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0624 Traffic RegulationsORDINANCE NO. 624 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 17 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES CONCERNING TRAFFIC, WHICH AMENDS, ADDS DEFINITIONS, PROVIDES FOR REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE USE OF SKATEBOARDS, BICYCLES, ROLLER SKATES, AND MOPEDS WITHIN THE CITY, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, it is determined by the city council that the manner of use of skateboards and wheeled devices within certain areas of the City constitutes a hazard to pedestrians and others and such use should be regulated, therefore it is RESOLVED AND ENACTED, that Chapter 17 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to add the following provisions; Section 1: Chapter 17, Section 17 -1 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 17-1 Definitions As used in this chapter: Bicycle shall mean a vehicle (device) having two wheels in a tandem arrangement, of which one or both wheels is sixteen (16) or more inches in diameter, which is propelled solely by human power, and upon which one or more persons may ride. Bicyclist shall mean a person operating or in actual physical control of a bicycle, including a person on foot walking a bicycle. Bike Lane shall mean that portion of a roadway designated by signs and /or markings for bicycle and moped operation. Bike Path shall mean a pathway designed and designated by signs and /or markings for bicycle operation, paralleling a roadway, the side of the bike path closest to the roadway being not more than seventy -five feet (75') distant from such roadway. Frame Number shall mean an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on the frame of a bicycle or moped. Moped shall mean a motor vehicle (motor- driven cycle) having two wheels in a tandem arrangement, with pedals to permit propulsion by human power, with a motor with a displacement of no more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces no more than two (2) brake horsepower and which is not capable of propelling the moped at a speed greater than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground, and with a power drive system that functions directly or automatically without clutching or shifting by the mopeder after the drive system in engaged. Mopeder shall mean a person operating or in actual control of a moped, including a person on foot walking a moped. Pedestrian shall mean a person on foot or on skateboard or on roller skates excluding a person on foot walking a bicycle or moped. Resident shall mean a person who resides in this City for longer than sixty (60) days. Roadway shall mean that portion of a highway designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the sidewalk. Roller Skates shall mean a shoe type device mounted on wheels which is propelled solely by human power and which has no mechanism or other device with which to steer or to control the movement or direction. Sidewalk shall mean that portion of a highway designed or ordinarily used for pedestrian travel. Skateboard shall mean a single platform mounted on wheels, which is propelled solely by human power and which has no mechanism or other device with which to steer or to control the movement or direction of the platform. Vehicle shall mean every device, excluding skateboards, wagons, wheelchairs, unicycles, push carts, tricycles and other children's carriers, upon or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a roadway, bike lane, bike path or sidewalk. Section 2: Chapter 17, Section 17 -11 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 17 -11 Rules of the Road Bicycles and Mopeds a. Carrying articles No bicyclist or mopeder shall carry any article which prevents the use of both hands in the control and operation of the bicycle or moped. b. Clinging to other vehicles No bicyclist or mopeder shall attach his bicycle or moped or himself to any vehicle upon a bike lane, roadway, sidewalk or bike path. This paragraph shall not prohibit attaching a trailer or semitrailer to a bicycle or moped if that trailer or semitrailer is designed for such attachment. c. Operation Every bicyclist or mopeder on a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle, except as to the provisions of this ordinance and except as to the provisions of laws and other ordinances which by their nature can have no application. d. Operation No bicyclist or mopeder shall operate a bicycle recklessly or at a speed faster than is reasonably proper or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of the bicyclist or mopeder or of any other person. e. Parking 1. Bicycles and mopeds may be parked (a) On any sidewalk where such parking is not prohibited by official traffic control devices and where such parking will not unreasonably obstruct pedestrian or other traffic; (b) On the roadway at any angle to the curb or edge of the roadway at any location where parking of vehicles is allowed; or (c) On the roadway abreast of other bicycles or mopeds near the side of the roadway at any location where the parking of vehicles is allowed. 2 f Passengers No bicycle or moped shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped. g. Sidewalks and Crosswalks No person shall operate any vehicle other than a bicycle upon a sidewalk or a sidewalk area. A bicyclist operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or across a roadway upon a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian, except skateboard operators, and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. No bicyclist shall operate a bicycle upon a sidewalk or across a roadway upon a crosswalk in any portion of this City specifically designated as a business district or in any portion of this City where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic- control devices. A bicyclist operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk or across a roadway upon a crosswalk shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances. h. Handicap Any vehicle specifically designed, equipped or used for and by the handicapped is permitted in the business district or in any portion of this City where such use of vehicles is prohibited by official traffic control devices. The operator of said vehicle is responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle and shall obey all laws and ordinances applicable to vehicles. Section 3: Chapter 17, Section 17 -12 is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 17 -12 Rules of the Road Skateboards and Roller Skates a. Skateboarding and roller skating shall be prohibited upon any sidewalk in any portion of this City specifically designated as a business district or any other area so designated by signs. Skateboarding and roller skating shall be permitted on bike paths and all other sidewalks within this City. b. Notwithstanding their status as pedestrians, and roller skate operators on sidewalks and shall yield the right of way to all vehicular other pedestrian traffic upon the sidewalk or Section 4: Applicability with Other Laws. 3 skateboard bike paths and to all bike path. c. No more than one person shall operate or ride on a skateboard at one time. This ordinance shall not supersede any existing state law, rule or regulation on the same subject, but shall be in addition thereto, and to the extent any provision herein should conflict with a State law, rule or regulation it shall be null and void. Section 5: Effective Date. This ordinance shall become adoption. Introduced for first reading 2nd day of January Passed and adopted on second 16th day of January ATTEST: effective and set 1 reading 1 4 immediately upon its for public hearing this 990. and public hearing this 990.