[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of West Hartford as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 168.
[Adopted 6-12-1973; amended in its entirety 5-24-1988]
[Amended 2-11-2008]
A. 
No person shall ride a bicycle (including any forward movement of the bicycle, whether one foot or two feet are on the pedals), a skateboard or roller skates/roller blades on any sidewalk as hereinafter defined:
Name of Street
Side
Location
Burr Street
North
Ellsworth Road
North
From South Main Street to LaSalle Road
Farmington Avenue
North/ South
From Walden Street easterly to Raymond Road
LaSalle Road
East/West
From Ellsworth Road northerly to Farmington Avenue
Memorial Drive
North/ South
North and South Main Street
East
From Loomis Drive (south entrance) southerly to Burr Street
North and South Main Street
West
From Loomis Drive (south entrance) southerly to Ellsworth Road
B. 
No person shall ride a skateboard or use roller skates or roller blades anywhere on the municipal property, including the parking lots, known as the "Town Hall," Town Hall Common; the "West Hartford Public Library," 20 South Main Street, including the adjoining municipal property known as "Webster Walk" and "Blue Back Square"; and the "Police/Court facility," 103 Raymond Road.
The proper Town authorities are authorized to erect signs so prohibiting bicycles, skateboards and roller skates/roller blades from being ridden in said business area and in the municipal complex.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and terms shall be defined as follows:
BICYCLE
A vehicle propelled by the person riding the same by foot or hand power or by a helper motor having capacity of less than 50 cubic centimeters' piston displacement and rated not more than two brake horsepower and capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour and equipped with automatic transmission and operable pedals.
ROLLER SKATES/ROLLER BLADES
Any recreational device consisting of a set of two wheeled platforms, whether or not permanently affixed to a pair of shoes or boots, and regardless of the configuration of the wheels thereon, designed to be worn on the user's feet and used to propel the user in a manner similar to ice skates.
SKATEBOARD
Any wheeled device consisting of a platform or seat of metal, wood, plastic or any other material designed for recreational purposes to carry its user in an erect, kneeling, sitting or prone position in a manner similar to that of a true surfboard, whether propelled solely by the physical efforts of its user or users or by the use of a small motor. The term "skateboard" shall not be construed to include a wheelchair or any similar device used to provide transportation for any disabled person.
[Adopted 2-11-2008]
[Amended 8-18-2015]
For purposes of this article, a "pedal cab" is defined as a multiwheeled vehicle propelled by human power, capable of transporting passengers other than the operator thereof and which is made available to the public for hire as a mode of transportation, whether at set, negotiable or voluntary rates. A pedal cab shall be deemed to be a type of bicycle for purposes of this chapter and for purposes of the application of Connecticut laws applicable to the use of bicycles on public highways.
A. 
No person shall utilize any portion of any public street or highway for the operation of a pedal cab unless said person is licensed to do so in accord with the requirements of this article.
B. 
No pedal cab shall be operated on any portion of any public street or highway unless said pedal cab is registered in accord with the requirements of this article.
A. 
Application.
(1) 
Application for a license to drive a pedal cab or for renewal thereof shall be made to the Chief of Police upon a form furnished by the Chief and shall contain information set out in this article under oath. Licenses shall only be issued to individuals and shall not be issued to partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies or other similar legal entities. Information to be contained on said application (or provided therewith) shall include:
(a) 
Name.
(b) 
Residence address and business address.
(c) 
Date and place of birth.
(d) 
Motor vehicle driver's license information (if any), including any restrictions placed upon the applicant's operation of a motor vehicle.
(e) 
A complete set of fingerprints.
(f) 
Whether the driver has ever been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor and, if so, the details thereof.
(g) 
Whether the driver has ever been denied any form of driver's license or has had any driver's license suspended or revoked.
(h) 
Proof of workers' compensation insurance coverage in accord with Connecticut law (if applicable); proof of liability insurance in such types and such amounts as approved by the Town Manager, including, where deemed appropriate by the Town Manager, provision that the Town of West Hartford be named as an additional insured on the relevant policy or policies of insurance.
(i) 
The name of the owner(s) of the pedal cab(s) to be operated by the driver.
