HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-14 - AGENDA REPORTS - MUNICODE BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT
Agenda Item:
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
July 14, 2009
Andrew Yi
/A
SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE
ADDING CHAPTER 12.96 TO TITLE 12 (VEHICLES AND
TRAFFIC) OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
CONCERNING BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS
Public Works
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt an ordinance entitled, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 12.96 TO TITLE 12
(VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE
CONCERNING BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS."
BACKGROUND
California Vehicle Code Section 21100(h) allows local authorities to adopt rules and regulations
by ordinance or resolution regarding the operation of bicycles on sidewalks. The Santa Clarita
Municipal Code is silent on this issue with the exception of business districts. Staff has discussed
the issue with the City Attorney who advised that if the City wishes to allow bicycles on
sidewalks it should provide an ordinance to do so.
Staff has seen a growing number of inquiries from the community regarding bicycles on
sidewalks for a variety of reasons:
• Driving has become too expensive and more residents rely on other modes of transportation
such as bicycling.
• Current gaps in City trails force bicyclists to use sidewalks to make connections.
• Some bicyclists feel unsafe riding on major streets that do not provide sufficient lane width
for bicycles.
• Parents are not comfortable allowing their children to ride bicycles on streets
Adbol
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With the adoption of the City's Non -Motorized Transportation Plan in June 2008, the City
dedicated itself to providing the infrastructure and policy support necessary to create a
non -motorized transportation network. Developing a policy to allow bicycles on sidewalks
complements the City's efforts to create a non -motorized transportation network. While it is the
City's objective to encourage bicycling as a viable transportation option, any policy regarding
bicycles on sidewalks must take into account potential public safety issues created when bicycles
interact with pedestrians and automobiles. Adopting this ordinance will in no way revoke any
rights bicyclists have when riding on the street.
City staff reviewed bicycle accident studies and other cities' municipal codes. To achieve a safe
and clear policy, staff recommends the City Council amend the Santa Clarita Municipal Code to
allow bicycles on sidewalks with certain restrictions. The City's existing Municipal Code
Section 12.76.080 already prohibits bicycling on sidewalks in a business district and this new
ordinance does not change the existing law.
This item previously went to the City Council for a first reading at the March 10, 2009, meeting
and was passed to a second reading. During the second reading on April 14, 2009, Council
directed staff to meet with the bicycling community to address three areas of concern, brought
before the Council, regarding.the proposed ordinance:
Prohibits riding of bicycles within crosswalks.
Person operating bicycle on a sidewalk shall ride in the same direction as vehicular traffic.
Person operating a bicycle on a sidewalk approaching upon a driveway shall yield the
right-of-way to all traffic.
On May 14, 2009, the City Attorney and staff met with the bicycling community and came to an
agreement on a revised ordinance that addresses all three areas of concern for bicyclists, still
keeps the intent of the original ordinance (to provide a policy that complements the
Non -Motorized Plan), and does not add any additional liability to the City.
Since the ordinance was revised from the previous readings, a new introduction and first reading
was required and took place at the June 23, 2009, City Council meeting.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance - Chapter 12.96 of Vehicles and Traffic
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ORDINANCE 09 -
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 12.96 TO TITLE 12
(VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC) OF THE SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL
CODE CONCERNING BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, DOES
HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 12.96 is hereby added to Title 12 (VEHICLES AND
TRAFFIC) to read as follows:
"Chapter 12.96
BICYCLES ON SIDEWALKS
12.96.010 Riding on Sidewalks.
12.96.020 Speed.
12.96.030 Yielding Right -of -Way.
12.96.010 Riding on Sidewalks.
Subject to the provisions of this chapter, bicycles may be ridden on all sidewalks except
the following:
A. A person shall not operate any bicycle in a business district, as defined in Section 235
of the California Vehicle Code, except at a permanent or temporary driveway or at specific
locations where the Director finds that such locations are suitable and has placed appropriate
signs or markings.
B. Where designated bicycle lanes exist on adjacent roadways.
C. The Director may designate and declare certain portions of any sidewalk to be
prohibited for bicycle use and shall place appropriate signs or markings.
12.96.020 Speed.
No person shall operate a bicycle on a sidewalk at a speed greater than is reasonable and
prudent under the conditions then existing and in no event at a speed which endangers the
safety of persons or property.
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12.96.030 Yielding Right -of -Way.
A. Whenever any person is operating a bicycle on a sidewalk, such person shall yield the
right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing
pedestrians.
B. A person operating a bicycle upon a sidewalk, before overtaking and passing a blind
person carrying a white cane or guided by a dog, shall dismount and pass on foot.
C. A person operating a bicycle on a sidewalk approaching upon a driveway shall
exercise due care for their safety.
D. The operator of a bicycle emerging from a driveway, bicycle path, building, or
otherwise approaching upon a sidewalk, shall yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians on such
sidewalk.
E. A person riding a bicycle upon entering a roadway or driveway from a sidewalk shall
yield to all traffic."
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days from its
passage and adoption.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and shall cause
the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2009.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
MAYOR
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Sharon L. Dawson, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Ordinance 09 - was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading at
a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of 2009. That thereafter,
said Ordinance was duly passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council on the
day of 2009, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
AND I FURTHER CERTIFY that the foregoing is the original of Ordinance 09 -
and was published in The Signal newspaper in accordance with State Law (G.C. 40806).
CITY CLERK
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss.
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
CERTIFICATION OF
CITY COUNCIL ORDINANCE
I, Sharon L. Dawson, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that this is a true
and correct copy of the original Ordinance 09 - , adopted by the City Council of the City of
Santa Clarita, California on , 2009, which is now on file in my office.
Witness my hand and seal of the City of Santa Clarita, California, this day of 2009.
Sharon L. Dawson, MMC
City Clerk
By
Susan L. Caputo, CMC
Deputy City Clerk
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