[Added 2-13-2006]
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, unless clearly
indicated to the contrary:
A self-balancing two-nontandem-wheeled device that is designed
to transport only one person and powered by an electric propulsion
system that limits the device's maximum speed to 15 miles per hour
or less. The term includes, but is not limited to, Segways and similar
devices. An electric personal assistive mobility device shall be a
vehicle when operated on the highway.
A bicycle equipped with an electric motor that reduces the
pedal effort required of the rider but does not eliminate the rider's
need to pedal. An electric power-assisted bicycle shall be a vehicle
when operated on a highway.
Any wheeled device powered by an electric motor or battery,
which is capable of being self-propelled or designed for self-propulsion
and produces speeds up to a maximum of 30 miles per hour. For purposes
of this chapter, an electric-powered wheeled device shall not include
golf carts, low-speed vehicles, wheelchairs or wheelchair conveyances
as defined in this chapter, but shall include wheeled devices such
as "Razors," electric seated scooters, electric-powered mini choppers,
electric-powered go-peds and similar devices. For purposes of this
chapter, an electric-powered wheeled device shall be a vehicle while
operated on a highway and subject to the same laws and restrictions
as electric power-assisted bicycles.
Any wheeled device powered by gas or any similar type fuel,
which is capable of being self-propelled or designed for self-propulsion,
and produces speeds up to a maximum of 30 miles per hour. For purposes
of this chapter, a gas-powered wheeled device shall include devices
such as gas-powered pocket bikes, gas-powered seated scooters, gas-powered
mini choppers, gas-powered go-peds and similar devices. For purposes
of this chapter, a gas-powered wheeled device shall be a vehicle while
operated on a highway and subject to the same laws and restrictions
as mopeds.
The entire width between the boundary lines of every way
or place of whatever nature open to the use of the public for purposes
of vehicular travel in this City, including the streets, alleys and
publicly maintained parking lots in the City.
A conveyance that is either:
A bicycle-like device with pedals and a helper motor which is
rated at no more than two brake horsepower and which produces speeds
up to a maximum of 30 miles per hour; or
A motorcycle with an engine displacement of 50 cubic centimeters
or less and a maximum speed of less than 30 miles per hour.
Every device in, upon or by which any person or property
is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway; except devices moved
by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, a violation of any provision
of this Article VIA shall constitute a traffic infraction and shall
be punishable by a fine of not more than $100.
(a)
Every electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted
bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device, gas-powered wheeled device
and moped, when in use between sunset and sunrise, shall be equipped
with a headlight on the front which shall emit a white light visible
in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front
with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Superintendent
of the State Police which shall be visible from distances of 600 feet
to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps
on a motor vehicle.
(b)
Every electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted
bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device, gas-powered wheeled device
and moped, when in use between sunset and sunrise, shall be equipped
with reflective material of sufficient size and reflectivity to be
visible from both sides for 600 feet, when directly in front of lawful
lower beams of headlamps of a motor vehicle, or in lieu of such reflective
material, with a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance
of at least 500 feet.
(c)
Every moped shall be equipped with a light emitting a red light plainly
visible in clear weather from a distance of at least 500 feet to the
rear when in use between sunset and sunrise and operating on any highway
with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or greater. Any such light
shall be of a type approved by the Superintendent of the State Police.
Every electric personal assistive mobility device, electric
power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device, gas-powered
wheeled device and moped, when operated on a highway, shall be equipped
with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels
skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(a)
Every person operating a gas-powered wheeled device or moped on a
public street or highway of the City shall wear a face shield, safety
glasses or goggles approved by the Superintendent of the State Police,
or shall have his moped equipped with safety glass or a windshield,
at all times while operating such vehicle; and any operator or passengers
thereon, if any, shall wear protective helmets of a type approved
by the Superintendent of the State Police.
(b)
Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be guilty of
a traffic infraction and shall be subject to a fine of not more than
$50.
