06

`
Meeting Date: November 6, 2013

Law and Legislation

Committee Report

Report Type: Discussion

915 I Street, 1st Floor

www.CityofSacramento.org

Title: Discussion of various options for modernizing the City of Sacramentos Code Chapter 10.76
addressing bicycles, their use and registration within the City of Sacramento
Location: Citywide
Recommendation: That the Committee provide staff with input and direction for revising and
modernizing the Citys Bicycle Code.
Contact: Randi L. Knott, Director of Government Affairs, Office of the City Manager (916) 808-5771;
Kathy Lester, Captain, Police Department (916) 808-0854; and Sparky Harris, Principal Planner,
Public Works, (916) 808-2996.
Presenter: Randi L. Knott, Director of Government Affairs, Office of the City Manager (916) 8085771
Department: Office of the City Manager
Division: Government Affairs
Dept ID: 02001021
Attachments:
01
Description/Analysis
02
Background

Submitted By:
Adobe Signature:

Fedolia Harris

Digitally signed by Fedolia Harris

DN: cn=Fedolia Harris, o=City of Sacramento, ou=Public
Works, email=fharris@cityofsacramento.org, c=US
Date: 2014.10.29 11:19:51 -07'00'

Approved By:
Adobe Signature:

Captain K.
Lester

Digitally signed by Captain K. Lester

DN: cn=Captain K. Lester, o, ou,
email=klester@pd.cityofsacramento.
org, c=US
Date: 2014.10.29 11:38:12 -07'00'

BacktoReportTableofContents

Attachment 01 Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: At the request of Council Member Schenirer, staff has reviewed the Citys current code
relating to bicycles and had determined that modifications to the code are necessary to bring them up
to date with the current increase in cycling for both work and pleasure. The Citys current ordinance
fails to provide a definition for residence district where bicycling on the sidewalk is permitted and
fails to provide a definition for business or industrial districts where bicycling on the sidewalk would
be considered a violation. Due to the fact that the City has several mixed use areas, particularly in the
grid, not only is the code difficult to enforce, the fine of $5.00 is inadequate to be a deterrent. Further,
the City needs additional signage to inform residents and visitors of the code or clear boundaries to
inform people of the code. Additional signage would also be beneficial to direct cyclists to bicycle
lanes and routes.
Policy Considerations: The municipal code relating to bicycles has not been updated in almost 30
years. Further, the City Council has endorsed through its policies and legislative platform, various
programs encouraging healthy and green living and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, it encourages the use of bicycles in lieu of single occupancy vehicles. Modernizing section
10.76 of the municipal code would further those policies.
Economic Impacts: n/a
Environmental Considerations: Encouraging and facilitating the use of bicycles in lieu of single
occupancy vehicles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainability: n/a
Commission/Committee Action: none
Rationale for Recommendation: The attachments to this report include a number of best practices
from other cities regarding bicycles. Staff is seeking direction and feedback from the Committee and
would return to the Committee for review of a revised code.
Financial Considerations: There may be some cost for additional signage depending upon the
direction of the Committee and ultimately the City Council.
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): n/a

BacktoReportTableofContents

Attachment 02 Background

City

Specified
Geographical
Boundaries
No

Exception
for
Children
No

Fine

Speed Limit Notes

Sacramento

Business
District
Provisions
Yes

$5

No

Long Beach

Yes

Yes

No

$100

15 mph;
5 mph
when
pedestrians
are present

Davis

Yes

Yes

No

$50/$100/$250 No

Santa Cruz
Chico

Yes
Yes

No
Yes

No
No

$160-$237
$153

No
No

San Luis
Obispo

No

No

No

$1 minimum

No

San
Francisco

No

No

$100

No

San Diego

No

No

Under 13
may ride
on any
sidewalk
No

$5

No

Portland,
OR

Yes

Yes

No

$150

No

No
requirements
or provisions
for signs;
pedestrians
have the right
of way
Audible
signal must
be given
when
passing
pedestrians
No bikes on
playgrounds,
park or
school
grounds
None
Audible
signal for
passing
required;
Provision for
disabled
persons
Prohibited
throughout
the City
None

Prohibited
throughout
the City
Exception for
security
officers and
Association
for Portland
Progress in
the scope of
their duties.

