Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) is excited to pursue bicycling safety initiatives in the 2023 Virginia General Assembly session that begins tomorrow. We are optimistic that, with your help, new and improved bicycling safety laws will be enacted this year.

ACT TODAY TO SUPPORT SAFER BIKING: Bicyclists May Proceed on Walk Signal bills are first up. They will be voted on soon, potentially as soon as Wednesday 01/11 in a House subcommittee, and Thursday 01/12 in a Senate committee.  Please act today to support Delegate Rip Sullivan’s HB 1589, Senator Bill DeSteph’s SB 1009 and  Senator Favola’s SB 847. HB 1589 and SB 1009 are identical bills that authorize a bicyclist at a signalized intersection to proceed on the pedestrian Walk signal; [1/17 edit – Senator Favola’s SB 847 first draft previously included an additional measure to allow a bicyclist on a sidewalk or trail to also initiate crossing a street when the Don’t Walk signal is flashing, which is not currently allowed by law for pedestrians and people biking on the sidewalk or trail. The final version does not include this element.]

TAKE ACTION:  If your Senator or Delegate is listed below, send an email asking them to support SB 1009 and SB 847 (Senator) or HB 1589 (Delegate).

  • Look up your Senator or Delegate via this tool.
  • Identify yourself as someone who bikes and lives in their district and share your address. List any organizations you represent.
  • Ask for support for SB 1009 and SB 847 (Senator) or HB 1589 (Delegate) – including the bill numbers makes life easier for them.
  • Explain a benefit of the bill from your perspective, e.g.
    • Proceeding on the walk signal will make it safer to cross the street by reducing the chance of being struck by a driver turning into you where the walk signal provides a few seconds of head start.
    • Reduced conflicts with vehicles.
    • Improves traffic flow by allowing bicyclists to get up to speed and clear intersections more efficiently.
    • Removes legal incentive for bike riders to jump back and forth between sidewalk and travel or bike lane, minimizing conflicts with pedestrians.
  • If your Delegate or Senator is a bill sponsor – Rip Sullivan, Bill DeSteph or Barbara Favola – thank them for championing this issue!

Senate Transportation Committee members: Marsden (Chair), Newman, Favola, Cosgrove, DeSteph, Suetterlein, McClellan, Peake, Boysko, Obenshain, Ebbin, Surovell, McPike, Spruill, Pillion

House Transportation Austin (Chair), LaRock (Vice Chair), Bloxom, Wyatt, Avoli, McGuire, Runion, Wiley, Taylor, Durant, Anderson, Tata, Ward, McQuinn, Carr, Bagby, Murphy,

More information about VBF’s legislative initiatives is provided in the VBF Blog.

Thanks for your help in advocating for safer cycling for all.

Jim
Jim Durham, 703-508-0762
Advocacy Committee Chair, Virginia Bicycling Federation
Alexandria, VA 22304

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