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Fargo Municipal Code ch. 8, art. 8-14
in effect

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1401 Effect of regulations.

8-1401. - Effect of regulations. A. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter. B. These regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any street or highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1401, 1411 (1971), 4951 (2014).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1410 Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles.

8-1410. - Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties which may be applied to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of this state declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the traffic ordinances of this city, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of laws and ordinances which by their nature can have no application. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1410, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1411 Obedience to traffic-control devices.

8-1411. - Obedience to traffic-control devices. A. Any person operating a bicycle shall obey the instructions of official traffic-control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to vehicles, unless otherwise directed by a police officer, or except as to special regulations in this article. B. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no person operating a bicycle shall disobey the direction of any such signs, but where the rider dismounts from the bicycle to make any such turn, he shall then obey the regulations applicable to pedestrians. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1411, 1411 (1971), 5319 (2021).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1412 Riding on bicycles.

8-1412. - Riding on bicycles. A. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. B. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped. C. Passengers, other than those propelling a bicycle, may ride on a seat which is mounted to the rear of the operator. Said passenger seat shall be equipped with handgrips and footrests and seat belts, or otherwise designed to prevent the occupant from falling or being thrown from said seat, and shall be occupied by the persons who are too young to operate a bicycle. D. No person shall be permitted to ride on any part of a bicycle other than a seat as described in (C) above. Said passenger shall be guilty of an offense as well as the party permitting same. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1412, 1411 (1971), 2342 (1987).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1413 Riding on roadways and bicycle paths.

8-1413. - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. A. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right side of the roadway except under any of the following situations: 1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction. 2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. 3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane. 4. When driving a bicycle on a one-way street. 5. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. B. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast, except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic and, on a single laned roadway, shall ride within a single lane. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1413, 1411 (1971), 2342 (1987), 4550 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1414 Speed.

8-1414. - Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1414, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1415 Emerging from alley or driveway.

8-1415. - Emerging from alley or driveway. The operator of a bicycle emerging from an alley, driveway, or building, upon approaching a sidewalk or sidewalk area shall yield the right-of-way to the pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1415, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1416 Carrying articles.

8-1416. - Carrying articles. No person operating a bicycle shall carry a package, bundle, or article which prevents the rider from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bars or carry a package, bundle, or article which prevents the forward vision of the operator. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1416, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1417 Parking Bicycles - Abandoned Bicycles.

8-1417. - Parking Bicycles - Abandoned Bicycles. A. No person shall park a bicycle upon a street or public right of way other than the curb or in a rack to support the bicycle. A bicycle shall be parked in such manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic B. Any bicycle appearing to be abandoned on any public path, sidewalk or street may be removed and impounded by a police officer, or any other employee of the city that is authorized to issue parking citations. C. In such cases, notice shall be posted on the bicycle stating that the bicycle will be impounded and disposed of as allowed by law if it is not removed within three days of such posting on such bicycle. Any bicycle which remains in violation of this ordinance may be impounded and disposed of as allowed by law without further notice to the owner. D. The term "abandoned" shall refer to the condition of a bicycle in a state of disuse or neglect as evidenced by missing components, flat tires or other signs of disuse or neglect. Source: 1952 Rev. Ord. 1119 (1962), 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1417, 1411 (1971), 4550 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1418 Riding on sidewalks.

8-1418. - Riding on sidewalks. A. No person shall ride a bicycle upon any skyway. B. Whenever any person is riding a bicycle upon a sidewalk, he shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. C. No person shall ride a bicycle upon a sidewalk which is posted with signs prohibiting bicycles; provided that this ordinance shall not apply to law enforcement officers riding bicycles in connection with their duties. The posting of signs shall be in accordance with the latest revision of the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices as published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration provided; however, that signs not in accordance therewith shall be in full force and effect if approved by resolution of the Board of City Commissioners. Source: 2393 (1988), 2551 (1990), 2652 (1993), 4550 (2006).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1419 Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.