(j) 
Such additional detailed information as may, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, be necessary to evaluate the fitness of the applicant to be granted a pedal cab driver's license.
(2) 
The application form shall also require the driver to state, under oath, that he has read the ordinances set forth in this article; that he understands those ordinances; and that he agrees to abide by them at all times.
B. 
Should any of the above-referenced information provided by the licensee become inaccurate or outdated, the licensee shall promptly provide correct and accurate information to the Chief of Police in the form of an amended application. No license fee shall be charged for such an amended application.
C. 
License fee. The license fee for each license to drive a pedal cab shall be $25 annually.
D. 
License renewable, not transferable. A driver's license shall be valid for not more than one year. A driver's license may not be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred.
E. 
License to be posted. The driver's license shall state that complaints about the licensee may be made to the Chief of Police. The license shall be posted in any pedal cab while it is being operated by the licensee in a place where it is clearly visible to the passengers being carried therein.
A. 
Application.
(1) 
Application for a pedal cab registration or for renewal thereof shall be made by the owner of the pedal cab to the Chief of Police upon a form furnished by the Chief and shall contain information set out in this article under oath. Information to be contained on said application (or provided therewith) shall include:
(a) 
Name of the owner of the pedal cab.
(b) 
Business address.
(c) 
The following identifying information:
[1] 
In the case of individual owners: date and place of birth.
[2] 
In the case of corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies or any other form of legally recognized entity:
[a] 
State and date of establishment or creation.
[b] 
Certificate of legal existence or similar documentation establishing that the existence and operation of the entity is in current compliance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and the state in which it was created.
(d) 
Whether the owner has ever been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor and, if so, the details thereof.
(e) 
A serial number, vehicle identification number or similar individual identification number permanently affixed to and by which the registered pedal cab may be identified.
(f) 
Proof of insurance in such types and such amounts as approved by the Town Manager from time to time, including, without limitation, liability insurance and, if applicable, workers' compensation insurance for any employees of the owner and further including, where deemed appropriate by the Town Manager, provision that the Town of West Hartford be named as an additional insured on the relevant policy or policies of insurance. In addition, the owner shall indemnify and hold harmless the Town of West Hartford from any liability associated with the operation of the licensed pedal cab.
(g) 
A cash or surety bond or other form of security in the amount of $200 to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article and to ensure prompt surrender of the pedal cab registration in the event that it is no longer in active use. A single bond or other form of security may be tendered to cover more than one registration issued to the same owner provided that the amount thereof shall, at all times, be maintained in an amount equal to $200 multiplied by the number of pedal cab registrations issued to the same owner.
(h) 
The fare schedule itemizing all charges which the owner and/or driver shall charge to passengers for transporting them.
(i) 
Such additional detailed information as may, in the opinion of the Chief of Police, be necessary to evaluate the fitness of the applicant or the pedal cab vehicle to be granted a pedal cab registration.
(2) 
The application form shall also require the signatory for the applicant to state, under oath, that he has read the ordinances set forth in this article; that he understands those ordinances; and that the applicant agrees to abide by them at all times.
B. 
Registration fee. The fee for each pedal cab registration shall be $50 annually.
C. 
Should any of the above-referenced information provided by the owner become inaccurate or outdated, the owner shall promptly provide correct and accurate information to the Chief of Police in the form of an amended application. No registration fee shall be charged for such an amended application.
D. 
Registration renewable, not transferable. A pedal cab registration shall be valid for not more than one year. A pedal cab registration shall be assigned to each individual pedal cab and may not be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred. Each pedal cab shall be inspected for compliance with the requirements of this article at the time of initial registration and annually thereafter at the time of registration renewal.
E. 
Registration to be posted. The pedal cab registration shall state that complaints about the pedal cab may be made to the Chief of Police. The registration shall be posted in the pedal cab at all times in a place where it is clearly visible to the passengers being carried therein.
No more than 10 pedal cab registrations shall be issued and outstanding at any time. Applications for pedal cab registrations shall be processed in the order in which they are received. For purposes of submitting an application for a pedal cab registration, an applicant may temporarily satisfy the requirements of § 53-8A(1)(e) for up to 60 days by providing proof that a pedal cab has been ordered from the dealer or manufacturer thereof; provided, however, that no registration shall be delivered to an applicant until full compliance with § 53-8 has been achieved and further provided that the application fee shall not be refunded if the applicant fails to fully satisfy the requirements of § 53-8.
