Chapter 385 – Bicycles and Motorized Bicycles

Chapter 385

BICYCLES AND MOTORIZED BICYCLES

Section 385.010. Bicycle and Motorized Bicycle — Defined.

As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall mean:

BICYCLE — Every vehicle propelled solely by human power upon which any person may ride, having two (2) tandem wheels, or two (2) parallel wheels and one (1) or two (2) forward or rear wheels, all of which are more than fourteen (14) inches in diameter, except scooters and similar devices.

MOTORIZED BICYCLE — Any two- or three-wheeled device having an automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horsepower, and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground. A motorized bicycle shall be considered a motor vehicle for purposes of any homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy.

Section 385.020. Brakes Required.

Every bicycle and motorized bicycle shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable its driver to stop the bicycle or motorized bicycle within twenty-five (25) feet from a speed of ten (10) miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

Section 385.030. Lights and Reflectors — When Required — Standards To Be Met.

A. Every bicycle and motorized bicycle when in use on a street or highway during the period from one-half (½) hour after sunset to one-half (½) hour before sunrise shall be equipped with the following:

1. A front-facing lamp on the front or carried by the rider which shall emit a white light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred (500) feet;

2. A rear-facing red reflector, at least two (2) square inches in reflective surface area, or a rear-facing red lamp on the rear which shall be visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lower beams of vehicle headlights at six hundred (600) feet;

3. Reflective material and/or lights on any part of the bicyclist’s pedals, crank arms, shoes or lower leg visible from the front and the rear at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when

viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at two hundred (200) feet; and

4. Reflective material and/or lights visible on each side of the bicycle or bicyclist and visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway when viewed by a vehicle driver under the lawful lower beams of vehicle headlights at three hundred (300) feet. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to motorized bicycles which comply with National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration regulations relating to reflectors on motorized bicycles.

Section 385.040. Rights and Duties of Bicycle and Motorized Bicycle Riders.

Every person riding a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle as provided by Chapter 304, RSMo., and this Title, except as to special regulations in this Chapter, and except as to those provisions of Chapter 304, RSMo., and this Title, which by their nature can have no application.

Section 385.050. Riding To Right — Required For Bicycles and Motorized Bicycles — Mandatory Use of Bicycle Path By Bicycles.

Every person operating a bicycle or motorized bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction, except when making a left turn, when avoiding hazardous conditions, when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, or when on a one-way street. Bicyclists may ride abreast when not impeding other vehicles.

Section 385.060. Bicycle To Operate On The Shoulder Adjacent To Roadway, When — Roadway Defined.

A. A person operating a bicycle at less than the posted speed or slower than the flow of traffic upon a street or highway may operate as described in Section 385.050 of this Chapter, or may operate on the shoulder adjacent to the roadway.

B. A bicycle operated on a roadway, or the shoulder adjacent to a roadway, shall be operated in the same direction as vehicles are required to be driven upon the roadway.

C. For purposes of this Section, and Section 385.050, “roadway” means that portion of a street or highway ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder.

Section 385.070. Bicycle Required To Give Hand or Mechanical Signals.

The operator of a bicycle shall signal as required in Section 340.190 of this Title, except that a signal by the hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed to control or operate the bicycle. An operator of a bicycle intending to turn the bicycle to the

right shall signal as indicated in Section 340.190 of this Title, or by extending such operator’s right arm in a horizontal position so that the same may be seen in front and in rear of the vehicle.

Section 385.080. Penalty For Violation.

Any person seventeen (17) years of age or older who violates any provision of this Chapter is guilty of an ordinance violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five dollars ($5.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00). If any person under seventeen (17) years of age violates any provision of this Chapter in the presence of a Police Officer, said officer may impound the bicycle or motorized bicycle involved for a period not to exceed five (5) days upon issuance of a receipt to the child riding it or to its owner.

Section 385.090. Motorized Bicycles — License Required.

A. No person shall operate a motorized bicycle on any highways, streets or roads in this City unless the person has a valid license to operate a motor vehicle.

B. No motorized bicycle may be operated on any public thoroughfare located within this City which has been designated as part of the Federal interstate highway system.

C. Violation of this Section shall be deemed an ordinance violation.

Section 385.100. Equipment Required.

No person shall operate a motorized bicycle on any highways, streets or roads in this City unless it is equipped in accordance with the minimum requirements for construction and equipment of MOPEDS, Regulation VESC-17, approved July, 1977, as promulgated by the Vehicle Equipment Safety Commission.