Bicycling in Virginia

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Laws for Bicycling and Safety Tips

The laws regulating bicycling on Virginia's public highways define the rights and duties of bicyclists, as well as the motorists with whom they share the roadway. Bicyclists and motorists basically have the same rights and duties, and the laws governing traffic regulation apply equally to both.

The following summary is intended to help road users understand the laws that apply to the operation of bicycles in Virginia. 

• Rights and Duties
• Definitions
• Traffic Controls
• Where to Ride
• Changing Directions
• Passing
• Opening and Closing Motor Vehicles Door
• Safety Considerations
• Helmet Use
• Equipment
• Registration
• Accidents
• Mopeds, Electric Power-assisted Bicycles and Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices

This summary condenses or paraphrases the actual language of the Virginia vehicle laws. In a court, which is guided by the full and exact language of the laws, the summary is not a proper authority to cite. Included with the summary are Code of Virginia references with links to the appropriate sections.

• Important note on infractions
• Safe Bicycling Tips

Rights and Duties

Every person riding a bicycle on a highway shall be subject to the provisions of the Code of Virginia section on motor vehicles and shall have the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle unless a provision clearly indicates otherwise.

Bicyclists and other users on sidewalks, shared use paths, and crosswalks have all the rights and duties of a pedestrian under the same circumstance.

Bicyclists and other users of shared use paths crossing highways at clearly marked crosswalks must come to a complete stop at stop signs prior to entering such crosswalk.

On shared use paths crossing highways in marked crosswalks without stop signs or other traffic control signals, bicyclists and pedestrians are not required to come to a full stop, but must not enter the road in disregard of approaching traffic.

Reference: §§ 46.2-800, 46.2-904, 46.2-924

Definitions

• Electric power-assisted bicycle: 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, (ii) a seat for the use of the rider, and (iii) an electric motor with an input of no more than 750 watts. Electric power-assisted bicycles shall be classified as follows:
• Class 1 means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour;
• Class 2 means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; and
• Class 3 means an electric power-assisted bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
• Bicycle: a device propelled solely by human power, upon which a person may ride either on or astride a regular seat attached thereto, having two or more wheels in tandem, including children's bicycles, except a toy vehicle intended for use by young children. A bicycle is a vehicle when operated on the highway.
• Electric personal assistive mobility device: a self-balancing two nontandem-wheeled device that is designed to transport only one person and is powered by an electric propulsion system that limits the device's maximum speed to fifteen miles per hour or less.
• Moped: a vehicle that travels on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground that has (i) a seat that is no less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground and (ii) gasoline, electric, or hybrid motor that displaces less than 50 cubic centimeters.
• Motorcycle: a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and is capable of traveling at speeds in excess of 35 miles per hour. The term "motorcycle" does not include any "electric personal assistive mobility device," "electric power-assisted bicycle," "farm tractor," "golf cart," "moped," "motorized skateboard or scooter," "utility vehicle" or "wheelchair or wheelchair conveyance" as defined in this section.
• Motor-driven cycle: a motorcycle that has a gasoline engine that (i) displaces less than 150 cubic centimeters; (ii) has a seat less than 24 inches in height, measured from the middle of the seat perpendicular to the ground; and (iii) has no manufacturer-issued vehicle identification number.
• Motorized skateboard or scooter: a vehicle, regardless of the number of its wheels in contact with the ground, that (i) has no seat, but is designed to be stood upon by the operator, (ii) has no manufacturer-issued vehicle identification number, and (iii) is powered by an electric motor having an input of no more than 1,000 watts or a gasoline engine that displaces less than 36 cubic centimeters. The term "motorized skateboard or scooter" includes vehicles with or without handlebars, but does not include "electric personal assistive mobility devices."
• Vehicle: a device used for the transportation of people or property on a highway.
• Bike lane: a portion of a roadway designated by signs and/or pavement markings for the preferential use of bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds.
• Shared use path: a bikeway that is physically separated from motorized vehicular traffic by an open space or barrier and is located either within the highway right-of-way or within a separate right-of way. Shared use paths may also be used by pedestrians, skaters, users of wheel chair conveyances, joggers, and other nonmotorized users.
• Sidewalk: the portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a roadway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians.
• Highway: the entire width between the boundary lines of every place open to public use for purposes of vehicular travel.
• Roadway: the portion of the highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, exclusive of the shoulder.
• Crosswalk: any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
• Traffic lane: the portion of a roadway designed or designated to accommodate the forward movement of a single line of vehicles.
• Traffic control device: a sign, signal, marking, or other device used to regulate, warn, or guide traffic placed on, over, or adjacent to a street, highway, private road open to public travel, or shared use path.
• Shoulder: the part of a highway between the portion regularly traveled by vehicular traffic and the lateral curbline or ditch.

