“Bicycle”, for the purposes of this division, means any device upon which a person may ride, which is propelled by human power through a system of belts, chains, or gears having either two or three wheels (one of which is at least 20 inches in diameter) or having a frame size of at least 14 inches, or having four or more wheels.
Registration and Licensing of Bicycles
Section § 39000
This law defines what is considered a 'bicycle' for legal purposes. A bicycle is a human-powered device that can be ridden by a person, using a system like belts, chains, or gears. It either has two or three wheels, with at least one wheel being 20 inches in diameter, or it has a frame size of at least 14 inches. It may also have four or more wheels.
bicycle definition human-powered ridable device
Section § 39001
This law requires the department to provide bicycle license stickers and registration forms to cities and counties with bike licensing rules. These areas must give out these items for new bikes, and can offer them for any bikes that meet specific rules. The department can charge a fee for these materials, but only enough to cover costs, and all the money goes into the State Transportation Fund. The director must design the stickers and forms, which are durable and meant to be placed on the bicycle's frame. Each sticker has a unique number and stays with the bike. Bike licenses need renewal every three years, marked by an extra sticker with the new expiration date.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39001(a) The department shall procure and distribute bicycle license indicia and registration forms to all counties and cities which have adopted a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution. Those counties and cities shall issue the indicia and registration form to the owner of any new bicycle, and may, upon request of the owner, issue an indicia and registration form to the owner of any bicycle which complies with Section 39007.
The department shall charge and collect a fee, not to exceed the cost of procuring and distributing the license indicia and registration form, for each bicycle license indicia and registration form issued. All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Motor Vehicle Account in the State Transportation Fund. Those fees are hereby continuously appropriated from the account for use by the department to defray costs to procure and distribute the bicycle license indicia and registration forms.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39001(b) The director shall design the bicycle license indicia and registration form described in subdivision (a), and shall establish procedures for the distribution of the indicia and registration form to counties and cities. The indicia shall be adhesive, durable, flexible, and of a size to permit it to be affixed to the front of the seat tube of the bicycle frame. Each indicia shall bear a unique license number and shall be permanently assigned to a bicycle. Each registration form shall comply with Section 39005.
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 39001(c) Bicycle licenses shall be renewed uniformly throughout the state on January 1 of the third year following the year of registration. Renewal of a bicycle license shall be indicated by a supplementary adhesive device affixed parallel to, and above or below, the indicia, with the expiration date showing.
bicycle license registration forms bicycle licensing ordinance
Section § 39002
This law covers bicycle licensing in cities or counties. It states that even if a local government requires bicycle licenses, they cannot stop someone from using a bike just because it doesn't have a license.
It also makes it illegal for anyone to mess with bike licenses or registration forms. This includes actions like altering, destroying, or removing license stickers or serial numbers on a bicycle frame that is licensed.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39002(a) A city or county, which adopts a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution, shall not prohibit the operation of an unlicensed bicycle.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39002(b) It is unlawful for any person to tamper with, destroy, mutilate, or alter any license indicia or registration form, or to remove, alter, or mutilate the serial number, or the identifying marks of a licensing agency’s identifying symbol, on any bicycle frame licensed under this division.
bicycle licensing unlicensed bicycle operation local bicycle regulations
Section § 39003
If a city or county requires bike licenses, they must provide owners with a registration indicator and a copy of the registration form from the department.
If a city or county has or adopts a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution, indicia and a copy of the registration form obtained from the department shall be issued to the owner by the city or county or other licensing agency designated by it.
bicycle licensing city ordinance county resolution
Section § 39004
This law allows California cities or counties to make their own rules on collecting bicycle license fees. The money collected from these fees must be used to support bicycle programs, and it can also compensate retailers who help with the licensing process. The funds are also intended to improve bicycle safety and infrastructure like paths and lanes.
The specific fees that can be charged include up to $4 per year for a new bicycle license, $2 for transferring a registration certificate, $2 for a replacement license or certificate, and $2 per year for renewing a bicycle license.
Each licensing agency, by ordinance or resolution, may adopt rules and regulations for the collection of license fees. Revenues from license fees shall be retained by the licensing city or county and shall be used for the support of such bicycle ordinance or resolution, and may be used to reimburse retailers for services rendered. In addition, fees collected shall be used to improve bicycle safety programs and establish bicycle facilities, including bicycle paths and lanes, within the limits of the jurisdiction.
The fees required to be paid pursuant to this division are as follows:
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39004(a) For each new bicycle license and registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed four dollars ($4) per year or any portion thereof.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39004(b) For each transfer of registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2).
(c)CA Vehicle Code § 39004(c) For each replacement of a bicycle license or registration certificate, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2).
