FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Ordinance No. 3238, Section 11 (B) states: " No person, other than for a test or demonstration ride of a bicycle by an adult or a minor under adult supervision, shall use the sidewalks for traveling on skateboards, bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, or similar devices .... in the downtown area of Pendleton. The downtown area of Pendleton includes all the sidewalks located in the area between the Umatilla River on the north boundary, the Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the south boundary, SW 2nd Street on the west boundary and SE 2nd on the east boundary.
For your safety and that of pedestrians; you should avoid busy city sidewalks whether or not they are restricted by law.
The first time you are found in violation of this ordinance, you will be given a verbal warning and your name will be taken down on a log. If you should violate this ordinance a second time, you will be issued a citation, which will result in a fine and the possible forfeiture of your bicycle, skateboard, etc. This Ordinance is put in place to protect you and other pedestrians.
Never attach yourself or your bike to another vehicle on the roadway (814.480)
Sit on the bike not the fender or handlebars. Keep feet on pedals and never carry more people on the bike than the number for which it was designed (814.460 & 814.470)
Bicyclists must obey all traffic lights and signs and must signal for all turns whether riding on a roadway, a bike lane or bike path.
Bicyclists who violate the law are subject to traffic tickets.
The law requires that bicycles be operated with the designated traffic flow. Bicycling against the traffic is a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Operation with the designated traffic flow makes bicyclists more visible, and their movements more predictable to motorists.
If there is a visible bike lane, the bicyclist must use it. If there is no bike lane, or the lane is unusable, the bicyclist may ride either on the right shoulder of the roadway or near the right edge of the roadway. The bicyclist must avoid undue interference with vehicular traffic.
In the State of Oregon, all bicyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear approved bicycle helmets whether they are operators or passengers on bicycles. (814.485 & 814.486). Any person who violates these provisions is subject to a fine up to $25.00 (814.486 3). The law directs a police officer to issue a citation for such violation to the parent or guardian of a minor child (814.486 b).
Serious head injuries pose the greatest danger to bicyclists; helmets significantly reduce the risk. Every bicyclist, regardless of age should wear an approved helmet.
Bicyclists have the legal right to share the road on most public highways, but it is prohibited on interstate highways.
A bicycle must be equipped with a brake that enables the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement (815.280 (2a)
A bicycle or its rider must be equipped with lighting equipment and used during limited visibility conditions. The lighting equipment must show a white light visible from a distance of at least 500-feet to the front of the bicycle (815.280 A, B). The lighting equipment must have a red reflector or lighting device that is visible from distances up to 600 feet.