Reference: § 46.2-100

Traffic Controls

Bicyclists must obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings.

Under certain circumstances bicyclists, motorcycles, and mopeds may proceed through a solid red light at an intersection. A driver or rider may proceed through the intersection on a steady red light only if the driver or rider complies with all five provisions listed below:

1. Comes to a full and complete stop at the intersection for two complete cycles of the traffic light or for two minutes, whichever is shorter.
2. Exercises due care as provided by law.
3. Otherwise treats the traffic control device as a stop sign.
4. Determines that it is safe to proceed.
5. Yields the right of way to the driver of any vehicle approaching on such other highway from either direction.

Reference: §§ 46.2-830, 46.2-833

Where to Ride

• Electric power-assisted bicycles may be ridden on shared use paths or sidewalks unless prohibited by the locality or facility owner. Class 1, 2, and 3 electric power-assisted bicycles are allowed on all VDOT owned shared use paths.
• Bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic on the right side of the highway.
• Bicyclists operating a bicycle on 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 curb or edge of roadway. 
• Exceptions to this are when bicyclists are overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction, preparing for a left turn, avoiding unsafe conditions, avoiding riding in a lane that turns or diverges to the right, riding on a one way street where bicyclists may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of roadway, or when the lane width is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle.
• Additionally, bicycles are not excluded from riding on the highway shoulder.
• Bicyclists must not ride between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction unless one lane is a separate or mandatory turn lane.
• Bicyclists are not permitted to ride on interstate and certain controlled access highways, unless the operation is limited to bicycle or pedestrian facilities that are barrier-separated from the roadway and automobile traffic. The restricted sections of the highways are marked with conspicuous signs.
• Bicycles may be ridden on sidewalks unless prohibited by local ordinance or traffic control devices. While on sidewalks and shared use paths, bicyclists must always yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing a pedestrian.
• Bicyclists pulling onto a sidewalk or highway from a driveway must yield the right of way to pedestrians or vehicles already on the sidewalk or highway.

Reference: §§ 46.2-802, 46.2-808, 46.2-826, 46.2-903, 46.2-904, 46.2-905, 46.2-907, 46.2-904.1

Changing Directions

Bicyclists must signal their intentions to stop or turn. The proper signals are made with the left arm as follows:

A right turn may be signaled with the right arm. The signals do not have to be given continuously if both hands are needed to control the bicycle.

Bicyclists may make left turns as either motorists or pedestrians do. To make a pedestrian left turn, the bicyclist should continue straight across the intersecting road, obey the traffic signals, turn left at the corner, and proceed as usual.

Bicyclists have the option of either riding or dismounting and walking in the crosswalks of the two intersecting roads. If traffic control devices specify the method of crossings, these directions must be followed.

Refer to the examples shown here: 

Reference: §§ 46.2-846, 46.2-847, 46.2-848, 46.2-849

Passing

Bicyclists may overtake and pass another vehicle only when safe to do so. Bicyclists may pass another vehicle on the right or left, and they may stay in the same lane, change lanes, or ride off the road if necessary for safe passing.

Note that passing motor vehicles on the right side may be extremely dangerous if the motorist does not see the bicyclist and attempts a right turn.

A person riding a bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, motorized skateboard or scooter, or moped shall not travel between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, except where one lane is a separate turn lane or a mandatory turn lane.

Motorists must approach and pass a bicyclist at a reasonable speed at least three feet to the left of the bicyclist. If the lane is not wide enough to allow three feet of space motorists must change lanes to pass. 

Motorists may not cross a solid line into a bicycle lane to pass other vehicles. 

Reference: §§ 46.2-839, 46.2-907, 46.2-841 

Opening and Closing Motor Vehicle Doors

Effective July 1, 2016, no motor vehicle operator shall open the door of a parked motor vehicle on the side adjacent to moving vehicular traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so.

Reference: § 46.2-818.1  

Safety Considerations

• Bicyclists must not carry articles which prevent them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars.
• Bicyclists must not carry more people than the bicycle is designed to accommodate, except for adult bicyclists carrying a child, under six years of age, securely attached to the bicycle in a seat or trailer designed to carry children.
• Bicyclists must not attach themselves or their bicycles to any other vehicle on the roadway.
• Bicyclists are not permitted to wear earphones in both ears while riding a bicycle.