(b)
Every person driving a gas-powered wheeled device or a moped shall
carry with him some form of identification that includes his name,
address and date of birth.
(c)
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a gas-powered wheeled
device or a moped which does not have affixed thereto a permanent
decal or sticker which states:
(1)
That the operation of the gas-powered wheeled device or the
moped on highways and public vehicular areas by a person under the
age of 16 is prohibited by Virginia law;
(2)
The maximum horsepower of the gas-powered wheeled device or
the moped; and
(3)
The maximum speed at which the gas-powered wheeled device or
the moped may be ridden.
(d)
A violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic
infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $50.
(a)
Any person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device,
electric power-assisted bicycle, gas-powered wheeled device 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 practicable
to the right curb or edge of the roadway, except under any of the
following circumstances:
(1)
When overtaking and passing any vehicle proceeding in the same
direction;
(2)
When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a
private road or driveway; and
(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 curb or edge. For
purposes of this section, a "substandard width lane" is a lane too
narrow for an electric personal assistive mobility device, electric
power-assisted bicycle, gas-powered wheeled device or a moped and
another vehicle to pass safely side by side within the lane.
(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.
(b)
Persons riding electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric
power-assisted bicycles, gas-powered wheeled devices or mopeds upon
a highway shall not ride two or more abreast.
Every person riding an electric personal assistive mobility
device, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled
device, gas-powered wheeled device or moped on any highway shall comply
with all traffic signs, signals and lights and with all directions
by voice, hand or otherwise given by a member of the Police Department
of the City.
(a)
A person operating an electric personal assistive mobility device,
electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device,
gas-powered wheeled device or moped shall not ride other than upon
or astride a permanent and regular seat attachment thereto.
(b)
No electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted
bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device, gas-powered wheeled device
or moped shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the
number for which it is designed and equipped.
No person shall ride an electric personal assistive mobility
device, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled
device, gas-powered wheeled device or moped while carrying any package,
bundle or article that prevents the driver from keeping at least one
hand upon the handlebars.
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a gas-powered wheeled
device or moped on any sidewalk within the City.
No person shall ride an electric personal assistive mobility
device, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled
device, gas-powered wheeled device or a moped recklessly or at a speed
faster than is reasonably proper, or in a manner so as to endanger
the life, limb or property of the rider or of any other person.
Electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted
bicycle, electric-powered wheeled device, gas-powered wheeled device
or moped racing on the highways is prohibited.
No person riding upon any electric personal assistive mobility
device, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered wheeled
device, gas-powered wheeled device or moped shall attach the same
or himself to any moving vehicle upon a roadway.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an electric personal
assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, electric-powered
wheeled device, gas-powered wheeled device or a moped on the highways
in the City while using earphones on or in both ears.
(a)
Every person 14 years or younger shall be required to wear a
protective helmet which meets the standards promulgated by the Consumer
Product Safety Commission Standards whenever riding or being carried
on a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric
power-assisted bicycle or electric-powered wheeled device on any highway,
street, sidewalk or bicycle path.
(b)
A violation of any provision of this section shall be punishable
by fine of $25. However, with respect to any person riding or being
carried on a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device,
electric-powered-assisted bicycle or electric-powered wheeled device,
such fine shall be suspended (i) for first-time violators or (ii)
for any violator who, subsequent to the violation but prior to imposition
of the fine, purchases a helmet of the type required by this section.
(a)
All electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted
bicycles, and electric-powered wheeled devices shall be equipped with
spill-proof, sealed, or gel batteries. No person shall at any time
or at any location drive an electric personal assistive mobility device,
electric-assisted bicycle or electric-powered wheeled device faster
than 25 miles per hour.
(b)
No person less than 14 years old shall drive any electric personal
assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle or electric-powered
wheeled device unless under the immediate supervision of a person
who is at least 18 years old.
(c)
An electric personal assistive mobility device may be operated
on a highway with a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour or less.
