UpdatedSat, Feb 6, 2021 at 9:36 am ET
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Bicycle advocates point to research that concludes when bicyclists are allowed to yield at stop signs, it reduces collisions with automobiles. (Shutterstock)
VIRGINIA The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday passed the Bicycle Safety Act, legislation that would allow bicyclists to yield at stop signs rather than coming to a complete stop.
Sponsored by Del. Chris Hurst, a Democrat from Blacksburg, the bill passed the House in a 75-24 vote and is awaiting action in the Senate. Bicycle advocates point to research that concludes when bicyclists are allowed to yield at stop signs, it reduces collisions with automobiles.
A family rides on bicycles. (Photo: Brett Sayles)
Virginia lawmakers are considering a bill that would require drivers to give cyclists more room in the roadways.
Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) and Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg) are proposing the Bicycle Safety Act. The act has three main components: It allows for cyclists to ride side-by-side in one lane, permits them to treat stop signs as yield signs and mandates drivers change lanes when overtaking. That’s a change from Virginia’s current law, which requires drivers to give three feet of clearance when passing.
Speaking at a committee meeting this week where the bill was approved 11-4, Morrissey said the changes to how drivers overtake cyclists are meant to promote safety and allow for types of riding that already occur.
Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition supports 2021 road safety laws (FILE) (Source: WHSV) By Cayley Urenko | January 22, 2021 at 8:35 AM EST - Updated January 22 at 8:35 AM
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - Some lawmakers hope that legislation in Virginiaâs General Assembly will make the roads safer, especially for bicyclists.
If passed, the Virginia Bicycle Safety Act, SB 1263 and HB 2262, would make small changes to the Code of Virginia, which includes three parts.
It would require drivers to change lanes to pass a bicyclist when the lane is not wide enough to pass three feet to the left.
It would allow two bicyclists to ride side-by-side at any time