Reference: §§ 46.2-906, 46.2-932, 46.2-1078

Helmet use

Bicyclists riding class 3 electric power-assisted bicycles must wear a helmet.

Several jurisdictions in Virginia require that every person fourteen years of age or younger shall wear a protective helmet whenever riding or being carried on a bicycle on any highway, sidewalk, or public bicycle path.

The jurisdictions reporting such ordinances to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) are:

Counties

• Albemarle
• Amherst
• Arlington
• Clarke
• Fairfax
• Floyd
• Orange
• James City
• Prince William
• York

Independent Cities

• Alexandria
• Buena Vista
• Charlottesville
• Fairfax
• Falls Church
• Hampton
• Harrisonburg
• Manassas
• Manassas Park
• Newport News
• Norfolk
• Petersburg
• Radford
• Roanoke
• Salem
• Virginia Beach
• Waynesboro
• Williamsburg

Incorporated Towns

• Berryville
• Blacksburg
• Christiansburg
• Colonial Beach
• Culpeper*
• Farmville
• Front Royal
• Gordonsville
• Kilmarnock**
• Leesburg
• Luray
• Purcellville***
• Quantico
• Vienna

* Applies to town parks
** Applies to people younger than 16
*** Town code recommends all ages use a helmet

Reference: §§ 46.2-906.1

Equipment

Every bicycle ridden between sunset and sunrise must have at least one white headlamp with the light being visible at least 500 feet to the front. The bicycle must have a red reflector on the rear visible at least 600 feet to the rear. On roads posted with speed limit of 35 mph or greater, the bicyclist must additionally be equipped with at least one red taillight visible from 500 feet to the rear. Taillights may be steady or blinking, are allowed under all conditions, and may be attached to the cycle or rider.

Bicycles ridden on highways must have brakes which will skid the wheels on dry, level, clean pavement.

Reference: §§ 46.2-1015, 46.2-1066

Registration

Bicyclists may register the serial numbers of their bicycles with local police or sheriff's department. Localities have the authority to license bicycles.

Reference: §§ 46.2-908, 15.2-1720

Accidents

Bicyclists must stop when they are in an accident involving death, injury, or property damage. The bicyclist's name and address must be given to the police and to any person involved in the accident or the owner of the property. The bicyclist's name and address must be given to the owner. If the owner can not be located, the bicyclist must leave a note in a conspicuous place at the accident site and report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

If unattended property is damaged, the bicyclist must make a reasonable effort to find the owner.

Reference: §§ 46.2-894, 46.2-895, 46.2-896

Mopeds, Electric Power-assisted Bicycles and Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Devices

Generally the laws for the operation of mopeds, electric power-assisted bicycles, and electric assistive mobility devices are similar to the operation of bicycles.

Moped operators must be at least 16 years old and must carry some form of identification that includes name, address, and date of birth.

A moped is considered a vehicle while operated on a highway. Mopeds can not be ridden on sidewalks or bike paths.

Some localities in Northern Virginia may impose restrictions on the operation of mopeds. Localities can require additional safety equipment for moped operation.

You must be 14 years or older to operate a Class 3 electric bicycle. All operators and passengers of Class 3 electric bicycles must wear a helmet.

Reference: §§ 46.2-100, 46.2-903, 46.2-908.1, 46.2-914, 46.2-915.2, 46.2-1051

Infractions

Violation of state traffic laws is considered a traffic infraction and is punishable by a fine of not more than $100 unless other specific penalty provisions apply.

Safe Bicycling Tips

• Be a responsible bicyclist - obey all traffic control devices and use proper hand signals.
• Always ride with the flow of traffic.
• Dress safely - wear a helmet, wear bright colored clothing, and secure loose pant legs.
• Ride defensively - anticipate the actions of other road users and watch for road hazards.
• Pass vehicles with extreme care - turning vehicles may not see you.
• Be aware of motor vehicle blind spots whether while riding or when stopped at an intersection.
• Maximize your visibility at night - wear reflective clothing and apply reflective tape to your bicycle.
• Walk your bicycle when you get into traffic situations beyond your cycling abilities.
• Exercise great caution when riding in bus traffic - watch out for buses pulling to and from curbs and passengers getting on and off buses.
• Park your bicycle so you do not block sidewalks, handicap and building accesses or emergency drives.
• Lock your bicycle - secure both wheels and the frame to a stationary object using a sturdy lock.
• Register or license your bicycle if required or provided by your community.

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