TOWN OF BRIDGTON

BICYCLE ORDINANCE

Enacted: June 11, 1997

Section 1. DEFINITIONS

The following terms and phrases and words when used in this Ordinance shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this section except where the content clearly indicates a different meaning.

Bicycle - shall mean and include a vehicle having a minimum of two (2) wheels with solid or pneumatic tires, having a steering bar, handle or wheel and propelled by human power.

Chief - shall mean the Chief of the Bridgton Police Department or his designee unless specified otherwise.

Operate - shall include any form or tense thereof, and shall mean and refer to the use, getting into action or motion, or causing to function, of a bicycle by any person mounted thereon.

Section 2. RULES FOR RIDING AND OPERATION

A. When two (2) or more persons are riding in a group on a roadway, they shall ride single file and as far to the right as practicable.

B. No person shall while operating a bicycle, cling or attach him/herself or the bicycle to any other moving vehicle which shall include another bicycle.

C. No person operating any bicycle shall ride other than astride a regular and permanent seat attached thereto. No person shall ride or carry another person on the handlebars of a bicycle or in such a manner as to affect the safe and proper operation of the bicycle. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting the use of an infant seat or child carrier, so-called, as long as the same is securely attached to the bicycle, its use does not affect the safe operation of the bicycle and there is an adequate restraint system, for the child, in use.

D. No person shall operate a bicycle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.

E. No bicycle shall be operated within the period from sunset to sunrise unless the bicycle shall have a lighted headlight attached to the front of the bicycle and visible under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of not less than two hundred (200) feet; and a red reflector or taillight clearly visible to the rear of said bicycle for a distance of two hundred (200) feet. In addition, any bicycle manufactured and originally equipped with pedal reflectors or wheel reflectors shall be required to maintain such reflectors.

F. No person shall operate any bicycle that is not in such mechanical condition so as to be operated safely.

G. No person shall operate a bicycle on a sidewalk or pedestrian walkway.

H. No person shall operate any bicycle in other than a reasonable and prudent manner. The operator shall be required to have his/her hands on the handlebars when said bicycle is operated. No bicycle shall be operated at an unsafe speed. When operated on a public way, no person shall permit his bicycle to weave in and out of traffic lanes, except he/she may move across lanes to engage in allowed turning movements when such movements can be accomplished with a reasonable degree of safety.

I. When on a roadway, the operator of any bicycle shall conform to all traffic laws as contained in 29-A , M.R.S.A., Motor Vehicle Statutes, ordinances and regulations.

J. All bicycles shall be equipped with brakes capable of stopping said bicycle within a reasonable distance.

K. The operator of a bicycle shall ride with the flow and direction of other vehicle traffic when operating said bicycle on a roadway.

(State law reference - Bicycle regulations, 29-A, M.R.S.A. sec 2063)

(State law reference - Bicycle equipment, 29-A, M.R.S.A. sec 2084)

Section 3. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS; PENALTY

A. Inspections - Any officer of the Bridgton Police Department is hereby authorized to inspect any bicycle, at any time, for the purpose of making a check and/or determining the mechanical condition of the bicycle.

B. Enforcement - The Bridgton Police Department shall enforce the provisions of this Ordinance.

C. Penalties - Any person of the age of seventeen (17) or over who violates any provisions of this Ordinance shall by waiver, or adjudication, be punished by a fine of not more than thirty ($30.00) dollars. The Chief of the Bridgton Police, or his designee when satisfied that a juvenile under the age of seventeen (17) years has violated any of the provisions of this Ordinance may impound the bicycle for a period not to exceed five (5) days for a first offense, for a period not to exceed ten (10) days for a second offense, and for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days for any subsequent offense.Georgiann

(State law reference - Similar provisions, 29-A, M.R.S.A.)

1. The parent or guardian of any juvenile under the age of seventeen (17) years who knowingly allows the operation of a bicycle in violation of any

provisions of this Ordinance may be subject to the same penalties imposed on persons of the age of seventeen (17) or over as in Section C above.

ENACTED: JUNE 11, 1997