A person bikes beside the James River in Rockett's Landing. (Photo: Alex Scribner/VPM News) The Virginia Senate narrowly approved a set of new bicycle safety laws Wednesday after killing a similar bill earlier in the session. The Bicycle Safety Act, sponsored by Del. Chris Hurst (D-Blacksburg), passed the Senate in a 21-18 vote. The bill would force drivers to move into the other lane when passing a cyclist if they are unable to provide three feet of space. It would also allow two cyclists to ride side-by-side, making them easier to overtake. In a recent committee meeting, Hurst said he wasn’t proposing the bill because he wanted to give some sort of special treatment to cyclists, but because these reforms would make the roads safer for everyone.