CURRENT SACRAMENTO CITY CODE

Chapter 10.76 of the Sacramento City Code (SCC) addresses bicycles, their use and registration
within the City of Sacramento.
Section 10.76.010 (Riding on the Sidewalk) States:
A. Except as authorized under subsection B of this section, no person shall ride a bicycle on a
sidewalk except within a residence district or where a sidewalk is designated as part of an established
bicycle route. Pedestrians shall have the right-of-way on sidewalks.
B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not apply to the following persons:
1. Peace officers, as defined in Penal Code Section 830, who are actually on scheduled duty and who
are acting within the course and scope of their employment.
2. Employees of the Sacramento downtown district (hereafter district) who meet all of the following
standards: (i) perform guide or related services as employees of the district; (ii) are actually on
scheduled duty and are acting within the course and scope of their employment with the district; (iii)
have been designated in writing by the district as required to ride a bicycle; and (iv) have received a
permit from the city manager after making written application therefor.
3. On-duty emergency medical personnel as designated by the fire chief of the city.
C. The city manager shall, prior to issuance of any permit pursuant to subsection (B)(2) of this
section, develop and implement an appropriate application form, criteria to implement the standards
set forth in subsection (B)(2) of this section, and a form of permit. No permit shall be issued without a
written request from the district, which designates individual employees as being required to ride
bicycles in the course and scope of their duties as employees of the district. The city manager may
limit the number of permits issued pursuant to this section. (Prior code 25.05.070)
The prescribed fine for a violation of this SCC section is $5.00.
Section 10.76.020 States:
All bicycles shall have, as a means of identification, serial numbers stamped on the frame of the
bicycle. The police department or persons authorized by the police chief may stamp numbers or
symbols on the frames of bicycles not bearing manufacturers serial numbers. (Prior code
25.05.071)
Section 10.76.030 States:
A. No parent of any child or the guardian of any ward shall authorize or knowingly permit any such
child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
B.Any violation of this chapter shall be deemed to be an infraction. Except as otherwise provided, the
fine imposed for any such violation shall not exceed the sum of five dollars. (Prior code 25.05.072)
Section 10.76.040 States:
No person, except an employee of the city who is acting within the scope of his or her employment,
shall ride a bicycle off-road on any property which is owned or controlled by the city where signs
prohibiting the off-road riding of bicycles are posted:
A. At intervals of not less than three signs per mile along all exterior boundaries of the property; and
B. At all roads or streets entering the property.
For the purposes of this section, off-road shall mean not on a designated bicycle path or paved
right-of-way. Violation of this section shall be an infraction, punishable as set forth in Section 1.28.010
of this code. (Prior code 25.05.073)
RELATED CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE SECTIONS
21200 CVC Bicycles on the Roadway:
21200(a) A person riding a bicycle or operating a pedicab upon a highway has all the rights and is
subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division, including but not
limited to provisions concerning driving under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs

21200(b)(1) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830)of Title 3 of
the Penal Code, operating a bicycle during the course of his or her duties is exempt from the
requirements of subdivision (a), except as those requirements relate to driving under the influence of
alcoholic beverages or drugs, if the bicycle is being operated under any of the following
circumstances:
(A) In response to an emergency call.
(B) While engaged in rescue operations.
(C) In the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law.
(2)This subdivision does not relieve a peace officer from duty to operate a bicycle with due regard
for the safety of all persons using the highway.
21206 CVC Local Regulation:
21206 This chapter does not prevent local authorities by ordinance from regulating the registration
of bicycles and the parking and operation of bicycles on pedestrian or bicycle facilities, provided such
regulation is not in conflict with the provisions of this code.
235 VC Business District (Definition)
235 A business district is that portion of a highway and the property contiguous thereto (a) upon
one side of which highway, for a distance of 600 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property
fronting thereon is occupied by buildings in use for business, or (b) upon both sides of which highway,
collectively, for a distance of 300 feet, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property fronting thereon
is occupied. A business district may be longer than the distances specified in this section if the above
ratio of buildings in use for business to the length of the highway exists.

