City of Morgantown Bicycle Related Laws
DISCLAIMER
The Codified Ordinances that appear on this page may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the City of Morgantown. The Codified Ordinances are provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. The official printed copy of the Codified Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the Codified Ordinances related to bicycle, please contact the Municipality directly.
373.01 COMPLIANCE; CODE APPLICATION TO BICYCLES.
(a) No person shall do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this article.
(b) The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this Traffic Code.
(WVaC 17C-11-1)
(c) These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.
Bicycle activity on the City’s Rails to Trails pathway and all realty owned or leased by the City or any of its boards or commissions is subject to the regulations within this article.
(Ord. 00-09. Passed 3-21-00.)
373.02 OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC RULES; EXCEPTIONS.
(a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Traffic Code, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of this Traffic Code which by their nature can have no application.
(WVaC 17C-11-2)
(b) Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic control signals, signs and other traffic control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
(1967 Code Sec. 20-64.)
373.03 RIDING UPON SEATS; NUMBER OF PERSONS.
(a) A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
(b) No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(WVaC 17C-11-3)
373.04 ATTACHING BICYCLE OR SLED TO VEHICLE.
No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, skateboard, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
(WVaC 17C-11-4)
373.05 RIDING ON ROADWAYS AND BICYCLE PATHS.
Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
(Ord. 15-07. Passed 12-17-15.)
373.06 CARRYING ARTICLES.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
(WVaC 17C-11-6)
373.07 LIGHTS AND REFLECTOR ON BICYCLE; BRAKES.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles which shall be visible from all distances from fifty feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
(b) Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(c) No person shall operate or be a passenger on any bicycle unless he or she is wearing securely fastened on his or her head by either neck or chin strap, a protective helmet that is designed to deflect blows, resist penetration and spread impact forces, which protective helmet shall meet or exceed the specifications of ANSI Z9O.4.
(Ord. 15-07. Passed 12-17-15.)
373.08 RIDING ON SIDEWALKS.
(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk within a business district.
(b) No person fifteen or more years of age shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk in any district.
(c) Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, such person shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(1967 Code Sec. 20-68.)
(d) No person shall ride a skateboard or platform with wheels attached or propel themselves with roller skates upon any sidewalk within the Central Business District. Such Central Business District shall be encompassed by the boundary streets of the Monongahela River on the west; both sides of Spruce Street on the east; both sides of Willey to the north; and both sides of Foundry to the south.
(Ord. 10-6-87.)
373.09 PARKING OF BICYCLE.
No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb, or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle, or against a building in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(1967 Code Sec. 20-71.)
373.10 RECKLESS OPERATION; CONTROL, COURSE AND SPEED.
No person shall operate a bicycle:
(a) Without due regard for the safety and rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants of all other vehicles, and so as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person while in the lawful use of the streets or sidewalks or any other public or private property;
(b) Without exercising reasonable and ordinary control over such bicycle;
(c) In a weaving or zigzag course unless such irregular course is necessary for safe operation in compliance with law;
(d) Without both hands upon the handle grips except when necessary to give the required hand and arm signals, or as provided in Section 373.06;
(e) At a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing.
373.99 PENALTY.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: See Section 303.99 for general Traffic Code penalty.)