There’s real momentum in Richmond.
Delegate Willett’s omnibus bicyclist safety bill, HB661, passed the full Virginia House of Delegates this week unanimously (98–0). That kind of bipartisan support sends a powerful message: improving bicyclist safety should not be controversial.
But the work isn’t finished. HB661 now heads to the Senate Transportation Committee — and that’s where similar efforts have stalled in the past. If we want to see this commonsense safety legislation become law, now is the time to speak up.
Why Your Voice Matters
Legislators hear from lobbyists every day. What truly moves them are real stories from constituents.
If you’ve ever felt unsafe at an intersection, been squeezed by a driver while riding, hesitated to ride with your child because of traffic, or experienced a near-miss that could have been prevented, your story carries weight. Short and simple is perfect. Mention that the bill passed the House unanimously and explain why these safety updates matter to you and your family.
Immediate Priority: Senate Transportation Committee
It is especially important to contact members of the Senate Transportation Committee as soon as possible, including: Bagby (Chair), Marsden, DeSteph, Suetterlein, Boysko, Hackworth, Sturtevant, Aird, Roem, Diggs, Pekarsky, Mulchi, Srinivasan, Cifers, Jones
For Fairfax-area riders, Senators David Marsden and Stella Pekarsky are particularly critical voices.
You can use “Who’s My Legislator” to confirm your senator and read more about the safety benefits of HB661 on the Virginia Bicycling Federation blog.
Also Contact Your County Supervisor
We are also asking riders to contact their Fairfax County District Supervisor and urge support for HB661. State legislators often look to local leaders when weighing changes to traffic laws. We need to ensure our supervisors hear strong, positive messages about why these updates make sense.
Supervisors Andres Jimenez, Rodney Lusk, and Chairman Jeff McKay may be especially important swing voices. Emphasize that these are modest, safety-focused tweaks that align Virginia with national best practices — not radical changes.
What HB661 Does
As a reminder, HB661 is a carefully crafted safety update that improves protections for people bicycling while preserving right-of-way rules and maintaining protections for pedestrians and drivers. It allows bicyclists to use the Safety Yield (“Idaho Stop”), proceed on a walk signal, and ride two abreast.
Every year in Virginia, people are seriously injured or killed while riding bicycles. HB661 is a practical step that can help prevent crashes and save lives.
It’s Not Too Late
The bill has momentum. The House vote proves that lawmakers across the political spectrum understand the need. Now the Senate needs to hear from us.
Take five minutes today. Send an email. Make a call. Share your story.
Safer streets don’t happen by accident — they happen because people speak up.
Let’s make sure the Senate hears us loud and clear.
