Bicycle Laws in Virginia that All Riders Must Follow
As a Virginia Bicyclist, you must understand what Virginia bicycle law requires of you and of the people who are driving motor vehicles on the road with you. My hope is that by understanding these rules, you will be safer on the roads and significantly decrease the odds that you will be in an accident.
Bicycle Laws in Virginia: Rules While Riding
The Code of Virginia can be difficult to read, and many of the laws involving bicycles include language for other types of vehicles. I have tried to take out all of the legalese and language that does not apply to bicyclists so that the laws applying to cyclists can be quickly read and understood.
A bicyclist in Virginia has all of the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a motor vehicle and is subject to the provisions of the Code of Virginia sections on motor vehicles, unless the context of the provision clearly indicates otherwise. (§ 46.2-800).
Now that we’ve got this straight, let’s see the other rules:
- Cyclists are expected to use signals to let others know their intentions. Left turn: left arm should be extended horizontal position straight from and level with the shoulder Right turn: left arm should be extended upward or right arm extended upward. Slow down: left arm should be extended downward or right arm extended upward. If you are traveling less than 35 mph, the signal should be given continuously for a distance of 50 feet before slowing down, stopping, turning or partly turning. The signals must be made but do not have to be made continuously if both hands are needed to control the bike.(§ 46.2-849).
- When making a left turn at an intersection with traffic signs or signals, a cyclist may make the turn as a vehicle would, as a pedestrian would or by stopping and walking the bike through the crosswalks.
§ 46.2-847
- If riding with other riders, you should not ride more than two by two. If you ride two by two, you should not impede traffic, and if being passed, you should move to a single file (§ 46.2-905)
- If you are riding your bike on a roadway, you may not attach yourself to any other vehicle on the roadway (§ 46.2-932).
Where You May Ride Your Bike in Virginia
Virginia law allows you to ride your bicycle on sidewalks (§ 46.2-903), but a county, city or town may prohibit bikes from sidewalks or crosswalks. However, they must post signs conspicuously in the general area where bikes are prohibited (§ 46.2-904).
If you ride your bike on a sidewalk, shared-use path, or across a roadway in the crosswalk, you must yield the right of way to any pedestrian, and you must give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian (§ 46.2-904).
If you are riding your bike on a sidewalk, shared-use path, or across a roadway in the crosswalk, you have the same rights and duties as a pedestrian (§ 46.2-904).
On a roadway, you must ride as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, except:
- When you are passing another vehicle going in the same direction
- When you are preparing to make a left turn
- When you must avoid objects, pedestrians, or other hazards
- When you need to avoid being in a right-turn-only lane
- When you are on a one-way street, you may ride as close to the left as possible (§ 46.2-905).
Bicycle Laws in Virginia: Equipment
The following Virginia code sections apply to bicycles and bicycle equipment and regulations regarding their appropriate use.
What to Do
- If you ride between sunset and sunrise, you must have a white light on the front of your bike. The law requires that this white light be visible from 500 feet in clear weather (§ 46.2-1015).
- If you ride between sunset and sunrise, you must have a red reflector on the rear of your bike. The reflector must be visible from 600 feet to a car with low beams on (§ 46.2-1015).
- If you ride between sunset and sunrise, on a highway with a speed limit of 35 mph or greater, you must have a bicycle taillight emitting a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet. (§ 46.2-1015).
- When operating on a highway, your bike must have a brake that will allow you to make your braked wheel skid on dry, level, clean pavement (§ 46.2-1066).
- Virginia law does not require cyclists to wear a helmet. A county, city, or town can pass an ordinance to require children 14 years and younger to wear a helmet ( § 46.2-906.1). (I put helmets in the DO column even though the Virginia Code does not require them. You should absolutely wear a helmet when riding a bike (law or no law).
What NOT TO Do
- When riding your bike on a highway, you are not allowed to have earphones in or on both ears (§ 46.2-1078).
- You may not ride with a package or article that prevents you from having at least one hand on the handlebars. (§ 46.2-906).
- You should not carry a passenger if the bike were not designed for a passenger, with the exception of adult riders who may carry a child 6 years old or less if the child is securely attached in a seat or trailer designed to carry children. (§ 46.2-906).
Understanding and following Virginia’s bicycle laws helps keep riders safe and ensures smoother interactions with drivers and pedestrians. When you know where and how you can ride, what equipment is required, and what actions to avoid, you reduce the risk of accidents and make the roads safer for everyone.
