The council on Feb. 4 unanimously approved the introduction of a new ordinance concerning bicycles. Technically, the council repealed and replaced Chapters 4-1 and 4-10 of the Avalon Municipal Code.
The news rules if adopted would include fines and possible impounding of bicycles. The rules apply to regular bicycles, e-bikes and motorized bikes.
The proposed ordinance will have to return to the council at a future date for adoption.
Assistant City Manager Jocelyn Francis gave the staff presentation to the council.
“The idea is to completely repeal what we had before and replace it with this draft,” she said. According to Francis, Avalon needs updated cycling regulations; existing ordinances lack clarity on cyclist responsibilities.
“The proposed ordinance does align with the California Vehicle Code to enhance safety and compliance and give the option for deputies to issue an administrative citation versus a moving violation,” Francis said.
According to Francis, the key provisions of the new city law are:
- Bicycle registration
- Compliance with traffic laws
- Restricted areas and use
- A speed limit
- Helmets and age restrictions
- Parking and sidewalk regulation
“Registration is free. You can do it online. You’ll be issued a decal or a sticker for the bicycle,” she said.
“We’re hoping a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and the Avalon Schools will help really bring our registration program up to speed,” she said.
According to Francis, even businesses will be required to register bicycles.
“We’re going to continue using social media pages to get the word out there,” Francis said.
She said there would be fines for violations. Bikes could be impounded. She also said staff would encourage parental responsibility.
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Councilmember Mary Schickling said she went to a Sheriff’s Station bicycle outreach meeting. Schickling praised the visuals used in that meeting.
City Manager David Maistros said an individual with the Sheriff’s Department printed out a bunch of those brochures and has been passing them out to kids and parents.
Maistros said that during a conversation earlier on Feb. 4 with Sgt. Grayson Kline, the sergeant indicated to Maistros that the citations the Sheriff’s Station has issued for not wearing a helmet have been prosecuted. “They just got notified by a parent here that in fact they did prosecute it, did pursue it and the judge did fine the individual $193,” Maistros said.
He said that was the going rate for not wearing a helmet.
“That word will get out quickly,” Maistros said.
