Norfolk City Code § 25-376 Violations of chapter.
Sec. 25-376. - Violations of chapter.
Unless otherwise specifically provided, a violation of any provision of this article shall constitute a Class 4 misdemeanor.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
BICYCLES, TOY VEHICLES AND MOTORIZED SKATEBOARD OR SCOOTER
Norfolk City Code ch. 25, art. X
in effectNorfolk City Code § 25-377 Reserved.
Norfolk City Code § 25-378 Impoundment and sale of abandoned bicycles.
Sec. 25-378. - Impoundment and sale of abandoned bicycles.
(a) Any bicycle found unattended shall be deemed abandoned, if a reasonable attempt to locate the owner or user in the immediate vicinity of the bicycle fails to produce such owner or user. Any bicycle so abandoned shall be taken into custody and impounded by the chief of police or any officer of the department of police.
(b) No abandoned bicycle shall be released or removed from impoundment except upon a satisfactory showing of ownership.
(c) If an abandoned bicycle is not reclaimed, as provided in subsection (b) above within thirty (30) days from the date of impounding, the chief of police or his agent shall cause the bicycle to be sold at public auction or donated to a charitable organization. All funds realized from an auction, minus expenses of the auction, shall be paid to the treasurer of the city. A charitable organization means any charitable institution or association located within the city limits as approved by the director of public safety or designee. A charitable organization receiving donated bicycles shall certify, in writing, that the bicycles will be donated by the organization to needy individuals.
(d) Any bicycle found and delivered to the police department by a private person which thereafter remains unclaimed for thirty (30) days after the final date of publication as required herein may be given to the finder; however, the location and description of the bicycle shall be published at least once a week for two (2) successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the city.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07; Ord. No. 43,155, § 1, 7-1-08; Ord. No. 44,811, § 2, 8-28-12; Ord. No. 47,085, § 1, 12-12-17)
Norfolk City Code § 25-379 Definitions.
Sec. 25-379. - Definitions.
As used in this article, unless stated otherwise, each of the following terms shall have the meaning given it below:
(a) Dockless mobility device system operator or "operator": A private entity that operates a shareable dockless mobility device system.
(b) Shareable dockless mobility device: A bicycle, a motorized skateboard, a motorized scooter or any other human-powered device which does not require a driver's license, is designed to allow an operator to sit or stand, has no manufacturer-issued vehicle identification number and permits an individual to move or be moved freely.
(c) Fleet: Total number of dockless mobility devices.
(d) Shareable dockless mobility device permit or "permit": A permit required to operate a shareable mobility device system in the city.
(e) Shareable dockless mobility device system: A system operated by private entities which provides the general public with motorized skateboards or motorized scooters, as defined in section 46.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, and which can be rented on a short-term basis with no docking station.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-380 Operator's obligations.
Sec. 25-380. - Operator's obligations.
(a) Operator shall have received approval of the city, by permit, to deploy its fleet of shareable dockless mobility devices in the city. Only one franchise/permit shall be in effect at any one time. Unless extended, the authority granted through a franchise or permit shall expire one year from the date of the issuance of the permit.
(b) Operator shall maintain liability insurance with the City of Norfolk as additional insured with a minimum of four million dollars ($4,000,000.00) in aggregate general liability.
(c) Operator shall have a staffed operation office in the city.
(d) Operator shall have a twenty-four-hour customer service phone number for the report of safety concerns or complaints.
(e) An operator identifier shall be permanently affixed to each device in a visible location.
(f) Contact information for requests for device relocation must be permanently affixed to each device.
(g) All devices shall be immediately removed and stored by operator upon an order of evacuation or the declaration of a state of emergency.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-381 Safety of shareable dockless mobility devices.
Sec. 25-381. - Safety of shareable dockless mobility devices.
All shareable dockless mobility devices must have the following minimum safety standards:
(a) On board GPS.
(b) Breaking system.
(c) Light system: A front white light and a rear red reflector.
(d) Visible language to notify the user that user must yield to pedestrians at all time; that user shall not ride while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; that wearing a helmet is encouraged; that no one under the age of eighteen (18) is allowed to use the device.
(e) Operator must provide users with a method to notify the operator of any safety or maintenance issue encountered while using the device.
(f) Operator must educate users about the applicable state and city laws for riding and using the devices.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-382 Operating shareable dockless mobility devices.
Sec. 25-382. - Operating shareable dockless mobility devices.
