There’s encouraging momentum for safer streets in Virginia — but we need to keep it going. Delegate Willett’s HB661, the Omnibus Bicyclist Safety Bill, passed out of subcommittee unanimously and is headed to the full House Transportation Committee this Tuesday, February 3, with a full House vote likely later in the week.
HB661 is a major step forward for bicycle safety in Virginia. It includes three key provisions:
- Safety Yield: Allows bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs in specific low-speed, low-volume conditions.
- Walk Signal Proceed: Allows bicyclists to proceed on a pedestrian walk signal to improve intersection safety.
- Two Abreast Revisions: Clarifies and loosens restrictions on two-abreast riding to allow adults to ride beside children or inexperienced riders on certain roads.
Contact Senators and Supervisors Now!
If passed by the House, the real test begins in the Senate Transportation Committee, where similar bills have failed in the past. We’re asking local riders to help win support for HB661 and stop bills that would limit speed camera enforcement.
- Email your State Senator and urge them to support HB661 when it reaches the Senate.
- We especially need constituents of Senators David Marsden and Stella Pekarsky to let them know you support the bill. These two lawmakers have voted NO on similar bills in the past and are important swing votes on the Senate Transportation Committee.
- Call or email your Fairfax County district supervisor about HB661. State legislators often look to these local leaders when deciding where to stand.
Sign and Share the Petition:
If you still haven’t signed WABA’s petition in support of the Virginia Bicycling Federation’s bicycle safety agenda, then please add your name and help show the General Assembly how many of us care about safer streets.
Speed Camera Enforcement in Jeopardy
We’re also asking everyone to ask their senator to oppose Senator Peake’s SB297 and SB306 bills that seek to gut automated speed camera enforcement, a proven lifesaver for vulnerable road users. Instead, ask your senator to support bills that would expand camera safety zones (like SB221 and SB832).
- Fairfax-area Senator Jennifer Boysko provided a critical swing vote to advance SB297 and SB306 out of committee. She especially needs to hear from local riders that we want speed camera enforcement! It protects people biking and walking and promotes driving responsibly.
Making safer, connected, and more comfortable streets for everyone is possible — but only if we Speak Up!
