As used in this chapter, the following terms and words shall have the following meanings:
"Bicycle"
means and includes any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears and which has wheels at least 20 inches in diameter and a frame size of at least 14 inches.
"Bicycle license receipt"
means and includes that ownership card issued by the licensing agency or agent of the city upon receipt of the designated license fee.
"Bicycle plate"
means and includes the license tag or decal designated by the state, in accordance with Section 39001 of the California Vehicle Code, to be permanently affixed to the bicycle and which bears a unique number permanently assigned to that bicycle by the state.
"Electric bicycle"
is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 312.5(a).
"Licensing agency or agent"
means and includes that party or parties designated by the city council as the official licensing agency or agent for bicycles in the city. For purposes of this chapter, the police department shall be deemed the licensing agency. The chief of police shall be given the authority to recommend for appointment by the city council any person or persons to assist the licensing agency in the capacity of bicycle licensing agents. The licensing agency or agent shall license bicycles for persons residing in the city only. All other bicycle license applicants shall be referred to their respective city or jurisdiction of residency.
"Moped" or "motorized bicycle"
is any two- or three-wheeled device having fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, or having no pedals if powered solely by electrical energy, has an automatic transmission, and a motor which produces less than four gross brake horsepower and can propel the device at a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per hour on level ground as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 406(a).
"Motor-driven cycle"
is a motorcycle with a motor that displaces less than 150cc per California Vehicle Code Section 405.
"Pocket bike"
is a two-wheeled motorized device having a seat or saddle or the use of the rider that is not designed or manufactured for highway use. A pocket bike does not include an off-highway motorcycle, as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 436.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975; Ord. 1614, 10/1/2024)
No person residing in the city shall ride or propel any bicycle upon a public street, sidewalk, alley, bicycle lane, path or any public property, or have in his or her possession any bicycle which has not been licensed and for which the appropriate license fee has not been paid or which does not bear a bicycle plate as required by the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
At the time that any person licenses a bicycle and pays the appropriate license fee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the licensing agency or agent shall provide said person with a license receipt bearing the owner's name, address, telephone number, bicycle plate number, the bicycle manufacturer, type and frame number, and any other descriptive material concerning the bicycle deemed necessary by the licensing agency, together with information for the transfer of ownership of the bicycle. In addition, also at the time of licensing, the bicycle owner shall be issued his permanent bicycle plate bearing the unique number permanently assigned to that bicycle by the State Department of Motor Vehicles. The bicycle license shall remain in effect for the period designated by the Department of Motor Vehicles in accordance with Section 39001 of the California Vehicle Code.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
Whenever any person sells, trades, disposes of or transfers any bicycle licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, he or she shall endorse upon the license receipt previously issued for such bicycle a written transfer of same, setting forth the name, address and telephone number of the transferee, the date of transfer, and the signature of the transferor, and he or she shall deliver such license receipt, so endorsed, to the licensing agency at the time of transfer. The transferee shall, within 10 days after such transfer, apply to the licensing agency for a transfer of the license receipt. A fee shall be charged for the transfer of ownership, in accordance with a schedule of fees adopted by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
Whenever any bicycle licensee changes his or her place of residence, he or she shall notify the licensing agency of such change of address within 10 days. There shall be no charge for said change of address.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
(a) 
No person shall ride a conventional bicycle, electric bicycle, moped, motor-driven cycle, electric motorcycle, pocket bike, or any other electric conveyance not previously named in an unsafe manner on any publicly owned property, including, but not limited to, a public roadway, highway, sidewalk, park; nor any private property open to the public.
(1) 
"Unsafe manner" means any act or acts in violation of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code, California Vehicle Code, or other existing law. An "unsafe manner" can also be defined as operating the conveyance in such a way as to constitute a danger to the operator, a passenger, other motorists, other riders, or pedestrians in the area.
(2) 
Examples of riding in an unsafe manner may include, but are not limited to, the following actions:
A. 
Riding on a sidewalk without due caution for pedestrians.
B. 
Riding on a sidewalk, highway, bicycle path, or bicycle lane against the flow of traffic.
C. 
Not yielding to vehicles or pedestrians when required to by the California Vehicle Code.
D. 
Intentionally swerving or riding around stopped or slowed traffic.
E. 
Operating a conveyance in a manner it was not designed for, including carrying passengers when not designed for carrying passengers, or standing on the seat of the bicycle.
F. 
Not obeying posted signs.
G. 
A person under the age of 18 riding without a properly fitted and fastened helmet.
H. 
Intentionally lifting one or more wheels into the air while riding on a highway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or bicycle path. It is not a violation of this section if one or more wheels loses contact with the ground briefly due to the condition of the road surface or other circumstances beyond the control of the rider.
I. 
Riding on a bicycle path, bicycle lane, or sidewalk at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent under the existing conditions, or at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
(Ord. 1614, 10/1/2024)
In the event that any license receipt issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is lost or stolen, the licensee of such bicycle shall immediately notify the licensing agency, and within ten days after such notification shall apply to the licensing agency for a duplicate license receipt, whereupon the licensing agency shall issue to such licensee a duplicate license receipt, upon payment to the licensing agency of the fee set forth in the schedule of fees, etc.
In the event that any bicycle plate issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter is lost or stolen, the licensee shall immediately notify the licensing agency of such loss, and shall within ten days apply to the licensing agency for a new bicycle plate, whereupon the licensing agency shall issue to such licensee a new bicycle plate, upon payment to the licensing agency of the fee set forth in the schedule of fees, etc.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
The fees required to be paid pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be set forth in a resolution adopted by the city council.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
It is unlawful for any person to tamper with, destroy, mutilate or alter any license receipt issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
It is unlawful for any person to remove, destroy, mutilate or in any way alter or tamper with any bicycle plate issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
Any person engaged in the business of buying, selling or trading bicycles at retail within the city is required to make a weekly report to the licensing agency giving the name, address and telephone number of all persons either buying, selling or trading bicycles and the bicycle manufacturer, type, frame number and bicycle plate number, model and color, if any.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
The licensing agency shall have the right to impound and retain possession of any bicycle in violation of the provisions of this chapter, and may retain possession of such bicycle until the provisions of this chapter are complied with.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
The violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is an infraction and shall be subject to punishment by a fine not to exceed five dollars.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)
The chief of police and his designated representatives shall enforce and carry out the provisions of this chapter pursuant to the provisions included in the California Vehicle Code and all other laws of the state.
(Ord. 756 § 2, 1975)