(a) The speed limit for all shareable dockless mobility devices is no more than twenty miles per hour (20 mph).
(b) Shareable dockless mobility devices shall be operated in compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia pertaining to motorized skateboards and motorized scooters.
(c) The operation of shareable dockless mobility devices will be restricted to the areas in the city where bicycles and skateboards are allowed, unless otherwise statutorily restricted in the Code of Virginia.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-383 Parking of shareable dockless mobility devices.
Sec. 25-383. - Parking of shareable dockless mobility devices.
(a) Shareable dockless mobility devices shall be parked upright at all times.
(b) Shareable dockless mobility devices must be parked in such a manner as to not impede the right-of-way or obstruct an ADA ramp or a sidewalk.
(c) Any shareable dockless mobility device found to be in violation of this section is subject to removal by the city and operator shall pay thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each scooter removed and five dollars ($5.00) per day of storage, including the day of removal and the day of release from storage. The city shall provide notice of removal within forty-eight (48) hours of removal.
(d) No more than ten (10) shareable dockless mobility devices may be parked per block.
(e) If the city creates parking areas for the devices, operator shall comply with the parking restrictions within five (5) days of written notification by the city.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-384 Revocation.
Sec. 25-384. - Revocation.
Any franchise/permit granted shall be subject to these regulations and any future amendments and may be revoked for failure to comply with this ordinance.
(Ord. No. 47,681, § 1, 6-11-19)
Norfolk City Code § 25-385 Reserved.
Norfolk City Code § 25-386 Applicability of traffic regulations to riders.
Sec. 25-386. - Applicability of traffic regulations to riders.
Every person riding a bicycle or motorized skateboard or scooter upon a street or roadway within the corporate limits of the city shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties and responsibilities applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle under the laws of the state and the traffic ordinances of the city, except as to those provisions which, by their very nature, can have no application.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-387 Lights and reflectors.
Sec. 25-387. - Lights and reflectors.
Every bicycle when in use between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a white light on the front emitting a white light which shall be visible in clear weather from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the front and with a red reflector visible from a distance of at least six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlights on a motor vehicle. Such lights and reflector shall be of types approved by the superintendent.
In addition to the foregoing provisions of this section, a bicycle or its rider may be equipped with lights or reflectors. These lights may be steady burning or blinking. Every bicycle, or its rider, shall be equipped with a taillight on the rear emitting a red light plainly visible in clear weather from a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet to the rear when in use between sunset and sunrise and operating on any highway with a speed limit of thirty-five (35) mph or greater. Any such taillight shall be of a type approved by the superintendent.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-388 Helmet required for bicycle and toy vehicle riders fourteen years of age or younger.
Sec. 25-388. - Helmet required for bicycle and toy vehicle riders fourteen years of age or younger.
(a) Every person fourteen (14) years of age or younger shall be required to wear a protective helmet which meets the standards promulgated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, street, sidewalk or bicycle path.
(b) The parents or guardians of any person who violates this section shall be jointly and severally liable. Violation of this section is punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), provided that such fine shall be suspended for any person's first violation, if the person provides proof of ownership of, or having acquired, subsequent to the violation but prior to the deadline for payment of the civil penalty, a helmet of the type required by this section.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-389 Toy vehicles to be operated during daylight.
Sec. 25-389. - Toy vehicles to be operated during daylight.
Toy vehicles shall not be operated on any highways or city streets or property between sunset and sunrise.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-390 Brake.
Sec. 25-390. - Brake.
Every bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter, when operated on any street, shall be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the braked wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-391 Muffler required for motorized skateboard or scooters.
Sec. 25-391. - Muffler required for motorized skateboard or scooters.
No motorized skateboard or scooter or toy vehicle shall be operated in the city unless such vehicle is equipped with a two-stage muffler in good working order and in constant operation, effective to prevent excessive or unusual noise.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-392 Bell or other signal device.
Sec. 25-392. - Bell or other signal device.
Every bicycle operated on the streets shall be equipped with a bicycle bell or other signal device capable of giving a signal audible for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet; provided, however, that no person shall use upon a bicycle any siren or exhaust whistle.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-393 Carrying other persons.
Sec. 25-393. - Carrying other persons.
No person riding a one-seated bicycle, toy vehicle or a motorized skateboard or scooter shall carry any additional person on the same.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-394 Hand on handlebars; carrying packages.
