Friends, the General Assembly is starting to heat up. We expected several of the bills we are championing to be heard last week, but many were delayed to this week. That means they are going to come hot and fast in subcommittees and committees.

Act quickly! – If you do nothing else, please click through the following two links, one for each chamber, to support the Safety Stop and Bikes May Proceed on Walk Signals, our signature bills.

Then share the shortlinks on your social media, with your friends and family, and your riding partners. We need your help to get this to work!

You’ll notice below that there are two version of the Safety Stop. At this stage, we are supporting both of them to give us more options after crossover.

Reminder: here is our bill watcher: bit.ly/vbfbillwatcher2023

House Bills:

  • Delegate Rip Sullivan’s HB 1589, “Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices.”
    • This bill would authorize bicyclists to proceed on the pedestrian Walk Signal.
    • This is a bi-partisan initiative with a corresponding bill in the Senate, Senator Favola’s SB 847 with Senator Bill DeSteph (R) as Chief co-patron
    • This initiative would provide bicyclists with the safety benefits that accrue from “Leading Pedestrian Intervals” (LPI) – the 4 to 7 seconds of head-start that makes it safer for people crossing the street to avoid being struck by a turning vehicle.
    • VDOT and many jurisdictions are increasingly providing LPI walk signals as part of their safe streets initiatives. Allowing bicyclists to start crossing the street just a few seconds before the car next to them at a light will save lives. I’ll greatly appreciate your support for SB 847.
    • Quote from Alexandria Chief of Police Don Hayes, “I have no problem with supporting this  proposal. It would seem to make the crossing safer for all involved.“.
  • Delegate Betsy Carr’s HB 1773, “Exception to stopping requirement; bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device.”
    • This bill would authorize bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs. This is a proven safety measure, recommended by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) [1] and adopted in nine other states (plus Washington DC) to date.
    • Delegate Carr’s bill is modeled after similar legislation in Delaware, where a 5-year study of the Safety Stop in Delaware was shown to contribute to a 23% reduction in bike crashes at stop-sign controlled intersections.
    • In 2021, the Virginia House of Delegates voted 75 to 24 to approve an earlier version of this initiative as part of a Bicyclist Safety Act – HB2262. With your leadership and support, I am confident that this updated version will pass the House and Senate!
    • In 2021, the Senate directed  the Virginia State Police to lead a study with stakeholders. Delegate Carr’s HB 1773 now includes provisions to address stakeholder concerns. For example
      • Virginia State Police started with Delaware’s law as a model, which sets limits on which intersections are allowed based on the number of lanes. The legislated study concluded generally favorably when this criteria of Delaware legislation was included. As a result, HB 1773 limits the Safety Stop to intersections where no approaching roadway has more than three travel lanes.
      • AAA asked that this initiative include a minimum age to account for cognitive development of young people.  Delegate Carr’s HB 1773 would not apply to bicyclists under 15 years old.
    • [1] NHTSA’s Bicyclist “Stop-As-Yield” Laws and Safety Fact Sheet, March 2022

Senate Bills:

  • Senator R. Creigh Deeds, SB 1293 Bicycles; exemptions to certain traffic control
    • This bill is enabling legislation to authorize jurisdictions to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs (“Safety Stop”) and/or treat red lights as stop signs.
    • The “Safety Stop” is a proven safety measure, recommended by the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) [1] and adopted in nine other states and the District of Columbia to date. A 5-year study of the Safety Stop in Delaware was shown to contribute to a 23% reduction in bike crashes at stop-sign controlled intersections.
    • Four states have enacted laws that allow bicyclists to proceed at a steady red light after completely stopping, then exercising due care, and yielding the right of way to drivers; this initiative would both minimize conflicts between drivers and cyclists at intersections and encourage more bicycling.
    • [1] NHTSA’s Bicyclist “Stop-As-Yield” Laws and Safety Fact Sheet, March 2022
  • Senator Barbara Favola’s SB 847, “Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices.”
    • This bill would authorize bicyclists to proceed on the pedestrian Walk Signal.
    • This is a bi-partisan initiative with Senator Bill DeSteph as Chief co-patron
    • This initiative would provide bicyclists with the safety benefits that accrue from “Leading Pedestrian Intervals” (LPI) – the 4 to 7 seconds of head-start that makes it safer for people crossing the street to avoid being struck by a turning vehicle.
    • Many jurisdictions are increasingly providing LPI walk signals as part of their safe streets initiatives. Allowing bicyclists to start crossing the street just a few seconds before the car next to them at a light will save lives.
    • Quote from Alexandria Chief of Police Don Hayes, “I have no problem with supporting this proposal. It would seem to make the crossing safer for all involved.”