COMPARISON CITIES MUNICIPAL CODES PERTAINING TO CYCLING

Long Beach, CA
Summary:
The City of Long Beach has made unlawful the riding of bicycles within all business districts and has
included other specific areas and structures such as bridges, schools, churches etc. The restricted
area has been given geographical boundaries which are identified within the section itself. The code
includes a speed limit for bicycles on the sidewalk (15 MPH) and verbiage requiring bicyclists to yield
the right of way to pedestrians when lawfully riding on the sidewalks. It also includes and exemption
for on-duty city employees.
Municipal Code:
10.48.070 - A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within any business district; upon the
sidewalks of bridges; in pedestrian underpasses; on pedestrian overpasses; upon sidewalks adjacent
to any school building, church, recreation center, playground, or senior citizens residential
development; within the area south of Ocean Boulevard between the Long Beach Museum of Art on
the west and Bluff Park on the east; on the northerly side of the Downtown Marina mole which directly
abuts said marina, between Gangway A and Gangway P.
B. Any person riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, and
when overtaking and passing a pedestrian, shall give an audible signal and shall pass to the left of
the pedestrian only under conditions permitting such movement in safety.
C. The speed limit for bicycles on a sidewalk is 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted. The speed
limit where pedestrians are present is five miles per hour. Signs specifying the speed limit shall be
placed by the Traffic Engineer in locations which will provide notice to significant concentrations of
sidewalk bicycle riders or where bicycle speed problems are found to exist on sidewalks.
D. For purposes of this Section, the following public ways shall be considered sidewalks: 1. Seaside
Walk south of Ocean Boulevard between 55th Place and 69th Place, known as the Boardwalk;

C. This Section shall not apply to a bicycle operated by any officer employed by the City while acting
within the course and scope of his or her employment, having peace officer powers pursuant to Penal
Code Section 830 or are employed in positions as provided under Sections 16.16.080, 16.08.340 and
16.08.341 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. (Ord. C-7453 1, 1997; Ord. C-7210 1, 1994: Ord.
C-7204 1, 1994; Ord. C-7084 1, 1993: Ord. C-6883 1, 1991; Ord. C-6322 1, 1986; Ord. C5911 1, 1982; Ord. C-5678 1, 1981; prior code 3410.206).
Fine:
A violation of any provision of this Chapter is an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed one
hundred dollars. (Ord. C-6322 3, 1986).
Davis, CA
Summary:
The City of Davis has made unlawful the riding of bicycles within the central traffic district of their
city. The geographical boundaries of the central traffic district are defined / established in Chapter 22
of their municipal code (Motor Vehicles and Traffic 22.01.010, it has included on the next page). This
code includes a restriction for skateboarding as well. This code includes an exemption for members
of Davis Police Department.
Municipal Code:
6.02.060 - (a) No person shall ride or propel a bicycle or skateboard upon a sidewalk or any
improvements constructed or placed on a sidewalk within the central traffic district as defined in
Section 16-1 of this Code, except a person may ride a bicycle or skateboard across a sidewalk only
as may be necessary to enter or leave property adjacent to that sidewalk.
(b) No person shall ride, use or otherwise operate or propel a skateboard on any public right-of-way,
roadway, pavement, parking lot or sidewalk located within the following area: Beginning at a point of
the extension of the north curb of 2nd Street to the centerline of the westernmost Southern Pacific
railroad track; then southerly along the centerline of the westernmost Southern Pacific railroad track
to an extension of the southernmost east/west building line of 130 G Street; then westerly along that
building line extension to the south east corner of 130 G Street; then northerly along the east building
face of 130 G Street to the point of beginning. (SP and bus depot)
(c) The city traffic engineer, with the approval of the safety advisory commission, is authorized to
erect or place signs in any other district on any sidewalk or roadway, prohibiting the riding of bicycles
thereon by any person and when such signs are in place no person shall disobey the same. Before
such sign is erected or placed, it must be found by the safety advisory commission that the riding of
bicycles on such sidewalk or roadway will endanger pedestrian traffic or the public safety, or that a
property right or interest belonging to the city may be terminated or forfeited if the riding of bicycles on
such sidewalk or roadway is not prohibited.
(d) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right-of-way
to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(e) No person shall ride or operate a bicycle upon any playground, park or school ground, where
children are playing, without the permission of the persons having supervision of the playground, park
or school ground.
(f) This section shall not apply to members of the Davis police department while engaged in their
official duties. (Code 1964 4-3.1722; Ord. 871 2; Ord. 1726 1; Ord. 1731 1)
(Central traffic district. All streets and portions of streets within the area described as follows: All that
area contained within the following description: Beginning at a point on the west line of the Southern
Pacific railroad right-of-way at a point which is also the centerline of 5th Street; then westerly along
the centerline of 5th Street to the centerline of F Street; then southerly along the centerline of F Street
to the centerline of 4th Street; thence westerly along the centerline of 4th Street to the centerline of C
Street; then southerly along the centerline of C Street to the centerline of 3rd Street; then westerly on
the centerline of 3rd Street to the centerline of B Street; then southerly along the centerline of B
Street to the centerline of 1st Street; then easterly along the centerline of 1st Street to a point on the