(d)CA Vehicle Code § 39004(d) For each bicycle license renewal, the sum shall not exceed two dollars ($2) per year.
bicycle license fees license collection rules reimburse retailers
Section § 39005
If a city or county has a bicycle licensing program, they must keep a record of all registered bicycles. This includes details like the license number, serial number, brand, type of the bicycle, and the owner's name and address.
These records must be kept for as long as the license is valid or until they are informed that the bicycle won't be used anymore.
Cities and counties having a bicycle licensing ordinance or resolution shall maintain records of each bicycle registered. Such records shall include, but not be limited to, the license number, the serial number of the bicycle, the make and type, of the bicycle, and the name and address of the licensee.
Records shall be maintained by the licensing agency during the period of validity of the license or until notification that the bicycle is no longer to be operated.
bicycle licensing bicycle record keeping license number
Section § 39006
If you buy a bicycle from a retailer or dealer, they must give you a preregistration form and include certain information on your sales receipt, like the retailer's name, the bicycle's make and serial number, and your details as the buyer. You're responsible for sending the completed preregistration form to the licensing agency within 10 days of buying the bike.
The law also defines a 'bicycle dealer' as anyone who sells, trades, or gives away more than five bicycles a year, and this includes their agents and employees.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39006(a) Each bicycle retailer and each bicycle dealer shall supply to each purchaser a preregistration form provided by the licensing agency and shall include, on the sales check or receipt given to the purchaser, a record of the following information: name of retailer, address of retailer, year and make of the bicycle, serial number of the bicycle if delivered to the purchaser in an assembled state, general description of the bicycle, name of purchaser, and address of purchaser. A copy of the preregistration form shall be filled out and forwarded by the purchaser to the appropriate licensing agency within 10 days from the date of sale.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39006(b) For the purposes of this division, a bicycle dealer is any person who sells, gives away, buys, or takes in trade for the purpose of resale, more than five bicycles in any one calendar year, whether or not such bicycles are owned by such person. “Bicycle dealer” also includes agents or employees of such person.
bicycle preregistration bicycle purchase receipt bicycle serial number
Section § 39007
Starting January 1, 1977, bicycle retailers in California are prohibited from selling new bicycles unless each bike has a unique serial number that's easy to read and permanently marked on the frame. The serial number must be at least an eighth of an inch in size and located on specific parts of the bike frame, like the head, seat tube, toeplate, or bottom sprocket housing.
After December 31, 1976, no bicycle retailer shall sell any new bicycle in this state unless such bicycle has legibly and permanently stamped or cast on its frame a serial number, no less than one-eighth inch in size, and unique to the particular bicycle of each manufacturer. The serial number only shall be stamped or cast in the head of the frame, either side of the seat tube, the toeplate, or the bottom sprocket (crank) housing.
bicycle retailer new bicycle sale serial number
Section § 39008
If you sell or give away a bicycle, you must update the bike's registration with the new owner's name, address, phone number, and the transfer date, and sign it. This updated registration must be sent to the licensing agency within 10 days.
The new owner must also apply to transfer the bike's license to their name within 10 days of getting the bike. Local governments can set rules to enforce these requirements.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39008(a) Whenever any person sells or otherwise disposes of a bicycle, he shall endorse upon the registration certificate previously issued for such bicycle a written transfer of same, setting forth the name, address, telephone number of the transferee, date of transfer, and signature of the transferrer, and shall deliver the registration certificate, so endorsed, to the licensing agency within 10 days.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39008(b) Any person who purchases or otherwise acquires possession of a bicycle shall, within 10 days of taking possession, apply for the transfer of license to his own name. Cities and counties may establish rules and regulations to govern and enforce the provisions of this section.
bicycle registration transfer of ownership bicycle sale
Section § 39009
If you own a bicycle that is registered with a city or county and you change your address, you need to tell the licensing agency your new address within 10 days.
If your bicycle's license sticker or registration form gets lost, stolen, or damaged, you must inform the licensing agency right away and apply for a replacement within 10 days. You'll need to pay a fee to get the new sticker or form.
(a)CA Vehicle Code § 39009(a) Whenever the owner of a bicycle licensed pursuant to an ordinance or resolution of a city or county changes his address, he shall within 10 days notify the appropriate licensing agency of the old and new address.
(b)CA Vehicle Code § 39009(b) In the event that any bicycle license indicia or registration form issued pursuant to the provisions of this division is lost, stolen, or mutilated, the licensee of such bicycle shall immediately notify the licensing agency, and, within 10 days after such notification, shall apply to the licensing agency for a duplicate license indicia or registration form. Thereupon, the licensing agency shall issue to such licensee a replacement indicia or registration form upon payment to the licensing agency of the appropriate fee.
bicycle registration address change notification duplicate license
Section § 39011
This law states that if you're fined for breaking a rule or regulation set up under this division, the fine can't be more than $10.
No fine imposed for any violation of an ordinance or resolution, which is adopted pursuant to this division, shall exceed ten dollars ($10).
maximum fine limit ordinance violation resolution violation
