Bicycle Ordinance

SECTION I.  REGISTRATION OF BICYCLES

          A.      The Chief of Police, or such member of his Department as he may appoint, is hereby designated as the person to whom all applications for registration are to be made.

          B.       No bicycle shall be registered unless it is in good mechanical condition and equipped with an adequate braking device.  Tires shall have a minimum of 1/32" tread depth and not show any worn areas, and bicycle safety reflectors attached to both wheels.

          C.      No bicycle shall be registered unless it shall permanently cut, impressed or embossed on some portion thereof, a factory serial number of identification number or markings.

          D.      Any person who shall have in his or her possession any bicycle from which such serial number or mark shall have been removed, defaced, obliterated or changed, shall forthwith file with the Chief of Police a sworn statement describing such bicycle, showing the source of the title, and if known, the reason for such removal, defacement, obliteration or change.

          E.       If satisfied as to the facts, the Chief of Police may grant permission to cut, impress or emboss permanently on to the bicycle, a serial number or special identification number or mark which shall thereafter be deemed sufficient for the purpose of registration only.

          F.       It shall be unlawful for any reason to remove, deface, change or cause to be removed, obliterated, defaced or changed, any factory serial number or mark on or from any bicycle that is not their rightful property.

          G.      Any bicycle found not in compliance with any part of this section, may be seized by any sworn police officer and held until assurances are received from either parent, guardian or other responsible adult, that full compliance will be forth-with.

SECTION II. REGISTRATION FEES

          A.      The fee for registration of a bicycle shall be fixed at 50 cents to be paid at the time of registration.

          B.       The hours for registration of all bicycles shall be from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon (8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

          C.      All bicycles will be viewed by an officer for registration.  No bicycles will be registered from supplied information without this viewing.

SECTION III. IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL

          A.      For any person to operate a bicycle on any way within the limits of the Town of Brandon during the period from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless said bicycle shall be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from a distance of a least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear.

          B.       To operate a bicycle on the sidewalks in the area of the following locations: from the Brandon Inn to the Town Office on both sides of the road.  Where a bicycle is allowed to be operated on a sidewalk, pedestrians shall have the right-of-way.

          C.      For more than one person to ride on a bicycle unless it be a tandem equipped bike with two sets of handlebars and two sprockets, and two seats.

          D.      To operate a bicycle belonging to another, without the consent of the owner of said bicycle.

          E.       To attach a bicycle while the same is being operated in any manner to any motor vehicle upon the highway.

          F.       To violate any  of the traffic ordinances and regulations of said Town of Brandon that may be applicable to bicycles.

          G.      For any child under the age of 15, to operate on any road or other, open to the general flow of the public, without wearing an approved bicycle safety helmet.

SECTION IV.            PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

          A.      The parents of a child under sixteen years of age and the guardian of a ward under sixteen, shall not permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of the bicycle ordinance.

SECTION V. BICYCLE PATROLS

          The Chief of Police may make recommendations to the Town Manager for approval by the Board of Selectmen for further rules and/or regulations in regard to bicycles as he or she may deem necessary for the safety of the public.  He or she shall have the authority to establish bicycle patrols in the various schools within the Town of Brandon.

SECTION VI.          SCHEDULE OF FINES & PENALTIES

          Any person violating any provisions of this ordinance shall be fined not more that twenty-five nor less than five dollars, using the State of Vermont fine schedule as applicable.

          Any child found not wearing an approved bicycle safety helmet in compliance with this section, may have their bicycles seized and held for 24 hours.

SECTION VII.         SEPARATION OF ORDINANCE

          If any provisions of this ordinance of the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared separable.

SECTION VIII.        AUTHORITY FOR ORDINANCE

          Any and all ordinances heretofore adopted by the Select board of the Town of Brandon, relating to Bicycles or the operation thereof are hereby repealed.

SECTION IX.          RECOGNITION OF STATE STATUTES

          Any and all State Laws relating to the safe operation and/or specifically relating to bicycles within the State of Vermont shall be applicable at all times