On September 30th, the Newport City Council adopted a package of new and updated ordinances related to bicycles and bicycle safety. The adopted recommendations include removing outdated laws, introducing new laws, and updating language in existing laws for clarity and enforceability.
These updates are the result of thorough research and recommendations managed collectively by Bike Newport, the Newport Police Department, and the Newport Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission.
According to the resolutions adopting the ordinances, all will take effect upon their passage.
Following is a descriptive overview of new and improved ordinances. You can read the full resolutions and official ordinance language HERE.
Definitions (10.08.010)
- Several new terms have been added to the Definitions ordinance, specifically: bicycle, pedestrian, bike lane, bike path, bike route, cycle track, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric bicycle, sharrow, shared-use path, bicycle parking, pedicab, motorized bicycle, pedal carriages, e-scooter, e-skateboard, skateboard, roller skates, road user, roller skates, toy and trishaw.
- The new and updated terms are consistent with current usage and are modeled on peer city and state definitions.
- Bicycle and e-bicycle definitions were previously defined in separate sections. They are now located with general definitions. These definitions have not changed.
Traffic Signals (10.16.020-.030)
- The ordinances related to traffic signals now address drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists separately.
- Cyclists are permitted to cross an intersection using the pedestrian (walk) signal, riding adjacent to, but not in, the pedestrian crosswalk.
Parking (10.20.120)
- It is now illegal to stop, stand or park in any bike lane, trail or path.
Operation of a Bicycle (10.72.040)
New rules:
- Phone use: Only hands-free phone use is allowed.
- Headphones: Earbuds or headphones may not be used in or over both ears.
- Speed: There is now a 15 mph speed limit on shared-use paths and trails in Newport, and slower when conditions call for it.
- Passengers: A bicycle may carry only as many riders as it has seats for.
- Hand signals: While it is the duty of a bicyclist to signal intentions, hand signals are not required if both hands are needed to ride safely.
- Maintaining control: the rider must not carry anything that prevents them from having one hand on the handlebar at all times
- Road position: Cyclists may ride side-by-side in one lane without unduly blocking traffic.
- Road position: When the road is not wide enough for a bicycle and a car side by side, the bicycle may “take the lane” even if moving slower than traffic.
- Bike Helmets: Youth up to age 15 are required to wear a helmet when riding or as a passenger on bikes, skateboards, skates and scooters.
- E-Bike Helmets: Anyone up to age 20 must wear a helmet while operating e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards.
- Lights and reflectors: a rear red light is required at night and during limited visibility conditions (fog, heavy rain, etc). A front white light was and remains required at night, and now during limited visibility conditions as well.
Bicycle Position on the Road (10.72.040 M)
- Slower-moving cyclists ride as far right as practicable. There are 10 exceptions, which include: avoiding hazards, turning left, overtaking another bicycle, one-way streets (may ride on the left), and “taking the lane” when the road is too narrow to share safely or when two bicyclists together are approaching an intersection .
Bike Shops and Rentals (10.72.050 – .080)
- Shops that sell or rent bicycles must have buyers and renters sign a statement that they’ve read and understand the City’s bicycle ordinances.
- Bicycle rental licenses are explicitly good for one year and rented bikes must be registered with the city.
Impounded and Abandoned Bicycles (10.72.090)
- The City will participate in and encourage use of a national bike registry to assist with theft prevention and owner identification.
- A bike found unlocked, or locked but unmoved for 14 days, will be considered abandoned and will be collected by the Police Department.
- For a bike taken from someone who isn’t the owner, police will contact the owner. If a bicycle is unclaimed after 30 days, it will be donated to a nonprofit that refurbishes bikes, or can be discarded if no one takes it.
- Police may remove bikes from public right-of-way not meant for bike storage, or from private property without the owner’s permission, and must send written notice if the owner is known.
Unsafe Passing of a Person on a Bicycle (10.72.100)
- Drivers must pass bicyclists on the left and at a distance that would prevent contact if the rider fell. This ordinance mirrors state law also known as “Frank’s Law”.
Opening Vehicle Doors (10.72.110)
- Requiring people in motor vehicles to check for other road users before opening a vehicle door. No one may open any vehicle door into traffic, including bike lanes, unless it’s safe to do so. No one may leave a car door open longer than is needed to receive or discharge passengers.
Bike Newport