Traffic Safety Laws and Policy Reforms
2021 Bicyclist Safety Act
(HB 2262) Requires the driver of a motor vehicle to change lanes when overtaking a bicycle or certain other vehicles when the lane of travel is not wide enough for the overtaking motor vehicle to pass at least three feet to the left of the overtaken vehicle. The bill also removes the limitations on riding bicycles and certain other vehicles two abreast.
2021 15-mph Bill
(HB 1903) Authorizes local governing bodies to reduce the speed limit to less than 25 miles per hour, but not less than 15 miles per hour, in a business district or residence district.
2020 Stop for Pedestrians
The driver of any vehicle on a highway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian crossing such highway by stopping and remaining stopped until such pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped.
2020 Vulnerable Road Users
Provides that a person who operates a motor vehicle in a careless or distracted manner and is the proximate cause of serious physical injury to a vulnerable road user, defined in the bill as a pedestrian or a person operating a bicycle, electric wheel chair, electric bicycle, wheelchair, skateboard, skates, motorized skateboard or scooter, or animal-drawn vehicle or riding an animal, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill also prohibits the driver of a motor vehicle from crossing into a bicycle lane to pass or attempt to pass another vehicle, except in certain circumstances.
2020 Hand-Held Devices Banned While Driving
It is illegal to hold a handheld personal communications device (e.g., a smart phone) while driving a moving motor vehicle on the highways in Virginia.
2020 Photo Speed Monitoring Authorized
(HB 1442) Authorizes state and local law-enforcement agencies to operate photo speed monitoring devices, defined in the bill, in or around school crossing zones and highway work zones for the purpose of recording images of vehicles that are traveling at speeds of at least 10 miles per hour above the posted school crossing zone or highway work zone speed limit.
2017 VBF supports VDOT and local governments removing funding barriers to bike lanes
VBF supports VDOT and local governments removing funding barriers to bike lanes.
2016 Dooring Prohibited
(SB 117) Requires drivers to wait for a reasonable opportunity to open vehicle doors on the side adjacent to moving traffic. A violation constitutes a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of not more than $50.
2015 Crossing Centerlines to Pass Bicyclists
The state code was amended to allow drivers to cross a double-yellow line in order to pass a pedestrian or human-powered vehicle (such as a bicycle or skateboard) if it is safe to do so.
2014 3-Foot Minimum Passing Distance
Requires any driver of any vehicle overtaking a bicycle,electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, moped, animal, or animal-drawn vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a reasonable speed at least three feet to the left of the overtaken bicycle.
2014 Winter Mask Legalization
(HB1810) Allows cyclists to wear masks for cold commutes otherwise they could be charged with a Class 6 felony under Virginia law.
2013 Texting While Driving Banned
Prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from follow another vehicle, more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of both vehicles, the traffic on road and conditions. (§ 46.2-1078.1.)
2013 Lobbied and received approval for Virginia State Parks provide a campsite to touring cyclists even if sites are full
VBF lobbied and received approval for Virginia State Parks provide a campsite to touring cyclists even if sites are full
2009 Rails-with-Trails Liability
Landowners, including railroads, immune from liability when they allow passage across their property for recreational usage. (RD404) and the extension of the Virginia Recreational Use Statute to support protection to railroads (rails-with-trails, crossings, etc.)
2006 Dangerous Dog Registry Established
VBF championed the Dangerous Dog Registry (§ 3.2-6542.)
2003-2005 Extensive Bicycling Law Reforms
VBF instigated a series of bills that updated more than a dozen Virginia bicycling laws, conforming them to the model statutes in the Uniform Vehicle Code. (SB 1112, 2003; HB 1553, 2003; SB 252, 2004;HB 552, 2004; HB 1883, 2005)
2000 Proposed Bicycle Mirror Mandate Defeated
VBF successfully opposed a bill to require mirrors on all bicycles (SB 269, 2000) and fought mandatory helmet laws for all youth bicyclists (SB 633, 2012).