Source: https://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/SEC-043
Timestamp: 2020-07-11 09:11:10
Document Index: 720992144

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 46', '§ 46', '§46', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 46', '§ 46']

SEC-043: Riding, Parking, and Storing of Motorized Scooters and Electric Power-Assisted Bicycles at the University
The University is committed to the safety and well-being of bicyclists, pedestrians, people with disabilities, and other users of the public rights-of-way in and around University Grounds, including Medical Center property. Due to this commitment, the University has established requirements for the riding, parking, and storing of motorized scooters and electric power-assisted bicycles on University Grounds and on University property, including the Medical Center.
Motorized scooter and electric power-assisted bicycle operators are prohibited from:
Operating (riding) on any sidewalk on University property, including the Medical Center;
Parking (leaving, abandoning) or storing the vehicle in any University facility, in University housing, or in any Medical Center building; and
Electric Power-Assisted Bicycle/Bike:
A vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is equipped with (i) pedals that allow propulsion by human power and (ii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 1,000 watts that reduces the pedal effort required of the rider and ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour. (As defined in Virginia Code § 46.2-100.)
Every vehicle, regardless of the number of its wheels in contact with the ground, that (i) is designed to allow an operator to sit or stand, (ii) has no manufacturer-issued vehicle identification number, (iii) is powered in whole or in part by an electric motor, (iv) weighs less than 100 pounds, and (iv) has a speed of no more than 20 miles per hour on a paved level surface when powered solely by the electric motor. "Motorized scooter" includes vehicles with or without handlebars but does not include "electric personal assistive mobility devices." (As defined in Virginia Code § 46.2-100.)
Only those vendors providing motorized scooters and electric power-assisted bicycles who have been successfully permitted through the City of Charlottesville (which includes meeting the City’s equipment requirements in order to operate) shall be allowed to apply to operate on University Grounds or on University property, including the Medical Center. Approved vendors must adhere to additional requirements as set forth by the University. For vendors, authority to operate (i.e., deploy their motorized scooters, drop off, and pick up) on University Grounds does not change the cap on the number of devices permitted by the City.
Faculty, staff, students, Medical Center employees, and other visitors to the University operating a personally-owned motorized scooter or electric power-assisted bicycle on University Grounds or on University property, including the Medical Center, must adhere to these provisions as well.
These requirements apply to motorized scooters and electric power-assisted bicycles that are operated within the City of Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
The University’s Department of Parking and Transportation is responsible for the issuance and administration of University motorized scooter and electric power-assisted bicycles program and the regulations governing appropriate application process, use, parking, and storage of motorized scooters. The University Police Department is responsible for enforcing moving violations and/or other life safety issues.
The University requires the responsible operation of motorized scooters and electric power-assisted bicycles at all times while on University property. Requirements include:
Obeying all applicable traffic regulations;
Operating (riding) only in designated operating areas and in accordance with slow and no-go zones as defined by the vendors’ service maps;
Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks;
Riding on streets and, where available, in bike lanes.
Stand-up motorized scooters must stay to the right of street lanes and must offer the right-of-way to bicycles on bike lanes and bike paths.
on any sidewalks, trails or other uneven surfaces;
in any unsafe manner, including in tandem with a passenger, acrobatic riding, or in heavy pedestrian environments that overflow sidewalks (e.g., large events and class changes).
The University prohibits (1) the wearing of headphones or using a mobile device (including talking or texting) while riding; (2) charging the vehicle in any University or Medical Center electrical outlet; and (3) operating in a careless and reckless manner.
A motorized scooter or electric power-assisted bicycle operator shall park the vehicle upright in an available parking space within the existing UBike Share Hub locations or within existing motorcycle/moped parking areas. If a specific location is full, the operator shall proceed to a bike share or motorcycle/moped parking area that has availability. Electric power-assisted bicycles may also park upright in an available bicycle rack space. Parking these vehicles in other parking locations is prohibited.
Parking (leaving, abandoning) or storing the vehicle in any University facility, in University housing, or in any Medical Center building is prohibited.
A motorized scooter and power-assisted bicycle must not be parked, left, or abandoned so as to impede or interfere with:
Access to any building or pedestrian areas;
Access to any sidewalk, crosswalk, stairs, fire hydrant, call box, emergency facility, bus bench, or utility pole or box;
The reasonable use of any commercial window display;
The reasonable use of any bicycle rack or news rack;
The landscape/furniture zone adjacent to or within:
Transit zones, including bus stops, shelters, passenger waiting areas, and bus layover and staging zones;
Accessible parking spaces or zones or any American with Disabilities Act (ADA) amenity;
Street furniture that requires pedestrian access (e.g., benches, bus shelters, transit information signs);
[Note: Parking in prohibited areas is subject to a civil penalty up to $50.00.]
The University reserves the right to designate additional areas where motorized scooter and electric power-assisted bike parking is prohibited.
Failure to comply with the requirements of this policy may result in any applicable moving vehicle violations as well as in disciplinary action up to and including termination or expulsion in accordance with relevant University policies.
The University and the Medical Center reserve the right to impound motorized scooters and electric power-assisted bikes for non-compliance with this policy. Impound fees will apply.
Vendors: Complete the Micromobility Request to Operate Form and provide a copy of the approval to operate by the City of Charlottesville.
Virginia Code §46.2-100 Definitions
Virginia Code § 46.2-800
Virginia Code § 46.2-849 [requires use of signaling]
Virginia Code § 46.2-903 [riding on sidewalks – allows for this unless otherwise prohibited by local ordinance]
Virginia Code § 46.2-904 [use on sidewalks and shared-use paths]
Virginia Code § 46.2-908.1 [establishes speed limit at 20 MPH]
Virginia Code § 46.2-1315 [grants authority to localities to regulate]
Next Scheduled Review: 12/10/2022
Revision History: Revised 12/10/19.