Introduced by:
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 10
(VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC), CHAPTER 10.60 (BICYCLES) OF THE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO DEFINE ELECTRIC BICYCLES,
REMOVE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS, AND UPDATE RIDING
REGULATIONS
The People of the City of Pasadena ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. This ordinance, due to its length and corresponding cost of publication, will be published by title and summary as permitted in Section 508 of the Pasadena City Charter. The approved summary of this ordinance is as follows:
"Summary
This proposed ordinance amends Pasadena Municipal Code Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter 10.60 (Bicycles) to define electric bicycles and incorporate regulations of such into the Code, remove bicycle registration requirements that are no longer permitted by California state law, and clean up and update regulations in accordance with the latter amendments.
Ordinance No. _ shall take effect upon publication."
SECTION 2. Pasadena Municipal Code, Title 10 (Vehicles and Traffic), Chapter
10.60 (Bicycles) is amended as follows:
10.60.010-Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the "bicycle ordinance."
10.60.020-Definitions.
A. "Bicycle" means any device upon which a person may ride which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains or gears having one or more wheels as defined by California Vehicle Code section 231. An electric bicycle is a type of bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts and as defined by California Vehicle Code section 321.5. 1 WIBFUCXTOD4BCS
B. "Person" means a natural person, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and also includes a firm, partnership, association or corporation, its or their successors or assigns, or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
10.60.110 - Frame numbers.
It is unlawful for any person willfully or maliciously to remove, destroy, mutilate or alter the number of any bicycle frame registered pursuant to this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the chief of police from stamping letters or numbers on the frames of bicycles.
10.60.120 - Delegation of powers and duties of chief.
The chief of police may delegate the powers and duties imposed upon him or her by this chapter to any member of the police force of the city.
10.60.130-Penalty for violating Section 10.60.010.
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punishable by a fine in an amount which shall not exceed that permitted under state law.
10.60.140 - Riding regulations.
A. The rider of a bicycle shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk and as defined in the California Vehicle Code.
B. The rider of a bicycle shall not ride on a sidewalk at a speed greater than ten (10) miles per hour, and no more than five (5) miles per hour where pedestrians are present, or at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.
C. No person shall ride or operate a bicycle in a means violating any existing Pasadena Municipal Code section, the California Vehicle Code, or other applicable law.
D. This section shall not apply to a bicycle operated by any law enforcement officer employed by the city while acting within the course and scope of his or her employment as provided under section 10.08.028.
E. Based on demonstrated pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety needs, the city council may by resolution, regulate or prohibit the use of bicycles on specific sidewalks within high congestion retail shopping districts, and shall direct the posting of such regulations and prohibitions as well as any signs or markings determined appropriate to encourage shared use of the streets.
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F. It is unlawful to operate a bicycle on a sidewalk where it has been posted to regulate or prohibit its use pursuant to subsection E. of this section or in a manner other prohibited by subsections A, B, or C of this section. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished as provided in section 1.24.025 of this code.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this ordinance and shall cause this ordinance to be published in by title and summary.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon its publication.
Signed and approved this_ day of_, 2025.
Victor M. Gordo
Mayor of the City of Pasadena
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing ordinance was adopted by the City Council of the City of Pasadena at its meeting held this _day of_2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Date Published:
Approved as to form:
s
l^n9a)M.~Q^ick
'Assi^staQtjefty Attorney
Mark Jomsky
City Clerk
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