Louisville Municipal Code
Chapter 10.12 - BICYCLES
State Law reference— Bicycles, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.010. - Applicability.
This chapter shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or upon any public path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles, subject to the exceptions stated in this chapter.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-1(c); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.010)
Sec. 10.12.020. - Traffic laws to apply to operation of bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle upon the street shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, as provided by chapter 10.04 or such ordinances as may hereafter be adopted, except as to those provisions which by their nature do not apply.
Every person driving or operating a vehicle, bicycle, or other vehicular device, whether propelled by motor power, muscular power, or otherwise, shall be subject to, and shall in all respects observe, the same duties and obligations regarding persons driving, operating, or riding bicycles, as are required by ordinances of the city to be observed as to persons driving or operating vehicles.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-2; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.020)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.030. - Obedience to traffic control devices.
All person operating bicycles shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-3(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.030)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.040. - Pedestrian regulations to apply in certain areas.
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left turn or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the directions of any such sign; except when such person dismounts from the bicycle to make any such turn, in which event such person shall obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-3(b); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.040)
Sec. 10.12.050. - Riding on roadway—Right-hand side; passing.
Every person operating a bicycle upon a street shall ride as near to the right-hand side of the roadway as practicable, and shall exercise due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-5(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.050)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. §§ 42-4-1412(5), 42-4-1412(6)(a).
Sec. 10.12.060. - Riding on roadway—Not more than two abreast.
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths, roadways, or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-5(b); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.060)
Sec. 10.12.070. - Reserved.
Editor's note—
Ord. No. 1348-2000, § 3, adopted November 21, 2000 repealed in their entirety the provisions of § 10.12.070 which pertained to required use of bike paths when available and derived from the Code of 1977, § 10.12.070
Sec. 10.12.080. - Signs prohibiting bicycles to be obeyed.
When signs are erected on any sidewalk or street which prohibit the riding of bicycles thereon by any person, no person shall disobey such signs.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-10(b); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.080)
Sec. 10.12.090. - Riding on sidewalks—Business districts.
No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district, except upon sidewalks designated as bicycle paths.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-10(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.090)
Sec. 10.12.100. - Riding on sidewalks—Pedestrians to have right-of-way; signals.
Whenever a person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-10(c); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.100)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412(10).
Sec. 10.12.110. - Entering on or emerging from alleys and driveways.
The operator of a bicycle entering or emerging from an alley, driveway, or building, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on such sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-7; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.110)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.120. - Rider to be astride permanent seat.
No person propelling a bicycle shall ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached to such bicycle.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-4(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.120)
Sec. 10.12.130. - Passenger restriction.
No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-4(b); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.130)
Sec. 10.12.140. - Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand firmly upon the handlebars, and from being in full control of such bicycle.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-8; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.140)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.150. - Speed.
No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the existing conditions.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-6; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.150)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.160. - Parking.
No person shall stand or park a bicycle upon a street, other than upon the roadway against the curb; or, upon a sidewalk, other than in a rack to support the bicycle, against a building, or at a curb, in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-9; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.160)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412.
Sec. 10.12.170. - Lamps.
Every bicycle, or bicycle rider operating a bicycle, on a street, highway, sidewalk, bicycle path or other public way, at any time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, and at other times when persons and vehicles on the public way are not clearly discernible at a distance of 500 feet ahead, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 300 feet to the rear; except that a red reflector meeting the requirements of this section may be used in lieu of the red light.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-17(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.170)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-221.
Sec. 10.12.190. - Brakes.
Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which enables the operator to make a braked wheel-skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-17(c); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.190)
State law reference— Similar provisions, C.R.S. § 42-4-223.
Sec. 10.12.200. - License—Available upon request.
A city resident owning a bicycle may file an application and request the issuance of a license and license plate which is to be attached to that bicycle.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-11; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.200)
Sec. 10.12.210. - License—Application.
Application for every bicycle license and license plate shall be made upon a form provided by the city, and shall be made to the chief of police.
No renewal of a license shall be necessary.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-12; Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.210; Ord. No. 1348-2000, § 3, 11-21-00)
Sec. 10.12.220. - License—Issuance.
The chief of police, upon receiving proper application and payment of the license fee designated in section 10.12.210, is authorized to issue a bicycle license, and such license shall be effective upon issuance.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-14(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.220)
Sec. 10.12.230. - License—Record.
The chief of police shall keep a record of the number of each license issued by him, the date issued, the name and address of the person to whom issued, and the number of the frame of the bicycle for which issued; and he shall keep a record of all bicycle license fees collected by him. License fees so collected shall be remitted monthly to the clerk or treasurer, who shall give a receipt therefor.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-13(b); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.230)
Sec. 10.12.240. - License plate; to be issued with license.
The chief of police, upon issuing a bicycle license, shall also issue a license plate bearing the license number assigned to the bicycle and the name of the city.
(Code 1962, § 31-A-14(a); Ord. No. 462-1975, § 1; Code 1977, § 10.12.240)
Sec. 10.12.310. - Violation; penalty.
Violation of any provision of this chapter is civil for which imprisonment is not a possible penalty for which the sole penalty provided shall be a fine. Any person who shall violate any one of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00.
(Code 1977, § 10.12.310; Ord. No. 579-1978, § 17; Ord. No. 1236-1996, § 5, 11-19-1996; Ord. No. 1348-2000, Exh. A, 11-21-00; Ord. No. 1645-2013, § 9, 9-3-2013)
State law reference— Penalty, C.R.S. § 42-4-1412(12).