Notice of Adoption and Summary of Ordinance 3-2026

CITY OF SPRINGVILLE, IOWA

NOTICE OF ADOPTION AND SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE 3-2026

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE SPRINGVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF SPRINGVILLE, IOWA, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 76, BICYCLE REGULATIONS

Date Adopted: November 2, 2026\ Effective Date: November 9, 2026

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Springville, Iowa, adopted Ordinance No. 3-2026 on November 2, 2026. The ordinance repeals and replaces Chapter 76 of the Springville Code of Ordinances to establish updated regulations for bicycles and personal mobility devices.

This notice is a summary of Ordinance 3-2026 and is not the complete text of the ordinance, except for the penalty provisions reproduced below.

The ordinance establishes the following regulations:

1. Definitions and Applicability: Establishes definitions for bicycles, low-speed electric bicycles (E-Bikes), personal mobility devices, motorized bicycles, E-Motos, electric motorcycles, and other power-driven mobility devices. Regulations apply to public streets, sidewalks, bicycle paths, parks, trails, and applicable City-owned property.
2. Traffic Regulations: Bicycle riders must comply with applicable traffic laws. Personal mobility devices classified as pedestrian conveyances under Iowa law are subject to applicable pedestrian laws.
3. Safe Operation: Operators must ride at reasonable and prudent speeds, maintain safe control, and avoid careless or reckless operation. Class 3 electric bicycles are limited to 20 mph as provided by the ordinance and Iowa law.
4. Roadway Use: Bicycles and personal mobility devices may not ride more than two abreast on roadways, except in designated areas. Operators must remain as near as practicable to the right-hand edge of the roadway. Bicycle riders must use adjacent usable bicycle paths where required by the ordinance.
5. Sidewalk Restrictions: Bicycles and personal mobility devices are prohibited on sidewalks within the City’s designated Business District, except as authorized or protected by law. Operators must obey posted restrictions. Where sidewalk riding is permitted, pedestrians have the right-of-way, and operators must use caution and provide an audible warning when required or reasonably practicable.
6. Motorized Vehicles: E-Motos, electric motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and other motor vehicles requiring licensing, registration, or insurance under Iowa law are prohibited from operating on sidewalks, bicycle paths, trails, and within City parks unless specifically authorized by law.
7. Additional Safety Requirements: The ordinance regulates carrying passengers, yielding when emerging from driveways or alleys, carrying items that interfere with safe control, towing, and parking. Bicycles and personal mobility devices must not obstruct pedestrian or vehicle traffic or accessible routes.
8. Equipment Requirements: Bicycles and personal mobility devices must comply with applicable lighting, reflector, and braking requirements.
9. Disability Accommodations: The ordinance does not restrict the lawful use of wheelchairs or other mobility devices protected under state or federal disability laws.
10. Violations and Penalties: The ordinance establishes enforcement provisions, including voluntary impoundment of bicycles or personal mobility devices as an alternative to applicable fines or penalties. The complete penalty provisions are reproduced below.

FULL TEXT OF SECTION 76.17 – SPECIAL PENALTY

76.17 SPECIAL PENALTY. Any person violating the provisions of this chapter may, in lieu of the scheduled fine or standard penalty provided for violations of this Code of Ordinances, allow the person’s bicycle or personal mobility device to be impounded by the City for not less than five days for the first offense, 10 days for a second offense and 30 days for a third offense.

1. A person that does not voluntarily agree to impound their bicycle or personal mobility device will be issued a notice of the special penalty contained in this chapter and may be subject to a scheduled fine or standard penalty provided for violations of this Code of Ordinances. The notice shall contain the following:

a. a summary of the offense;

b. an explanation of the special penalty under this chapter;

c. an explanation that as a result of their refusal to impound their bicycle or personal mobility device, future violations will be treated as a municipal infraction and subject to applicable penalties;

d. an explanation that in the event the City is unable to obtain consent for impoundment from a minor offender and the minor’s parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian shall be liable for any municipal infraction arising from the minor’s subsequent offenses;

e. an explanation that agreement to allow impounding is voluntary;

f. the location of the impound facility.

2. If the person whose bicycle or personal mobility device is subject to impoundment is under the age of 18 and refuses to voluntarily relinquish the bicycle or personal mobility device, the City may seek consent for impoundment from the minor’s parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian’s voluntary agreement shall be deemed sufficient authorization for the City to take possession of the bicycle or personal mobility device in accordance with this chapter.
3. If the person whose bicycle or personal mobility device is subject to impoundment is under the age of 18, refuses to voluntarily relinquish the bicycle or personal mobility device, and the City is unable to obtain consent from the minor’s legal parent or guardian, the City shall issue the notice as provided in section 76.17(1) and subsequent offenses will be treated as municipal infractions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Ordinance 3-2026 becomes effective November 9, 2026, upon completion of the publication requirements established by Iowa law.

AVAILABILITY OF COMPLETE ORDINANCE

The complete text of Ordinance 3-2026 is available for public inspection here or at:

Springville City Hall\ 304 Broadway\ Springville, Iowa 52336

Regular Office Hours:\ Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30–4:30 p.m.\ Tuesday and Thursday: 12:30–4:30 p.m.

Phone: 319-854-6428

CERTIFICATION OF POSTING

I hereby certify that the foregoing summary of Ordinance 3-2026 was posted on November 9, 2026, in the three public locations permanently designated by ordinance of the City of Springville, Iowa, pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 362.3 and 380.7.

Posting Locations:

1. Springville Memorial Library
2. Springville Post Office
3. Springville City Hall

Date Posted: November 9, 2026

Shelby Northrup, Deputy City Clerk\ City of Springville, Iowa