westerly line of the Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way; then northerly along the westerly line of the
Southern Pacific railroad right-of-way to the point of beginning.)
Fine: $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second violation and $250 for subsequent violations.
Santa Cruz, CA
Summary:
The City of Santa Cruz has made it unlawful to ride a bicycle upon sidewalks fronting or adjacent to
commercial establishments and businesses. The code includes an exemption for police officers.
Municipal Code:
10.68.030 - No person shall ride a bicycle or electric bicycle upon sidewalks fronting and adjacent to
commercial establishments, stores, or buildings used for business or commercial purposes. Every
person operating a bicycle or electric bicycle upon a sidewalk where permitted shall yield the right-ofway to any pedestrians on such sidewalk. In accordance with California Vehicle Code Section
21235(g), the operator of a motorized scooter shall not operate the motorized scooter upon any
sidewalk except as may be necessary to enter or leave adjacent property.
10.68.210 - Nothing in this code shall preclude police officers from operating bicycles, while acting
within the scope of their duties, in any reasonable manner when it is for the purpose of taking
enforcement action or carrying out the performance of their duties.
Fine: Per Santa Cruz County Superior Court Traffic Division: $160.00-$237.00 before court fees.
Chico, CA
Summary:
The City of Chico has made it unlawful to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk within any portion of their
central business district. The geographical boundaries of their central business district are
specifically identified within the section. The code includes verbiage requiring bicyclists to yield the
right of way to pedestrians when lawfully riding on the sidewalks. There is also an included exemption
for disabled persons. The City of Chico has a similar section for skateboards and scooters which they
refer to as coasting devices (10.45.030).
Municipal Code:
10.40.090 - A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in that portion of the central
business district of the city bounded and described as follows: the area bounded on the north by the
northerly property line of First Street; on the south by the southerly property line of Fifth Street; on the
east by the center line of Wall Street and on the west by the center line of Salem Street; except that
this restriction shall not be deemed to apply to a three-wheel or tricycle-type of bicycle being operated
by a physically disabled person nor to any person operating a bicycle and desiring to access the
Childrens Playground bicycle path located at West First and Broadway Streets. For the purpose of
this exception, disabled person shall mean a person disabled by a physical disability or age.
B. No person shall park or place a bicycle upon a sidewalk or parkway between the sidewalk and the
adjacent curb, except where bicycle parking racks are provided upon sidewalks or parkways.
C. A person may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk outside of the area described in subsection A, above,
provided the person yields the right-of-way to and gives an audible signal before overtaking any
person standing, walking, in a wheelchair, or on a tricycle or similar three-wheeled vehicle on the
sidewalk.
Fine:
Per Butte Co. Superior Court Traffic Division: $153.00 before court fees.

