[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Geneva 6-19-2002 by L.L. No. 1-2002.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law was adopted
as Ch. 87, but was renumbered to fit into the alphabetical organization
of the Code.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the
use of skateboards, in-line skates/roller blades and roller skates
within the City of Geneva so as to promote the general welfare and
public safety.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Shoes, skates or footwear with a single row of roller wheels.
Shoes, skates or footwear with two or more rows of roller
wheels
A single platform which is mounted on wheels, designed or
used in fact for riding underfoot, having no mechanism or other device
with which to steer or control the direction of movement thereof while
being used.
Within the City of Geneva, skateboards, in-line
skates/roller blades or roller skate use is permitted, so long as
it is not effected in a manner that creates a risk of damage to any
person or property or which impedes or interferes with pedestrians
or vehicle traffic. Users of skateboards, in-line skates/roller blades
or other roller skates when utilizing the roadway must travel with
traffic, as close to the curb or side of the road as possible, and
yield right-of-way to all motor vehicles. When passing parked or standing
vehicles on the roadway, the user shall be required to use extreme
diligence and shall at no time attempt to pass a parked or standing
vehicle when being overtaken by a moving vehicle on the roadway
A.
Every person operating a skateboard, in-line skates/roller
blades or roller skates shall operate the same in strict observance
of Article 34 of the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law relating
to the operation of bicycles and play vehicles, except as to those
provisions which by their nature can have no application.
B.
Whenever a person shall operate a skateboard, in-line
skates/roller blades or roller skates upon a sidewalk, such person
shall yield right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall not pass or overtake
any pedestrian while riding on a skateboard and shall be required
to physically walk past the pedestrian prior to resuming skateboarding.
[Amended 9-14-2005 by Ord. No. 5-2005]
C.
Construction of or erection of any ramps, rails or
similar apparatus for use on any public street or sidewalk is prohibited.
[Added 9-14-2005 by Ord. No. 5-2005]
D.
When utilizing public streets or roadways, the rider
shall not use the skateboard in any reckless or aggressive manner
and shall be prohibited from jumping onto or from curbs, stairs, railings
and benches located on public property.
[Added 9-14-2005 by Ord. No. 5-2005]
A.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter
shall be guilty of a violation and upon conviction thereof shall be
subject to a fine not to exceed $50. However, in lieu of the foregoing
fine and in the discretion of the City Judge, the punishment for a
first violation may be a reprimand; for the second violation a prohibition
of use of the skateboard, in-line skates/roller blades or roller skates
for a period of two weeks; and for a third violation a prohibition
of use of the skateboard, in-line skates/roller blades or roller skates
for a period of one month.
[Amended 9-14-2005 by Ord. No. 5-2005]
B.
In the event that a person violating any provision of this chapter shall be under 16 years of age, it shall be the responsibility of the parent, custodian or person having real guardianship of such person to be certain that the child complies with the provisions of this chapter. If the child does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, then such parent, custodian or legal guardian shall be responsible as if that person had violated this chapter, and the fine set forth in Subsection A of this section shall apply to such parent, custodian, or legal guardian.
C.
Aggravated violation. While sections above generally prohibit the use of regulated devices on City sidewalks, use of such devices on sidewalks in the Business Improvement District shall constitute an aggravated violation. Additionally, use of skateboards for non-transportation purposes on public property not so designated, or on private property where not authorized by the property owner shall constitute an aggravated violation. Aggravated violations shall carry a penalty of 40 hours of community service in addition to the fines and forfeitures outlined in Subsection A above. Should the person violating this provision be under 16 years of age, the parent, custodian, or legal guardian shall either be required to perform said service or shall compel the responsible offender to perform.
[Added 3-6-2013 by Ord. No. 2-2013]
This chapter shall be enforced by the Geneva
Police Department.
