It’s been illegal since 1974 to ride a bicycle on a street or any public property in Manteca unless it was registered and licensed by the city.
The municipal code spells out the cost of a license — $2 — and the fact it must be renewed every three years.
Given it is almost completely ignored plus the registration and licensing of stickers requires employee hours, Interim Police Chief Mike Aguilar is recommending the City Council when they meet tonight at 7 p.m. to eliminate the requirement as outlined in the municipal code.
“While the police department encourages every citizen to keep their bicycle information on file for use if the bicycle is stolen, we do not believe the city needs to be involved in this process and it can be accomplished by bike owners themselves,” Aguilar noted in a report to the council. “In the event a bicycle is stolen, there is a state-wide system where the serial number can be entered, along with the bicycle description, to help recover the bicycle.”
What is in the ordinance that some might argue is not being enforced either but isn’t being eliminated are city laws regarding riding bicycles on sidewalks and how they are parked.
Under the ordinance:
*No person is allowed to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk in a business district.
*No one that is 12 years or order may ride a bicycle on a sidewalk in any district including residential neighborhoods.
*Whenever any person is riding on a sidewalk they must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
*No person shall park a bicycle against any window or parking sign or in the main traveled portion of the sidewalk or in a manner that constitutes a hazard to pedestrians, traffic, or property. If there is no bike rack nearby bicycles may be parked in an upright position (using a kickstand) on the sidewalk in an upright position parallel to the curb in such a manner that the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic occurs.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
