Bicyclist Safety Act Signed Into Law, Effective July 1, 2021

A new Virginia law will allow cyclists to ride two abreast at all times. Photo via Florida Bike Law.

Yesterday, March 31, Governor Northam signed HB2262, the Bicyclist Safety Act, to take effect July 1. The new law requires motorists to change lanes while passing cyclists, and allows cyclists to ride two abreast at all times. Both of these provisions will encourage safer passing, and eliminate excuses for passing too closely.

The “Idaho Stop” or “Delaware Yield” provision, allowing cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, was dropped; but replaced with a directive for the State Police to study the issue, for a future change in the law.

Related Articles:

• Bike-Related Bills in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly (Updated Regularly)
• The Idaho Stop: What Do You Think?
• Legislative Recap 1-30-12
• Legislative Update 1-24-12 Part 1
• Virginia Cyclists Can Now Run Red Lights — After 2 Cycles or 2 Minutes