Cycling Laws

Bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles when ridden on the road in Virginia.

• Follow rules that apply to motor vehicles
• Obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings
• Ride on the right, with traffic
• Unless the travel lane is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle, stay as far to the right as safely possible or use the shoulder
• Ride no more than two bicyclists side-by-side
• Ride single-file when moving slower than motor vehicle traffic
• Obey signs that restrict riding on Interstate highways and on limited access roads
• Yield to pedestrians
• Call to pedestrians when approaching from behind and to pass
• Use hand signals for turns and stops
• When turning, use motor vehicle turn lanes
• Keep one hand on the handlebars when carrying articles
• Don’t carry adults on bicycles not built for more than one
• Carry children securely in special seats or trailers
• Don’t wear earphones in both ears
• Use white headlamps visible from 500 feet when bicycling between sunset and sunrise
• Use rear reflectors at night; if using roads with speed limits of 35 mph or more, use a red taillight visible from 600 feet
• Be sure brakes work properly
• Stop when involved in a crash that involves injury or damage
• Report name & other pertinent information to police or others involved in a crash
• Report property accidents to police within 24 hours
• Obey local ordinances for riding on sidewalks, wearing helmets, and having a bicycle license