San Luis Obispo, CA

Summary:
The City of San Luis Obispo has made riding a bicycle on a sidewalk illegal throughout the city.
Municipal Code:
10.72.100 - No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk. (Ord. 974 1, 1983: prior code
3220.10)
Fine:
The minimum punishment for a violation of any of the provisions of Title 10 of this code entitled
Vehicles and Traffic is a fine of one dollar. (10.84.010. Prior code 3220.15)
San Francisco, CA
Summary:
The City of San Francisco has made the riding of bicycles on sidewalks illegal throughout the city.
There is an exemption in the code for children under the age of 13.
Municipal Code:
SF Transportation Code Sec. 1007 - Bicycling riding on any sidewalk is prohibited except that
children under the age of 13 may ride a bicycle on any sidewalk except as otherwise posted. (A
related section is SF Transportation Code 7.2.12))
Fine:
Per SF Municipal Code On-line bail schedule: $100.00 before court fees.
San Diego, CA
Summary:
The City of San Diego has made the riding of bicycles on sidewalks illegal throughout the city.
Municipal Code:
84.04 - It shall be unlawful for any person to ride, drive, propel, or cause to be propelled any vehicle
or animal across or upon any sidewalk excepting over permanently constructed driveways and
excepting when it is necessary for any temporary purpose to drive a loaded vehicle across a
sidewalk; provided further, that proper protection against sidewalk damage and pedestrian use be
provided.(Riding or Driving on Sidewalk added 4101956 by O6936 N.S.)
Fine:
Per San Diego County Superior Court On-line bail schedule: $5.00 before court fees.
Portland, OR
Summary:
The City of Portland Oregon has made the riding of bicycles on sidewalks illegal within a geographical
area, that area is specifically identified within the section. The code includes exemptions for bicyclists
avoiding a hazard, on sidewalks that are designated by the city as part of a bike path, on-duty police
officers, and on-duty employees of the Association for Portland Progress.
Municipal Code:
16.70.320 - (Amended by Ordinance No. 165594, effective July 8, 1992.) No person may:
A. Leave a bicycle so that it obstructs vehicle or pedestrian traffic on a roadway, sidewalk, driveway,
handicap access ramp, building entrance, or so that it prevents operation of a parking meter or
newspaper rack;
B. Leave a bicycle secured to a fire hydrant or to a police or fire call box;
C. Leave a bicycle on private property without consent of the owner or legal tenant. Consent is
implied on private commercial property;
D. Leave a bicycle on a street or other public property for more than 72 hours; or
E. Ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, unless avoiding a traffic hazard in the immediate area, within the
area bounded by and including SW Jefferson, Front Avenue, NW Hoyt and 13th Avenue, except:
1. On sidewalks designated as bike lanes or paths;

2. On the ramps or approaches to any Willamette River Bridge; or

3. In the area bounded by the west property line of SW Ninth Avenue, the east property line of SW
Park Avenue, the north property line of SW Jefferson and the south property line of SW Salmon
Street.
4. For police or special officers operating a bicycle in the course and scope of their duties; or
5. For employees of the Association for Portland Progress and companies providing security services
operating a bicycle in the course and scope of their duties. These employees must have in
possession an identification card issued by the Chief of Police certifying the rider has completed a
training course in the use of a bicycle for security patrol.
Fine:
Except as provided below, violation of this Chapter is an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed
$150.