Pedal cabs shall be operated in accord with the laws of the State of Connecticut applicable to the use of bicycles on the public highways at all times, including, without limitation, the following requirements:
A. 
Pedal cabs shall be equipped with the safety equipment described in C.G.S. § 14-288 at all times. In addition, pedal cabs shall:
(1) 
Display a battery- or generator-operated lighted lamp or lamps upon the rear part of such bicycle at all times when lamps are required to be lit pursuant to C.G.S. § 14-96a. Such lamp or lamps shall, when lighted, emit a red light which in clear weather shall be visible at a distance of not less than 500 feet in the direction from which such pedal cab is proceeding.
(2) 
Be equipped with battery- or generator-operated turn signal lamps. Such lamps shall, when lighted, emit a flashing yellow light which in clear weather shall be visible at a distance of not less than 500 feet, both in the direction to and from which such pedal cab is proceeding.
(3) 
Be equipped with a pedal-power delivery system of chains and gears (or the equivalent thereof) sufficient to permit the pedal cab to accelerate from a standing position at a rate which will not unduly impede the flow of traffic.
(4) 
Be equipped with a hydraulic or mechanical disc brake system which will permit the pedal cab to stop safely in an emergency situation without affecting the stability of the vehicle.
(5) 
Be equipped with spoke reflectors placed upon each wheel and reflective tape marking the side edges of the pedal cab at both front and rear.
(6) 
Be equipped with at least one sideview or rearview mirror designed to allow the driver to observe traffic to the rear of the pedal cab.
B. 
Pedal cabs shall be operated in the manner described in C.G.S. §§ 14-286a and 14-288 at all times. In addition:
(1) 
Turn signals shall be given by the use of the turn signal lamps required pursuant to this section.
(2) 
Pedal cabs shall pick up and discharge passengers as close to the curbline of the street as possible.
(3) 
Pedal cabs shall be operated in a manner which does not impede or block the normal or reasonable movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, except where necessary to comply with applicable provisions of law.
(4) 
Passengers shall be required to remain seated at all times while the pedal cab is in motion.
(5) 
Not more than three passengers shall be permitted in a pedal cab at any time.
(6) 
Pedal cabs shall be liable to pay for metered on-street or off-street parking operated by the Town of West Hartford in the same manner as is applicable to any motor vehicle utilizing such a metered parking space.
(7) 
Drivers of pedal cabs who also have a motor vehicle driver's license shall comply with any restrictions set forth on said license at all times while driving a pedal cab.
(8) 
A clearly legible copy of the fare schedule shall be posted in the pedal cab at all times in a place where it is clearly visible to the passengers being carried therein.
(9) 
Pedal cabs shall not be operated while the driver is under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances other than medication prescribed for the driver by a physician which does not adversely affect the ability of the pedal cab driver to operate the pedal cab.
A. 
The Police Chief shall also have the power to deny or revoke any registration or license issued hereunder for cause after due notice in writing to the applicant/owner/licensee and after affording the applicant/owner/licensee the opportunity to be heard thereupon. Cause shall be deemed to include, but not be limited to, conviction of any felony or a misdemeanor occurring subsequent to the granting of the license or registration, false information knowingly given in the application for a license or registration, physical or mental impairment which jeopardizes the safety of passengers or other members of the public, failure to maintain complete and accurate license or registration information on file, or for any violation of the provisions of this chapter. In addition, a pedal cab registration shall be revoked for any pedal cab which, in the determination of the Police Chief, is not in active service. This authority shall be in addition to any other means of enforcement of Town ordinances.
B. 
In addition to the denial/revocation procedure authorized pursuant to Subsection A of this section, the Police Chief may also suspend any registration or license immediately and for a period not to exceed five days if he determines that the interests of public safety so require. In any such case, the owner/licensee shall be afforded the opportunity to be heard within 72 hours following such suspension.
The penalty for violation of the provisions of this article shall be in accordance with § 1-8 of the West Hartford Code of Ordinances.