Chapter 7.12 BICYCLES

Wherever the term "bicycle" is used in this chapter it shall refer to every device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, either of which is twenty inches or more in diameter, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. (Ord. 71-788 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 56-527 § 1, 1956)

7.12.020 Registration.

Bicycles used on the public streets and sidewalks of the village of Westchester may be registered. If a bicycle is registered, such registration shall be in effect as long as the bicycle remains in the village under the same ownership. Application for registration may be made upon forms provided by the village and shall include the name, address and telephone number of the applicant, the name of parents or legal guardian if applicant is under twenty-one years of age, the make, size and style of bicycle, and the bicycle serial number. Upon payment of a fee of fifty cents and after an inspection shows the bicycle to be in safe working order, a license tag, supplied by the village of Westchester, shall be issued, for attachment to the bicycle. (Ord. 71-788 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 56-527 § 2, 1956)

7.12.030 Equipment.

(a) LIGHTS. No bicycle shall be operated within the period from sunset to sunrise without having a properly lighted headlight attached to the front of the bicycle, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from the front thereof for a distance of not less than three hundred feet, nor without having a red light or a reflector attached to the rear of the bicycle which is clearly visible in the headlight beam of a motor vehicle for a distance of not less than two hundred feet to the rear of the bicycle.

(b) MECHANICAL CONDITION. No person shall operate a bicycle which is not in such mechanical condition so that it can be safely operated.

(c) SIGNALING DEVICES. No person shall operate a bicycle unless it is equipped with a bell or other device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred feet, except that a bicycle shall not be equipped with nor shall any person use any siren or whistle upon a bicycle.

(d) BRAKES. All bicycles operated in the village of Westchester shall be kept in good running order and equipped with adequate brakes, readily operated by foot or hand. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 3, 1956)

7.12.040 Operating regulations.

Every person operating a bicycle in the village of Westchester shall conform to the provisions of the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways of the state of Illinois, and shall also be subject to the regulations set out in this chapter. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4 (part), 1956)

7.12.050 Riding abreast.

When more than two persons in a group are operating bicycles on a roadway, they shall ride single file. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(a), 1956)

7.12.060 Clinging to vehicles.

No person operating a bicycle shall cling or attach himself, or the bicycle, to any other moving vehicle. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(b), 1956)

7.12.070 Extra passenger.

No person operating a bicycle shall carry another person on the handlebars of the bicycle. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(c), 1956)

7.12.080 Emerging from alley, driveways and garages.

The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, garage or private sidewalk, shall stop the bicycle immediately prior to driving onto or across a public sidewalk, or onto or across a public sidewalk line projected across an alley, and shall exercise extreme care in making such movements. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(d), 1956)

7.12.090 Intoxication, drugs, or physical inability.

No person shall operate a bicycle while under the influence of liquor, or drugs, or while physically or mentally unfit to safely operate the same. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(e), 1956)

7.12.100 Operating on sidewalks.

Bicycles may be operated on sidewalks in public parks and in residence districts, but in single file only. Under all circumstances, the rider shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians using the sidewalk, and due and proper care shall at all times be exercised by the rider for the pedestrians. When approaching a pedestrian on the sidewalk, the speed of a bicycle shall be reduced to a speed which is no greater than necessary to continue the operation of the bicycle without the rider dismounting, and shall not be increased until the pedestrian has been passed. No bicycle shall be operated upon any sidewalk in the business portion of the village. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(f), 1956)

7.12.110 Parking bicycles.

Bicycles, when parked in the business district, shall be parked in zones or places designated and marked for that purpose. It is unlawful to park any bicycle along buildings in such a manner as to interfere with pedestrians, or along roadways where they may interfere with traffic, or with persons getting into or out of motor vehicles. No person other than the owner or operator shall move, or in any manner interfere with, any bicycle properly parked, nor shall any person interfere or in any manner hinder any person from properly parking a bicycle, except that members of the police department and fire department may move, or, in proper cases, prevent the parking of the bicycle, when, in the judgment of the policeman or fireman, his action is necessary in order to properly safeguard persons or property. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4 (g), 1956)

7.12.120 Keeping to right.

All bicycles when operated on roadways shall be kept to the right and shall be operated as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(h), 1956)

7.12.130 Speed.

No bicycle shall be operated at a speed faster than is reasonable or proper, and every bicycle shall be operated with reasonable regard to the safety of the rider and of other persons and property. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(i), 1956)

7.12.140 Traffic regulations.

Every person operating a bicycle shall strictly observe all traffic signs and signals and all other traffic rules and regulations applicable thereto, and shall obey the orders and directions of every officer of the village authorized to direct or regulate traffic. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(j), 1956)

7.12.150 Trick riding.

No person shall, while operating a bicycle, indulge or engage in any kind of trick or unsafe riding. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(k), 1956)

