CONSISTENCY WITH ATP.
The definitions set forth in this chapter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP). In the event of any ambiguity, the ATP shall be consulted to ensure uniformity of terminology and intent.
E-CONVEYANCE.
For purposes of this chapter, "e-conveyance" means any small electric-powered device designed for personal transportation, including but not limited to electric bicycles, electric scooters, and electric skateboards. E-conveyance shall be considered a form of micromobility consistent with the City's Active Transportation Plan (ATP).
ELECTRIC BICYCLE (E-BIKE).
An electric bicycle, or "e-bike," is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor, classified as a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 electric bicycle, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 312.5, as may be amended. Electric bicycles shall be operated in a manner consistent with their classification and in compliance with this chapter and applicable provisions of state law.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER (E-SCOOTER).
A micromobility device with two or three wheels, handlebars, and a floorboard designed to be stood upon when riding, powered by an electric motor, and with a maximum speed of not more than 15 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
ELECTRIC SKATEBOARD (E-SKATEBOARD).
A skateboard powered by an electric motor, designed to be operated by a standing rider, with or without handlebars, and with a maximum speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface.
(Ord. 26-01, 2/3/2026)
A. 
No person shall ride or operate a bicycle or e-conveyance in a manner or at a location where such operation is expressly prohibited by this chapter, by posted signage, or by applicable state law. Except as otherwise restricted herein, bicycles and e-conveyances may be operated on roadways, bicycle lanes, bicycle paths, and bicycle trails in accordance with this chapter and applicable provisions of the California Vehicle Code.
B. 
Whenever any person is riding a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a bicycle path, or bicycle trail, the operator shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian or person on horseback and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians or equestrians.
C. 
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 or route, unless specifically posted as authorized for such use.
D. 
No person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance on a bicycle path or bicycle trail at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour, and in no event at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent under the existing conditions, or at a speed which endangers the safety of persons and/or property.
The speed limitations set forth in this subsection apply to the operation of bicycles and e-conveyances and are separate from any manufacturer design or classification speed limits applicable to specific devices under state law.
E. 
When posted, no person shall operate a bicycle or e-conveyance at any city special events.
F. 
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 the operator is in the roadway or in a bike lane.
G. 
The operator of a bicycle or e-conveyance shall not allow a person to ride as a passenger, and a person shall not ride as a passenger, on a bicycle or e-conveyance upon a public roadway, sidewalks, bicycle paths and bicycle trails, other than upon or astride a separate seat attached thereto. 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.
H. 
Electric scooters shall not carry passengers under any circumstances.
I. 
Sidewalk Operation Prohibited. No person shall ride, operate, or propel a bicycle or e-conveyance upon any sidewalk within the City of Hanford. Sidewalks are reserved exclusively for pedestrian use. This prohibition applies regardless of the type, class, or maximum speed capability of the device and includes, but is not limited to, electric bicycles (all classes), electric scooters, electric skateboards, and any other e-conveyance as defined in this chapter.
(Ord. 26-01, 2/3/2026)
A. 
Criminal Remedies. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction. Upon conviction, the person is subject to punishment as prescribed in this Chapter 12.30 and any other applicable available remedies in this Municipal Code.
B. 
Civil Remedies.
1. 
When the Police Chief or designee finds that a person has violated or continues to violate any provision of this chapter, they may petition the Superior Court of Kings County, California, through the city's attorney, for the issuance of a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, and/or permanent injunction, as appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of any requirement imposed by this chapter.
2. 
Nothing contained in this code shall preclude or limit the city from pursuing a civil action for damages against a person who causes the city to incur injury, loss, costs, or expenses as a result of the person's violation of this chapter.
3. 
In addition to all other remedies, as part of any civil action brought by the city, a court may assess a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the maximum allowed by State law per day for each violation with respect to any person who violates this chapter, which penalty shall be payable to the city.
C. 
Administrative Remedies. In addition to any other remedy available at law, an administrative citation may be issued to any person who violates any provision of this chapter.
1. 
Issuance of Citation.
a. 
Whenever the Police Chief or designee determines that a violation of this chapter has occurred the Police Chief or designee shall have the authority to issue an administrative citation to the person responsible.
b. 
Each administrative citation shall contain the following information:
i. 
The date of the violation;
ii. 
The address or a definite description of the location where the violation occurred;
iii. 
The section of this chapter violated and a description of the violation;
iv. 
The amount of the fine for the violation;
v. 
A description of the fine payment process, including a description of the time within which and the place to which the fine shall be paid;
vi. 
An order prohibiting the continuation or repeated occurrence of the code violation described in the administrative citation;
vii. 
A description of the administrative citation appeal process, including the time within which the administrative citation may be contested and the place from which a request for hearing form to contest the administrative citation may be obtained; and
viii. 
The name and signature of the individual issuing the citation.
2. 
Amount of Fines.
a. 
The amounts of the administrative citation fines for code violations imposed pursuant to this chapter shall be set forth in a schedule of fines established by resolution of the city council.
b. 
The schedule of fines shall specify any increased fines for repeat violations of the same code provision by the same person or entity.
3. 
Payment of Fines.
a. 
