§ 4-32. Purpose and findings

(a) The uncontrolled placement and tethering or securing of bicycles in public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way, on or to public property, presents an inconvenience and danger to the safety and welfare of persons using such rights-of-way, including pedestrians and persons entering and leaving vehicles and buildings.

(b) Bicycles so located on public property as to cause an inconvenience or danger to persons using public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way, and as to cause an unsightly appearance, constitute public nuisances.

(c) These factors constitute an unreasonable interference with and obstruction of the use of the public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way, are injurious to health, offensive to the senses, and constitute such an obstruction of the free use of property as to interfere in the comfortable enjoyment of life and property by the entire community.

(d) The governing body recognizes, however, that many residents use bicycles as a primary means of transportation as well as for recreational purposes, as a means to visit the city and that adequate facilities need to be in place for the safe and secure parking and storage of these bicycles. These competing interests require a reasonable accommodation which can be satisfactorily achieved through this chapter, designed to provide for the placement of bicycle parking racks and to regulate the place and manner of bicycle parking on public property and in public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way in the city.

(e) The provisions and prohibitions hereinafter enacted are for the purpose of securing and promoting the general welfare of persons in the city in their use of public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way and other public property through the regulation of bicycle parking in the city so as to:

(1) Provide for pedestrian and driving safety and convenience;

(2) Ensure no unreasonable interference with the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic including ingress to, or egress from, any place of business, or from the street to the sidewalk, use of the sidewalk, use of public parks or property;

(3) Provide reasonable access for the use and maintenance of public sidewalks, poles, traffic signs and signals, hydrants, mailboxes, trees, and similar appurtenances, and access to locations used for public transportation purposes;

(4) Reduce visual blight on the public rights-of-way and semi-public rights-of-way, protect the aesthetics and value of surrounding properties, and protect the quiet enjoyment of public areas;

(5) Reduce exposure of the city to personal injury or property damage claims and litigation;

(6) Protect and safeguard bicycles from vandalism, damage or theft.

(Ord. No. 12-5, § 1, 8-7-12 )