Know the Law
Bicycles are vehicles when ridden on the highway
- Follow rules that apply to motor vehicles
- Obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings
- Ride on the right, with traffic
- Stay as far to the right as safely possible or use the shoulder
- Ride no more than two side by side
- Ride single file when moving slower than 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 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 for 600 feet
- Be sure brakes work properly
- Stop when involved in an accident with injury or damage
- Report name, etc. to police or others involved in an accident
- Report property accidents to police within 24 hours
- Obey local ordinances for riding on sidewalks, wearing helmets, and having a bicycle license
Pedestrians have rights and responsibilities
- Use sidewalks if available
- If walking on highways, walk facing traffic and travel on extreme edge
- Obey Walk/Don’t Walk control signals or countdown timers
- Use caution when crossing highway
- Make sure bicyclists and motorists can see you
- If partially or totally blind, use a white or metallic cane or a guide dog
Motorists respect bicyclists’ and pedestrians’ rights
- Approach and pass bicyclists at a reasonable speed
- Allow at least two feet between you and bicyclists when passing
- Yield for pedestrians in crosswalks
- When turning, yield to pedestrians and bicyclists
- Permit pedestrians to cross roads safely
- Come to a full stop to avoid injuring a blind pedestrian with a cane or guide dog (Class 3 misdemeanor)
From the Code of Virginia § 46.2 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+TOC4602000
Violation of traffic law is a civil penalty or traffic infraction punishable by a fine or points against your driver’s license.