8-1419. - Lamps and other equipment on bicycles. A. Every bicycle when in use between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front; and with a red reflector of at least two square inches on the rear, of a type which shall be visible from all distances from 50 to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of a lawful upper beam of headlamps of a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector. Reflectors or reflectorized material shall also be attached to the handlebars and front fork to reflect light emitted by lawful headlamps of a motor vehicle. Said material shall be white or silver in color. B. No person shall operate a bicycle equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a bicycle, any siren or whistle. C. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement. D. Every bicycle shall be equipped with handlebars no higher than the shoulders of the operator. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1419, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1420 Restricted operation by child under twelve years of age.

8-1420. - Restricted operation by child under twelve years of age. A. No child under the age of 12 years shall operate a bicycle on the streets or avenues in the city within a zone the boundaries of which shall be as follows: From the intersection of Roberts Street and Sixth Avenue North. South on Roberts Street to NP Avenue: West on NP Avenue to Eighth Street and First Avenue South; East on First Avenue South to the intersection of First Avenue South and Fourth Street; North on Fourth Street to the intersection with Sixth Avenue North; and West on Sixth Avenue North to the intersection with Roberts Street. B. No child under the age of 12 years shall operate a bicycle on Broadway or on the one-way streets of University Drive and Tenth Street from 13th Avenue South to 19th Avenue North, unless accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1420, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1421 Bicycles may be impounded if operated in violation of ordinances.

8-1421. - Bicycles may be impounded if operated in violation of ordinances. The police department of the city or any of the members thereof may impound any bicycle operated in violation of any of the ordinances of the city and retain possession of same until all fines have been paid or until compliance with any other sentence of the court. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1421, 1411 (1971), 1552 (1973), 2599 (1991).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1422 Bicycle accidents.

8-1422. - Bicycle accidents. The driver of a bicycle involved in an accident with another bicycle, motor vehicle, or with a pedestrian, shall immediately stop such bicycle at the scene of the accident and shall give his name, age and address to the other person or persons involved. He shall also give immediate notice of the accident to the police department and shall file a report with the police department regarding the accident. In the event said accident is investigated at the scene by the police, it is not necessary for the driver to file an individual report. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1422, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1423 Bicycle routes to be established.

8-1423. - Bicycle routes to be established. Bicycle routes shall be established by the city and shall be so posted by the police department. Said routes are created to encourage bicycle operators to utilize these routes for their safety and convenience. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1423, 1411 (1971).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1424 Yielding and stopping while operating a bicycle on a roadway.

8-1424. - Yielding and stopping while operating a bicycle on a roadway. A. An individual operating a bicycle who is approaching a stop sign at an intersection with a roadway having three or more lanes for moving traffic shall come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. B. An individual operating a bicycle who is approaching a stop sign at an intersection where a vehicle is stopped in the roadway at the same stop sign shall come to a complete stop before entering the intersection. C. An individual operating a bicycle who is approaching a stop sign at an intersection with a roadway having two or fewer lanes for moving traffic shall reduce speed and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the individual shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the individual is moving across or within the intersection, except that an individual, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right-of-way if required, cautiously may make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping. D. An individual operating a bicycle who is approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle that already has entered the intersection. E. When an individual operating a bicycle and a vehicle enter an intersection from different roadways at approximately the same time, the operator of the vehicle or bicycle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle or bicycle on the right. F. If the individual operating a bicycle is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways after proceeding past a stop sign without stopping or past a steady red traffic-control light, the collision is deemed prima facie evidence of the individual's failure to yield the right-of-way. Source: Ord. 5319 (2021).

Fargo Municipal Code § 8-1425 Penalties imposed.

8-1425. - Penalties imposed. All persons found to have violated provisions of this Article shall be punished as stated in section 01-0305(C)(1)(2) or (5), except a violation of section 8-1418, which shall be an infraction. Source: 1965 Rev. Ord. 8-1425, 1411 (1971), 4951 (2014), 5168 (2018), 5478 (2025).
Source: City of Fargo, North Dakota, Fargo Municipal Code and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nd/fargo/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=FARGO_MUNICIPAL_CODECIFANODA_CH8TRCO_ART8-14BIFetched: 11/7/2026

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