7.12.160 Turns--Starting--Stopping.

When making a right turn, the operator of a bicycle on a roadway shall follow the right-hand edge of the roadway; and, when making a left turn, the operator of a bicycle on a roadway shall approach the point of turning in the traffic lane nearest the center of the roadway. No operator of a bicycle shall start, slow down, stop or attempt to turn without first indicating such movement as provided by law. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(1), 1956)

7.12.170 Yielding right-of-way.

Any person riding a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way in the following circumstances:

(1) When a pedestrian is crossing or about to cross a roadway;

(2) When a pedestrian is in a crosswalk or in an intersection when the signal light changes;

(3) When a vehicle is stopped to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian;

(4) When a blind person, using a cane or guide dog, is crossing any highway or intersection;

(5) When traffic is so close as to be a hazard. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(m), 1956)

7.12.180 Riding through safety zones.

No rider of a bicycle shall ride through any safety zone, unless directed by traffic signals, a police officer, or an official posted sign. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(n), 1956)

7.12.190 Racing on highways.

It is unlawful for any person riding or operating a bicycle to race any other bicycle, person or vehicle along any highway, roadway or street. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(o), 1956)

7.12.200 Obstructing view of rider.

No person shall ride a bicycle which is so loaded as to obstruct the view of the rider. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(p), 1956)

7.12.210 Blocking road or intersection.

No person riding or operating any bicycle shall block any road or intersection so as to interfere with other vehicles or with pedestrians. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(q), 1956)

7.12.220 Riding on vehicle.

No person shall ride on any part of a bicycle not intended for passengers or operator. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(r), 1956)

7.12.230 Crossing centerline of highway.

It is unlawful for the operator of any bicycle to cross the centerline of any roadway on the left in order to pass any other vehicle unless the way ahead is clear and no traffic is approaching. It is unlawful for any such operator to cross the centerline on a hill or curve if such operator cannot see ahead for at least five hundred feet, or to pass in a no passing zone. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(s), 1956)

7.12.240 Overtaking vehicles.

The operator of a bicycle being overtaken and passed by another vehicle shall give way on hearing the signal of the overtaking vehicle. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(t), 1956)

7.12.250 Marked lanes.

If a roadway is divided into marked lanes, the operator of a bicycle shall:

(1) Ride in the right lane unless overtaking another vehicle or when about to make a left turn;

(2) Ride within a single lane, and change only when safe to do so. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(u), 1956)

7.12.260 Following too closely.

The operator of a bicycle shall remain at a safe distance behind any other vehicle and shall not follow too closely. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(v), 1956)

7.12.270 Approach of emergency vehicles.

When an ambulance, fire engine, or other emergency vehicle gives warning of its approach, the operator of a bicycle shall pull to the right and stop until such emergency vehicle has passed. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(w), 1956)

7.12.280 Following or parking near fire apparatus.

It is unlawful for the operator of a bicycle to follow any fire apparatus closer than three hundred feet, or to park closer than two hundred feet to any such apparatus. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(x), 1956)

7.12.290 Backing or turning on street.

No operator of a bicycle shall back or turn on any street, if this action interferes with other traffic. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(y), 1956)

7.12.300 Crossing railroad tracks.

No operator of a bicycle shall cross any railroad track unless he can do so safely, and shall stop within fifty feet but not less than fifteen feet from the nearest rail of the track, when:

(1) Any mechanical signaling device gives warning of an approaching train;

(2) A crossing gate is lowered or a flagman gives or continues to give signal of approaching train;

(3) A train is approaching from fifteen hundred feet, more or less, to the crossing, and is giving an audible signal of its approach;

(4) Whenever the operator can see any train approaching such crossing. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(z), 1956)

7.12.310 Approaching stopped school bus.

On any undivided highway or street, the operator of a bicycle approaching a school bus which has stopped to pick up or discharge passengers shall stop at least ten feet from such school bus, and shall not start up again until the passenger has entered the school bus or reached the side of the highway or street. On any divided highway, the operator of a bicycle approaching a school bus on the opposite side of a divided highway which has stopped to pick up or discharge passengers, shall reduce speed to ten miles per hour until the bus and any passengers have passed. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(aa), 1956)

7.12.320 Prohibited parking areas.

It is unlawful for the operator of a bicycle to park his bicycle in any of the following places:

(1) Within any intersection;

(2) On a crosswalk;

(3) In front of a public or private driveway;

(4) Within twenty-five feet of the nearest crosswalk or side line of a street or intersection highway, except at alleys;

(5) In any place where no parking signs are posted;

(6) Within fifty feet of a stop sign;

(7) Within fifty feet of a fire hydrant;

(8) Within fifty feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station or on the opposite side of the street within seventy-five feet of such entrance;

(9) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic;

(10) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of any street. (Ord. 70-780 § 1 (part), 1970: Ord. 56-527 § 4(bb), 1956)

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