[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Bethlehem 4-16-1958.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Vehicles and traffic — See Ch. 119.
This chapter shall be known as the "Bicycle Ordinance" of the Town of
Bethlehem.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any vehicle consisting of an arrangement or combination of two wheels,
20 inches or more in diameter, one following the other, supported or connected
by a frame and propelled by the feet acting upon pedals.
On and after July 1, 1958, no resident of the Town of Bethlehem shall
ride a bicycle upon any public highway, private road open to public motor
vehicle traffic or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles
within the limits of the Town of Bethlehem unless and until such bicycle shall
have been registered and inspected and a registration card and plate obtained
as herein provided.
Applications for registration shall be made to the Town Clerk of the
Town of Bethlehem and shall be signed by the owner of the bicycle and, if
the owner is a minor, also by the parent or guardian of such minor. Applications
shall set forth the name and residence of the owner and his age if under 21;
the make, color, trim, size and type of the bicycle; the manufacturer's serial
number; and such other information as may be prescribed by the Town Clerk.
[Amended 3-23-1988 by L.L.
No. 2-1998]
No bicycle shall be used or operated as aforesaid unless such bicycle
is provided with handlebars, a seat securely affixed to the frame and two
pedals; a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid
on dry, level, clean pavement; a bell or other device capable of giving a
signal audible for a distance of at least 100 feet, except that a bicycle
shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle, any siren
or whistle. Every bicycle when in use during the period from 1/2 hour after
sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front
which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet
to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the
Commissioner of Motor Vehicles of the State of New York, which shall be visible
from all distances from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front
of lawful, upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a
red light visible to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
No registration card or plate for a bicycle shall be issued until the
application therefor has been approved by the Chief of Police of the Town
of Bethlehem or his designee or designees, and such application shall not
be approved until such bicycle shall have been inspected and found to be in
safe condition and equipped as herein prescribed. Registration shall not be
transferable. Upon satisfactory proof that the bicycle is equipped as herein
prescribed, the Town Clerk shall issue to the applicant a registration card
and plate bearing a distinctive number. The registration plate shall at all
times be securely and conspicuously attached to the bicycle registered.
The fee for the issuance of such registration shall be $0.25. Registrations
shall expire on June 30 of the third calendar year following the issuance
thereof and may be renewed during the three-month period prior to the expiration
date. In the event a registration plate shall become lost or illegible, a
new registration card and plate shall be issued upon compliance with the provisions
of this chapter and the payment of a fee of $0.25.
In case of transfer of ownership of a registered bicycle, the person
by whom it is transferred shall forthwith present the registration plate and
card to the Town Clerk for cancellation and the bicycle shall be reregistered
by the new owner upon compliance with the provisions of this chapter and the
payment of a fee of $0.25.
No person shall willfully remove, destroy or alter the number on any
bicycle frame for which a registration has been procured pursuant to this
chapter, and no person shall willfully destroy, mutilate or alter any registration
plate or registration card.
A.
A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than
upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto, shall not ride
with his feet removed from the pedals and shall keep at least one hand on
the handlebars.
B.
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one
time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
C.
No person riding upon any bicycle shall attach the same
or himself to any vehicle upon any public highway or any private road open
to public motor vehicle traffic.
D.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a public highway
or private road open to public motor vehicle traffic shall ride as near to
the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing
a vehicle, a bicycle or a pedestrian standing or proceeding in the same direction.
E.
Persons riding bicycles upon a public highway or private
road open to public motor vehicle traffic shall not ride two or more abreast.
F.
Whenever a usable path for bicycles has been provided
adjacent to a public highway or a private road open to public motor vehicle
traffic, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
G.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package,
bundle or article which prevents the operator from keeping at least one hand
upon the handlebars.
H.
Bicycle riders shall obey all traffic signals and traffic
control signs.
I.
Bicycles shall not be used to pull or tow any person
or object of any character.
J.
Every person operating a bicycle and desiring to pass
another bicycle, vehicle or pedestrian shall signal his desire by a blast
of the horn or bell and shall pass to the left of the overtaken bicycle, vehicle
or pedestrian.
K.
Bicycles turning to the left at an intersection shall,
unless otherwise directed by a peace officer, sign or pavement marking, pass
to the right of the center of the intersection: provided, however, that this
shall not apply in turning from or into a highway where one-way traffic is
prescribed.
L.
Bicycles coming out of a driveway or entering a highway
at a point other than an intersection shall come to a stop immediately before
entering the highway and shall use due care in entering thereon.
M.
Bicycles shall at all times be equipped as herein provided,
which equipment shall be kept in good working order.
A.
Any person 16 years of age or over or any corporation
convicted of a violation of any provision of this chapter may be punished
by a fine of not more than $5 or by removal and detention of the registration
plate for a period of not to exceed six months or by impounding the bicycle
for a period of not to exceed six months, or by any combination thereof. Every
such person or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for
each day the registration or equipment requirements of this chapter shall
be violated.
B.
Any person under 16 years of age violating any provision
of this chapter or failing to comply with the requirements thereof shall be
subject to the following penalties:
(1)
For the first offense, a written warning setting forth
the nature of the violation and advising of the penalties for further or other
violations shall be mailed to the violator and to the parents or guardian
or such violator.
(2)
For the second and subsequent offenses, by removal and
detention of the registration plate for a period of not to exceed six months
or by impounding the bicycle for a period of not to exceed six months. Every
such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day the
registration or equipment requirements of this chapter shall be violated.
C.
In the event the violation pertains to the equipment
on the bicycle, evidence shall be presented that the defect or lack of equipment
has been remedied.
Conviction of a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be
considered a traffic infraction and not a misdemeanor.