Sec. 25-394. - Hand on handlebars; carrying packages.
(a) No person shall ride a bicycle, toy vehicle or a motorized skateboard or scooter on any street without having at least one of his hands upon the handlebars.
(b) No person operating a bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter upon a street shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents him from keeping at least one hand upon the handlebars.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-395 How turn signals given.
Sec. 25-395. - How turn signals given.
(a) Signals shall be given by means of the hand and arm or by some mechanical or electrical device approved by the superintendent, in the manner specified in this section. Whenever the signal is given by means of the hand and arm, the driver shall indicate his intention to start, stop, turn, or partly turn by extending the hand and arm beyond the left side of the vehicle in the manner following:
(1) For left turn or to pull to the left, the arm shall be extended in a horizontal position straight from and level with the shoulder;
(2) For right turn or to pull to the right, the arm shall be extended upward;
(3) For slowing down or stopping, the arm shall be extended downward.
(b) Wherever the lawful speed is more than thirty-five (35) miles per hour, such signals shall be given for a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet, and in all other cases at least fifty (50) feet, before slowing down, stopping, turning, or partly turning. Such signals, however, need not be given continuously if both hands are needed in the control or operation of the bicycle.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, a person operating a bicycle may signal a right turn or pull to the right by extending the right hand and arm in a horizontal position straight from and level with the shoulder beyond the right side of the bicycle and may signal slowing down or stopping by extending the right arm downward.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-396 Riding on roadways.
Sec. 25-396. - Riding on roadways.
Every person operating a bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place under conditions then existing shall ride as near to the right side of the street as safely practicable, 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 a 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 curb or edge; a "substandard width lane" is a lane too narrow for a bicycle or motorized skateboard or scooter 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.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-397 Riding two abreast.
Sec. 25-397. - Riding two abreast.
Persons riding bicycles, toy vehicles or motorized skateboards or scooters upon a street or roadway shall not ride more than two (2) abreast. Persons riding two (2) 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.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-398 Riding on sidewalks.
Sec. 25-398. - Riding on sidewalks.
(a) No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk, whether paved or unpaved, in the Downtown Service District as described in section 24-212, or in any pedestrian/commercial overlay district, except in the areas designated as The Elizabeth River Trail.
(b) No person shall ride a toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter upon any sidewalk, with the exception of a motorized scooter required for mobility assistance.
(c) Whenever any person shall ride a bicycle or a motorized scooter on the sidewalk, whether paved or unpaved, such person shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing any pedestrian. Persons riding bicycles or motorized scooters on sidewalks shall ride in single file.
(d) No person fifteen (15) years old or older shall ride a bicycle on the sidewalk if a bicycle lane or multi-use path is available, with the exception of an adult riding a bicycle along with a child fourteen (14) years old or younger.
(e) This prohibition shall not apply to public safety officers, city employees or their representatives operating bicycles while engaged in their official assigned duties.
(f) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a civil penalty of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07; Ord. No. 44,811, § 3, 8-28-12)
Norfolk City Code § 25-399 Riding out of lanes, alleys and driveways.
Sec. 25-399. - Riding out of lanes, alleys and driveways.
Every person riding a bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter out of a lane, alley or private driveway across a sidewalk or sidewalk area shall first bring such bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter to a stop before crossing the sidewalk or sidewalk area.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-400 Reckless riding.
Sec. 25-400. - Reckless riding.
No person shall ride a bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb or property of the rider or of any other person.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-401 Clinging to moving vehicle.
Sec. 25-401. - Clinging to moving vehicle.
No person riding a bicycle, toy vehicle or motorized skateboard or scooter shall take or catch hold of any moving automobile, bus or other vehicle of any kind upon any street, for the purpose of being drawn or propelled by the same.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Norfolk City Code § 25-402 Restrictions on operating push motor scooters on streets and highways.
Sec. 25-402. - Restrictions on operating push motor scooters on streets and highways.
Motorized skateboard or scooters and toy vehicles shall not be operated on any street or highway with a speed limit in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour; however, the operator may cross a street or highway with a speed limit in excess of twenty-five (25) miles per hour if the crossing begins and ends on a street with a speed limit of twenty-five (25) miles per hour.
(Ord. No. 42,900, § 3, 11-6-07)
Source: City of Norfolk, Virginia, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/va/norfolk/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COCI_CH25MOVECO_ARTXBITOVEMOSKSCFetched: 11/1/2026