ORDINANCE O2026-XX
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MANTECA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 10.68 “BICYCLES” OF THE MANTECA MUNICIPAL CODE TO RESTRICT ORGANIZED, PLANNED, OR STREET TAKEOVERS, AND IMPOSING IMPOUND FEES FOR VIOLATIONS WHEREAS, the Manteca Municipal Code (MMC), Chapter 10.68 “Bicycles”, currently restricts certain bicycle activity, such as reckless riding or operating; and WHEREAS, the City of Manteca has recently experienced large and organized groups of bicyclists interfering with traffic, riding on the highway in front of oncoming traffic, driving recklessly, and causing safety hazards to public roadways and the community; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment will now restrict organized, planned, or street takeovers, and a violation may result in a misdemeanor subject to a $1,000 fine; WHEREAS, in addition, the organizer or promoter of such an event may also be subject to a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendment will authorize the Police Chief to require any minor who operates a bicycle in an illegal manner or that otherwise violates the Municipal Code or Vehicle Code to attend a bicycle operator’s school; and WHEREAS, the amendment will allow the Police Department to impound bicycles when the owner violates this new section; and WHEREAS, this proposed amendment will provide the Police Department with an additional mechanism of enforcement, particularly to address the most recent activity involving street takeovers.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MANTECA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: Chapter 10.68 “Bicycles” is hereby amended to read as follows:
Chapter 10.68
BICYCLES
§ 10.68.010. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
"Bicycle" is as defined in California Vehicle Code Section 231. “Electric bicycle” is a bicycle unless otherwise defined in the California Vehicle Code. This chapter shall apply to all scooters as well as electric scooter type devices. "Police chief" means the police chief of the city.
"Police department" means the police department of the city. § 10.68.060. Organized, planned, or street takeover.
It is unlawful for any person to participate in an organized, planned, or spontaneous street takeover event using a bicycle in a manner that demonstrates willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. This includes, but is not limited to, operating or riding a bicycle in violation of any applicable provision of this Code or the California Vehicle Code.
A violation of this section may be charged as a misdemeanor, subject to a fine up to $1,000.
The organizer or promoter of an event that violates this section may be charged with a misdemeanor. § 10.68.070. Violation—Penalty.
Any violation of this chapter, unless stated otherwise, is an infraction.
In addition to any other penalties provided by this chapter, the Chief of Police or his/her designee is hereby authorized to require any minor less than sixteen (16) years of age who operates a bicycle in violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, or of the California Vehicle Code, to attend a bicycle operator's school to be conducted under the supervision of the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Such school shall be for the purpose of educating the violator regarding proper operation of a bicycle and the provisions of law applicable to bicycles.
Any violation of this chapter can result in the bicycle being impounded by the Police Department for 30 days. In the event the owner of an impounded bicycle does not pay for its release as specified below within 60 days, the bicycle will be considered unclaimed and may be disposed.
Any bicycle impounded by the Police Department within a 365-day period shall be subject to release and storage fees as follows:
1. First Impound - $200.00
2. Second Impound and any thereafter - $400.00
In the event a bicycle is impounded under to this chapter, the owner shall be entitled to an Administrative Hearing, pursuant to the procedures set forth in sections 1.10.440 through 1.10.510 of this Code.
SECTION 2: Severability. If any section, sub-section, subdivision, paragraph, clause or phrase in this Ordinance, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections or portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, sub- section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sub-sections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days following adoption.
City of Manteca, a municipal corporation
MAYOR: __________________________
GARY SINGH
ATTEST: __________________________
CASSANDRA CANDINI-TILTON
CITY CLERK
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF SAN JOAQUIN SS:
CITY OF MANTECA
I, Cassandra Candini-Tilton, City Clerk of the City of Manteca, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance had its first reading and was introduced during the public meeting of the City Council on the ___ day of ______, 2026, and had its second reading and was adopted and passed during the public meeting of the City Council on the ___ day of _______, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: __________________________
CASSANDRA CANDINI-TILTON
City Clerk
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