Post by pigeonpie on Dec 9, 2009 7:47:36 GMT
New bye-laws for cyclists to be introduced in Ciutadella
So popular has the bicycle become as a means of transport in Ciutadella that the Council is to approve a new bye-law this week regulating its use. While some of the stipulations are basic common sense, such as prohibiting cyclists from doing wheelies, others are not so obvious and may lead to fines, as in the case of cyclists who chain their bicycles to lampposts or benches.
Bicycles must have bells and, if ridden at night, officially approved front and rear lights.
Cyclists must use the special cycle lanes where provided, otherwise they must keep to the right of the road. In streets that are too narrow to allow a car to overtake a bicycle a cyclist may ride in the middle of the road.
The bye-law prohibits cyclists from riding on pavements which do not have a cycle lane. Cyclists are prohibited from wearing earphones or using a mobile phone and may be fined if caught doing so.
Bicycles must be parked in areas set aside for this purpose. Where there is no cycle rank then bicycles may be left in other areas providing they do not obstruct pedestrians or vehicles or infringe other sections of the bye-law.
The regulations specifically prohibit bicycles being chained to trees, lampposts, benches, waste bins or traffic lights, or being left in areas reserved for loading during the period that these are in use.
Wheelies (riding on one wheel only) are not allowed on public highways, nor may cyclists hang on to a moving vehicle for a tow.
A bike may only carry the same number of people as there are seats. Those designed for only one person may transport a child under the age of seven years in a special additional seat, as long as the cyclist is an adult and accepts responsibility.
In areas where pedestrians have priority, bicycles and scooters may not be used when there are crowds of people, i.e. when it is not possible to leave more than one metre between the bicycle and pedestrians or when it is not possible to travel in a straight line for more than five metres at a time. In the latter cases cyclists must dismount and push their bicycles.
Drivers of motor vehicles must change lanes when overtaking cyclists and must leave a space of one and a half metres between the two vehicles. When a motor vehicle is travelling behind a bicycle a minimum safety distance of three metres must be maintained between the two.
Quadbikes (vehicles with four or more wheels) are banned from the town and can only be used in tourist resorts.
The bye-laws place infractions in three categories. Violating any of the articles without putting the cyclist or third parties at risk is considered to be a minor infringement and can result in a fine of between 30 and 150 euros.
Serious infractions include posting advertisements on road signs, hanging items which reduce visibility of signs or traffic lights, or violating any regulation and thereby creating a risk to the cyclist or third parties. In these cases the fines will range from 151 to 450 euros.
Very serious infringements, such as alterations to signs which could result in accidents, failing to comply with a regulation leading to the injury or death of somebody, will be subject to fines of 451 to 1,500 euros.
Ciutadella Council may waive fines in favour of sessions on road education or community service, with the consent of those involved.
So popular has the bicycle become as a means of transport in Ciutadella that the Council is to approve a new bye-law this week regulating its use. While some of the stipulations are basic common sense, such as prohibiting cyclists from doing wheelies, others are not so obvious and may lead to fines, as in the case of cyclists who chain their bicycles to lampposts or benches.
Bicycles must have bells and, if ridden at night, officially approved front and rear lights.
Cyclists must use the special cycle lanes where provided, otherwise they must keep to the right of the road. In streets that are too narrow to allow a car to overtake a bicycle a cyclist may ride in the middle of the road.
The bye-law prohibits cyclists from riding on pavements which do not have a cycle lane. Cyclists are prohibited from wearing earphones or using a mobile phone and may be fined if caught doing so.
Bicycles must be parked in areas set aside for this purpose. Where there is no cycle rank then bicycles may be left in other areas providing they do not obstruct pedestrians or vehicles or infringe other sections of the bye-law.
The regulations specifically prohibit bicycles being chained to trees, lampposts, benches, waste bins or traffic lights, or being left in areas reserved for loading during the period that these are in use.
Wheelies (riding on one wheel only) are not allowed on public highways, nor may cyclists hang on to a moving vehicle for a tow.
A bike may only carry the same number of people as there are seats. Those designed for only one person may transport a child under the age of seven years in a special additional seat, as long as the cyclist is an adult and accepts responsibility.
In areas where pedestrians have priority, bicycles and scooters may not be used when there are crowds of people, i.e. when it is not possible to leave more than one metre between the bicycle and pedestrians or when it is not possible to travel in a straight line for more than five metres at a time. In the latter cases cyclists must dismount and push their bicycles.
Drivers of motor vehicles must change lanes when overtaking cyclists and must leave a space of one and a half metres between the two vehicles. When a motor vehicle is travelling behind a bicycle a minimum safety distance of three metres must be maintained between the two.
Quadbikes (vehicles with four or more wheels) are banned from the town and can only be used in tourist resorts.
The bye-laws place infractions in three categories. Violating any of the articles without putting the cyclist or third parties at risk is considered to be a minor infringement and can result in a fine of between 30 and 150 euros.
Serious infractions include posting advertisements on road signs, hanging items which reduce visibility of signs or traffic lights, or violating any regulation and thereby creating a risk to the cyclist or third parties. In these cases the fines will range from 151 to 450 euros.
Very serious infringements, such as alterations to signs which could result in accidents, failing to comply with a regulation leading to the injury or death of somebody, will be subject to fines of 451 to 1,500 euros.
Ciutadella Council may waive fines in favour of sessions on road education or community service, with the consent of those involved.
