§ 19-661. Operation, parking, and required equipment of motor-assisted scooters, electric bicycles, and bicycles equipped with GPS.

(a)

Operation of motor-assisted scooters:

(1)

Riders must always yield to pedestrians.

(2)

Riders must use bike lanes when available.

(3)

In the absence of a bike lane, riders may ride on streets which have a speed limit of thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less, and on sidewalks, including sidewalks adjacent to roads which have a speed limit over thirty-five (35) miles per hour. Riders must obey all state and city traffic laws.

(4)

If ridden on a sidewalk, riders must maintain a distance of two (2) feet from all pedestrians.

(5)

Riders may not ride on trails, creek ways, plazas and in parks, including but not limited to the Riverwalk, Alamo Plaza, La Villita, Main Plaza and Market Square. Public streets and sidewalks that intersect parks and plazas may be ridden upon.

(6)

The person operating or in control must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.

(7)

Riders may not have any passengers. Only one person may be on the vehicle when it is being operated.

(8)

Riders may not use a portable wireless communication device while operating a vehicle.

(9)

The wearing of a helmet is encouraged but not required.

(b)

Operation of electric bicycles, and bicycles equipped with GPS:

(1)

Riders must always yield to pedestrians.

(2)

Riders may not ride on sidewalks, and must use bike lanes when available.

(3)

Riders must obey state and city traffic laws.

(4)

For electric bicycles, the person operating or in control must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.

(6)

Riders may not use a portable wireless communication device while operating a vehicle.

(7)

The wearing of a helmet is encouraged but not required.

(c)

Parking of motor-assisted scooters, electric bicycles and bicycles equipped with GPS:

(1)

These vehicles may not be parked on streets, except in areas designated by the director by paint, decals or signs.

(2)

These vehicles may be parked upright on sidewalks in a manner that does not impede the normal and reasonable pedestrian access on a sidewalk, or in any manner that would reduce the minimum clear width of a sidewalk to less than three (3) feet, except as prohibited below in subsection (2).

(3)

These vehicles may not be parked on sidewalks at the following locations:

a.

In the area beginning at a bus stop flag pole, continuing back fifteen (15) feet in the direction from which busses arrive, for the full width of the sidewalk;

b.

Within eight (8) feet of commercial or pedestrian loading zones, or disabled parking zones;

c.

Within four (4) feet of street fixtures that require pedestrian access, including but not limited to benches, parking pay stations and transit information signs;

d.

Within eight (8) feet of curb ramps, entryways and driveways;

e.

Within eight (8) feet of a building entrance;

f.

On trails, creek ways, plazas and parks, including but not limited to the Riverwalk, Alamo Plaza, La Villita, Main Plaza and Market Square.

g.

In a space reserved for a swell cycle, or any other docking station for shared bicycles.

(d)

Required equipment of motor-assisted scooters, electric bicycles and bicycles equipped with GPS:

(1)

These vehicles may not be operated at nighttime unless the vehicle is equipped with:

a.

A lamp on the front of the vehicle that emits a white light visible from a distance of a least five hundred (500) feet in front of the vehicle; and

b.

A red reflector that is visible when directly in front of lawful upper beams of motor vehicle headlamps from all distances from fifty (50) to three hundred (300) feet to the rear of the vehicle, or a lamp that emits a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500) feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(2)

These vehicles may not be operated without a working bell, horn, or other sound mechanism.

(e)

Dockless vehicles may not be operated between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., and permit holders shall make dockless vehicles inoperable during these hours.

(Ord. No. 2018-10-11-0803 , § 1, 10-11-18; Ord. No. 2019-02-14-0111 , § 1, 2-14-19)