Fines shall be paid to the city within 30 days from the date of the administrative citation.
b. 
Any administrative citation fine paid shall be refunded if it is determined, after an appeal hearing, that there was no violation as charged in the citation.
c. 
Payment of a fine under this chapter shall not excuse, discharge, or permit any continuation or repeated occurrence of the code violation that is the subject of the administrative citation.
4. 
Hearing Request.
a. 
Any recipient of an administrative citation may appeal the citation by submitting a written request for hearing to the city of Hanford City Clerk or designee within 30 days from the date of the administrative citation, together with an advance deposit of the fine.
b. 
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection C.4.a above, the deposit of the administrative fine shall be waived if the city of Hanford City Manager determines that the appealing party is financially unable to pay such amount. A waiver request must be submitted to the City Clerk with the person's request for appeal, along with a sworn declaration and other supporting documents and materials showing the person's actual financial inability to deposit the fine amount. The appealing party bears the burden of demonstrating financial hardship to the satisfaction of the City Manager. If the City Manager determines that a waiver is warranted, the deposit will be waived or partially waived. If the City Manager finds that a waiver is not warranted, the appealing party must, within three business days of the party's receipt of the City Manager's written decision, deposit the administrative fine for the person's appeal to be processed.
c. 
The person requesting the hearing shall be notified by the city of the time and place set for the hearing at least 10 calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
d. 
If the Police Chief designee submits an additional written report concerning the administrative citation to the hearing officer, then a copy of such report shall be served on the person requesting the hearing at least five calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.
5. 
Hearing Officer. The City Manager shall appoint a hearing officer who shall be selected in a manner that avoids the potential for pecuniary or other bias, and in no event shall the enforcement officer, nor any other officer or employee in his/her department, be the hearing officer for appeals regarding administrative citations issued under this chapter.
6. 
Hearing Procedure.
a. 
Except as otherwise provided herein, no hearing to contest an administrative citation shall be held unless the fine has been deposited with the city in advance.
b. 
A hearing shall be set for a date that is not less than 15 calendar days and not more than 60 calendar days from the date that the request for hearing is filed, unless otherwise agreed upon by the city and an appealing party, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
c. 
At the hearing, the party contesting the administrative citation shall be given the opportunity to testify and to present evidence concerning the administrative citation.
d. 
The failure of any recipient of an administrative citation to appear at the appeal hearing shall constitute a forfeiture of the fine and a failure to exhaust his/her/their administrative remedies.
e. 
The administrative citation and any additional report submitted by the Police Chief or designee shall constitute prima facie evidence of the respective facts contained in those documents.
f. 
The hearing officer may continue the hearing and request additional information from the Police Chief or designee or the recipient of the administrative citation prior to issuing a written decision.
7. 
Hearing Officer's Decision.
a. 
After considering all of the testimony and evidence submitted at the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision to uphold, modify, or cancel the administrative citation and shall list in the decision the reasons for the decision. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final.
b. 
If the hearing officer determines that the administrative citation should be upheld, then the fine amount on deposit with the city shall be retained by the city.
c. 
If the hearing officer determines that the administrative citation should be rescinded, then the city shall promptly refund the amount of the deposited fine.
d. 
If the hearing officer determines that the fine levied under the administrative citation should be adjusted, then the city will promptly refund the amount of the deposited fine that exceeds the amount fixed by the hearing officer, or the recipient of the administrative citation will promptly pay to the city an additional amount fixed by the hearing officer if the officer finds the fine assessed under the administrative citation to be insufficient.
e. 
The recipient of the administrative citation shall be served with a copy of the hearing officer's written decision.
8. 
Late Payment Charges. Any person who fails to pay to the city any fine imposed or amount owed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter on or before the date that the fine or amount is due shall also be liable for a late payment charge equal to 10% of the unpaid amount, and interest shall accrue thereafter at a rate of 1.5% per month on the unpaid amount; provided however, the late fee and/or interest shall not apply if collection of the same by the city would violate State law.
9. 
Recovery of Administrative Citation Fines and Costs. The city may collect any past due administrative citation fines, collection costs, late payment charges, and accrued interest by use of all available legal means. Collection costs shall be in addition to any interest and late charges imposed upon the delinquent obligation and shall be added to and become a part of the underlying obligation.
10. 
Right to Judicial Review. Any person or entity aggrieved by a decision of the hearing officer on an administrative citation may obtain review of the decision by filing a petition for review with the Superior Court for Kings County, California in accordance with the timelines and provisions set forth in California Government Code Section 53069.4, as may be amended.
11. 
Notices. The administrative citation and all notices required to be given by this chapter shall be served by personal delivery thereof to the person to be notified or by deposit in the United States mail, certified mail with return receipt requested, addressed to such person to be notified at his/her/their last-known address as the same appears in the public records or other records pertaining to the matter to which such notice is directed. Service by mail shall be deemed to have been completed at the time of deposit in the mail.
D. 
Remedies Cumulative. The remedies provided in this chapter are not to be construed as exclusive remedies, and, in the event of violation, the city may pursue any proceedings or remedies otherwise provided by law or in equity.
(Ord. 26-01, 2/3/2026)