Biking Laws and Ordinances
Animal Control
The City of Bowling Green resumed the responsibilities of Animal Control, for the city limits, in July of 2004. The Animal Control Unit's duties include responding to citizen complaints concerning animals, investigating animal cruelty and to enhance public awareness of animal ordinances and safety. The Animal Control Unit responded to 4,458 calls in 2005. KRS 258.195 (3) explains the authorities given to the Animal Control Unit. All dogs in the city limits must be on a leash. If you feel that there is a violation that jepordizes your safety please contact Animal Control.5-1.08 Animal Nuisances Prohibited.
f. Chasing Vehicles. Chases motor vehicles, bicycles or scooters other than those owned or operated by the same person or his immediate family who keeps, owns or harbors the animal;
Phone: 270-393-BGPD or 270-393-2473
Bicycling Ordinance (22-8 BICYCLES)
22-8.01 Effect of Regulation.
a. It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in this Subchapter.
b. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this Subchapter.
c. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-260, 7/15/80)
22-8.02 Traffic Laws Apply to Persons Riding Bicycles.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this State declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic ordinances of this City applicable to the driver of the vehicle, except as to special regulations in this Section and except as to those provisions of law and ordinances which by their nature can have no application.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-261, 7/15/80)
22-8.03 Obedience to Traffic-Control Devices.
a. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
b. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such sign, except where such person dismounts from the bicycle to make any such turn, in which event such person shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-262, 7/15/80)
22-8.04 Riding on Bicycles.
a. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
b. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-263, 7/15/80)
22-8.05 Riding on Roadways and Bicycle Paths.
a. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
b. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.
c. Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to the roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-264, 7/15/80)
22-8.06 Emerging from Alley or Driveway.
The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of- way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching the roadway.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-266, 7/15/80)
22-8.07 Carrying Articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-267, 7/15/80)
22-8.08 Parking.
No person shall park a bicycle upon a street other than upon the roadway against the curb or upon the sidewalk in a rack to support the bicycle or against a building or at the curb in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-268, 7/15/80)
22-8.09 Riding on Sidewalks.
The Director of Public Works or his designee is authorized to erect signs on any sidewalk or roadway prohibiting the riding of bicycles thereon.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-269, 7/15/80; Ord. BG2001-39, 9/18/2001)
22-8.10 Lamps and Other Equipment on Bicycles.
a. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred (500') feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type which shall be visible from all distances from fifty (50') feet to three hundred (300') feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred (500') feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
b. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(Ord. BG80-63, S19-279, 7/15/80; Ord. BG84-17, 5/1/84)
Kentucky State Rules for the Road
Traffic laws, highway signs, rules-of-the-road, and safety requirements apply to bicycles the same as other vehicles. Not all people ride bicycles, but as a driver you must be aware of their rules and regulations. This section includes:Kentucky law states that cyclists shall:
"Be granted all the rights and be subject to all the duties" applicable to drivers of any vehicle. A bicycle is a vehicle, not a toy, and, as such, must obey the traffic rules and regulations pertaining to all highway users. Motorists should regard bicyclists as they would any other vehicle.
A signal is required for a vehicle that is not a motor vehicle and may be given by either hand signals, signal lamps, or mechanical devices. The signal shall be given intermittently for the last fifty (50) feet traveled by the vehicle before the turn.
Hand signals shall be executed in the following manner when operating a vehicle that is not a motor vehicle:
- The hand and arm shall be extended horizontally from the left side of the vehicle to indicate a left turn;
- The arm shall be extended horizontally from the left of the vehicle with the left hand and arm extended upward from the elbow, or the right arm and hand shall be extended horizontally to indicate a right turn.
- Either arm shall be extended horizontally with the hand and arm extended downward from the elbow to indicate a stop or decrease in speed.
RULES FOR BICYCLISTS
RULES FOR MOTORISTS CONCERNING BICYCLES
- A motorist must:
- Share the road with bicycles.
- Before passing a cyclist, look to see if there is loose debris on the pavement that might cause them to move into the center of the lane. Pass a cyclist only when it can be done safely, and give ample room (3 feet) between your car and the cyclist. Realize the air turbulence your vehicle can create at high speeds or in windy weather. Give the cyclist extra room if your vehicle has extended outside rearview mirrors. Return to the lane only when you are safely clear of the overtaken bicyclist.
- Look for cyclists. Because of their narrow profile you will need to develop your eye-scanning patterns to include bicyclists.
- When you are turning right after passing a cyclist, leave ample room so you don't cut him off when you slow for your turn.
- When opening your car door, check behind for cyclists.
- At night be extra alert, and don't use your high beams for they will temporarily blind the cyclist.