Sec. 114-4. Applicability of chapter to persons riding bicycles or mopeds or riding or driving animals.
Every person riding a bicycle, moped or an animal or driving an animal on a highway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter and shall have all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, unless the context of the provision clearly indicates otherwise.
The provisions of Code of Virginia, S 46.2-920(A) and (C), applicable to operation of emergency vehicles under emergency conditions shall also apply, mutatis mutandis, to bicycles and mopeds operated under similar emergency conditions by law enforcement officers.
(Code 1978, S 17-6)
Cross references: Animals, ch. 18.
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-800.
ARTICLE IX. BICYCLES; TOY VEHICLES
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 114-391. Riding bicycles or use of roller skates or skateboards on sidewalks and crosswalks.
The city council may by ordinance prohibit the use of roller skates and skateboards and/or the riding of bicycles on designated sidewalks or crosswalks, including those of any church, school, or recreational facility, or any business property open to the public where such activity is prohibited. Signs indicating such prohibition shall be conspicuously posted in general areas where use of roller skates and skateboards and/or bicycle riding is prohibited.
A person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian.
No person shall ride a bicycle on a sidewalk, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, where such use of bicycles is prohibited by official traffic control devices.
A person riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, or across a roadway on a crosswalk, shall have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstances.
A violation of any ordinance adopted pursuant to this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty in accordance with a fee schedule established by an uncodified ordinance enacted by the city council.
(Code 1978, S 17-394)
Cross references: Streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 102.
State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-904.
Sec. 114-392. Riders not to cling to other vehicles; playing on the streets and highways forbidden.
No person shall play on a highway, other than on the sidewalks thereof, within the city. No person shall use roller skates, skateboards, toys or other devices on wheels or runners on highways in the city, except on a sidewalk. It shall nevertheless be lawful to use a bicycle, moped or motorcycle on the highways, if the rider complies with the other provisions of this Code and the State Code. The prohibition on playing in the highways shall not apply where the city council, by resolution, designates an area where play is permitted and posts signs to that effect. The term “highway” herein includes all streets, paved alleys and public parking lots in the city.
No person riding upon any bicycle, moped, roller skates, skateboard, toy or other device on wheels or runners shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.
(Ord. No. O-2003-40, S 1, 6-23-2003)
Secs. 114-393–114-410. Reserved.
DIVISION 2. BICYCLES
Sec. 114-411. Use of bikepaths required.
Wherever a usable path for bicycles has been provided adjacent to a roadway, bicycle riders shall use such path and shall not use the roadway.
(Code 1978, S 17-393)
State law references: Authority for above section, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-905.
Sec. 114-412. Helmets.
Every person 14 years of age or younger shall wear a protective helmet that meets the standards promulgated by the American National Standards Institute or the Snell Memorial Foundation whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk or public bicycle path. Any parent, guardian or other legal custodian who knowingly permits his child 14 years of age or younger to ride or be carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk or public bicycle path without wearing a protective helmet as required by this section shall be guilty of a violation of this section.
Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $25.00. However, such fine shall be suspended for:
First time violators; and
Violators who, subsequent to the violation but prior to imposition of the fine, purchase helmets of the type required by this section.
Violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, or assumption of risk, be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, be admissible in evidence, or be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages arising out of the operation of any bicycle, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule or procedure pertaining to any civil action.
(Code 1978, S 17-397(a)–(c))
State law references: Local ordinances may require bicyclists to wear helmets, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-906.1.
Secs. 114-413–114-420. Reserved.