A Tampa law that makes it illegal to ride a bicycle without a bell may soon be repealed.

Right now, it is illegal to ride a bike without a bell. Tampa police arrested nine people under the law in 2008.

The law was passed in 1989, and makes riding a bike without one a second-degree misdemeanor.

About two years ago, Tampa police arrested a teenager for riding his bicycle without a bell, a second-degree misdemeanor under an obscure traffic law on the city’s books.

They also found a bag of marijuana in his back pocket.

The teen, who is not identified in court records, challenged the arrest before the Florida 2nd District Court of Appeals, which overturned his conviction in a lower trial court.

The court pointed out that Tampa’s bicycle bell ordinance – which prohibits a person from riding a bike that doesn’t have an audible bell – conflicts with a state law that violations of bicycle laws are considered traffic offenses, not criminal infractions.

Based on that ruling, the city is considering doing away with its bicycle ordinance.

In a memo to council members today, City Attorney Chip Fletcher requests that they consider repealing the bicycle rule to bring the city into compliance with state laws.

Councilman John Dingfelder said he wasn’t aware that such a law was on the books.

“I think it is our duty to get rid of silly, outdated ordinances,” he said.

The repeal request has been placed on the agenda for Thursday’s council meeting.

Source: http://www2.tbo.com

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