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TO: MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL <br />FROM: CLERK -ADMINISTRATOR PAUL <br />DATE: Spetember 5, 1989 <br />SUBJECT: BICYCLE LICENSING AND SAFETY <br />At the August 28. 1989 Council Meeting Alice Frits asked if the City <br />could require the licensing of bicycles and become more aggressive in <br />the enforcement of traffic laws and bicycle safety training. <br />Chapter 168C of the Minnesota Statutes, copy attached, regulates bicycle <br />registration in the State. Essentially, the law under 168C.13 states <br />that a political subdivision may require the registration of bicycles <br />within their boundaries if the subdivision had such power prior to March <br />1, 1977. Political subdivisions not having that power may obtain <br />authority to register bicycles as a State Deputy Registrar, but may not <br />adopt laws requiring registration. <br />7 1veral cities in the metro area have bicycle patrols which enforce <br />state traffic laws relating to bicycle operation through the use of <br />warning or offense notices. Since these individuals are not sworn <br />police officers, they are not allowed to issue citations. <br />Besides enforcing bicycle related traffic laws in their communities by <br />patrolling the streets and paths on bikes(in Roseville one individual <br />rides a motorcycle) these individuals also teach bicycle safety. <br />In the past the City has offered bicycle safety training in the schools <br />and through the use of bicycle rodeos. Staff would suggest that efforts <br />be made to offer bicycle safety classes in the two elementary school <br />serving Mounds View next Spring timed such that it coincides with the <br />start of the bike riding season. This program could be a Joint effort <br />of our Police and Parks and Recreation Departments. <br />Unless the Council deemed it appropriate to begin a Bicycle Patrol in <br />the City, which would need to be funded with General Fund monies as no <br />other source of non -municipal funds appears to be available, traffic <br />code enforcement could be handled through a heightened awareness of the <br />alleged problem by our police officers. <br />Staff will await direction from the Council on this matter before taking <br />any further action. <br />