one direction only and has two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable;
5. 
Persons riding bicycles or e-conveyances upon a roadway or bicycle lane shall not ride more than two abreast;
6. 
Pursuant to Cal. Veh. Code § 21207.5, motorized bicycles shall not be operated on a bicycle path, bikeway, equestrian trail, or hiking or recreational trail, unless it is within or adjacent to a roadway or unless authorized by ordinance.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
No person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance at a speed greater than what is allowed under the Cal. Veh. Code and this chapter, or at a speed greater than what is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions. Operators of bicycles and e-conveyances shall in no event travel at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
The operator of a bicycle or e-conveyance emerging from or entering an alley, driveway, bicycle path, building or otherwise approaching a sidewalk or sidewalk area shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering a bicycle lane or roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles or bicycles on the roadway.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Whenever a bicycle lane has been established, any person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance upon the roadway at a speed of less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction shall ride within the bicycle lane, except that such person may move out of the lane under any of the following situations:
1. 
When overtaking and passing another bicycle, vehicle, e-conveyance or pedestrian within the lane or about to enter the lane if such overtaking and passing cannot be done safely within the lane;
2. 
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway;
3. 
When it is reasonably necessary to leave the bicycle lane to avoid debris or other hazardous conditions; or
4. 
When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized.
B. 
No person operating a bicycle or e-conveyance within a bicycle lane shall leave such lane until movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving the appropriate signal in the manner provided in Cal. Veh. Code Division 11, Ch. 6 (Cal. Veh. Code §§ 22100 et seq.) in the event that any vehicle may be affected by the movement.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
No person shall leave a bicycle or e-conveyance lying on its side on any sidewalk, nor park a bicycle or e-conveyance upon the public right-of-way, or against a building or at a curb, so that there is not an adequate path for pedestrian traffic. Where appropriate signs are posted, no person shall park a bicycle or e-conveyance on a public roadway in the area designated by those signs.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
Riding any bicycle or e-conveyance on any bicycle path or roadway is permitted in accordance with the Cal. Veh. Code unless prohibited by this Chapter or prohibited by appropriate signs authorized by the terms of this chapter or any other provision of law.
B. 
It shall be unlawful to operate bicycles and e-conveyances on a pedestrian overpass, except for the purpose of emerging from or entering a roadway, driveway, bicycle trail, bicycle path, building or similar area, or where necessary to ensure the safety of persons or property.
C. 
It shall be lawful to operate any bicycle or e-bicycle upon a sidewalk in accordance with this chapter except where riding upon a sidewalk prohibited under the Cal. Veh. Code. Notwithstanding this, it shall be unlawful to operate any Electrically Motorized Scooter on the sidewalk except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
D. 
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a public right-of-way where pedestrians and others are present, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, or person on horseback, and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians.
E. 
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle or e-conveyance upon any playground, park, or school ground not specifically designated as a bicycle path, unless specifically posted as authorized for such use.
F. 
When posted, no person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance at any city special events.
G. 
The operator of a bicycle or e-conveyance shall travel in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway, regardless of whether or not the operator is in the roadway or in a bicycle lane. This section also applies to any sidewalk less than eight feet in width, unless there is no accompanying sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, or wherever posted signs prohibit such behavior.
H. 
The operator of a bicycle or e-conveyance shall not allow a person riding as a passenger, and a person shall not ride as a passenger, on a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a roadway other than upon or astride a separate seat attached thereto. The section does not apply to any type of bicycle or e-conveyance with an original factory seat designed to collectively accommodate the operator and passenger. If the passenger is four years of age or younger, or weighs 40 pounds or less, the seat shall have adequate provision for retaining the passenger in place and for protecting the passenger from the moving parts of the bicycle.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
The city council may, by resolution, establish bicycle lanes or bicycle paths within the city as they determine may be required.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
The city's Director of Public Works is authorized to erect or place and maintain signs on any public right-of-way prohibiting the riding of bicycles and/or e-conveyances by any person thereon.
B. 
The city's Director of Public Works is authorized to erect or place and maintain signs upon any roadway, or adjacent to any roadway in the city, indicating the existence of a bicycle path, bicycle lane, or otherwise regulating the operation and use of vehicles, bicycles and e-conveyances with respect thereto, as long as the same are consistent with this chapter. Where such a sign is erected, such other designation, including but not limited to appropriate painting or such other devices as the city's Director of Public Works shall determine, will provide sufficient notice of the existence of the bicycle path or bicycle lane. Said signage shall conform to the provisions established by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
An electric bicycle shall meet the following criteria:
1. 
Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1 et seq.);
2. 
Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released or deactivated, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function; and
B. 
A person shall not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the speed capability of the device, or otherwise altering, modifying, or adjusting the motor settings to increase the speed of the device, unless he or she appropriately replaces the label indicating the appropriate classification.
C. 
It is unlawful for any person to remove, destroy, mutilate or alter any license indicia issued pursuant to Resolution No. 82-26.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
No person shall operate any motorized vehicle upon any bicycle lane or path, except to park when permitted, to enter or leave the roadway, or to prepare for a turn within a distance of 200 feet from the intersection. Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to prohibit any bus owned and operated by a public transportation district or other authorized transportation agencies from driving upon such bicycle lanes within 150 feet of any bus stop approved by the city. Motor vehicle parking is prohibited in bicycle lanes, provided such restriction is appropriately posted. This section does not prohibit the use of a motorized bicycle in a bicycle lane, pursuant to Cal. Veh. Code § 21207.5, at a speed no greater than is reasonable or prudent, having due regard for visibility, traffic conditions, and the condition of the roadway surface of the bicycle lane, and in a manner which does not endanger the safety of persons or property.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)
A. 
In the event an adult is cited for violating this chapter for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the City officer issuing the citation may impound the bicycle or e-conveyance to the Galt Police Department. The impounded bicycle or e-conveyance shall be released upon payment of the impound fee consistent with Galt Police Department impound fee schedule.
B. 
In the event a minor is cited for violating this section for a violation that endangers the safety of others, the City officer issuing the citation may impound the bicycle or e-conveyance to the Galt Police Department. The impounded bicycle or e-conveyance shall be released to the minor's parent, guardian, or other responsible adult upon payment of the impound fee consistent with the Galt Police Department impound fee schedule.
C. 
A bicycle or e-conveyance impounded to the Galt Police Department under this chapter shall be considered abandoned if not collected pursuant to this section after a period in excess of 90 days. Abandoned electric bicycles, motor-driven cycles, or any other electric or motorized e-conveyances may be disposed of as restricted by Civil Code Sections 2080.1, 2080.2, 2080.3, 2080.4 and 2080.5.
(Ord. 2025-11, 10/7/2025)