Prince William County 2

Sec. 13-287. Specific instances of reckless driving–Generally.

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who shall:

1. Drive a vehicle which is not under proper control or with inadequate or improperly adjusted brakes upon any highway in this county.
2. While driving a vehicle, overtake or pass another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, upon or approaching the crest of a grade or upon approaching a curve in the highway, where the driver’s view along the highway is obstructed, except where the overtaking vehicle is being operated on a highway having two or more designated lanes of roadway for each direction of travel, or on a designated one-way street or highway.
3. Pass or attempt to pass two other vehicles abreast, moving in the same direction, except on highways having separate roadways of three or more lanes for each direction of travel, or on designated one-way streets or highways; however, this subsection shall not apply to a motor vehicle passing two other vehicles, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, when one or both of such other vehicles is a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped; nor shall this subsection apply to a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped passing two other vehicles in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

*Cross references: Bicycles to be ridden in parks only in designated areas, S 17-23

Sec. 13-375. Application of traffic regulations to riders.

1. Every person riding a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped upon a roadway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no application.
2. The provisions of subsections (a) and (c) or Code of Virginia, S 46.2-920, and section 13-6 of this chapter, applicable to operation of emergency vehicles under emergency conditions shall also apply, mutatis mutandis, to bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles and mopeds operated under similar emergency conditions of law enforcement officers.
3. Any person operating a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle or moped upon a roadway shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no application.
4. Any person operating a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under conditions then existing shall ride as close as safely practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the following circumstances:
   1. When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction;
   2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into private road or driveway;
   3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions, including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge;
   4. When avoiding riding in a lane that must turn or diverge to the right; and
   5. When riding upon a one-way road or highway, a person may also ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as safely practicable.

For purposes of this section, a “substandard width lane” is a lane too narrow for a bicycle, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped and another vehicle to pass safely side by side within the lane.

Persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, or electric power-assisted bicycles on a highway shall not ride more than two abreast. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, shall move into a single file formation as quickly as is practicable when being overtaken from the rear by a faster moving vehicle, and, on a laned roadway, shall ride in a single lane.

(Code 1965, S 12.1-54; Ord. No. 82-28-20, 10-19-82; Ord. No. 94-40, 6-28-94; Ord. No. 01-46, 6-19-01, effective 7-1-01; Ord. No. 03-47, 6-24-03, effective 7-1-03; Ord. No. 04-39, 6-22-04, effective 7-1-04; Ord. No. 06-59, 6-27-06; Ord. No. 07-49, 6-26-07)

State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, SS 46.2-800 and 46.2-905.

Sec. 13-376. Rider to have at least one hand on handlebars.

No person operating a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle , or moped on any highway in the county shall carry any package, bundle, or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.

No bicycle or moped shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number of persons for which it is designed or is equipped, except that an adult bicycle rider may carry a child less than six years old if such child is securely attached to the bicycle in a seat or trailer designed for carrying children.

(Code 1965, S 12.1-54.1; Ord. No. 01-46, 6-19-01, effective 07-1-01; Ord. No. 03-47, 6-24-03, effective 7-1-03; Ord. No. 06-59, 6-27-06; Ord. No. 07-49, 6-26-07)

State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-906

Sec. 13-377. Riding on sidewalks.

Bicycles or electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks in the county as provided in section 13-231 of this chapter.

(Code 1965, S 12.1-122; Ord. No. 94-40, 6-28-94; Ord. No. 01-46, 6-19-01, effective 7-1-01)

State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-903.

Sec. 13-378. Rider not to cling to other vehicle.

No person riding on a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, roller skates, skateboards or other devices on wheels or runners, shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a highway.

(Code 1965, S 12.1-156; Ord. No. 82-28-20, 10-19-82; Ord. No. 01-46, 6-19-01, effective 7-1-01; Ord. No. 07-49, 6-26-07)

State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-932.

Sec. 13-379. Riders required to wear helmets.

1. Every person 14 years of age or younger shall wear a protective helmet that at least meets the consumer product safety commission standard whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle, toy vehicle, or electric power-assisted bicycle on any highway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path. Any parent, guardian, or other legal custodian who knowingly permits his or her child 14 years of age or younger to ride or be carried on a bicycle or electric power-assisted 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.
2. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of $25.00. However, such fine shall be suspended for:
   1. First time violators; and
   2. Violators who, subsequent to the violation but prior to imposition of the fine, purchase helmets of the type required by this section.
3. Violation of this section shall not constitute negligence, 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, electric personal assistive mobility device, toy vehicle, or electric power-assisted bicycle, nor shall anything in this section change any existing law, rule, or procedure pertaining to any civil action.

(Ord. No. 95-55, 7-25-95; Ord. No. 01-46, 6-19-01, effective 7-1-01; Ord. No. 04-39, 6-22-04, effective 7-1-04; Ord. No. 06-59, 6-27-06; Ord. No. 07-49, 6-26-07)

State law references: Similar provisions, Code of Virginia, S 46.2-906.1.

Secs. 13-380–13-388. Reserved.

https://www.municode.com/library/va/prince_william_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CH13MOVETR_ARTXIIIRIBI

Capital Crescent Trail

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