As February ended both houses of the Virginia General Assembly passed a slew of important and bipartisan bills that will make bicycling in Fairfax and across the state safer and more enjoyable! Most of these bills were sponsored by Fairfax-based representatives and had support from across Virginia. When implemented, these laws will increase the penalty for injuring or killing vulnerable road users like bicyclists and pedestrians, ban drivers from using handheld devices, force drivers to stop at crosswalks, clarify the rules on e-bikes, increase bicycle-related signage, and continue the improvement of our state-wide trail network!
FABB is proud to have partnered with several local Senators and Delegates, the Virginia Bicycling Federation, Alexandria Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and Alexandria’s Families for Safe Streets to press for the passage of these important bicycle and pedestrian safety bills. Please thank the Delegates and Senators for their support of safety legislation and contact Governor Northam to let him know of your support!
- Senator Scott Surovell’s vulnerable road users bill (SB 437) increases the penalty for drivers who carelessly injure or kill a vulnerable road user and also prohibits using bike lanes to pass other vehicles.
- #HandsFreeVA is finally a reality with the passage of HB 874, supported by many Fairfax Delegates and Senators, which will make the road safer for all users including bicyclists
- Fairfax Delegates Ken Plum and Kaye Kory joined together to require drivers to stop at crosswalks and make it illegal to pass another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk (HB 1705), clarifying the current law to help protect cyclists and pedestrians
- Senator David Marsden’s SB 871 clarifies the rules on e-bikes and helps ensure e-bikes have a place in the future of Virginia’s transportation mix.
- SB 687 is intended to increase bicycle signage to alert drivers and is still working through the House of Delegates.
- Delegate Ken Plum also sponsored a successful bill (HB 886) that continues the State Trails Advisory Committee’s work to improve our state-wide trail network through 2027.
- Automated photo speed enforcement (HB 1442) will also give localities a new tool to help prevent speeding-related crashes in school zones and highway work zones.
Again, many thanks to everyone who advocated for and supported these much needed laws.
